REHOUSE Project Powers Europe’s Green Renovation Revolution with convincing Building Innovations

As part of the European Union's strong commitment to climate neutrality and sustainable living, the REHOUSE project is an important step in transforming Europe's building stock through innovative, people-centred renovation strategies. In line with the European Commission's Renovation Wave initiative, REHOUSE is accelerating deep, energy-efficient renovations that will reduce energy consumption by more than 60%, improve quality of life and boost job creation across the green building sector.

Europe's buildings account for a significant proportion of energy consumption and emissions. In response, the European Commission launched its ‘Renovation Wave for Europe’ strategy in October 2020, which aims to double renovation rates and prioritise deep energy renovations. The REHOUSE project plays an important role in this change. It is developing eight innovative renovation packages that will demonstrate how the industry can scale innovation while maintaining architectural integrity and affordability.

A Pathway to Impact: Innovation, Upscaling, and Inclusion

REHOUSE integrates advanced technologies such as multifunctional prefabricated components, digital modelling, and circular design to industrialise renovation processes. Each renovation package  - from smart walls and intelligent window systems to centralised heating & cooling, and bio-based façade systems - aims to reduce on-site construction time by up to 50%, improve energy efficiency, and lower carbon emissions.

Digital tools such as Building Renovation Passports, Smart Readiness Indicator, and Digital Building Logbooks streamline project planning and financing, enabling fast-track adoption across Europe. Circularity principles are embedded throughout the project, with a strong focus on reuse and recycling of components at end-of-life.

These innovations deliver substantial benefits: improved insulation, enhanced user satisfaction, reduced energy costs, and lower embodied carbon, all while fostering adoption of EU-wide construction standards.

People take centre stage in the REHOUSE project. The project ensures renovations are minimally disruptive, economically viable, and enhance occupants’ indoor comfort and wellbeing. Through dedicated Social Innovation activities, REHOUSE also fosters civic participation and local engagement at demonstration sites.

Progress and Achievements

REHOUSE has made significant strides across its activities:

• As part of social innovation Social Task Forces and user-centred planning methods were established.
• The technical design and digitalisation of the renovation packages were completed and validated at Technology Readiness Level 6.
• A comprehensive KPI framework, integrating digital renovation tools has been developed.
• Demonstration activities at TRL7, with BIM models have been initialised, construction and real-time monitoring are progressing.
• Market replication through business models and standardisation strategies are underway.

From the beginning of the project, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum has been monitoring the innovative outcomes and assisted partners in defining their project results in terms of their substance, future exploitation intentions and ownership of Intellectual Property.

In its final phase, REHOUSE will offer concrete policy recommendations and implementation guidelines to support the EU Green Deal. By providing evidence-based insights, the project aims to inform decision-making at the citizen, professional, research, and political levels - reinforcing the EU’s leadership in sustainable construction and enabling climate neutrality by 2025.

Contact:

• Coordination contact: Javier Antolín Gutiérrez, javant@cartif.es, CARTIF;
• Press contact: Charlotte Schlicke, schlicke@steinbeis-europa.de , Steinbeis Europa Zentrum

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Accelerating the European Renovation Rate - Steinbeis EN