Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bilgin, along with collaborators Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hayri Baytan Özmen and Ms. Daklea Hyraj, has published a research article titled "Resilient Heritage: Harnessing Technology for Sustainable Conservation" in the journal Research on Engineering Structures and Materials (November 2024).
The study addresses the challenge of improving energy efficiency in architecturally significant heritage buildings without compromising their historical integrity. By focusing on a case study of the Polytechnic University of Tirana, simulations were conducted to evaluate the performance of various double-glazed windows and shading systems.
Key findings show that using double-glazed units filled with argon gas can lead to energy savings of up to 9.90%, while shading devices provide additional savings of 4.3% to 7.8%. The study also highlights cost-effective retrofit strategies, demonstrating that the savings-to-cost ratio ranges from €6,930 to €30,840. These findings emphasize the importance of balancing conservation efforts with modern sustainability practices to preserve cultural heritage.
The article is available at: doi.org/10.17515/resm2024.385st0805rs.