Updating the existing buildings is key towards a sustainable and affordable path. In Spain, 58% of the building stock was built previously to 1980 and therefore, efficiency regulations were not considered during the design process. While we face this reality, in Spain, the current renovation and retrofitting ratio is 19% of the total construction activity versus an average of 42% in the UE or 62% in Germany. 

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Consequently, as part of my MSc thesis, I developed a design research project based on the insulation of walls and roof, and the recovery of traditional elements from the Galician vernacular architecture (the glazed gallery facing South and the stone wall behind it to store heat from the solar gains) to improve energy efficiency, as well as, thermal and lighting comfort.