Energy Efficiency and Conservation of Late Twentieth-Century Architecture

How can the energy performance of late twentieth-century buildings be improved while preserving their material, constructional and architectural values? This volume addresses this question through interdisciplinary contributions and the analysis of thirty Italian and international case studies, exploring the relationship between the demands of the energy transition and the conservation of modern heritage.

The publication presents the findings of the research project EeTAC – Energy Efficiency and Conservation of Contemporary Architecture: Preservation, Quality, and Innovation of the Building Envelope, developed by the Department of Architecture and Design at the University of Genoa in collaboration with DOCOMOMO International.

The volume focuses on the building envelope, where environmental performance is closely intertwined with the characteristics that define each building’s identity. Materials, windows, panels, joints and shading devices are examined as components of construction systems whose alteration can affect both energy performance and architectural conservation.

The essays address the relationship between built heritage and the energy transition, the specific challenges of conserving twentieth-century architecture, techniques for restoring building envelopes, and criteria for the ex post evaluation of interventions. Contributions by Marta Casanova and Federica Pompejano are complemented by those of Giovanna Franco, Stefano F. Musso, Daniela Pittaluga, Uta Pottgiesser, Wido Quist and Rita Vecchiattini.

The thirty case studies, organised by building use, document approaches to conservation, refurbishment and adaptive reuse. By comparing pre-intervention conditions, design objectives and completed works, the research provides critical tools for assessing the compatibility of interventions and informing future decisions.

The publication is intended for researchers, designers, conservation professionals, public authorities and students. It invites reflection on energy performance improvements as part of an informed approach to the care and transformation of recent architectural heritage.

English edition

Casanova, M., Pompejano, F. (2026). Energy Efficiency and Conservation of Late Twentieth-Century Architecture. DOCOMOMO International Book Series, no. 03. Delft: DOCOMOMO International.

ISBN: 978-90-833867-2-0
DOI: 10.52200/docomomo.books.03en

Italian edition

Casanova, M., Pompejano, F. (2026). Efficienza energetica e conservazione dell’architettura del secondo Novecento. DOCOMOMO International Book Series, no. 03. Delft: DOCOMOMO International.

ISBN: 978-90-833867-3-7
DOI: 10.52200/docomomo.books.03it

Both the English and Italian editions are available in Open Access and Print-on-Demand through the DOCOMOMO International website.