SPHEERE aims to develop an innovative renovation process based on a multi‐functional, prefabricated and holistic package for sustainable building retrofit. To ensure maximum potential for rapid and broad deployment at European level, this package is conceived to be easily adapted to different building types, uses and climate contexts, with minor adjustments and specific adaptations (e.g. insulation thickness, HVAC power, PV surface, etc.). The project is based on a highly innovative approach-both from a process (design, manufacturing, installation) and component perspective-capable of combining high performance with significantly reduced installation time and cost. Based on a multifunctional digital backbone and on the development of innovative products, manufacturing methods and laying practices, the process embraces the whole workflow of building renovation, from industrial design, to offsite manufacturing, intervention planning, installation, maintenance, operation and end of life. The combination of technological, methodological and organizational innovations, closely interconnected also according to circularity principles, will enable the transformation of existing buildings of different types and categories into energy-efficient/flexible and low-emission buildings, considering the entire life cycle. Moreover, design, experimentation and organic development of the various phases and subcomponents of both process and system will allow for very rapid installation times at significantly reduced costs, while limiting disturbance and interference with occupants as well as impacts on the intervening environmental context. This project will be developed to give implementation to the “Built4People Partnership Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda 2021-2027” on the basis of the Consortium partners' participation in the strategic activities of ECTP and New European Bauhaus.

The RE-SKIN project aims at developing an integrated and multifunctional system for energy retrofit of existing buildings, organised in two main subsystems, roof and façade, combined with the building's HVAC system. The roof is equipped with a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal system, which produces electricity and heat and at the same time thermally and acoustically insulates the slab beneath. Electricity, from retrofitted photovoltaic modules, powers the building's loads, which interacts with the grid and EV charging stations. Heat is used by a heat pump for heating and hot water preparation. Solar modules form the outer skin of the roof and replace traditional materials such as tiles and sheets. Through a special treatment, they can take on different colours, depending on the aesthetic and architectural identity of the building. The façade is a thermal cladding with self-supporting panels and bio-based insulation, optimised for quick assembly without scaffolding, inside which the wiring for the new installations and earthquake sensors are housed. Retrofit techniques/components of existing windows are also included. Both the roof and the façade are particularly resistant to weather and extreme climatic phenomena, as they use materials that are more resistant and waterproof than traditional ones. The HVAC system consists of a solar-assisted DC air-water heat pump, connected to smart-fancoils, which are designed to be connected to the building’s heating piping, but can provide both heating and cooling. The whole system is designed according to a circular economy logic, using mostly recycled/bio-based/repurposed/refurbished materials, and is supported by a lifecycle cloud-based DSS and energy management tool, in order to maximise energy performance while reducing environmental impacts. The system can be applied all over Europe, as it provides renewable energy and participates actively and passively in the energy performance of buildings, both in summer and winter.