Bringing old buildings to contemporary sustainability standards
In today's ever-changing world, many buildings from the 1960s and 1970s are far from energy-efficient and have outdated systems. As we strive for more sustainable and cost-effective solutions, upgrading these buildings becomes a priority.
Our team of engineers and architects works together to bring these objectives to life. Engineers handle the technical aspects, while architects find creative ways to incorporate new systems without compromising usable space. This combination of technical expertise and practical organization is crucial for improving living conditions in all aspects.
Below, we'll break down two recent case studies to highlight the importance of having a team with both skills to enhance your property.
Initial Building Inspection
When we inspect a building, we start with a thorough assessment of safety features, fire safety measures, and accessibility. We evaluate the building's structure and components to ensure they meet safety standards and regulations. We also identify potential risks that could harm the building and its residents.
Roadmap
We create a step-by-step plan to guide our clients, listing the necessary measures in order of priority. We adhere to energy-saving principles, aiming to reduce heat demand through improved insulation. This step helps us achieve energy efficiency goals while complying with regulations.
Ensure compliance with regulations, standards, and objectives.
Calculate the EPB label to identify the most energy-efficient combination of installations.
Explore future scenarios.
Assess available space for new systems and reconfiguration needs.
Steps
Reducing Energy Demand: We focus on proper insulation of the building shell.
Using Renewable Energy: We replace existing installations with more efficient ones.
Efficient Energy Use: This includes low-temperature heating, limiting pipe lengths, insulating pipelines, enhancing ventilation systems, and utilizing heat pumps.
Case Study 1: Kruishof III
In this case, we not only addressed safety and maintenance but also modernized the building while preserving its history. We evaluated technical systems like ventilation, heating, plumbing, electricity, and lighting, considering replacements and upgrades. We even explored renewable energy options to reduce energy costs for residents.
For this project, we examined technical installation configurations and renewable energy options to reduce energy costs for residents. Our best scenario involved replacing fossil fuel gas boilers with air-water heat pumps, ventilo-convectors, and solar panels. This not only enhances heating and cooling, but also allows us to store extra heat for domestic water use.
Case-study Kerkindijk
The process for this building closely mirrored our approach to the Kruishof project. It all began with a comprehensive building inspection and a meticulous study of the existing installations. Our primary objective was to identify necessary repairs and upgrades.
This particular building, like Kruishof, relied on fossil fuels for its heating system. We strongly recommended replacing this with more sustainable and energy-efficient alternatives.
However, a substantial challenge presented itself. The building had an extremely limited footprint available for introducing new installations, whether within the apartments or outdoor areas. This constraint compelled us to think outside the box and seek solutions that wouldn't compromise the residents' comfort and living space.
As a key part of our strategy for the building, we recognized the need to completely replace the walls and balconies. It was essential to upgrade the entire façade and balcony systems to address issues like cold bridges and condensation.
What truly sets us apart is our holistic approach. With a complete team of engineers and architects, we anticipate the consequences of each decision on the entire project. We develop scenarios that not only meet technical standards but also enhance aesthetics. We don't look at individual elements in isolation; instead, we consider the bigger picture.
Renovation leads to more possibilities
We find opportunities to add privately owned public space in routine projects like building repairs, restoration, and waterproofing that drive value for our building owners. With creative programming and design, we leverage the full potential of overlooked urban spaces, like courtyards in perimeter blocks or the areas surrounding buildings, to make sites more desirable and valuable. Read more
Why redevelopment?
A building is never truly finished; it can always be re-adapted and transformed to take upon a new form or function. Recycling architecture has been a common practice throughout history, and in many cases, it has led to the preservation of a large part of our current cultural heritage. Read more
The story behind redevelop belgium
“It takes 65 years for a new energy-efficient building to save the amount of energy that an adaptive reuse project does. redevelop is a strategic design firm that develops and implements sustainable strategies to develop post-war buildings for contemporary use.” Read more
That's how the concrete crumbles
Early 20th-century engineers thought reinforced concrete structures would last a very long time – even up to 1,000 years. In reality, their life span is significantly shorter, depending on the quality of the production and maintenance. Read more
Façade renovation 101
A renovation with a high-quality upgrade of the existing structure, combined with interior renewals as an opt-in choice, can give most parties what they want. An entire building envelope can be renewed according to future standards. Read more
