The uniqueness of the VELUX climate renovation project lies in its reproducibility in both financial and technical terms. Indeed, the current challenge is no longer how to build or renovate low energy buildings but how to do so at a reasonable cost. 

The project aims to define an affordable solution that can be scaled for use all across Europe. The selected building typology was chosen after an analysis of the real estate market potential, with the hope that a widespread implementation of this concept will lead to large-scale energy savings.

A reproducible, comfortable and affordable renovation solution

To test its concept in practice, the VELUX Group entered into a strategic partnership with the social housing company Foyer Anderlechtois/Anderlechtse Haard, which owns around 3,600 social dwellings in the Brussels area. 

A compact, semi-detached house in very bad condition, dating back to the mid-1920s, was made available for renovation. An architecture competition was organised to generate new ideas and innovative concepts for the climate renovation, which was won by Antwerp-based architecture office ONO Architectuur. 

"We at the VELUX Group want to engage in and contribute to the debate on sustainable living in buildings. We are investing time and resources in this project because we think that health and well-being deserve more attention, especially in energy-efficient buildings. Moreover, I find this project very relevant from a social point of view; sustainable and healthier buildings have to be made accessible to the many," says Christian Fosseur, General Manager of VELUX Belgium.

Addressing challenges 

The VELUX climate renovation project addresses a series of current challenges. First, it focuses on renovation − 90% of today's buildings will still be in use in 2050. New buildings represent only a tiny proportion of the European building stock, and most of the buildings we live in were designed with little attention for a healthy indoor climate and energy efficiency. Indeed, buildings account for 40% of the overall energy consumption, and 30% of the buildings we live and work in do not offer a healthy indoor climate. As a result, the European building stock is in urgent need of renovation.

For the VELUX Group, the solution lies in 'climate renovations', renovations that combine health and well-being with energy savings.

"Daylight and natural ventilation, at the core of VELUX expertise, play a crucial role in climate renovations," underlines Christian Fosseur.

Active House − a vision of buildings that give more than they take

The technical specifications used for this project will be the ones defined by the Active House Alliance. The VELUX Group supports this NGO that unites producers of building materials, scientists and architects around a vision of buildings that "give more than they take". The Active House vision focuses not only on energy efficiency but also on indoor climate and impact on the environment. It strives for a holistic view on buildings.

- Watch video:  European Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard talks about Active House

The building works are planned to start in late 2014. After the summer of 2015, the Group will open the house to visitors for twelve months in order to share the concept with a wider audience. Afterwards, it will be occupied by a social housing beneficiary, with further scientific monitoring for two more years. The VELUX Group will communicate the results of and experience learned from this project, and thus contribute to the debate about the buildings of the future.

- Read more: Active House – one solution for nearly Energy Zero buildings

Source: VELUX

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