Energy retrofitting of modern heritage in accordance with passive building standard: the case of Yenişehir Cinema

Improving the energy performance of existing buildings is crucial for reducing energy demand and transitioning towards renewable energy sources in the building sector. The Passive Building Standard serves as a valuable guide by providing a set of strategies for achieving high energy efficiency. Yenişehir Cinema, an important modern heritage building, has remained vacant for nearly 12 years. Given its cultural and historical significance, integrating it back into urban life through energy-efficient retrofitting can contribute to urban sustainability.
This study aims to enhance the energy performance of Yenişehir Cinema by transforming it into a passive building. The proposed retrofitting strategy involves implementing a heat recovery ventilation system, improving the building envelope, and mitigating overheating. The energy performance of both the baseline and retrofitted scenarios was assessed using
energy models developed in Design Builder.
The results indicate a 92% reduction in annual heating demand and a 41.3% decrease in total carbon emissions compared to the baseline scenario. Furthermore, the additional investment costs required for the proposed improvements can be recouped within seven years. However, while the overheating in the building was reduced by 40%, this improvement remains insufficient to fully ensure thermal comfort.