Berlin is home to many historic buildings that could be more efficient and costly to maintain. However, a startup called ecoworks has found a way to renovate them using cutting-edge technology and renewable materials. The company claims that its approach can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% and save energy bills for residents.
What is ecoworks?
Ecoworks was founded in 2019 by Emanuel Heisenberg, a former software engineer who wanted to create a more sustainable way of building. The company uses digital 3D planning and prefabrication to create a "second skin" for old buildings, which consists of windows, ventilation, heating, and hot water pipes. The second skin is made of wood or cellulose insulation, which are more eco-friendly than conventional materials.
The company also installs electric heat pumps inside homes, which are more efficient than gas boilers, and fits a modular roof with built-in solar panels, which help the buildings produce more energy than they consume. The entire process can be completed in just two to three weeks, with minimal disruption for residents.
How does it work?
By using laser scanning technology to create a digital twin of a building. This allows the company to design the second skin according to the original structure and layout of the building. The company then produces the panels in factories using industrial pre-fabrication methods.
The panels are then transported to the site and installed on-site using robots or cranes. The installation process involves cutting holes in windows and pipes, connecting electrical wiring, and attaching ventilation systems. The panels are then painted with eco-friendly colors that match the original facade.
The company claims that its approach can retrofit an extremely energy-inefficient building into an energy-plus building within weeks.
For example, one of its projects in Düsseldorf transformed an old apartment block from 369 kWh per square meter of energy consumption in 2019 to 20% more energy production in 2020.
What are the benefits?
Ecoworks offers several benefits for both residents and society at large. For residents, ecoworks provides a fast, affordable, and comfortable way of renovating their homes without having to move out or wait for months. They also enjoy lower energy bills and higher quality living standards.
For society at large, ecoworks reduces CO2 emissions by avoiding demolition or construction waste from new buildings. It also saves natural resources by using renewable materials instead of fossil fuels. It also creates jobs in the green economy by supporting local suppliers and contractors.
What are the challenges of ecoworks?
Ecoworks faces some challenges in scaling up its business model across Europe. One of them is finding enough funding from investors who share its vision and values. The company has raised €22 million in a Series A funding round led by PropTech1 Ventures in July 2023. However, it still needs more capital to expand its operations and reach more customers.
Another challenge is competing with other retrofitting companies that offer similar or cheaper solutions for old buildings. Some critics argue that the coworker approach is too expensive or complex compared to conventional methods. They also question whether it can achieve long-term sustainability or durability without regular maintenance or repairs.
Let's wrap it up
Ecoworks is a Berlin-based startup that uses technology to retrofit old buildings into carbon sinks. The company claims that its approach can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% and save energy bills for residents while creating jobs in the green economy. However, it still faces some challenges in scaling up its business model across Europe.
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