AccScience Publishing / GTI / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/gti.7658
Submit to GTI
Cite this article
1
Download
31
Views
Journal Browser
Volume | Year
Issue
Search
Forthcoming Issue
Current Issue
View All
News and Announcements
View All
ARTICLE

Multi-objective optimization on sustainable retrofit of historical buildings using NSGA-II Algorithm: A case study of Suzhou

Shihao Zhang1 ,  Qi Xu2* ,  Saffa Riffat3
Show Less
1 Department of Architecture, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
2 Department of Architecture, College of Architecture, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
3 Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
GTI, 7658 https://doi.org/10.36922/gti.7658
Submitted: 16 December 2024 | Revised: 1 April 2025 | Accepted: 2 April 2025 | Published: 25 April 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Download PDF
Cite
XML
Abstract

The aim of the study is to advance the revitalization of historical buildings, it is crucial to preserve their historical character while addressing challenges such as poor thermal performance and low environmental comfort, making them better suited to modern needs. Focusing on historical buildings in Suzhou, this study examines integrated renovation strategies that balance objectives such as historical preservation, energy efficiency, cost reduction, and improved environmental comfort. The theoretical component of the research seeks to evaluate the potential for sustainable retrofitting of historical buildings in Suzhou. It aims to reveal the underlying relationships between historical preservation, sustainability goals, and retrofit strategies, ultimately proposing a set of approaches that address multiple objectives. This framework is intended to support more holistic decision-making for green renovations of historical buildings. By offering comprehensive solutions, the research aspires to advance environmental sustainability while maximizing the value of urban historical and cultural heritage preservation.

Keywords
Heritage building
Sustainable retrofit
Multi-objective optimization
Funding
The research is supported by the foundation of Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Construction Carbon Neutral Technology (grant no.: O.JZTZH2023-0103).
Conflict of interest
Prof. Saffa Rizzat is the Editor-in-Chief of this journal but was not in any way involved in the editorial and peer-review process conducted for this paper, directly or indirectly. Separately, other authors declared that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper.
References
  1. Silvero F, Montelpare S, Rodrigues F, Spacone E, Varum H. Energy retrofit solutions for heritage buildings located in hot-humid climates. Procedia Struct Integr. 2018;11:52-59. doi: 10.1016/j.prostr.2018.11.008

 

  1. Chae Y, Kim SH. Selection of retrofit measures for reasonable energy and hygrothermal performances of modern heritage building under dry cold and hot humid climate: A case of modern heritage school in Korea. Case Stud Therm Eng. 2022;36:102243. doi: 10.1016/j.csite.2022.102243

 

  1. Jiang W, Hu H, Tang X, et al. Protective energy-saving retrofits of rammed earth heritage buildings using multi-objective optimization. Case Stud Therm Eng. 2022;38:102343. doi: 10.1016/j.csite.2022.102343

 

  1. Wang Y. Suzhou Creative Cities Network - UNESCO. Suzhou Intangible Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management Office; 2014. Available from: https://en.unesco.org/creative-cities/suzhou [Last accessed on 2024 Jun 30]

 

  1. Ge J, Lu J, Wu J, Luo X, Shen F. Suitable and energy-saving retrofit technology research in traditional wooden houses in Jiangnan, South China. J Build Eng. 2022;45:103550. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2021.103550

 

  1. Clemente P. Extending the life-span of cultural heritage structures. J Civ Struct Health Monit. 2018;8:171-179. doi: 10.1007/s13349-018-0278-3

 

  1. Besen P, Boarin P. Integrating energy retrofit with seismic upgrades to future-proof built heritage: Case studies of unreinforced masonry buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand. Build Environ. 2023;241:110512. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110512

 

  1. Lidelöw S, Örn T, Luciani A, Rizzo A. Energy-efficiency measures for heritage buildings: A literature review. Sustain Cities Soc. 2019;45:231-242. doi: 10.1016/j.scs.2018.09.029

