CircCon – Circular construction – Refurbishment of the building stock in line with EU taxonomy

The central research content of the project is to evaluate and improve the applicability of the taxonomy criteria for refurbishment projects based on pilot projects. The first step is to develop a standardized process for analyzing the building stock to obtain a planning basis that covers all EU taxonomy objectives. A broad spectrum of renovation scenarios will then be presented. The reference buildings on which the research project is based are buildings from different eras that can serve as models for the refurbishment of similar buildings throughout Austria. The projects were selected by the partners involved from the real estate industry, whereby they are not only case studies, but projects that will be implemented in the near future and that also have a high multiplication potential. The selected reference properties are characterized in terms of their energy efficiency, materials, and adaptability to climate change. The possibilities of recycling or reusing demolished building parts to a high degree are identified. Renovation measures are then proposed and their impact on sustainability is assessed. The economic efficiency of the renovation will be examined with the help of life cycle cost analyses and an integral, digital planning process (BIM) will be developed, which, as a separate dimension, aims to achieve taxonomy capability. An important aspect of the research will also be to achieve the applicability of the solutions in groups of buildings using possible synergies and to prove that they are also future-proof, i.e. that they can exist in areas where the taxonomy criteria are expected to be tightened.