Construction Site Visit in Nienburg: Serial Refurbishment as a Practical Example for the Heat Transition
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Construction Site Visit in Nienburg: Serial Refurbishment as a Practical Example of the Heat Transition
Nienburg/Weser, May 13, 2026 – Together with GBN Wohnungsunternehmen GmbH Nienburg/Weser and vdw Niedersachsen Bremen, ecoworks provided insights into the ongoing refurbishment project on Hans-Böckler-Straße during a construction site event. Representatives from the regional housing industry, the energy sector, and politics took the opportunity to get a first-hand look at the implementation of serial renovation in occupied existing buildings.
Expert Insights, Project Presentation, and "Flying" Facades Live
The event focused on expert insights, a project presentation, and a joint tour of the construction site. Contributions were made by Dr. Susanne Schmitt (vdw Niedersachsen Bremen), Claus Vollmer (GBN Wohnungsunternehmen GmbH Nienburg/Weser), Fynn Vincent Hackstein (Stadtwerke Nienburg/Weser), and Paul Birkner, Managing Director & COO at ecoworks, among others. As a special highlight, participants were able to watch the installation of the "flying" facade elements in real time – a process that shortens the renewal of the building envelope from several months to just a few weeks. Afterwards, an open Q&A session provided space to discuss the challenges and potential of serial energetic modernization.
"Thanks to subsidies, the refurbishment costs are on a similar level to conventional refurbishments – despite a better energy performance and a significantly shorter construction time." — Claus Vollmer, Managing Director of GBN Wohnungsunternehmen GmbH Nienburg/Weser
"We must achieve our climate goals in Lower Saxony by 2040. Building refurbishment with serially manufactured facade elements can play an important role here." — Dr. Susanne Schmitt, President of vdw Niedersachsen Bremen
Minister Tonne Visits the Site
The following day, Grant Hendrik Tonne, Lower Saxony's Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport, and Building, visited the construction site in Nienburg. On-site, he gathered information about the project's progress and the potential of serial refurbishment solutions to accelerate the heat transition in existing buildings.
About the Project
As part of the project, three multi-family houses from the 1950s are undergoing energetic modernization – while fully occupied. Within a few weeks, the buildings will receive a new building envelope made of prefabricated timber frame elements with integrated windows and ventilation systems. The refurbishment is complemented by modern building services engineering and a new roof solution featuring large-scale photovoltaics. Through these measures, the buildings will achieve the KfW Efficiency House 55 standard (energy efficiency class A) in the future. Energy demand will be reduced by more than 70 percent, while simultaneously saving around 100 tons of CO₂ annually. Further information on the project: www.ecoworks.tech/projekt/nienburg
About GBN Wohnungsunternehmen GmbH Nienburg/Weser
The company's portfolio is located exclusively within the city limits of Nienburg and serves to provide citizens with contemporary housing at market-oriented rents. The company operates in the legal form of a GmbH (limited liability company). The sole shareholder is the City of Nienburg. The managed portfolio comprises approx. 2,400 apartments, approx. 600 garages, as well as commercial properties. We view housing as both an economic and a social good. Our business model is designed for long-term sustainability and social responsibility. We are not interested in short-term success. The goal of our strategy is to improve housing quality, tenant satisfaction, and to generate sustainable returns.
Contact
info@gbn-nienburg.de
www.gbn-nienburg.de
About ecoworks
ecoworks is the housing industry's partner for affordable energetic refurbishment. As a pioneer of serial refurbishment in Germany, ecoworks shifts 80% of the value creation from the construction site to the factory. The Berlin-based company plans, designs, and installs facade and roof elements to retrofit multi-family houses to a net-zero standard within a few weeks. Currently working on over 20 serial refurbishment projects nationwide, ecoworks is one of the world's most innovative providers of climate technology in the building sector.
Contact
presse@ecoworks.tech
www.ecoworks.tech
