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A GDR-Era Home Becomes a Case Study for Energy-Efficient Refurbishment
The detached house in Brandenburg, built in 1960, is closely related to the GDR EW 58 house type. Its refurbishment is being scientifically monitored as part of the InNoWest project ‘Tool for the energy-efficiency retrofitting of standardised detached houses’ and is regarded by the researchers as a real-world laboratory. The aim is to gain experience from this specific building that can also be applied to the energy-efficiency retrofitting of comparable houses.
When the Kapfinger family bought the house in January 2025, they had already decided to carry out an energy-efficiency refurbishment. A key reason for this was the long-term running costs. Prior to the purchase, a building surveyor had inspected the visible structural elements and assessed them as being in good condition. However, concealed structural elements were not examined during this process. It was only during the further planning stage that it became apparent which additional modifications were necessary.
For the family who own the property, such surprises are simply part and parcel of renovating an existing building. Nevertheless, plans must be adjusted, structural solutions found and additional costs taken into account. Financial reserves are therefore important.
Scientific monitoring of the specific building
Cables for a monitoring system are currently being laid in the Kapfinger family’s house. In future, sensors will record, amongst other things, temperature, humidity and CO₂ levels. This will enable the conditions inside the house and any changes during the refurbishment to be monitored. As a result, the project will be able to model the energy performance not only mathematically but also track it using measurement data.
Renovation whilst the family lives in the house
The renovation of the house also involves changes to the floor plan. The family is carrying out some of the work themselves. The family is living in the house whilst the building work is underway. This brings certain constraints, but also has its advantages: minor tasks can be tackled in between other activities, and any queries can be clarified directly on site with the contractors involved. The value of doing the work themselves lies not only in the financial savings. Those who work on the building themselves gain a detailed understanding of its construction and the solutions implemented. This knowledge could also be helpful to the owners in the event of future repairs or alterations.
Further information on the project: Tool for the energy-efficiency retrofitting of standardised detached houses
Contact: Carl Steen, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development: carl.steen@hnee.de
Other project participants from the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
- Finn Schmid-Bonde: finn.schmid-bonde@fh-potsdam.de
- Tobias Jänecke: tobias.jaenecke@fh-potsdam.de