The e-SAFE team has successfully completed the retrofit of its pilot building in Catania, located at Via Acquicella Porto 27/H, demonstrating the combined benefits of seismic safety and energy efficiency in residential buildings.
The intervention focused on a five-storey reinforced concrete (RC) residential block containing 10 apartments, primarily owned by IACP Catania (Istituto Autonomo Case Popolari, the local Public Housing Company). Works began in September 2024 and were completed in September 2025. The University of Catania led the implementation, with contributions from all consortium partners.
Retrofit Technologies and Implementation
The retrofit combined off-site prefabrication with on-site assembly for both the building envelope and mechanical systems.
Building Envelope
Two types of prefabricated panels were used: e-PANELs, installed on all façades, and e-CLTs (Cross-Laminated Timber) applied to selected portions to validate production, installation, and maintenance processes. All panels were prefabricated off-site by Gaspare Mirrione s.p.a. (Castelvetrano, Italy) and cladded on-site to prevent damage and ensure precise alignment. Installation progressed from the ground floor upwards using scaffolding and mechanical arms, with removable, partially prefabricated covers sealing floor-to-floor joints and housing the DHW risers for easy future inspections.
Building Systems (e-THERM)
The building was equipped with an all-electric Domestic Hot Water (DHW) system, e-THERM, including a 26-kW air-to-water heat pump, a 1000 L central storage tank, and ten DHW e-TANK balcony modules (140 L each). A supervisory controller and e-BEMS (Building Energy Management System) manage the system, while a rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system with a 10-kWh battery supports electric demand.
Achieved Performance Targets
The retrofit delivered a high-performance envelope and an efficient all-electric DHW system, achieving:
- Average wall U-value < 0.34 W/m²K
- Non-renewable primary energy savings of 63% (deep renovation level)
The successful completion of the Catania pilot demonstrates the effectiveness of e-SAFE’s integrated approach, combining energy efficiency and seismic resilience to create safer, more sustainable housing solutions for European cities.
Want to see the results in action? Watch the full video here.
