The retrofit of historic buildings for innovation and sustainability

In a context of increasing criticality of the historical building heritage, interventions range between conservation and transformation, including restoration, maintenance and modernisation activities to preserve or improve the original qualities of buildings. These aim to correct structural deficiencies, such as loss of efficiency due to ageing or external factors, while adapting buildings to new economic, cultural and social needs. Among the emerging methodologies, retrofit represents an approach distinct from simple maintenance, introducing new functionalities not originally foreseen and thus modifying the functioning of technically obsolete structures. This process takes the form of a technological and cultural upgrade, oriented towards improving energy and architectural performance, responding to the challenges of environmental sustainability through innovative strategies. The article explores the concept of retrofit in an analytical and cognitive manner, exploring the use of advanced ICT technologies and Building Information Modelling (BIM) as tools for the evaluation and management of building transformations. Through the analysis of energy behaviour, dynamic simulation and performance control, BIM emerges as a technical and regulatory solution for sustainable retrofit in a context of economic, social and environmental sustainability.