The objectives

The four main qualitative objectives are:

1. The development of cost optimal deep renovation solutions towards nZEB concepts with the possibility of extra customize  (cost-effective) features

The first objective is the development of optimal configurations of energy efficiency and renewable energy systems, as one of the quantitative objectives is the offering of nZEB renovation concepts. These concepts will be preselected, i.e. in balance between demand reduction and renewable production, looking for the most optimal mix within the range of term ‘nearly’ in Nearly Zero Energy. Next to it, a life cycle approach will be used to assess the modular renovation solutions. 

2. The development and demonstration of prefabricated multifunctional modular renovation elements in series of 1 concepts, in a mass production process

The second objective is to develop and to demonstrate a platform for prefabricated, multifunctional renovation elements for the total building envelope (facade and roof) and installation/building services. These elements can be combined, selected and configured by the end-user, based on his specific needs. The configuration can be made on the basis of a pre-selection of elements, based on the specific properties and measures of his home inventoried by advanced geomatics with various aesthetic and architectonic appearances. As input into advanced Building Information Modelling systems it can control and steer the further production process of these elements. In this way unique series of one can be made in a mass production process for the same reduced price of mass production.

3. The development and demonstration of new fully automated production lines for multifunctional modular renovation elements

The third objective is the development of new designed automated production lines that effortlessly support line production that is effective on series-1 as well as large series and seamlessly combine into mass customization principles; aimed at supporting prefabrication for extreme retrofitting of homes.

Extreme automation makes it possible to produce end-user-defined (by choice) integral products efficient in small (1) as well as large series. Machine instructions then need to come from automated computerized numeric control instruction generation based on Building Information Modelling BIM and in-situ measurements. Plant management is organized in software solutions that support line-balancing as well as JIT (just in time) and flow. Line design needs to support scalability in product complexity, support of more than one product-market combination and output. This will lead to a blueprint for the design and structure of a platform for a fully automated production line, as a further basis for product-market-combinations in several countries. In MORE-CONNECT it will be demonstrated that a model for one common platform for a fully automated production line can be used in different geo-clusters.

4. The offer of a one-stop-shop to the end-user to renovate their homes

The fourth objective is the development of a one-stop-shop concept for the end-user, but also for the production.  In this ‘one-stop-shop’ proposition the end-user will deal with only one party, responsible for the total renovation, starting from an inventory of the existing situation, inventory of specific end-user demands, translation into modular renovation kits, mounting and installing, financing and aftercare. The actual renovation time on site will be limited to a maximum of 5 days with a goal for an average of two days, including the complete or partial removal of the existing facades and roofs or other elements. During the renovation the occupants can stay in their homes and have a minimum disturbance. The end-users will get a guaranteed energy cost proposition for their renovated homes, based on their individual household profiles.

The related quantitative objectives of MORE-CONNECT are:

-Deep renovation toward NZEB, with a basic reduction of the primary energy consumption by at least 80 % compared to the original consumption.

-New fully automated production lines with a cost/output optimization leading to >35% improvement compared to the traditional construction realization process.

-Construction site workload reduced to less than 10% of the total workload of a retrofit compared to traditionally more than 50%.

-Total installing time on site of with a maximum of 5 days with a final goal of 2 days.

-Return of investment of less than 8 years for the end-user.

-Construction failure costs reduced to less than 5% compared to the traditional 15 to 20%.

The specific scope of MORE-CONNECT is residential buildings. MORE-Connect will focus on mass production with a minimum series of one to allow the development of specific solutions, honouring individual customer requirements in five different geo-clusters with distinctive climate zones, social and cultural circumstances and building traditions across Europe.