Casa OVER4, a project for the rehabilitation of old blocks that will represent Romania at Solar Decathlon Europe 2019

I went the other day (15 May) to the official opening home OVER4, the project that will represent Romania at the international competition Solar Decathlon Europewhich this year will take place in Szentendre, Hungary. After months of design and practical realizations at the University of Construction Bucharest or at partners, the house was assembled on a space located at the intersection of Unirii Boulevard and Nerva Traian Street. It can be visited for a period of 30 days, after which it will be dismantled and transported to Hungary, where it will be reassembled for the competition. It is built on the principles of passive house and is part of a very large project that aims at an integrated renovation of the old communist blocks. Sounds interesting, doesn't it? Especially as the project is being carried out by a team of students. It's one of those beautiful stories we like to tell you.

At a glance, about Solar Decathlon Europe

Solar Decathlon Europe is an international competition that challenges teams of university students from around the world to design and build houses powered exclusively by renewable energy sources. The main aim of the competition is to promote architectural solutions related to solar energy, renewable energy and innovative technologies through the construction of houses by student teams.

Teams build their houses in the chosen venue - Szentendre this year - and compete in 10 events (hence Decathlon), receiving a mark for each. At the end, they are averaged and ranked. The 10 events are:

• Architecture
• Engineering and construction
• Energy efficiency
• Communication and social knowledge;
• Integration and impact;
• Innovation and sustainability;
• Circularity and sustainability;
• Comfort conditions;
• Housekeeping;
• Energy balance.

Romania is not participating for the first time. Many of you have heard of Prisp, the project with which the students of the University of Construction Bucharest participated in 2012. In 2018, the best ranking ever was achieved in Dubai, with the solar house EFdeN. The house ranked 4th in the world, but first in the Communicate, twice 2nd place in Engineering and construction if Comfort conditions and 3rd place in Sustainability.

OVER4 project - the idea

Project OVER4 is based on an idea that I think is extraordinary and that, if supported at the administrative level, could radically change the face of Bucharest, but not only its face. It is about the integrated renovation of the old blocks of flats, with the extension of useful space both vertically and horizontally.

It started from a block model - 770-83 - 5-storey blocks (4+1) built after the 1977 earthquake, forming the so-called dormitory districts . The earthquake disaster led to stricter design standards, with blocks built after 1977 being stronger and guaranteed for over 50 years. So they are still in the picture, solid and resilient. The problem is their outward appearance, lack of space and low energy efficiency, because the main purpose for which they were built was to provide a place to sleep for the thousands of workers in industrial towns. This was a period of intense industrialisation and the exodus from the village to the city was significant. The result was the emergence of a large number of such dormitory districts in most towns.

Project OVER4 has thought about the integrated renovation and thermal upgrading of these blocks. In addition to building vertically on a new level with different functionalities, they are also building horizontally. Instead of insulating the facades with polystyrene, which is often dangerous and has many problems in terms of energy efficiency, it was decided to rebuild them with a new, energy-efficient construction, using highly insulating windows, quality insulating materials and eliminating thermal bridges. This not only insulates the block but also renovates it and increases its usable space. New flats, flats + common areas or rental spaces (offices) can be built vertically.

The whole project is designed to use alternative energy sources, be sustainable, protect the environment while providing modern living spaces. Such an idea, applied to an entire city, can totally change the image of the city, while ensuring that standards are met. nZEB (nearly Zero Energy Building) in terms of energy efficiency. These are ideas for the future that the young people involved in the OVER4 project are bringing forward.

OVER4 House - project participating in Solar Decathlon Europe

House OVER4 is a module extracted from the vertical extension of the block. Two terraces have been added, facing north and south, which have both an aesthetic and functional role. It is built on the principle of passive wooden houses, the structure being made of lamellar beams. It meets all the criteria of efficiency and interior comfort required of such a house, being energy independent and environmentally friendly.

From the presentation of the house we learn the key elements that characterize it:

• affordable - the investment is comparable to that for a conventional house;
• thermally, acoustically and visually comfortable. The heat recovery ventilation system ensures fresh air supply whatever the season;
• modular and multifunctional - is built of prefabricated elements on a wooden structure, easy to assemble and allows the interior space to be reconfigured according to needs;
• energy efficient - comply with the principles of passive houses and the nZEB standard;
• easy to integrate into the context - can be used both as an apartment on the terrace of the block and as an individual dwelling.

The house was made by a team of students and coordinating teachers. Everything was done on a voluntary basis and the students raised all the funds needed to carry out the project. Partnerships were made with well-known names in the field of building materials, wooden house construction, tools and machinery. We congratulate those who were with them and we hope they will be until the end.

What's next?

After the 30 days spent on Unirii Boulevard, during which time they will seek to find any problems and fix them, the house will be dismantled and packed for transport to Szentendre in July. There it will be assembled and judged in all 10 events. At the end it will again be dismantled, repacked and brought back to the country to be assembled at its final destination. Can you imagine how well it must be done?

All this fitting, dismantling and reassembly requires that OVER4 team to be entirely in Hungary. The support of all those who want to join them is still needed. I think it is well worth it. It's a dynamic, enthusiastic team with attitude, young people who know very well what they have to do, have the necessary knowledge and want to do things as well as possible. If you want to support them, here find out everything you need to do.

We congratulate the OVER4 team for all they have done so far and wish them success in Hungary!