MasSan - Feasibility study of serial renovation concepts & models in Austria

Decarbonizing the building sector is one of the key challenges on the path to climate neutrality. Austria has set itself ambitious targets with the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP) and international commitments (EU Buildings Directive, Green Deal, EEDIII). As over a third of CO₂ emissions come from the building sector, a drastic increase in the renovation rate and the (energy-related) quality of renovations is required.

Serial renovation - i.e. the "industrialized" approach in which buildings are renovated with modular roof and wall elements (including building and system technology) in a few weeks in an inhabited state - promises a cost-efficient, scalable and socially acceptable solution. The central research question was therefore: Under what technical, organizational, legal and economic conditions can serial refurbishment be scaled up and systematically implemented in Austria?

The aim of the MasSan study is to develop fields of action and recommendations for "Market development of serial refurbishment in Austria". It examines serial refurbishment as an innovative approach to energy-efficient building refurbishment in Austria and analyzes the potentials, obstacles and success factors for serial refurbishment in Austria.

Technical aspects (e.g. prefabricated components, energy standards), legal hurdles (e.g. public procurement law, tenancy law), economic framework conditions (e.g. funding models, cost structures) and social and communicative issues (e.g. user acceptance, refurbishment in an occupied state) were considered in an integrated manner.

Based on a data collection and analysis of serially refurbished buildings in Europe, these findings were then checked for their feasibility in Austria. Supplemented by experience from (inter)national implementation projects, existing pilot projects and studies from Austria as well as the expertise of relevant stakeholders and a quantitative building analysis, the potential for Austria was derived. The project team conducted over 10 expert interviews with representatives from the housing industry, politics, the construction industry and research and developed a structured package of measures. The analysis was carried out along four categories: construction/energy standard-related, legal/financial, communicative/social and market-related/organizational. International market development teams and value deals (e.g. from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Estonia) served as a framework for comparison.

The study clearly shows that serial refurbishment has a high potential for decarbonization - especially for post-war buildings with a simple structure and cubature. Its advantages lie in shorter construction times, standardized quality, the possibility of refurbishment in an occupied state and long-term cost savings through economies of scale.

In principle, up to 500,000 residential units in Austria are suitable for serial refurbishment. However, there is currently a lack of nationwide market structures, strategic partnerships and targeted funding instruments. The legal framework - particularly in rental and public procurement law - is not yet tailored to the specific requirements of serial processes. Initial pilot projects and research initiatives exist, but they remain mostly isolated. Coordinated scaling and strategic market activation have yet to take place. The main obstacles are unsuitable legal framework conditions (e.g. general contractor awards in the BVergG), high initial investments without secure refinancing and an insufficiently developed market. A central building database, clear framework conditions and targeted market control are also needed to leverage the potential. Success depends not only on technical innovation, but also on political will, legal reforms, social processes and market management. This is a learning from other EU countries!

Central recommendations for action concern

• Clear definitions and market structures to facilitate investment and promote synergies and targeted funding incentives with mandatory cost disclosure
• Funding logic and legal adjustments, for example to overcome procurement and property law hurdles as well as a funding model for a mini-series (e.g. 15 similar buildings) and adjustments to rental, construction and procurement law
• a separate, independent market development team for coordination purposes
• ambitious but realistic energy standards that also allow scope for design
• social involvement and communication to ensure acceptance and participation by residents
• strategic market development, for example through model projects, industry standards and targeted support for SMEs as well as standardization of building technology modules
• and greater involvement of public buildings as model projects

If the proposed package of measures is implemented, serial refurbishment can become a flagship project of Austrian climate and building policy.

This now requires a strategic action plan: the establishment of a cross-industry network, targeted demonstration projects (e.g. the first model district), systematic stakeholder engagement and, in the long term, a market model that is compatible throughout Europe. If the current momentum is not exploited, there is a risk of a loss of innovative and economic power. However, if the market ramp-up is successful, Austria can become a European pioneer - both in terms of climate policy and economically.

For the successful scaling of serial refurbishment, there is an extensive need for research in technical, economic, ecological and social terms. Demonstration projects are the key to practical testing and scaling.

Project management

RENOWAVE.AT

Cooperation partners

• Dr.DI Cornelia Ninaus & DI Armin Knotzer - AEE INTEC
• FH-Doz.Dr. Wolfgang Amann & Dr.MMag Alexis Mundt - IIBW
• Ing. Arch. Martin Ploss & Thomas Roßkopf-Nachbaur MSc - EIV

Mag. Arch Constance Weiser
Schottenfeldgasse 12/1
A-1070 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (664) 393 71 58
E-mail: constance.weiser@renowave.at
Web: www.renowave.at