Live demo: Serial renovation in Grüne Gasse in Graz

© Klimafonds / Krobath

During a tour and demonstration of a module installation in Graz as part of the RENVELOPE research project, more than 30 experts from the real estate and housing industry, the construction industry and public administration were able to experience the concept of serial renovation live.

Serial renovation with innovative modular system

The large-scale research project RENVELOPE is developing a solution for the serial renovation of large-volume existing buildings and demonstrating it by renovating three different types of buildings. Prefabricated, modular façade elements are being used to modernise the building envelopes.

These building elements include both structural components (such as supporting structures, thermal insulation, windows, etc.) and building services components (e.g. photovoltaics, ventilation, heat distribution system, etc.). The façade elements are prefabricated in the factory and then installed on site with minimal disruption to residents. The installation work is completed in a short time with a high quality of execution. Residents do not have to be relocated during the renovation.

For heating and moderate cooling of rooms, the company TOWERN3000 has developed a heat distribution system that is installed on the façade element at the factory. Similar to wall heating, the flat arrangement of the distribution system ensures low flow temperatures and high user comfort. Thanks to simple piping, thermal utilisation of the exterior walls and low flow temperatures, the system is ideal for renewable heating and cooling systems.

The project consortium for RENVELOPE, consisting of 17 partners, is led by the research institute AEE – Institut für Nachhaltige Technologien (AEE INTEC). The project is being carried out as part of the Green Energy Lab research initiative and is funded by the Climate and Energy Fund’s “Vorzeigeregion Energie (Flagship Region Energy)” programme.

Implementation at a student residence in Graz

As part of the RENVELOPE project, three pilot buildings will be modernised in terms of construction and building services using the serial renovation process. One of these buildings is a student residence in Grüne Gasse in Graz, which is owned by the Rottenmanner Siedlungsgenossenschaft housing association. The six-storey residential building was constructed in 1972 and is located in a densely populated urban area.

The following measures will be implemented as part of the renovation:

• Installation of 84 prefabricated façade modules
• Renovation of the façades with 14 cm thermal insulation plus 10 cm levelling insulation
• Insulation of basement ceiling and top floor ceiling
• Conversion of the heat supply from decentralised electric night storage heaters to a central air-to-water heat pump (24 kW)
• Heating and cooling from outside directly via the façade
• Installation of a 24 kWp photovoltaic system on the roof of the building

© Klimafonds / Krobath

Here you can find more informationen about the RENVELOPE research project.