Renovating with Residents

Abstract

It’s beneficial to involve residents in the design of the renovation plans of their own homes. This leads to more energy efficient, healthy and comfortable homes due to the removal of mismatches between the resident and their home. It also results in an easier approval process thanks to the increased ownership and a more fair process. I propose a set of five interventions to accomplish this: 1. a survey session to understand current mismatches, hopes and worries 2. a printed renovation guide explaining the changes to the residents’ experiences 3. a tour of a demo apartment focussed on experiencing the new installations 4. a co-creation session together with residents and the renovating party 5. and the communication of the resulting changes. This should solve mismatches which might otherwise remain because the plans ignore existing issues. It also prevents extra mismatches where the new installations do not match the behaviour of the residents. These interventions are designed based on research in the context of a renovation in Reigersbos (Amsterdam) for the Energie Lab Zuidoost. I interviewed and observed residents in a demo apartment, on the street and in their homes, sometimes aided by prototypes or ethnographic probes. I combined those findings with theory from literature and insights from experts I interviewed. The resulting knowledge contributes to our understanding of apartment mismatches and communication surrounding sustainable renovations. The interventions fill a gap of concrete tools to involve residents. Together, it helps us in making these kinds of renovations more inclusive and, through that, making the energy transition more fair and sustainable.