TECHNE: Special Series Vol. 3
Research and Experimentation

The eco-sustainable renovation of knowledge buildings through a cross-border living lab

Antonella Violano
Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Italy
Bio
Monica Cannaviello
Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Italy
Souha Ferchichi
Mediterranean Renewable Energy Centre, Tunisia
Ines Khalifa
Mediterranean Renewable Energy Centre, Tunisia
Jose Luis Molina
School Thermal Energy Engineering Department, Universidad De Sevilla, Spain
Imad Ibrik
Energy Research Centre, University An-Najah National University, Palestine
Antonella Trombadore
Department of Architecture, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy

Published 2025-07-31

Keywords

  • University building,
  • Cross-border living-lab,
  • Energy retrofit,
  • Human-environment centred design,
  • Perceived comfort

How to Cite

Violano, A., Cannaviello, M., Ferchichi, S., Khalifa, I., Molina, J. L., Ibrik, I., & Trombadore, A. (2025). The eco-sustainable renovation of knowledge buildings through a cross-border living lab. TECHNE - Journal of Technology for Architecture and Environment, (3), 159–169. https://doi.org/10.36253/techne-16998

Abstract

Sustainable building management requires creative interpretation of direct user needs, a skilful balance between technological innovation and applied research into the concept of “Possible Quality”. Med-EcoSuRe research project proposes a pragmatic approach to innovation, whereby experimentation involving the active engagement of end users is conducted with particular focus on human-environment centred design. The objective of this approach is to disseminate effective energy efficiency strategies in university buildings through a cross-border Living Lab. Physical and virtual tools were implemented to foster dialogue and collaboration between academics, decision-makers and stakeholders, and to support university energy managers in planning and implementing innovative energy measures. This paper, starting from a rapid illustration of the results of the research project, illustrates the value enhancing actions post-closure of the project, in progress and/or planned.

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