For a better, and more sustainable future, we need to change the way we design new homes and renovate existing ones. The current landscape points to an unsettling reality: within the European Union, the built environment alone accounts for a staggering 40% of total energy consumption. Moreover, the energy intricately woven into the very fabric of buildings constitutes as much as 60% of their overall energy usage across their lifespan, inevitably accompanied by a substantial carbon footprint.
Compounding these concerns is the startling revelation that a substantial portion, ranging from 25% to 30%, of the waste streams generated within the EU originate from the construction and demolition sectors. These statistics are a poignant reminder of the persistently unsustainable trajectory defined by the outdated linear model of “take, make, waste.”
The urgency for transformation is undeniable. A paradigm shift is crucial. This commitment finds its bedrock in initiatives such as the EU Green Deal and the Renovation Wave, both set to play pivotal roles in realizing the environmental aspirations in the years ahead. A useful summary of construction and renovation based on the circular economy
Why are we looking for partners among renovation companies?
Timbeco has versatile experience in the construction of wooden buildings from elements and modules, the construction of facade solutions for hybrid buildings and the renovation of old buildings with facade elements. In order for the renovation of buildings to be carried out efficiently with facade elements produced in the factory, we have done extensive collaboration through the Drive0 project in collaboration with Taltech university. Throughout the renovation project, we have done extensive research to ensure the performance and longevity of the solutions we implement.
We want to find partners from different European countries who are experienced in the field of renovation and want to use new technologies. We believe that the renovation of buildings with facade elements is a technology that helps to significantly speed up work processes and allows to meet the goals of the circular economy.
Design and production of insulation elements considering circular renovation principles
Before the start of the renovation works, it is necessary to carry out a pre-renovation survey to check the locations of the structural reinforcements and the stability of the fastening solutions on the building. Before starting the design work, it is necessary to perform a laser scan of the building. The result is a point cloud of the facade and surroundings of the apartment building, on the basis of which a digital 3D base model of the building can be created in Autodesk Revit software. This becomes the basis for creating a model of facade elements.
Insulated facade elements are designed according to the circular economy principle in such a way that they can be disassembled and reused in new renovation projects of a similar building or in the construction of new 1-2 storey townhouses. When designing facade elements, the moisture load from inside the building, from the building’s structures and from rain and snow must be taken into account. It is important to prevent the facade from getting wet and installing insulation elements on an excessively damp wall.
Preliminary work for the installation of facade elements
If the new windows or doors are larger, the window openings must also be milled before installation. The facade elements are attached to the wall of the building using mounting brackets, which are installed on the building before the installation of the facade elements begins. The joints between the elements are sealed with insulating wool and covered with wind barrier tapes. The fastenings of elements are designed in such a way that these elements can be removed from the walls later and used either for the same purpose on another building or disassembled.
Renovation of similar apartment buildings or building block as a series
Prefabricated serial renovation has great potential for renovating an entire block of buildings at once. This leads to economies of scale in production and helps to implement the ambitious European reconstruction plan.
