Sustainable renovation through an industrialised approach is gaining traction, with case studies and best practices illustrating its viability. The concept of industrialisation in the construction industry can vary depending on the context and country. However, its defining feature is a shift from traditional on-site construction methods to industrialised off-site production. This transition incorporates elements such as automation, digitalisation, standardisation, mass production, and prefabrication.  

Industrialised renovation, which is cost-competitive compared to traditional methods if a comparative life cycle costing (LCC) is applied, offers significant advantages in terms of CO₂ savings and implementation speed. Off-site production technologies are expected to reduce construction waste by 10-15 %, lower costs, and accelerate timelines, both for new builds and renovations.  

Notable examples of industrial renovation include Energiesprong from the Netherlands and the Via Russoli project in Milan. 

Despite promising results, widespread adoption of industrialised renovation faces challenges such as skills shortages, regulatory gaps, and financial barriers. Overcoming these obstacles is essential to unlock the full potential of this approach for large-scale, sustainable retrofitting across Europe. 

The expansion of industrialised retrofitting requires strong EU legislative support and increasing market investments. 

#GreenBuildings