Renovation of 86 heritage homes in Brussels achieves 80% energy savings. (EN subtitles)

This public-private initiative will achieve full renovation of 86 heritage homes used for social housing in Bon Air, a neighbourhood in Anderlecht. Dating from the 1920s, the semi-detached houses are being renovated to the highest health and energy efficiency standards. BPIE (Buildings Performance Institute Europe) has described the project as an ‘exemplary model’ for affordable climate renovation in Europe.
Led by Brussels-based social housing company Le Foyer Anderlechtois, the project is the continuation of the RenovActive pilot project led by Velux Group in 2014. The RenovActive project aimed to demonstrate that renovating a heritage home with the Active House principles is possible and affordable and can be implemented in social housing. Since proof-of-concept was achieved, Le Foyer Anderlechtois led the expansion of renovations to many more homes in the Bon Air neighbourhood.
The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) could enable more public-private partnership projects like Bon Air’s get support by prioritising renovation of residential and worst-performing buildings. The directive is now in the last stages of negotiation between the European Commission, the Parliament and Member States, since the revision process began in 2021 within the context of the EU Green Deal.