Dante school - Coupled window - Low Impact (no impact or minor impact from both inside and outside) - Uw 2.55 W/m²K
The Building
Building post-intervention
Dante school
Dante Alighieri School is considered as one of the most important school building in Bolzano. The architect Gustav Nolte gave the building great importance due to its comprehensive design elements in the Munich Art Nouveau style. Requirement of the heritage authority was the preservation of the entire historic window construction; replacement of damaged panes was possible.
The Solution
Solution pre-intervention
Solution post-intervention
What is the Solution?
The retrofit solution foresees a low impact solution, inserting a seal into a groove all around the existing window frame. Main aim of the window retrofit was the renovation of the existing coupled windows from around 1910, the improvement of airtightness, replacement of damaged panes and the conversion of glazing to safety glass. Damaged panes were substituted, and a foil applied to the existing inner and outer glazing in order to obtain a safety glazing (regulation in public buildings).
Why Does it work?
This solution has very low impact on the building appearance but it improves the airtightness. All wooden parts of the window and all (not rotten) existing glazing panes were maintained.
- Preservation of the entire window construction including historic glazing.
- Low impact window construction – not “visible” when the window is closed.
- Improvement of airtightness and thus reduce of uncontrolled ventilation heat losses and improved comfort through less draught.
- Very low effect on energy efficiency - the solution does not improve the thermal transmittance of the window.
- Windows remain the coldest part of the façade and condensation could occur on the glass.
- Impact on the historic window construction, especially when the sealant is inserted into a milling all around the existing window frame (not reversible).
