A New Era of Repair Construction
Renovation Leap
The Renovation Leap change project introduced new practices for repair construction. The project created new qualitative objectives and innovative procurement models for repair construction.
Supposing 80% of residential multi-storey buildings in the Helsinki Region built in 1960s, 1970s and 1980s were renovated as energy efficient (energy demand for heating max. 40 kWh/m²), emission reduction potential would be 303 000 tonnes CO₂e per year.
→ Approx. 87% reduction compared to current emissions of the buildings.
→ Equals annual emissions of over 74 000 residents of the Helsinki Region.
What is it all about
Energy-efficient repair construction is the fastest way to produce emission reductions in the current building stock. Applying smart solutions to repair construction also reduces the carbon footprint of buildings.
The duration of renovations is shortened. Housing conditions improve in old buildings as well, which increases the value of the areas.
The housing repair construction market in Finland is worth over seven billion euros. Ecosystems formed by companies can bring new construction solutions to market that shorten the maintenance backlog.
The use of prefabricated elements and modular components in repair construction is still limited. The industry needs testing locations that will help validate functional concepts and forms of cooperation.
The ecosystem formed in the project between builders and the companies providing solutions and services streamlines repair construction through a new kind of dialogue with property owners.
Results
The project brought together rental housing companies and repair construction solution providers. Workshops provided rental housing companies with information on what new solutions were available in general. The solutions presented were related to, among other things, energy efficiency and streamlining pipe renovations. In addition, the project explored interaction with residents, one example being the resident communication application of construction and real estate consultancy company Vahanen.
An important aspect of the project was to highlight the quality and energy efficiency of repair construction. VTT created a tool that helps set clear qualitative objectives for repair construction in the design phase, construction phase and the final result.
The introduction of new solutions in repair construction also demands a new approach to procurement. The workshops highlighted the role of the public sector and developed procurement methods for them that help make new solutions and service concepts more widespread.
Several of the project’s solutions were also tested in a real environment. The locations were provided by Helsingin kaupungin asunnot Oy (Heka), Kojamo Oyj and Lahden talot Oy.
The next steps
Work on the quality of repair construction will continue at VTT. VTT is identifying opportunities to launch further projects with rental housing companies and housing companies, which could include piloting a quality tool and new types of procurement models.
In turn, Helsingin kaupungin asunnot (City of Helsinki apartments) are considering using a lifecycle model. The idea is that in the future, repair construction could be viewed more from a carbon footprint and lifecycle perspective.
Project goal
There is a lot of room for improvement in repair and complementary construction, and the maintenance backlog of the Finnish building stock will rise to up to 30–50 billion euros. The Renovation Leap change project addressed the challenges of repair construction both in terms of construction quality and practical measures. The aim was to create new practices that help solve problems related to repair construction. New solutions will help to, among other things, shorten the duration of renovations, reduce the cost of repair, and make the lifecycle of properties smarter and more energy-efficient.
Partners
The project received AIKO funding awarded by the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council for launching regional innovations and trials. Its funders also include the Smart & Clean Foundation, the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland ARA, and the City of Helsinki.
The project was implemented mainly in cooperation by VTT and Motiva. Demonstration locations for the basis of concept development were provided by Helsingin kaupungin asunnot Oy (Heka), Kojamo Oyj and Lahden talot Oy. The following companies and organisations were also involved: A-insinöörit, Asuntotuotantotoimisto ATT, Caverion Oy, Cembrit Oy, DryIce Oy, Enervent Oy, Ensto Oy, Fixel Oy, Fourdeg Oy, Helen Oy, Hilti Oy, Iisy Oy, Integral Oy, NCC Oy, KONE Hissit Oy, Paroc Oy, Planest Oy, Pilaster Oy, Salusfin Oy, Oy Timberframe Ltd, Vahanen PRO Oy, Wanderfeel, Raksystems Oy, Ramirent Oy, Residentia Oy, Sato Oyj, SG Elementit Oy, Soficta Oy, Uponor Oy, Valvontakonsultit Oy, YIT Oy and the Ministry of the Environment.
Where are we going
Done
In progress
Read more
Farewell from Smart & Clean
Last week the leaked IPCC’s draft report (due to be published 2022) warns us of accelerating climate devastation and paints a distressing picture of how climate change will fundamentally reshape life on Earth in the coming decades. The global average temperature has already reached 1,1°C above the pre-industrial period, and on current trends, we’re heading for 3°C at best. As Nicholas Stern, former chief economist at the World Bank and author of the landmark Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change put it: “The world is confronting a complex set of interwoven challenges, and unless we tackle them together, we are not going to do very well on any of them”.
Smart & Clean’s 5‐year work coming to an end – Watch the Legacy video
Smart & Clean Foundation’s fifth and final year is coming to an end in June 2021. Since 2016 we have been working hard to create climate solutions together with the Helsinki metropolitan cities, companies, universities, R&D; institutions, and the Finnish state. The climate crisis can only be solved by working together.
Energy renovations would reduce heating emissions in Helsinki Region by 90%
The Renovation Leap change project produced new qualitative objectives and innovative procurement models for repair construction. There is a need for new solutions, since the maintenance backlog of the Finnish building stock will rise to up to 30–50 billion euros.