1.3. Objectives and research questions

Albanian context The majority of Albania's current structures are old structures that are getting towards the end of their "design" life. In the case of the existing unreinforced masonry (URM) building stock, unsustainability and serious environmental deterioration of structural and non-structural elements usually result in the partial or complete destruction of structures, even in the absence of a significant load or other unusual event. The structural vulnerability plays a key role in this context, particularly because the well-established engineering practices that are currently used to reduce age - associated or hazard-induced damage (e.g., environmental damage, or against seismic risks) were not yet mandatory or even well-known enough to be applied during the design phase. An analogous set of issues may be derived for the topic of energy efficiency in regard to the energy performance of existing URM structures. Following the earthquake in Durres, Albania, in 2019, the significant seismic vulnerability of existing buildings has once again been put in the spotlight of the debate. Furthermore, the vast bulk of Albania's building stock was constructed before the country's first seismic regulations were adopted in 1979, and in a region that is totally characterized by moderate to high levels of seismic risk. The majority of URM structures were constructed in accordance with the available experience and construction practices at the time of construction. Furthermore, most of them have been designed and constructed prior to the implementation of any codes or measures for earthquake forces. As a result, URM structures require strengthening in order to meet current minimum standards and technical expertise of URM. The first regulations targeting thermal performance requirements were established in 2002, though their influence was modest. With the addition of new structures, the reduction in energy use continued to be stable throughout 2012 and into 2013. Therefore, the Albanian building stock features reduced seismic capacity as well as poor energy efficiency, necessitating the use of integrated retrofit interventions methodologies in order to maximize the available resources. As a result of this, an integrative method for the seismic and energy retrofit of an unreinforced masonry (URM) structure was developed. Because pre-1990 buildings in Albania frequently do not meet or exceed the minimum standards stipulated by regulatory requirements, they are in desperate need of an energy requalification process. Furthermore, the majority of the time, the provisions that have been established do not adhere to an integral design approach, according to which diverse components, including as architectural, energy, and structural, must be addressed with each other in order to achieve a whole structure renovation.

1.3. Objectives and research questions

It is typically more cost-effective to retrofit an existing structure rather than to construct a new facility in some cases. Given that buildings consume large quantities of energy, especially for heating and cooling, and that existing structures make up the biggest section of the building sector, it is critical to implement energy saving retrofits to reduce energy usage and the expense of heating, cooling, in order to significantly reduce energy consumption and costs. Before embarking on what may prove to be a significant financial commitment in the retrofitting of existing buildings for energy and sustainability upgrades, it is critical to assess if the investment is worthwhile in context of current building's overall condition. Is the structure of the building in good condition? Is it necessary to make seismic upgrades in order to comply with contemporary standards and regional construction practices? The objective should be to produce a high-performance building throughout the planning stage by utilizing an integrated, whole-building design process. For instance, the integrated project team may identify a single design strategy capable of addressing various design objectives. This results in the building being less expensive to operate, increasing in value, lasting longer, and contributing to a better, healthier, and more comfortable environment for people to live and work in. By incorporating sustainability measures into significant renovations and retrofits of existing structures, you may minimize operating costs and environmental impact while increasing the adaptation, longevity, and resilience of the facility.

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