Sustainable Refurbishment
Tomorrow’s buildings have already been built – but they need an upgrade! Preferably right away, because climate protection and social trends are changing the requirements for buildings.
Revitalize established buildings – do it now to prepare them for tomorrow!
All buildings require regular upgrade of both technical and energy-related systems. This is the only way to preserve the value of your properties. And now is the time to go one step further – with Sustainable Refurbishment!
Because only those who refurbish sustainably will make their established properties fit for the future. Stricter climate protection regulations and new user needs already require property owners, tenants and operators to act with foresight.
of buildings in the EU are over 20 years old
of energy emissions are caused by buildings
of energy requirements can be saved through professional refurbishment and the use of modern building services equipment
of EU building stock is renovated to improve energy efficiency each year
Is refurbishment always the best solution? Let the data decide
Refurbishing an existing building is often seen as the more sustainable option — but it is not always automatically the most effective one. Depending on the asset, its condition, future use, investment needs and expected energy performance, different strategies can lead to very different economic and environmental outcomes.
At Drees & Sommer Belgium, we help clients make these decisions based on real data rather than assumptions. We compare different development scenarios — from light refurbishment to heavy refurbishment or new construction — and show which option offers the best balance between cost, carbon impact and long-term performance.
Adaptive reuse decisions: identifying the most efficient strategy
When deciding the future of an existing asset, clients need a clear and comparable basis for decision-making. Should the building be lightly refurbished? Does it require a deeper transformation? Or would new construction deliver better long-term value?
We provide the tools, analysis and scenarios needed to answer these questions with confidence.
Following a site visit, we assess the building’s current condition and develop realistic assumptions for future energy consumption. This allows us to quantify operational carbon emissions and integrate them into the overall evaluation.
The result is a structured comparison of possible strategies, helping clients understand the trade-offs between investment, operational performance and environmental impact before making a decision.
We provide the data. You make the decision.
Every asset is different — and so is every investment decision. That is why we do not assume that refurbishment is always the best solution. Instead, we create a transparent, data-based comparison of the possible options, so you can decide which strategy best fits your economic, environmental and operational goals.
We assess different scenarios, such as:
- Light refurbishment
Targeted improvements with limited intervention, focused on improving usability, energy performance and long-term value. - Heavy refurbishment
A more extensive transformation of the building, including technical systems, building fabric and future functionality. - New construction
A complete redevelopment scenario, assessed against refurbishment options to understand whether rebuilding could deliver a better long-term outcome.
For each scenario, we analyse energy consumption, operational carbon impact, cost-saving potential and long-term performance. This gives you a clear and comparable view of the options — with the facts needed to make a confident decision.
Because the right strategy should not be based on assumptions. It should be based on real data, transparent scenarios and a clear understanding of long-term impact.
our services
- Site visit and existing building assessment
- Scenario development
- Energy consumption assessment
- Operational carbon analysis
- Cost-saving potential analysis
- Economic and environmental comparison
- Decision-ready reporting
- Strategic recommendation and next steps
Your partner for Sustainable Refurbishment
The buildings of the future are already standing: Our experts can help you ensure that you make the very best of your established buildings. They will be involved in your refurbishment project from the outset, run through various scenarios with you, and even implement them for you – as part of a complete package with project management, planning and construction management, if you wish. We combine an eye for the big picture with expertise that considers everything down to the smallest detail.
Methods and tools such as Lean Construction Management and Building Information Modeling provide transparency and reduce risks. And modular construction allows even complex projects to be implemented economically. Consulting, Planning, Construction and Operation – our role is to do exactly what the customer and the project require.
