"BRITA in PuBs" - Integrated project in 6th Framework Programme of the EU to overcome barriers encountered when retrofitting buildings

The integrated project aimed to raise the market share of innovative and effective retrofit measures in order to increase energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy in buildings at moderate additional cost. This was achieved by scientifically monitoring examples of renovation measures on eight public demonstration buildings in the four participating European regions.

Various types of public building were chosen so that target groups of different ages and social backgrounds could be reached. Public buildings serve as engines for raising awareness about saving energy in communities.

The research work packages covered socio-economic aspects such as:

• the identification of real planning requirements and financial strategies
• the assessment of guideline documents
• an Internet-based computer tool with knowledge gathered about renovation measures
• a quality control toolbox (control tools collected during and after the building phase).

The project was organized geographically by regions and vertically by liaising with the owners of the public buildings, research team, architects and networks. The Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP coordinated this demonstration project with 23 partners from nine countries as one of seven eco-building demonstration projects currently selected by the EU.

BRITA in PuBs - Homepage

www.brita-in-pubs.eu/

"BRITA in PuBs" - Information Tool (BIT)

Guidebook on how to use energy-efficient technologies in public buildings

Link to the tool

Renovation of the Filderhof nursing home in Stuttgart-Vaihingen

As part of the BRITA in PuBs research project, the Filderhof nursing home in Stuttgart-Vaihingen underwent a complete overhaul to improve its energy efficiency. To this end, the City of Stuttgart, together with the project coordinator, the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP, had prepared a funding application and submitted it to the European Commission in the 6th  Framework Programme.

In addition to fully renovating the building envelope, the building's technical systems were also renewed. The goal was to lower primary energy requirements by 56 percent. The energy measures should reduce CO₂ emissions by around 140 tons per year in the future and cut energy costs by about a third. On completion of the renovation measures, a measurement phase took place to verify the actual savings achieved.