GLASS CONTAINERS AS PRE-FABRICATED DOUBLE-SKIN FAÇADE ELEMENTS: REDUCING WASTE, SAVING ENERGY AND IMPROVING INDOOR CLIMATE IN BRICK BUILDINGS

Christensen, Mikkel Gavin

4. Term

Sustainable Design (M.SC)

2019

2019-06-07

41

Dette speciale undersøger, om brugte glasbeholdere kan opcykles til præfabrikerede, ventilerede dobbeltfacadeelementer (double-skin façades, DSF) til renovering af murstensbygninger for at reducere affald, spare energi og forbedre indeklimaet. Udgangspunktet er, at bygninger står for en stor andel af drivhusgasudledningerne, og at komfort, fugt og skimmelrisiko (BTM) ofte er udfordringer i eksisterende byggeri. Specialet skitserer en lavteknologisk DSF-løsning, hvor glasflasker danner en udvendig “bufferzone”, der hæver hulrumstemperaturer, beskytter den ydre mur mod vind og regn og dermed kan reducere energibehovet og fugtrelaterede skader. Den danske og europæiske kontekst belyses med særligt fokus på glasstrømme og transport, kulturarv (SAVE-kategorier) samt regulering af byggematerialer. Metodisk kombinerer arbejdet teori og analysedesign med tre skalerede prototyper af flaskevægge (lille, mellem, stor), infrarød termografi til indledende vurdering af temperatur- og tæthedseffekter, samt sammenlignende analyser af rentabilitet, LCA og LCC (bl.a. med LCAbyg) mod konventionelle, mere “låste” løsninger; der indgår også design for adskillelse (DfD) for at sikre cirkularitet. Resultaterne etablerer et proof-of-concept og peger på potentiale for energibesparelser, bedre termisk balance og nedsat skimmelsvampsrisiko, men identificerer også barrierer og trade-offs, herunder mulige konsekvenser for glasgenanvendelse (mindre returkulørt og mere jomfrueligt råmateriale) samt visuelle restriktioner ved bevaringsværdige facader. Samlet set viser specialet en gennemførlig vej for opgradering af murstensbygninger med upcyklede glas-DSF’er, samtidig med at der efterlyses videre målinger og dokumentation for at kvantificere effekterne i drift.

This thesis explores whether used glass containers can be upcycled into prefabricated, ventilated double-skin façade (DSF) elements for retrofitting brick buildings to cut waste, save energy, and improve the indoor environment. It starts from the premise that buildings account for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions and that thermal comfort, moisture, and mold risk are recurrent issues in existing stock. The proposed low-tech DSF concept uses glass bottles to create an exterior “buffer zone” that raises cavity temperatures, shields the outer wall from wind and rain, and can therefore reduce energy demand and moisture-related damage. The Danish and European context is examined with attention to glass material flows and transport, cultural heritage constraints (SAVE categories), and building product regulation. Methodologically, the work combines theoretical framing with three scaled bottle-wall prototypes (small, medium, large), infrared thermography for initial assessment of temperature and airtightness effects, and comparative profitability, LCA, and LCC analyses (including LCAbyg) against more “locked-in” retrofit options; design for disassembly (DfD) is integrated to secure circularity. The results establish a proof-of-concept and indicate potential for energy savings, improved thermal balance, and reduced mold risk, while also identifying barriers and trade-offs, including implications for glass recycling streams (less cullet returning and increased demand for virgin materials) and visual restrictions on listed façades. Overall, the thesis outlines a feasible pathway to upgrade brick buildings with upcycled glass DSFs and calls for further measurements and in-use documentation to quantify performance.

[This summary has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project (PDF)]

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