How can the energy performance of the existing HIL facade be improved without compromising the architectural quality of the building? The research project “HIL Facade Performance” investigates the capabilities of the existing building envelope and develops potential scenarios for its future retrofit.
At the core of the project are experimental investigations of the facade and glazing system, conducted both in situ at the HIL building and in the ZCBS Lab at ETH Zurich. These studies are complemented by simulation-based analyses to precisely evaluate the facade’s behaviour under different conditions. The combination of measured data and calibrated building simulations enables highly accurate predictions regarding energy performance, emissions, and thermal comfort.
Based on these findings, different retrofit scenarios for the HIL are developed and compared. The studies examine operational energy demand, occupant comfort, and total CO₂ emissions across the life cycle of the building components.
The project contributes to the broader question of how existing university buildings can be sustainably transformed. Its goal is to reduce the building’s energy consumption, improve occupant comfort, and minimise the embodied emissions associated with a potential retrofit.