Wooden Windows in the Historic Alpine Architecture: Balancing Energy and Conservation Needs

Energy performance of historic buildings is an urgent matter, but mass implementation of efficient measures faces several challenges (namely, conservation, durability, or comfort). This paper presents the results of a multidisciplinary study of wooden windows in alpine buildings. Different approaches are needed depending whether the original window is maintained or substituted. In the first case, the results of a desk-based study led to the proposal of two new strategies of intervention. In the latter, an interdisciplinary workshop allowed highlighting the deficiencies of current practice whereas simulation results supported the definition of new approaches to address them.