A framework to sustainable renewal of existing building stock in Brazil

Construction is a key sector to contribute for the sustainable development. Firstly, it consumes a high level of natural resources and energy to produce materials and components. On the other hand, its different processes, as building operation and maintenance, generate a large amount of waste. The adequate specification of materials, construction techniques and management systems in design process can contribute in terms of reducing environmental impact. However, the impact of these improvements in new constructions is slow. Due the construction product long-life and the large quantity of existing buildings it is very important to give special attention to the existing constructions, identifying the potential of improvement through programs of Sustainable renewal. In this sense, this work proposes a framework to be used as a decision support system by designers to propose sustainable building renewal.