Energy Efficiency Improvement in Industrial Brownfield Heritage Buildings: Case Study of “Beko”

Abstract

Brownfield sites often form on industrial sites of once successful companies dating from the era of industrialization, due to loss of active function and despite their historical significance. Accompanied by urban decline, they contribute to continuous pollution, decrease in economic values, as well as loss of local identity. On the other hand, they represent a reserve of space of great potential in central urban locations. The main purpose of this research is to examine possibilities for improvement by their reuse, while preserving built-in cultural values and acknowledging contemporary requirements. A review of contemporary literature considering the concept of brownfield sites provides a starting theoretical basis for understanding their strengths and potentials, as well as the problems when redeveloping such sites. The subject of the research is exploring strategies for brownfield revitalization while reactivating industrial buildings through adaptive reuse. This includes sustainable solutions in accordance with modern requirements, especially energy efficiency, as one of the main concepts of existing building stock improvement that recognizes importance of responsible energy resources management. The paper includes a case study of the previously devastated brownfield site of “Beko” industrial building, located in the central urban area of Belgrade. Its former state, as well as parts of the documentation for reconstruction and its conversion into a modern business facility “Kalemegdan Business Center,” is thoroughly analyzed, emphasizing the positive results of energy efficiency improvements despite the restrictions intended for historic buildings alterations. The aim of the paper is to create a theoretical platform that provides firm arguments in favor of realizing the importance and potentials of industrial brownfield sites revitalization at present, as well as the constraints regarding its practical implementation considering buildings of cultural value.

1 Introduction

After a global shift of paradigm in the industrial processes, once successful companies established during the period of industrialization experienced downfall lacking the resilience to change. It gradually led to the loss of their active function and formation of industrial brownfield sites. With some of the vital functions of the city diminishing, urban decline ensued, deepening the loss of local identity. The very motive for writing this paper is exploring possibilities for reviving industrial brownfield locations by improvements regarding contemporary demands, primarily respecting and preserving their built-in cultural values.

Reinstating an active function of an industrial brownfield is facilitated through the concept of adaptive reuse. Theoretical basis regarding brownfield characteristics, classification, and inventory mainly considers contemporary authors within Serbia and the neighboring region, with respect to the regional specifics on the matter in comparison to developed EU countries.

An overview is given of contemporary strategies for buildings’ improvement that is necessary for contemporary purposes, emphasizing energy efficiency as the first and foremost requirement for compliance, with essential legislative framework presented.

The case study presented serves as an example of a building conversion, formerly used for an industry function. After losing its original purpose, it has become part of an industrial brownfield, deteriorating rapidly despite a favorable location within the central region of Belgrade. A previous state analysis and evaluation of industrial brownfield characteristics according to a referent model are included, as well as an assessment of planned and executed works on improving the energy efficiency during the process of adaptive reuse carried out in order to revive the brownfield site.

2 Adaptive Reuse and Revitalization of Brownfield Sites of Industrial Heritage

Even regardless of a building’s historical significance, treating the existing unused building stock as a resource provides substantial benefits with retaining the built-in materials and embodied energy, thus reducing raw material use, pollution, and waste.

On a larger scale, utilizing inactive central urban capacities contributes to the compactness of the city, optimizing infrastructure and population density, resulting in considerable energy savings, and preventing the urban sprawl at the expense of natural resources.

Adaptive reuse, a contemporary concept of protecting the architectural heritage, represents improvement of the built environment through adaptation for new purposes and requirements, while preserving the identity and intrinsic collective memory. It gains foothold in international conventions regarding industrial heritage, such as the Dublin Principles (International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) 2011), and architectural heritage, as in the Leeuwarden Declaration (Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) 2018). It is important for heritage preservation, sustainable urban development, and growing environmental concerns.

In the most developed EU countries, the reuse of urban areas is a priority of spatial development strategies, meeting economic, environmental, and social conditions—the three basic principles of sustainable development. (Danilović et al. 2008) Even though the issue of brownfield sites revitalization has been present globally since 1980s, within the post-socialist countries, it has been considered only since the 2000, due to their transition causing delay (Đukić et al. 2014).

In relation to greenfield investments, brownfield revitalization is a complex process with uncertainties, additional risks, and costs, involving significant private investment and public intervention, while in some cases it is not even possible. However, investing in brownfield sites is a better long-term investment due to increasing economic values of the land in question, less investment in infrastructure, growing employment, and overall activities on the local level. Brownfield sites represent an important reserve of urban space which, if strategically designed in accordance with the actual development capacities, can significantly improve the characteristics of an entire urban area. They are more of an opportunity and a challenge than a problem for the local context.

