Third phase Utrechtse Dreven

The avenues of Utrecht are becoming more and more beautiful. On behalf of housing corporation Mitros, Hemubo is working on the third phase of a major maintenance project, in which a total of 1,800 condominiums are being upgraded. In this phase it is the turn of the THEMA avenues; the Tigrisdreef, Haifadreef, St. Eustatiusdreef and St. Maartendreef.

A total of 432 homes will be renovated in the third phase, spread across four different flats. "They are pretty much two by two," says Hemubo company manager Michel Visser. "The pairs have each been given their own construction site because of the distance. So one phase, but two projects."

Better indoor climate and comfort

The flats on the avenues were built in the 1960s and are being energetically upgraded to at least energy label A through the major maintenance. "This is possible through the combination of a new heating system and a completely new and well-insulated facade. In addition, we are doing the same thing at all the homes in the different phases, the bathroom, kitchens and toilets will be renewed." According to Visser, this will provide residents with a lot of comfort. "They will soon be able to determine the amount of heating individually and will also be metered per apartment. The apartments will soon be better insulated on all fronts. Residents will also benefit in terms of ventilation, and so the indoor climate will improve."

In a project of this scale, proper planning is very important. "This is sometimes a challenge. Now, but also in the previous phase. We have to deal with resource scarcity, but also with illnesses caused by Corona. Fortunately, we are running fine on schedule, but it requires a lot of adaptability from us and our chain partners." A total of five phases are needed to renovate all of Mitros' 1,800 homes. The goal is to have them all completed by 2025. "The fact that we have been working on a large project for so long, with multiple phases, is very pleasant for us. Not only because of the continuity, but also because we get the chance to improve our product and process each time. In terms of technology, but certainly also in the social area." 

A learning system

Hemubo is able to work faster and better, but, according to Visser, also deliver better and better quality. "It is a learning system. At the installation level, we can determine the climate in the homes in an even more favorable way. The plastic facades are being replaced by HSB elements. We improved the formation of the elements for better airtightness and assembly speed. With small interventions we can achieve energetic improvements, such as applying an additional seal for even better airtightness. We are already looking ahead to the fourth phase, in which we not only want to make the houses even more energy efficient, but also apply a product that is sustainable and reusable. European funding is available for this from the European Green Deal for the ARV project. Think of solar panels in the outer shell, a truly green facade that both absorbs heat and absorbs nitrogen from the environment."

The concept established by Hemubo in Utrecht can be applied to any high-rise Intervam building. "This makes us unique as Hemubo. You have to come to us for this kind of project; we are the only one who can handle such a flat with this lead time."