Respectful renovation
More than thirty per cent of the Dutch housing stock was built between 1965 and 1985. These homes are due for renovation in the next few years in order for them to meet current demands and requirements in terms of energy consumption, aesthetics, comfort and liveability. How can we ensure a sustainable future for this large, diverse and complex housing stock while respecting the current values of these homes and the living environment?
The ‘Respectful Renovation’ research project focuses on the renovation of housing built between 1965 and 1985. This is what is known as ‘Post-65’ architecture (i.e. built after 1965), which is not generally regarded as valuable architecture. The houses no longer meet today’s demands and expectations, and will have to be renovated in the next few years. There is, however, a current lack of consensus regarding the value of these buildings and areas in both academic and public debate. This means that, with respect to renovations that are due to take place, there is no clarity regarding which qualities need to be preserved or improved.
Holistic
The purpose of the research is to develop a method by which values can be incorporated in design decisions aimed at sustainable housing renovation. This method adopts a holistic approach to values. This means that existing and future cultural, functional and social values – both tangible and intangible – are integrated into feasible renovation models for individual dwellings, residential buildings and the living environment. These include e.g. aesthetic qualities such as the use of colour or materials, demands as to energy efficiency and comfort, accessibility, user behaviour and the quality of public space all play a role in this approach.
Involving stakeholders
The purpose of the research is to develop a method by which values can be incorporated in design decisions aimed at sustainable housing renovation. This method adopts a holistic approach to values. This means that existing and future cultural, functional and social values – both tangible and intangible – are integrated into feasible renovation models for individual dwellings, residential buildings and the living environment. These include e.g. aesthetic qualities such as the use of colour or materials, demands as to energy efficiency and comfort, accessibility, user behaviour and the quality of public space all play a role in this approach.
Follow-up to ‘Beyond the Current’
The ‘Respectful Renovation’ project is a follow-up to a previous research project entitled ‘Beyond the Current’, which focused on finding design solutions for the energy-efficient renovation of walk-up apartment blocks, with reference to the preferences of the tenants. This follow-up research increases complexity in three ways. Firstly, the renovation models are based on existing values, allowing better respect for and integration of these values. Secondly, besides walk-up apartment blocks, the post-65 residential buildings comprise a broader diversity of housing types and ownership structures. And thirdly, a broad group of stakeholders is participating in this research.
More information
- This research is subsidised by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) within the context of the ‘Erfgoed en Duurzaamheid’ (Heritage and Sustainability) programme. The research project was launched in September 2020 and will run until the end of December 2022.
- The project page can be found here.
- Related research: ‘Beyond the Current’.
- More information: Lidwine Spoormans (Project Manager for the research project), Heritage & Architecture, AE+T.