Nearly Zero Energy Buildings and Proliferation of Microorganisms - A Current Issue for Highly Insulated and Airtight Building Envelopes

This book provides a concise review of the thermo-physical phenomena which regulate heat and moisture transportation in Nearly Zero Energy Buildings envelopes, and their relationship with the growth of biological organisms.
It describes the main microorganisms proliferating on contemporary building elements and within buildings. It also states the consequences of biological growth on durability, aesthetics and human health; and provides the main methods for the analytical and experimental evaluation of proliferation.
Finally, through the review of recent developments, remedial actions to counter the biological phenomenon are examined, and an outline is provided for future innovations in a field not yet widely investigated.


Elisa Di Giuseppe is currently studying for a PhD in Building Physics; she is also a research fellow at the Università Politecnica delle Marche (Italy), and a designer, with particular focus on the behaviour of building components and their integration into constructions. She has acquired considerable expertise in the experimental and analytical evaluation of hygrothermal performance and durability of building materials.
More recently Elisa Di Giuseppe has been particularly involved in sustainability, green building design, retrofitting and the development of energy efficient technologies, specifically the regulatory framework on the emerging 'Nearly Zero Energy Buildings'.