Energy-efficient renovation
of the student residence halls at Gret-Palucca-Straße 9 and 11
Various sustainability aspects regarding energy efficiency and thermal insulation were taken into consideration during planning the renovation of the two high-rise student residence halls on Gret-Palucca-Straße.
The aim
Erected in 1967/68 and in bad shape after decades of intensive use, the two high-rise buildings were earmarked for comprehensive renovation, the aim of which also took into account the following conceptual ideas:
- Adaptation to current living standards in the disputed field of student living requirements,
- Commitment to formal language in interior and exterior design,
- Responsible use of resources, and
- Economically viable implementation.
Time frame
Planning of construction work began in 2012. Construction began with the renovation of Gret-Palucca-Straße 11. After completion of the first residence hall, work on Gret-Palucca-Straße 9 followed in 2017. The renovation project ended in the fall of 2019.
Resources deployed
The investment volume was approximately 27,8 million euros.
Description
The building renovation of the two 17-story, 52-meter-high high-rise buildings not only included the creation of an energy-efficient building envelope through thermal insulation on an area of 11,300 m² per building, but also the implementation of a lighting concept with modern LED lighting. These are the first two Studentenwerk Dresden residence halls to feature LED lighting, with a total of 3,697 units installed. In addition, water-saving sanitary facilities were installed and district heating was used with the aim of reducing the energy requirements of the buildings as a whole.
Furthermore, nesting sites for house sparrows, swifts, and kestrels were integrated into the facades and winter quarters for bats were created. Attention was also paid to preserving the tree population and a near-natural design of the 10,191-square-meter outdoor area with multipurpose recreational spaces. Preparations have already been made for the future installation of an electric charging station in the adjacent parking lot.
The renovation also included securing and preserving old murals so that they can continue to be visible as part of Studentenwerk Dresden’s “Kunst am Bau” initiative (building beautification).
Successes to date
All rooms, hallways, stairways, and basement and common areas were equipped with energy-efficient LED lighting. The first year of use alone saw savings of around 20%.
Current status and outlook
All implemented measures should not be considered in isolation from each other. Multipurpose recreational areas (basketball, table tennis, and barbecue area) in the outdoor area, a spacious common room for student parties, and a fitness area were also part of the sustainable renovation activities. Student residents are now sure to have high levels of satisfaction in the long term.
Upon completion of the building project, it was not possible to fully implement the environmental and sustainability concept due to investment and building maintenance costs, but it was an important intermediate step for future building projects, one that needs to be qualified and expanded. The experience will serve as a basis for upcoming renovation projects, e.g. the student residence hall at Gerokstraße 38 in Dresden.