The ecological load of the brownfield site implies that its decontamination is necessary for the reuse or conversion, unless the pollution is resolved naturally. The need for investments in consolidation of a site can significantly affect its market price, even to its negative value. Liability for environmental pollution can be determined and charged according to the “polluter pays” rule. Since the Republic of Serbia is the inheritor of formerly state-owned companies, a more significant government-funded realization of such consolidations is necessary.

The key problems are stereotypes of unprofitability of investing in brownfield sites, neglect of their spatial potentials as an “inherited burden,” lack of development strategies and declarative commitment without practical engagement. Investment models that are supporting greenfield investments and excessive urbanization, with perception through the prism of economic aspects, result in their suburbanization. (Đukić et al. 2014).

3 An Overview of Strategies for Buildings’ Improvement

Contemporary solutions that can be used to improve existing structures are the same as in new buildings construction, but the implementation is as difficult as the existing conditions and/or conservation requirements are challenging. As shown in Table 73.2, evaluation of the current state is the first step for any strategy, in order to determine the factual state as accurately as possible before selecting applicable measures.

Energy efficiency is one of the basic contemporary requirements, with European legislation on the matter being transmitted into national strategies and regulations of the Republic of Serbia, as part of the Accession to the European Union. The EU Directive 2018/844 (Directive (Eu) 2018) amending Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency thus were transferred, respectively, into the Law on Planning and Construction (Gazette office of RS 2021), as well as the Rulebook on Energy Efficiency of Buildings (Gazette office of RS 2011), and Rulebook on the Conditions, Content, and Manner of Issuance of Certificates of Energy Performance of Buildings (Gazette office of RS 2018). The European Standard for Conservation of cultural heritage—Guidelines for improving the energy performance of historic buildings (Standard 2016) give further directions regarding acknowledged heritage, although serving only as a recommendation.

The most immediate energy performance upgrades are the enhancements of the envelope with the aim of reducing energy consumption required for heating and cooling. External walls’ thermal characteristics are directly advanced by adding thermal insulation. Integrated and interactive façade systems can prevent overheating during the summer and heat loss during the winter but are disputable regarding heritage buildings.

Improving the roof means adding waterproofing and thermal insulation and can include “green roofs.” The structures on the ground are amended by performing proper drainage, waterproofing, and thermal insulation. By repairing or replacing doors and windows, their thermal properties can be increased. In the case of buildings with strict conditions for protection of façade elements, these measures are applied accordingly.

Reducing the need for heating, cooling, and ventilation is achieved primarily through the use of passive solar systems, such as: greenhouse, Trombe’s wall, or double façade.

The advantages of the latter are reduced energy consumption, comfort, and esthetics, as it is most often used as a design solution when renovating the façades of protected buildings. Passive natural ventilation systems are achieved through appropriate positioning of openings or introducing solutions such as the Venturi effect. When it comes to retrofit, the design of natural lighting is an important component, because most conversions involve changing the elements that affect the entry of daylight, and analysis of daylight is included in all relevant performance evaluations. Further reducing the demand for electricity is accomplished by modifying electrical installations and equipment according to new purposes and requirements of efficiency.

Due to high share in carbon dioxide emissions, the decarbonization of the building stock in the EU will be mandatory by 2050 according to the Directive 2018/844 (Directive (Eu) 2018).

This implies ever stricter requirements for the building sector and would not be possible without the use of renewable resources that should therefore be promoted in Serbia.

All things considered, one should keep in mind the possible integration of individual solutions, which decreases the amount of space and substructure required. Adapting all applied systems after the final phase of execution of works enables fine-tuning and optimization of the whole instead of maximizing the individual elements.

4 Case Study of “Beko”—Kalemegdan Business Center

The case study discloses data on the previously abandoned textile industry facility on Vojvode Bojovića Boulevard in Belgrade, as well as the phase of its conversion into the Kalemegdan Business Center office building, which was completed in 2019 with a comprehensive adaptation of the assembly.

4.1 Previous State of Industrial Brownfield

The “Beko” (Fig. 73.1) was built in 1931 and is especially important because of its location in the very heart of the city in Dorćol, within the Belgrade Fortress assemblage, which was declared a cultural monument in 1965 and determined to be immovable cultural heritage of exceptional importance for the Republic of Serbia in 1979. It has lost its active function in 2002 and gradually turned into ruin, despite its advantageous position.

Fig. 73.1

(Source Remorker Architects)

“Beko” building before reconstruction: a street view (Author Đorđe Kojadinović, RAS Srbija), b–d interior and structure.

