Möchengladbach – Am Brandhügel
As part of a groundbreaking renovation project, five residential buildings from the 1950s, comprising a total of 20 apartments, were completely modernized at the Living Lab Mönchengladbach. In 2023, LEG and ecoworks led the way by transforming these buildings into NetZero energy-plus homes through serial renovation. The project significantly reduced energy consumption and improved the buildings’ appearance at the same time.
Overview
The Challenge:
Five residential buildings from the 1950s in Mönchengladbach showed typical signs of aging, with major modernization needs, significant energy losses, and an outdated look. This scenario is common among many housing estates from that era. The goal was to go beyond a visual upgrade through deep, serial renovation and transform the buildings into energy-plus homes that meet the NetZero standard, fundamentally improving their emissions balance over their entire lifecycle.
The Approach:
The project centered on the consistent use of serial renovation. Highly insulated, prefabricated facade elements were installed to minimize thermal bridges and speed up assembly. A powerful photovoltaic system now supplies self-generated electricity and is key to achieving a positive energy balance. Special attention was given to using bio-based building materials to ensure sustainability throughout each building’s lifecycle. Together with a highly efficient building envelope, these measures form the basis for the energy-plus standard and NetZero certification of the 20 apartments.
The Result:
The five buildings now have a modern appearance and have been successfully transformed into energy-plus homes that meet the NetZero standard. This results in a major boost in energy efficiency and a positive annual energy balance. The use of bio-based materials also ensures an excellent emissions balance over the entire lifecycle. The project has created a forward-looking living environment with clear benefits for residents, owners, and the environment, successfully completed in 2023 at the Living Lab Mönchengladbach.
H ➔ A
Energy Efficiency Class
Improvement from a worst-performing building to KfW Efficiency House 55 standard
87.5 t
CO₂ Emissions Savings
Emissions reduction and PV credit lower CO2-Balance from 84.8 t to -2.7 t
- 92.5%
Energy Demand
Improvement of energy demand from 292 kWh/m²a to 22 kWh/m²a
Maßnahmen im Überblick
Fassaden
The 32-centimeter-thick, factory-made façade modules, clad in wood-look James Hardie fiber cement panels, were mounted onto pre-installed brackets in record time.
Dach
The old roof covering and overhang were removed, and damaged roof areas were repaired. Prefabricated roof elements were then installed and fitted with photovoltaic panels on both sides.
Fenster
Old windows were replaced, and the window reveals were finished with high-quality blind frames. All apartment windows are now equipped with external sun protection and electrically operated shutters.
Balkone
Keller
The basement ceiling was insulated with 160 mm mineral wool. The gas heating system was replaced by a heat pump (per house) with a low-temperature flow and buffer tank.
Heizung
The gas heating system was replaced by a heat pump (per house) with a low-temperature flow and buffer tank.
Hauseingänge
Energieversorgung
The energy center/heat pump is powered by solar and green electricity, which is provided as a mix of self-produced electricity from the in-house photovoltaic system and from externally purchased green electricity. As a result, the heat supply is completely decoupled from expected future price increases in the area of fossil fuels (gas, oil — CO₂ tax).
Leitungen
The Energy Center/Heat Pump is powered by solar and green electricity, which is provided as a mix of self-produced electricity from the in-house photovoltaic system and from externally purchased green electricity. As a result, the heat supply is completely decoupled from expected future price increases in the area of fossil fuels (gas, oil — CO₂ tax).
Gallery
