Making old buildings more energy efficient is an important way for cities to tackle climate change and become more sustainable, but it can be challenging for social housing organisations to make improvements and, at the same time, keep rents affordable.One example of this is the Nettelbeckplatz affordable housing estate in Berlin: a once iconic 1970s architectural landmark that was failing to meet the needs of its mainly elderly residents and was in desperate need of refurbishment and energy efficiency improvements.
Housing cooperative 1892, which built and manages Nettelbeckplatz, came up with an innovative plan to make the estate more sustainable and revitalise the community, without affecting affordability for tenants. Energy-saving measures included new windows, insulation and solar panels to generate renewable electricity. Accessibility was improved for older residents and shared spaces (such as a gym, community room, launderette and cafe) were added, to encourage residents to get together.
A block of 44 new apartments was built to attract a mix of new tenants, including 16 accessible homes for people with reduced mobility, a 10-bedroom assisted-living cluster for elderly tenants, and eight studio apartments for students. The four-year renovation cost €19,800,000 ($21,400,000 USD) and was completed in 2019. Crucially, the new construction remained within the estate’s original footprint and is now home to a diverse mix of people, who benefit from improved, shared facilities, green spaces and reduced energy bills.
