re-MODULEES Final Report

This final report on the EU-funded re-MODULEES project was published and produced by HI&A and authored by Peter Op ’t Veld (with contributions from multiple work package and task leaders). It summarises work delivered under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 955529) to support large-scale residential building renovation across Europe.

The report states that the project’s main aim is to create an EU-wide retrofit market activation framework for the residential building sector, supported by both digital and physical “Renovation Hubs” at Member State and EU level. Modularity is defined as (1) “multi-level” breakdown of the renovation journey into standardised segments and solution modules, and (2) “multi-target” customisation of retrofit solutions to regional climatic, building, socioeconomic and market conditions. The project set five objectives, including making deep renovations easier and more attractive, supporting consumer-centred business models and decision tools, tackling social/financial/legal barriers, implementing actions in seven pilot markets, and rolling out the concept at European level.

Validation activities were planned and carried out in seven pilot markets: Spain, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Slovenia and the Netherlands. The report highlights engagement across the renovation value chain, including social housing providers, private homeowners, condominiums, ESCOs, construction companies, investors, architects and concept developers, alongside public authorities and financial institutions. It also references the role of European umbrella associations supporting public–private partnership approaches, including UIPI (International Union of Property Owners) and Housing Europe.

A central element is the project’s people-centred approach, intended to ensure solutions are meaningful to the actors who drive renovation markets. The report describes Local Advisory Boards (“re-LABs”) composed of representatives from supply, private demand, public demand and finance. These groups were used to study stakeholder challenges, validate customer journeys, refine knowledge about local market conditions, and support the definition of user-centred value propositions. The work also included collecting success stories and best practices to support learning and replication.

To capitalise on existing EU outputs, the project profiled markets and scouted tools, services and applications for renovation (TT/SS/AA). The report notes that 45 TT/SS/AA were selected and analysed for applicability, their fit with steps in the renovation customer journey, and their ability to address key constraints on demand, supply, institutional and financial sides. These inputs were used to shape a Standard Modular Architecture (SMA) for deep energy retrofitting at EU level and to populate an “opportunity matrix” that links tools to market needs.

The report explains that re-MODULEES developed a GIS-based, open-source digital platform intended to support decision-making and connect heterogeneous data and actors. Platform workspaces described include a landing area, a “Solutions Store”, an activity hub, personal dashboards and an admin panel; a “one click” diagnostic concept is presented as an entry point, with multiple data-readiness scenarios depending on local availability of building and energy data (including the use of TABULA building typologies as a baseline and integration of geolocation/morphology and EPC-related inputs where feasible). The platform is positioned to support approaches such as one-stop shops, alongside guidance on sustainable business models (public, private and mixed-ownership OSS configurations).

The report distinguishes between time-limited re-LABs (active during the project) and longer-term re-HUBs intended to remain operational after the project, maintaining market-uptake momentum and delivering modular renovation services. It also lists lessons learned (e.g., engaging key national stakeholders, involving the financial side, and challenges around platform complexity and data maintenance) and outlines follow-up actions for a potential “re-MODULEES 2.0”, including extending the platform to additional ecosystems and linking with related renovation initiatives.