Rehabilitation Approach for Administrative Buildings to Reach LEED Certificate Criteria

Abstract

In recent years, global energy consumption has significantly increased, creating serious challenges. The depletion of primary energy sources poses a major threat to the world, leading to increased emissions harmful to both humans and the environment, and contributing to climate change. In response, countries have been working to control energy consumption and improve efficiency. One essential solution is the rehabilitation of existing buildings to raise their energy performance, as most of these buildings are not sustainable, and new constructions are insufficient to meet energy efficiency demands. Currently, existing buildings account for approximately 60% of global energy use and produce a third of global carbon emissions. The research focuses on administrative buildings, which are the second-highest consumers of energy and emitters of carbon emissions after residential buildings. These buildings are particularly important and require retrofitting to improve their energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality and transform them into sustainable buildings. The research aims to prepare a strategy for applying retrofit techniques to administrative buildings, ensuring they comply with LEED sustainability standards for existing buildings.The research adopts a theoretical approach, which relies on a review of previous literature to explore the characteristics of administrative buildings, retrofitting procedures, and energy efficiency concepts. Additionally, an analytical approach included: an analysis of three retrofitted buildings certified under LEED v4.1. The research concluded with a comprehensive retrofitting strategy, offering practical solutions for rehabilitating administrative buildings to enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and promote sustainability.