Sketch of Superuse
In this day and age, keeping studios functional and affordable is quite a challenge. For an approach that differs from the standard, SKAR engaged the architectural firm Superuse.
Smart design
For the architects at Superuse, designing sustainable objects is a circular process. In other words, a continuous cycle of creation and recreation, use and reuse. "To create sustainable architecture with reused materials, we apply smart designs in existing buildings," said Floris Schiferli, partner and designer of the architectural collective. "Such as using zones in a space, and insulation with reused materials. Heating and ventilation is solved as much as possible with sun and wind, and light installation is added only where necessary. The user of the building is always involved in this."
Affordable solutions
Through thoughtful sustainability plans, SKAR wants to be able to continue to offer its artists affordable studios with low-tech solutions. Because we can't get around it: energy costs have risen significantly in recent years, which can mean that a building becomes unaffordable to use. To keep energy bills manageable, gas use must be reduced and the climate system rethought. "Superuse was asked by SKAR to look beyond traditional solutions," says Floris. "To work pleasantly in the studios, a pleasant indoor climate is needed, where the rooms are warm enough in winter and don't overheat in summer. Currently, by no means all the studios meet this requirement, so we are looking at where we can make an improvement."
Interplay between sustainability and behavior
A sustainable building is a livable building, where artists enjoy staying and they use the property sustainably, Floris says. "One of the points is not to assume a basic temperature in a building by heating the whole building by one boiler. If you want to be sustainable, you want the building to perform in a different way. You can influence that as a user by deciding whether to let in cold or heat." During their research, Superuse noted that many artists work at significantly lower temperatures than people in the office. With that comes a greater need for lots of light, and creatives can work just fine at low temperatures. "Above all, space and volume of a building are greatly valued by artists. Less value is placed on a new and polished appearance. But a large space with high ceilings brings many challenges. So we look at the studios individually."
Mentality change
So in saving energy, Superuse focuses primarily on how the artists use the building. That's where a lot of gains can be made, says Floris. "If we let the user be part of the climate control, you can achieve your goals with less investment. That does require a change in mentality." The approach assumes a base temperature between 12 and 18 degrees in a building, depending on the time of year. With this temperature, the building is warm enough not to fall into disrepair. "In addition, we look at how to regulate the temperature for each studio. For example, by dividing the space into zones. By hanging large curtains you make the area to be lit smaller, interrupt the air flow and increase comfort. Additionally, a mobile and electric radiant panel provides support to heat locally."
Working with what is
The biggest challenge for Superuse is to capitalize on the climate in an existing building without modifying the architecture. Such is the case with SKAR's properties. "That's fun because it's less about aesthetics and more about the use function of a space. In that, we have to be creative, including how we place our footprint. So we make use of existing materials as much as possible such as front windows, or a second façade that are made from used wood from old window frames and doors. We also reuse window frames with existing glass from industry, from rejected batches."
Join us!
For tenants, Superuse is creating a roadmap with advice on how to work together to ensure the best climate in a property. Traditional central heating systems are replaced with a heat pump where necessary. Major modifications will be at SKAR's expense. "But tenants can also already do a lot themselves and participate in the transformation. Such as hanging pleated curtains that provide insulation, and by self-service there can also be ventilated. In short: we will have to work together to achieve the goals and keep the costs down. We can advise each tenant on this and offer practical solutions."