The student obtains knowledge about the design and construction of the building retrofits emphasizing energy savings. The student is able to:
– conduct the fundamental building surveys and diagnostics of buildings during the renovation process,
– recognize current and historical building materials and constructions,
– design the retrofit of various building types as well as individual building structures emphasizing energy savings,
– design the rehabilitation of building defects and failures of non-bearing structures emphasizing requirements of building physics,
– follow and apply relevant legal requirements and other regulations.

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of Brno University of Technology Rules for Studies and Examinations. Lectures are supported with audiovisual equipment, presentation of building material samples and practical demonstrations of measuring devices in the field of reconstruction of buildings and building physics. In practice classes students defend their projects to the teacher. Students have an intranet access to the electronic learning materials.

Successful passing of practice classes requires attendance, submission and presentation of the semestral project. Passing of the course is conditioned by written exam.

1. Introduction to the course; surveys and diagnostics in building renovations; historical development of buildings in the Czech Republic.
2. Energy savings in retrofitting of external walls – part 1: fundamental overview; variants of thermal insulation applications; design criteria and methods of implementation; specific approaches for different wall material solutions.
3. Rehabilitation of selected building structures and improvement of their thermal performance: ceilings, floors, partitions, windows and doors.
4. Energy savings in retrofitting of external walls – part 2: protection of birds and bats on the construction site; local repairs of ETICS; occurrence of algae on ETICS; rehabilitation of ETICS.  Summary of legal and standardized requirements on design documentation of building renovations; the most common defects and failures in the implementation of energy saving measures.
5. Renovations of flat roofs: defects and failures, recovery of function and improvement of thermal performance.
6. Renovations of pitched roofs: defects and failures, recovery of function and improvement of thermal performance.
7. Introduction to pre-cast concrete buildings: historical development of standardized construction systems and their envelope walls. Energy savings in retrofitting of pre-cast concrete buildings, defects and failures of envelope walls, modifications of balconies, loggias and parapet walls. Practical examples of the implementation of energy saving measures.
8. Energy savings in retrofitting of curtain walling: unitised construction and stick construction, glazed facades, historical curtain walling. Wood-based structural systems.
9. Energy savings in retrofitting of building equipment: fundamental overview, spatial requirements, related construction works (placing of pipes and wires, rehabilitation of chimneys, installation of heat pumps, HVAC, etc.).
10. Energy savings in retrofitting of historical and heritage buildings: contemporary legal requirements and other regulations in the Czech Republic, conservation versus interventions. Final exam instructions.

The course is aimed at enhancing knowledge of renovations and retrofitting of buildings, especially in relation to energy savings. It covers in detail the development of different types of building structures and materials that have been applied during the 20th century in the design of roofing, building envelope walls, windows and doors in envelope walls, and learning the theoretical and functional context to acquire the necessary skills and abilities for design.

Extent and forms are specified by guarantor’s regulation updated for every academic year.

• Programme NPC-EVB Master's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory