Insulating Existing Masonry Building Facades

Throughout New York, there is a large stock of uninsulated masonry buildings of various typologies, including residential, commercial, arts and culture, and educational. With global efforts to dramatically reduce carbon emissions, and considering that buildings contribute to forty percent of global carbon emissions, leaving these structures uninsulated has become increasingly untenable. These existing envelope systems could be insulated from the interior or exterior. depending on their landmark status, zoning regulations, and occupancy type. In both cases, retrofit feasibility, the durability of materials, installation cost, and overall envelope performance, such as condensation and freeze-thaw damage, could become issues.