The REHOUSE project has accrued 35 months of activity and interaction with users and the community of local administrators.
Starting in May 2025, the results will be applied to 1:1 scale demonstrators. This construction phase will be followed by data collection and comparison with the KPIs. The set of activities will conclude in May 2026.
These packages will overcome the main obstacles currently slowing down building renovation rates in the EU, following circularity principles, including multifunctionality, through the integration of active and passive elements, prefabrication, off-site construction and assembly of components, respecting the aesthetics, architectural and historical value of the buildings.
RI Spa, together with partners PEDONE WORKING, SUNAGE, and SUPSI in the REHOUSE project, acts as the group leader for the renovation package called RP#5 Multipurpose Facade with Bio-based Insulation and BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics), an innovative, multifunctional, continuous facade.
The RP#5 Facade belongs to the product category of ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite System), to which it contributes technological advancements combined with the adoption of:
an innovative thermo-acoustic insulation system called Bio-Canapanel Multidensity, created and produced by Pedone Working, an Italian manufacturer specialised in the processing of hemp for construction.
BIPV “Building Integrated Photovoltaics” manufactured by SUNAGE, a company specialised in PV modules, and coordinated with the research laboratories of SUPSI (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland).
RI Spa, as a specialisation centre on prefabrication, is responsible for the design, construction of the substructure and installation of approximately 800 m² of Multifunctional Facade, characterised by the stratigraphy that integrates bio-based thermo-acoustic insulation and BIPV.
Figure 1: Stratigraphy Multi-purpose Facade ©RI spa
main technical and operational challenges faced in the project fostered strong synergy among the expertise of the involved partners, particularly in the fields of modularity, advanced prefabrication, and construction safety. This multidisciplinary collaboration has been essential in addressing the complexities related to the assembly phases, site logistics management, and the adaptation of components to real-world installation conditions.The three main components of the multifunctional façade – the prefabricated substructure, the bio-based thermo-acoustic insulation system, and the integrated photovoltaic modules (BIPV) – underwent a thorough process of technical review and validation. As part of ensuring compliance with the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) of the REHOUSE project, the RP#5 package underwent five design variations, also driven by the results that emerged from the laboratory testing campaigns.
In April 2025, the working group of the project began the construction on the ARCA Capitanata building, the Regional Agency for Housing and Living of Puglia (institutional partner of the project), located in Margherita di Savoia (BAT). The façade covers over 756 m², of which 331 m² are dedicated to the RP#5 Multi-Purpose Facade.
Figure 2: Wind pressure intake and load test ©RI spa
Among the tests carried out, particular emphasis was given to mechanical impact tests to verify the resistance of the stratigraphy to accidental impacts, such as the impact of throwing objects or inadvertent blows due to accidental contact with people, simulating real conditions of use in urban areas. The hail tests, conducted according to existing standards, made it possible to evaluate the durability of external materials (glass and coverings) compared to increasingly frequent and intense meteorological events, confirming the robustness of the BIPV modules integrated into the facade.
Figure 3: Fire reaction test (SBI) at Istituto Giordano Spa ©RI spa
In terms of fire safety, fire reaction tests were conducted both with scaled prototypes and through the SBI test (Single Burning Item test). The aim is to evaluate the performance of bio-based materials in combination with the photovoltaic layers. These tests, still ongoing, will enable the experimental façade to meet and comply with regulatory requirements, ensuring a high level of safety for the occupants.
The demonstration site chosen for the installation of the facade is a public housing building built in 1986, spread over four floors and consisting of eight apartments. It currently accommodates around twenty residents, mostly elderly people. The condition of the property, with deteriorated reinforced concrete structures, absent thermal insulation, dated systems and numerous architectural barriers, represents a true reflection of the widespread challenges faced by Italy’s public residential heritage.
Intervening in the field, in addition to representing a technical challenge, also carries significant social value. Renovating a building inhabited by vulnerable individuals not only improves energy performance but also restores living dignity, enhances internal comfort, increases climate resilience, and reduces inequalities. The installation of the multifunctional façade is not just a technological demonstrator, but a concrete step toward healthier, safer, and more sustainable housing for all.
Figure 4: Rendering image of the final façade solution ©RI spa
In this context, the REHOUSE project is not only an innovative initiative from a technical standpoint, but also an integrated intervention model that combines research, industry, and social responsibility, offering a concrete vision of how construction can contribute to the ecological transition and social inclusion.
Author: Cosimo Tafuro
Organisation Website: https://www.rigroup.it/
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