 

  1. Ma M, Ma X, Cai W, Cai W. Low carbon roadmap of residential building sector in China: Historical mitigation and prospective peak. Appl Energy. 2020;273:115247. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115247

 

  1. Almeida M, Ascione F, Iaccheo A, Iovane T, Mastellone M. Towards the necessary decarbonization of historic buildings: A review. Energies (Basel). 2025;18(3):502. doi: 10.3390/en18030502

 

  1. Perret NL, Héberlé E, Perret LE. Multi-Benefit decision-making process for historic buildings: Validation of the caleche hub conceptual model through a literature review. Heritage. 2025;8(2):45. doi: 10.3390/heritage8020045

 

  1. Ruggeri AG, Calzolari M, Scarpa M, Gabrielli L, Davoli P. Planning energy retrofit on historic building stocks: A score-driven decision support system. Energy Build. 2020;224:110066. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110066

 

  1. Choi JY, Nam J, Yuk H, et al. Proposal of retrofit of historic buildings as cafes in Korea: Recycling biomaterials to improve building energy and acoustic performance. Energy Build. 2023;287:112988. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.112988

 

  1. Paul WL, Taylor PA. A comparison of occupant comfort and satisfaction between a green building and a conventional building. Build Environ. 2008;43(11):1858-1870. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2007.11.006

 

  1. Kadrić D, Aganović A, Kadrić E. Multi-objective optimization of energy-efficient retrofitting strategies for single-family residential homes: Minimizing energy consumption, CO2 emissions and retrofit costs. Energy Rep. 2023;10:1968-1981. doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2023.08.086

 

  1. Lou Y, Yang Y, Ye Y, He C, Zuo W. The economic impacts of carbon emission trading scheme on building retrofits: A case study with U.S. medium office buildings. Build Environ. 2022;221:109311. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109311

 

  1. Şahin CD, Arsan ZD, Tunçoku SS, Broström T, Akkurt GG. A transdisciplinary approach on the energy efficient retrofitting of a historic building in the Aegean Region of Turkey. Energy Build. 2015;96:128-139. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.03.018

 

  1. Roberti F, Oberegger UF, Lucchi E, Troi A. Energy retrofit and conservation of a historic building using multi-objective optimization and an analytic hierarchy process. Energy Build. 2017;138:1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.12.028

 

  1. Lu Y, Li P, Lee YP, Song X. An integrated decision-making framework for existing building retrofits based on energy simulation and cost-benefit analysis. J Build Eng. 2021;43:103200. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2021.103200

 

  1. Gupta V, Deb C. Energy retrofit analysis for an educational building in Mumbai. Sustain Futur. 2022;4:100096. doi: 10.1016/j.sftr.2022.100096

 

  1. Marzouk M, El-Maraghy M, Metawie M. Assessing retrofit strategies for mosque buildings using TOPSIS. Energy Rep. 2023;9:1397-1414. doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2022.12.073

 

  1. Yuk H, Choi JY, Kim YU, Chang SJ, Kim S. Historic building energy conservation with wooden attic using vacuum insulation panel retrofit technology. Build Environ. 2023;230:110004. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110004

 

  1. Yuk H, Jo HH, Choi JY, Nam J, Chang SJ, Kim S. Evaluation of suitability for passive retrofit of wooden roof considering the specificity of historic buildings. Build Environ. 2023;242:110608. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110608

 

  1. Li Y, Zhou T, Wang Z, et al. Environment improvement and energy saving in Chinese rural housing based on the field study of thermal adaptability. Energy Sustain Dev. 2022;71:315-329. doi: 10.1016/j.esd.2022.10.006

 

  1. Walker L, Hischier I, Schlueter A. Does context matter? Robust building retrofit decision-making for decarbonization across Europe. Build Environ. 2022;226:109666. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109666

 

Previous article in this issue
Share
Back to top
Green Technology & Innovation, Published by AccScience Publishing
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here
Accept