Project R-5644

Mutation+: Mutation Homes harmonious upgraded with modular techniques and function of life, living comfort and energy savings. (Research)

A mutation dwelling is a dwelling that is temporarily unoccupied, waiting for a new occupant (renter). This is a perfect moment to substantially improve the energy performance of the dwelling as well as the performance for comfort and lifelong living needs. The objective of Mutatie+ is to investigate how an individual dwelling, built before 1995, can be transformed into a nearly zero energy (nZE) dwelling including a simultaneous improvement of bathroom or kitchen and meeting the needs for lifelong living. Through combinations of interventions on energy and liveability aspects, important savings of time and money will be realised. Mutatie+ will develop a roadmap for combined renovations taking into account opportunities for future adaptations for energy and liveability. The technical renovation concept consists of prefab modules with innovative coupling of envelope components, building systems and technology. The modules are replaceable and guarantee that houses can be adapted depending on the needs of the occupants. The development of a dashboard and online tools with specific and user friendly information on cost and energy savings and comfort improvement aims for a beter sensitization and mobilisation of building occupants. Cost savings resulting from the improvement of the energy performance will be used to (partially) finance further improvements. Instead of developing serial solutions, Mutatie+ will offer an integrated approach tailored to the customer. The house owner will receive more quality for a lower cost and less annoyance. The combined attention for social and technical aspects, interacting in an improvement loop, will result in highly qualitative and at the same time affordable renovation concepts. The social housing company Nieuw Dak provides social dwellings for testing and demonstration of the Mutatie+ renovation approach. Afterwards the validated renovation concepts will be rolled out to the Flemish private renovation market and also the opportunities for new dwellings will be analysed.

15 August 2014 - 14 August 2018