Adaptation of multi-family buildings to extreme heat

Increased and longer heat waves, together with higher average temperatures, will have considerable effects on buildings without mechanical cooling such as homes, which can lead to severe risks to health and comfort.

The possible increase in cooling systems would drastically raise the demand for electricity, with a serious impact on the reliability of the grid, especially during peak hours, and increased CO2 emissions.

Using existing data, this project aims to define drivers for overheating by assessing the relationship between thermal climate, building and apartment characteristics and occupant behaviour.

Combining the fields of architecture, engineering and sociology, and with the advantage of existing thermal climate data and a building-stock model, the project will in a short time contribute to new knowledge and the development of guidelines to help designers, housing owners and authorities combat extreme heat in existing and new apartments in energy- and resource-efficient ways.