Abstract
Energy retrofit will be key in achieving the comfort and energy standards that are needed to ensure the continued use of historic buildings and consequently their conservation. Dissemination of bestpractices is a powerful tool to engage building owners in the adoption of low-carbon measures and increase the renovation rate of buildings (currently below 1% per year). This paper presents an exemplary case study of a building renovation in the Alpine region of South Tyrol, Italy. The documentation follows the structure developed within the research projects IEASHC Task59 and Interreg Alpine Space ATLAS for the elaboration of a best-practice database (available at www.hiberatlas.com). The structure of this database allows the case study to be presented in a way that the information is targeted to the end-users responding to their different needs and requirements. This database will offer owners, architects and developers the possibility to find the inspiration and information needed to pursue their own renovation projects and profit from already existing knowledge. The building presented here, a listed farmhouse built around the 16th century at 1,500 m above sea level, presents many traditional features such as solid wood construction with decorated balconies, windows with deep reveals and painted frames, or vaulted ceilings. The renovation included insulation of walls, roof and ground floor, replacement of windows and heating system, and the installation of renewable energy sources. The intervention reached low levels of energy demand that are fully covered by renewable sources produced on-site. The open dialogue and support among owners, architect and the local heritage authority ensured the quality of the retrofit towards high standards of efficiency and comfort in the building while preserving its cultural integrity.