Tadeo Baldiri Salcedo Rahola, Ad Straub, Angela Ruiz Lázaro and Yves Galiègue
The renovation of existing building stock is seen as one the most practical ways to achieve the high energy savings targets for the built environment defined by European…
Abstract
The renovation of existing building stock is seen as one the most practical ways to achieve the high energy savings targets for the built environment defined by European authorities. In France, the Grenelle environmental legislation addresses the need to renovate the building stock and specifically stresses the key role of social housing organisations. In recent years, French procurement rules have been modified in order to allow social housing organisations to make use of integrated contracts such as Design-Build-Maintain. These contracts have a greater potential to deliver energy savings in renovation projects than do traditional project delivery methods, like Design-bid-Build. This is because they facilitate collaboration between the various actors and boost their commitment to the achievement of project goals. In order to evaluate the estimated potential of such contracts to achieve energy savings, two renovation projects (carried out by two French social housing organisations) were analysed from their inception until the end of construction work. The analysis is based on written tender documents, technical evaluation reports, observations of the negotiation phase (in one of the cases) and interviews with the main actors involved. Findings show that Design-Build-Maintain contracts do indeed offer substantial energy savings. Both projects achieved higher energy targets than those initially required. Furthermore, the energy results are guaranteed by the contractor, through a system of bonuses and penalties. Other results demonstrate that, compared to previous Design-bid-Build renovation projects, these projects were completed in less time (from project inception to completion of the work) and at virtually the same cost. There has also been a substantial improvement in cooperation between the actors involved.
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Tadeo Baldiri Salcedo Rahola and Ad Straub
This paper aims to gain more in-depth knowledge in the tendering procedures and organisational typologies of consortia working with integrated contracts for social housing…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to gain more in-depth knowledge in the tendering procedures and organisational typologies of consortia working with integrated contracts for social housing renovation projects and especially in the inherent changes in the role of the architect and his or her relations with the client and consortium members.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 21 Dutch social housing renovation projects using an integrated contract with the involvement of an architect were identified in the period 2005-2013. The study is based on interviews with 13 from 21 architects working in these projects.
Findings
The findings indicate that in the majority of these projects, the architect is contracted by the main contractor rather than by the client, the social housing organisation. The new contractual relationship has no significant effect on the relationship of the architect with the social housing organisation and improves the relationship of the architect with the main contractor, consultants, advisors and other consortium members, such as specialist contractors. The architect switches from the role of designer to that of technical and aesthetic advisor, compared to traditional design-bid-build projects.
Research limitations/implications
The findings are based on the first experiences of architects working with integrated contracts for social housing renovation projects. Results may be different for other types of projects.
Practical implications
Architects involved in integrated contracts for housing renovation projects can foresee the implications for their daily work. The study provides useful insights for educational reform to prepare students and practising architects to make the most of the new situation.
Originality/value
The few studies into integrated contracts that refer to the role of the architect have flagged up changes in this role relative to the traditional design-bid-build approach. This study provides in-depth knowledge of the role of the architect in integrated contracts.
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Tadeo Baldiri Salcedo Rahola and Ad Straub
The aim of the present study was to characterize the main project delivery methods that are used for the renovation of social housing, and to analyse the advantages and…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the present study was to characterize the main project delivery methods that are used for the renovation of social housing, and to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of their application for energy renovations in order to assist social housing organisations in making an informed decision on the choice of a project delivery method that suits their organizational context.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on a literature review, five case studies of renovation processes by five social housing organizations in four EU countries, a questionnaire completed by 36 social housing organizations from eight EU countries, and a series of 14 interviews with energy renovation experts from ten EU countries.
Findings
Four main project delivery methods were identified: iterative minor renovations, design‐bid‐build, design‐build and design‐build‐maintain. Design‐build‐maintain has the maximum potential to deliver energy savings because it facilitates collaboration between the various actors and promotes their commitment to achieving project goals.
Research limitations/implications
The presented data is not meant to be representative for a country or the sector as a whole, but aims to indicate the main characteristics of the current energy renovations carried out by European social housing organizations.
Practical implications
Social housing organizations are provided with useful information about the advantages and disadvantages of different project delivery methods for energy renovation projects, assisting them to choose the option that suits their organizational context.
Originality/value
This study fills a knowledge gap about the project delivery methods currently used in social housing energy renovations and their potential for energy renovations.
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The existing housing stock has a major energy saving potential and is mostly considered to be the sector in which energy efficiency most cost effectively can be achieved. About…
Abstract
The existing housing stock has a major energy saving potential and is mostly considered to be the sector in which energy efficiency most cost effectively can be achieved. About 30% of all energy use is consumed in the housing stock. The European union formulates saving targets, policies and regulations that have to be implemented by the member states and a considerable share of the EU budget for research and innovation is dedicated to this challenge. In recent years many policies, investment programmes, technical innovations and process innovations have been developed and been put into practice. However, it appears to be very difficult to realise massive renovation programmes in the existing housing stock and really make a step forward towards the energy efficiency goals. This special issue presents an overview of actual insights of the perspectives of energy efficiency in the housing stock based on several research projects and analyses and discussions about how the current policies will work out and which are the barriers that still have to be taken. We focus on the policies, the processes and the people.