Microclimatic and Ventilation Conditions in Existing Healthcare Facilities. A Study in the Waiting Room-Testing Centre of a Florentine Historic Hospital

The pandemic COVID-19 era we are experiencing has changed our way of seeing, thinking and designing indoor and outdoor environments and, above all, plant systems and building-plant management. Energy environmental sustainability is a common fundamental target for buildings and plant systems, but health protection and prevention are the priority issues for the basis of any retrofitting and refurbishment operation. This question becomes even more complex if the building is historic and used for hospital or for healthcare facilities. In this research we propose a methodological approach based on the combination of physical-real and “virtual”, i.e. measured and simulated information. The proposed method can be a useful tool for setting up continuous monitoring systems for microclimatic and ventilation conditions, user influx/presence and behaviour, real operation (on demand) of the plants and control/regulation system adjustment. Results show the importance of drawing up useful guidelines for training health workers and people/patient subjects, aiming at conscious interaction for health and wellbeing protection, but also better indoor environment management. This is particularly important for healthcare environments such as the one studied.