Vertical Extension of Buildings

Abstract

Many policy targets have been developed with the aim of reaching a more sustainable development; more specifically, the
studied policies target energy use and urban growth. For example, by 2050 the aim is that the European Union will have
reduced its greenhouse emissions by 90%. Examples of policy targets regarding urban growth can be found in many of
the larger cities, as they have developed plans for densification so that the population can continue to grow without
expanding the city borders. Reaching these targets might be challenging as the human population is predicted to grow and
more people are moving to cities.
Even though, there are benefits such as reducing energy use and extending the lifespan of existing buildings, many claim
that energy-efficient renovations are complicated and expensive. Moreover, the densification process is lengthy and
finding the right balance is challenging when many stakeholders are involved. Many citizens are negative towards
densification projects, as such developments often occupy recreational space. Since both energy-efficient renovation and
densification projects are challenging to implement, other solutions have to be found. The vertical extension of buildings
can be considered a mix of both energy-efficient renovation and densification and therefore has similar benefits and
challenges; however, there are differences. By extending a building vertically no recreational space is occupied and, by
selling the added apartments, an extension can pay for the refurbishment of the existing building.
In this research, the impacts on sustainability of extending buildings vertically and success factors for the implementation
of vertical extension of buildings have been studied. Three studies were undertaken, the aim of each study was to
highlight different perspectives of the vertical extension of buildings. The results of the first study show that the vertical
extension of buildings can act as an enabler for energy-efficient renovation and that a low-energy plus the vertical
extension renovation concept can reduce energy use by as much as 60%. In the second study the authors claim that
stakeholder participation can lead to more sustainable densification projects; however, currently, it is up to the individual
proponents of participation to implement such a process. The results from the third study show that extending a building
vertically is a complicated process. A development process was proposed in order to simplify implementation.

Abstract (Swedish)

Many policy targets have been developed with the aim of reaching a more sustainable development; more specifically, the
studied policies target energy use and urban growth. For example, by 2050 the aim is that the European Union will have
reduced its greenhouse emissions by 90%. Examples of policy targets regarding urban growth can be found in many of
the larger cities, as they have developed plans for densification so that the population can continue to grow without
expanding the city borders. Reaching these targets might be challenging as the human population is predicted to grow and
more people are moving to cities.
Even though, there are benefits such as reducing energy use and extending the lifespan of existing buildings, many claim
that energy-efficient renovations are complicated and expensive. Moreover, the densification process is lengthy and
finding the right balance is challenging when many stakeholders are involved. Many citizens are negative towards
densification projects, as such developments often occupy recreational space. Since both energy-efficient renovation and
densification projects are challenging to implement, other solutions have to be found. The vertical extension of buildings
can be considered a mix of both energy-efficient renovation and densification and therefore has similar benefits and
challenges; however, there are differences. By extending a building vertically no recreational space is occupied and, by
selling the added apartments, an extension can pay for the refurbishment of the existing building.
In this research, the impacts on sustainability of extending buildings vertically and success factors for the implementation
of vertical extension of buildings have been studied. Three studies were undertaken, the aim of each study was to
highlight different perspectives of the vertical extension of buildings. The results of the first study show that the vertical
extension of buildings can act as an enabler for energy-efficient renovation and that a low-energy plus the vertical
extension renovation concept can reduce energy use by as much as 60%. In the second study the authors claim that
stakeholder participation can lead to more sustainable densification projects; however, currently, it is up to the individual
proponents of participation to implement such a process. The results from the third study show that extending a building
vertically is a complicated process. A development process was proposed in order to simplify implementation.

• author: Nilsson, Rikard
• supervisor: Anne Landin; Stefan Olander
• organization: Division of Construction Management
• alternative title: Våningspåbyggnad
• publishing date: 2017-04-06
• type: Thesis
• publication status: published
• subject: Construction Management
• keywords: Sustainability, Densification, energy-efficient renovation, Urban Development, Stakeholder
• pages: 67 pages
• ISBN: 91-85257-17-6
• ISBN: 978-91-85257-17-1
• project: International Energy Agency: Cost Effective Energy and Carbon Emissions Optimization in Building Renovation project
• language: English
• LU publication?: yes
• id: e7d3db25-8dd7-4c42-be5d-0a0a347c6455
• date added to LUP: 2017-06-27 15:10:33
• date last changed: 2023-11-02 17:44:03