Nature-based solutions for heritage buildings: green facades

UAN Universiteit Antwerpen Belgium

KIKIRPA Koninklijk Instituut voor het Kunstpatrimonium Belgium

PhD enrolment : UAN

Supervisor: Tim De Kock

Co-supervisor: Julie Desarnaud KIKIRPA

Start date September 2026

Duration (in months) 36

Objectives: Obj1. Study the impact of plant species (deciduous and evergreen) on microclimate and hygrothermal conditions of walls in different seasonal and climatic conditions (in laboratory and on-site) Obj2. Study the impact of plant density (leaf area indices) on the sheltering effect and moisture conditions of walls under different wind-driven rain loads (in laboratory and on-site) Obj3. Optimize ground-based vertical greening systems (incl. support system) as protection and regulation layer with respect to climatic drivers and specifically wind-driven rain; Obj4. Study the water management inside façade using vegetation will allow to develop decision-support tool that can be applied for preventive conservation of our heritage structures Obj5. Perform a heritage impact assessment to address and enhance visual and other impacts of historical buildings, increase biodiversity, and improve the health and well-being of residents.

Expected Results: The result will be a more common adoption of Nature-based solutions for heritage buildings in the form of green facades. Increased efficiency in preventive conservation of built heritage through the dynamic response of plant systems to climatic drivers. Increased use of ground-based vertical greening in preventive conservation of built heritage (through convinced stakeholders) to enhance beneficial effects like heat mitigation, increased biodiversity, improved human health and wellbeing.

Planned secondment(s): C. Bertolin, M20, 4 months, support in Creating Guidelines of installation, monitoring and maintenance for Vertical Green Structure on Immovable cultural Heritage