Initial Situation

The exploratory project ZplusB is developing an innovative renovation approach that is jointly supported by owners and user groups. It emerged from the ZxB (Zinshaus X Baugruppe) research-project, which investigates how joint user groups can be set up in apartment blocks in order to increase the rate of modernisation. After 16 months, the ZxB project is showing signs of success: instead of the planned two projects, there are now four owners who are exploring opportunities for cooperation with (future) tenants. The ZplusB project in Graz has a special position, as it comprises several properties and already involves a committed group of users who do not yet live there. In order to effectively support cooperation on the properties in Graz, the ZplusB project was extracted as an independent exploratory project with the aim of developing a cooperation agreement that is the basis for investment in the renovation.

Motivation

The overarching goal is to promote comprehensive sustainable and collaborative renovation. The ZplusB project represents a new approach in which the owner is encouraged to undertake a committed renovation by the motivated user group. By jointly building up knowledge and negotiating the measures to be taken between the owner and users, a needs-based, high-quality renovation and sustainable management is made possible. The future users want to take responsibility for their living environment and develop a long-term perspective for the buildings and their use together with the owner. They contribute the innovative strength and ecological orientation inherent in „Baugruppen". The cooperative approach will ultimately serve as a model for other projects.

Innovation and Results

The innovative renovation approach proposed in the ZplusB exploratory project aims to create synergies between owners and (former) users.

Methodogical Approach

Together with the user group and the owner, a common knowledge base was first established in the areas of communal living, climate change adaptation, ecological materials, timber construction, building envelopes and greening, technical systems, and energy supply. With the help of jointly developed questionnaires, an overview of the partners' interests was created. Based on this, thematic workshops were designed with the aim of reaching all preliminary decisions, plans etc. for a cooperation agreement.

Results and Conclusions

Unfortunately, cooperation between the partners did not work out in the end. Nevertheless, the foundations for an exemplary model of cooperative renovation projects were laid and a long-term, shared perspective for owners and users was developed. The following results serve both the existing group, which continues to search for partners open to cooperation, and other cooperative renovation projects:

• Template for a cooperation agreement between owners and user groups as a basis for investing time and money in renovation, in conjunction with a transformation plan for the development of a climate-neutral neighbourhood
• Basics for deciding on a cooperative rental, financing and usage model for a cross-property building group in existing buildings
• Developed process in which knowledge is built up and project qualities are negotiated, considering the interests of both sides, so that needs-based solutions with cost and energy savings are developed
• Training materials for getting started with the topic

It has become apparent that open discussion of the owner's long-term and short-term goals is particularly important. In this case, these goals underwent significant changes during the exploratory project. These changes were gradually clarified during discussions on the financial structure of the model. An important insight for the development of a cooperative model is therefore that, in addition to the topics mentioned, the common knowledge base regarding legal and financial issues must be strengthened.

Outlook

Specifically, the user group is now looking for new cooperation partners for a communal housing project in existing buildings.

The present results now form the basis for further elaboration during a demo project that is yet to be found.

Project management

Realitylab GmbH – Petra Hendrich

Project or cooperation partners

• e7 – energy innovation & engineering
• M2S Rechtsanwälte
• Initiative gemeinsam Bauen und Wohnen
• Verein ZplusB, gemeinschaftlich Wohnen in Graz
• Philipp Kronawetter
• baukult ZT GmbH

realitylab GmbH
Petra Hendrich
Bruno-Marek-Allee 5/11 Z2
A-1020 Vienna
Tel.: +43 (1) 996 2015 22
E-mail: hp@realitylab.at
Web: www.zxb-info.at