Hybrid sustainable and efficient housing created by renovation and extension of panel buildings with the use of Metsä Group wooden elements and modules

Today’s problem of the ever-growing need for housing echoes the problem of the uselessness of the old panel buildings.

The existing multi-story panel building made of concrete was chosen to be redesigned using Metsä Group wooden elements and modules. The new panel buildings that are planned to be built can also be redesigned using this methodology by replacing the facade concrete panels with the wooden ones that will make the new buildings more energy-efficient.

New terraces will better the outlook of the building, will create additional space and bring new life to the old buildings in combination with greenery and urban agriculture on the designed terraces and balconies. This can be a solution to the problem of the depressive neighborhoods in the urbanizing world.

There are 4 main proposed options for the replacement of concrete panels and extension of the building:
1 - Concrete panel replacement with LVL sandwich exterior wall element with Kerto® LVL Q window frames
2 - Concrete panel replacement with LVL sandwich exterior wall element with Kerto® LVL Q window frames and prefabricated hanging balcony
3 - Concrete panel replacement with LVL sandwich exterior wall element with Kerto® LVL Q window frames and extension with the terrace from massive columns and beams
4 - Vertical extension with the additional module above the existing structure

The connections between existing concrete slabs and new wooden Metsä Group wall elements are provided with metal plates that make it a hybrid structure.