The technical and environmental characteristics of the brownfield location of the Belgrade clothing brand “Beko” building were originally analyzed in the research by Krstić-Furundžić et al. (Krstić-Furundžić et al. 2014) among eleven other industrial brownfield locations in Belgrade. An evaluation was performed according to a selected model, which used technical criteria and brownfield factors to identify properties and priorities significant for their treatment, in support to creating a central register for brownfield refurbishment.

The extracted data for the location in question are listed in Table 73.1.

Table 73.1 Characteristics of the brownfield location “Beko” (adapted from Krstić-Furundžić et al. (Krstić-Furundžić et al. 2014))

Table 73.2 Observed building improvement strategies

The data show that “Beko” brownfield site was characterized by moderate environmental impact hazards and having substantial economic potential that would be fulfilled through its adaptive reuse. This would result in increased values, improving the quality of life for the local community, enhancing both social and environmental sustainability.

4.2 Improving Energy Efficiency Within Adaptive Reuse

According to the Technical Description of the Architectural Design for building permit (Kopring 2018a), the evaluation of the current state executed by the Faculty of Civil Engineering showed that the six floors high structure was practically in a derelict condition, with no roof construction, roof cover, doors, windows, nor internal installation. Respecting former methods of building, the façade was left without any thermal insulation, and the final layer with façade plastic was in very poor condition. The structure expertise pointed out the need for improvement of the load bearing elements, so the design officially included the structural rehabilitation of the building.

Conditions for conservation, maintenance, and use of cultural heritage and heritage that has status of preliminary protection and protection measures for the preparation of the Detailed Regulation Plan (No. 39/10, dated 09.11.2009) were issued by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia, which provided opportunities and conditions for the transformation that the authors respected throughout the design.

All floors have been completely adapted, in terms of function and construction, and instead of an attic, an additional floor has been formed, as shown in Fig. 73.2.

Fig. 73.2

(Source https://www.gradnja.rs/beko-kalemegdan-business-center-remorker/)

“Kalemegdan Business Center” (ex “Beko”) after adaptation: a exterior, b main entrance, c–e interior.

The Energy Efficiency Study (Kopring 2018b) included detailed calculations for the structure, renewed in a combined structural system—reinforced concrete columns and beams, solid façade walls made of bricks of the old format, massive reinforced concrete finned ceilings. Regarding the improvement of the envelope, in accordance with received requirements for conservation that were not restrictive in terms of retaining the existing façade surface, the design included its complete reconstruction with the addition of stone mineral wool thermal insulation layer, plastering and fabrication of façade elements according to the original appearance. The new façade mimics the look of the original but is made in a modern system. The roofs were planned as flat, laying on reinforced concrete construction, with vapor barrier, rock wool thermal insulation, waterproofing membrane, and mechanical protection. The ground floor was also repaired by performing waterproofing, placing XPS boards for thermal insulation, cement screed, and final floor coverings. Doors and windows of aluminum profiles with thermal break and three-layer low-emission glass package were installed. The document concluded that all individual assemblies of the new thermal envelope met the conditions of the maximum allowable heat transfer and water vapor diffusion.

Existing geometry and position of the building allows for proper insolation, as well as natural ventilation, so no new passive systems were deliberately introduced. Natural lighting was maximized through open space design concept in addition to organizational flexibility. All new electrical and mechanical equipment were installed, ensuring modern-day efficiency. The heating is supplied via district heating system, and renewable sources of energy were not proposed, even though a more substantial utilization of these strategies could have contributed to an even greater advancement.

As the result of improvements, current design puts the building into Energy Performance Class “C,” according to national regulations (Fig. 73.3).

Fig. 73.3

Excerpt from the energy efficiency study—energy performance class (EPC) evaluation (Kopring 2018b)

5 Conclusions

Despite the less strict attitude toward conservation today and existing standards for the application of energy efficiency, industrial brownfield heritage buildings will hardly meet contemporary requirements in terms of environmental certifications that are constantly being improved. Instead of further tightening the rules for values to be achieved, it is more urgent to insist on a greater degree of existing buildings’ improvements, through various renovation programs, and with an emphasis on public buildings as representatives of the concept.

The analysis of the “Kalemegdan Business Center” case study undoubtedly confirmed that, despite additional restrictions in the field of architectural heritage protection, the potentials for improving the built environment through the revitalization of industrial brownfields by adaptive reuse are substantial. Furthermore, the application of measures for improving energy efficiency realized in this particular case met the set requirements for new construction in Serbia of a minimal “C” Energy Performance Class. This is still far from the coveted concept of energy-neutral buildings but represents a significant achievement since it is not mandatory for buildings of cultural heritage.