A renovation plan in a few clicks

1950s flats need massive renovation. But it could take years for the - sometimes 100 - owners to agree on the approach. An interactive facade configurator is going to help.

"A renovation plan consists of hundreds of issues to resolve: do you apply for short-term financing, or for 30 years? Do you only tackle concrete rot, or do you go straight for another facade that prevents you from having to do something about the concrete rot again later? These decisions are made by members of a homeowner's association together. Issues to resolve and a hundred opinions - that often makes for a difficult and lengthy process," says Jan Nieuwveld, energy consultant.

What does another facade look like?

You see it right away

With the facade configurator, you can see the impact of a decision in just a few clicks. Do you really like a blue facades? And what does it cost you? Do you opt for an insulation measure? Then you will immediately see what you will pay more in mortgage, but also what it will save you in heating costs.

Had you selected cream-coloured sunshades, but want red ones after all? Then you can immediately see what it will cost you extra. Do you remove the awnings? Then you immediately notice that your house gets uncomfortably hot in summer. And you'll get suggestions on how to avoid that. "Everything adjusts automatically," says Jan.

Devised by ICT students

You can slide objects into a 3D image of your property

With the facade configurator, homeowner's associations should be able to decide faster, and thus renovate faster. Wilko Planje, lecturer and researcher at the HU Applied Urban Energy Transition Research Group: "With this, I want to help homeowners make informed, favourable decisions. This can be done by digitising capabilities and aligning data. This tool not only makes the process faster and more insightful; I think it is also going to help reduce CO₂ emissions from homes.

Walk through your new home with 3D glasses on

Residents experience their renovation plan

"In long-term plans for home renovation, sustainability is usually very favourable: many insulation measures will pay for themselves within six to 20 years. If you're making a 30-year plan, it's obviously a no-brainer," says Wilko. Homeowner's associations sometimes do not make that investment because of the costs. The facade configurator shows not only the costs, but also what it delivers: the effect on the indoor climate and decreasing fixed costs, as less gas and electricity are consumed. This allows people to see the whole picture. Without the interest of any contractor or other party, but using science-based data.

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The idea for the facade configurator comes from Happy Balance Foundation, an innovation platform of various parties in the construction and installation industry. The foundation develops solutions to make living and building more sustainable. "This obviously ties in well with our knowledge within the Applied Urban Energy Transition Research Group. And besides ICT students, we also involve our undergraduate Electrical Engineering and Built Environment students," says Wilko. "For these students, a project like this is extremely interesting and educational. Because it deals with a social challenge that will continue to define their future profession: housing that is affordable ánd sustainable?"

This project is being implemented with support from the MMIP 3&4 scheme of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relation.