The Housing We Need for the Future We Want
A roadmap for scaling renovation
Europe’s housing, climate and resource challenges are often addressed separately. The Green Paper takes a different approach, examining how they are connected and how existing buildings can help solve them together.
The research analyses a range of interventions — including renovation, adaptive reuse, conversion, extensions and better use of underutilised space—to identify where the greatest impact can be achieved.
Rather than treating existing buildings as a limitation, the Green Paper presents them as one of the most powerful opportunities for creating healthier, more affordable and more sustainable homes.
The Impact Framework
Identifying where action creates the greatest value
Building on the findings of the Green Paper, the Impact Framework helps identify where intervention can create the greatest impact. It translates complex challenges into clear priorities, helping architects, planners, policymakers and industry partners focus on the most effective pathways for change.
By evaluating interventions based on their potential to improve housing, reduce environmental pressure and optimise resource use, the framework provides a practical basis for decision-making.
At its core, the Impact Framework answers a simple question: Where should we act first to create the greatest positive impact?
The result is a clear hierarchy of interventions that guides the Re:Living experiment and supports a more strategic approach to renovation at scale.
This insight is reflected in the framework's hierarchy of interventions:
Renovate
Renovation interventions typically offer the highest potential for positive impact. By upgrading, adapting and better utilising existing buildings, it is possible to improve performance while preserving materials, embodied carbon and existing value.
Extend
Where additional space is needed, extensions can provide new housing capacity while building on existing structures and infrastructure. Although extensions generally require additional materials and resources, they can still deliver lower environmental impacts than entirely new construction.
Build New
New construction remains important in some contexts, but it should be considered after opportunities within the existing building stock have been explored. Compared with renovation and extension, new buildings typically require substantially greater material consumption and create additional environmental pressure.
By establishing a clear hierarchy of interventions, the Impact Framework supports more informed decision-making and a more strategic approach to renovation at scale. It provides the foundation for Re:Living and guides the real-world experiments designed to test how healthier homes, lower environmental impact and affordability can be achieved within existing buildings.
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