Transformation of Historical Buildings into Zero Energy Buildings - the Case of Palazzo de Simone, Benevento, Italy

The energy requalification of historical buildings is an interesting challenge that links the historical-artistic sphere to the technological-plant engineering one with the ultimate aim of improving energy efficiency and environmental comfort. The European Commission's long-term strategic vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive, and climate-neutral economy by 2050 outlines key strategic blocks for maximizing the benefits of energy efficiency, including zero-emission buildings, and for maximizing the deployment of renewables and the use of electricity to fully decarbonize Europe's energy supply. The EU Climate Target Plan 2030 emphasizes, once again and even more urgently than in 2050, the critical need to construct a modern, sustainable, and resilient Europe, and this lofty goal entails cleaner air, greater energy security, and more energy-efficient buildings. Regarding these European regulations, Italy has ratified the PNIEC and wants to work with it to pursue an indicative goal of lowering consumption by 2030 to a level that is equal to 43% of primary energy and 39.7% of final energy compared to the PRIMES 2007 reference scenario. To achieve this goal, particular attention is paid to the existing buildings such as Palazzo De Simone. So, for the historical building, the main objectives have been to minimize the environmental impact; ensure a high level of microclimatic comfort and good indoor air quality; ensure the conservation and integrity of the property while preserving its historical character; to improve the energy performance of the building, reducing energy requirements and consequently management costs. This historic structure was constructed in Benevento (BN) in the eighteenth century on a project by the architect Raguzzini. It has been feasible to develop a successful analysis framework starting from extensive historical research as well as from several non-destructive in-situ surveys and environmental data. Following the identification of the design objectives, design strategies and solutions have been developed. By the Superintendence's restrictions, it has been determined to work globally with a conservative restoration and specifically at the following stages: first, on the building envelope while leaving the systems unaltered, and then on the systems while leaving the envelope unchanged. Finally, after crossing the results, the transformation of the historical building into a nZEB was achieved, by the legislative limits imposed by national legislation.