Bio-Based Retrofitting Enhances Sustainability of Heritage Buildings
A recent study published in Scientific Reports has introduced an integrated framework for evaluating bio-based retrofitting strategies for heritage buildings. This framework combines Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Circular Economy (CE) metrics, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modeling. The study focused on heritage buildings in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iran, assessing the environmental impacts of bio-based materials such as mycelium, straw, hemp, and wood. These materials offer biodegradability, carbon sequestration, and low embodied energy, making them suitable for circular applications. The research demonstrated that bio-based retrofitting can reduce carbon emissions, improve circularity, and achieve cost savings without compromising historical value. 
