ASR elevates residential sustainability with Mark e.o. Huizen BREEAM In-Use project

Case Study
04 July 2024

ASR elevates residential sustainability with Mark e.o. Huizen BREEAM In-Use project

Overview

Mark Huizen is a prominent residential building located in North Holland, Netherlands. ASR Real Estate, the building's owner, has successfully transformed this asset to achieve a BREEAM Good rating, setting a high standard for residential properties in terms of energy efficiency, occupant wellbeing, and environmental performance.

About

ASR Real Estate is a leading real estate investment and management company in the Netherlands. With a diverse portfolio that includes residential, retail, office, and rural properties, ASR Real Estate is committed to sustainability and long-term value creation. The company focuses on integrating sustainable practices across its properties, aiming to reduce environmental impact while enhancing the quality of life for occupants.

Background

Mark Huizen is a well-established residential building. ASR Real Estate aimed to elevate the building's sustainability credentials, ensuring it not only meets but surpasses current environmental standards. The refurbishment project at Mark Huizen was driven by the desire to surpass current environmental standards by improving energy efficiency, enhancing resident comfort, and minimising the building's ecological footprint. This initiative aligns with ASR Real Estate's broader commitment to sustainability and excellence in property management.

Challenges

ASR Real Estate faced several challenges in achieving the BREEAM rating for Mark Huizen. Retrofitting an existing building with new energy management systems and renewable energy sources required careful planning and execution to ensure seamless integration. Implementing advanced water-saving fixtures in an existing structure posed logistical challenges, necessitating innovative solutions to maximise efficiency and effectiveness. Ensuring high indoor air quality through the use of low-VOC materials and efficient HVAC systems required meticulous selection and installation processes. Additionally, minimising disruption to residents during the refurbishment was critical to maintaining occupant satisfaction and comfort throughout the project.

Solutions

BREEAM enabled the refurbishment of Mark Huizen to include several innovative and sustainable features:

Energy efficiency: Implementation of a comprehensive energy management system to monitor and reduce energy consumption.
Renewable energy: Installation of solar panels to provide clean, renewable energy to the building.
Indoor environment quality (IEQ): Use of low-VOC materials and installation of high-efficiency HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality.
Biodiversity: Enhancement of green spaces with native planting to support local biodiversity.

Mark Huizen stands as a beacon of sustainability within the residential sector. The project has not only improved the building's environmental performance but also significantly enhanced the quality of life for its residents. We are proud of what we have achieved and are committed to continuing our efforts in sustainable real estate.

– Harm Tenback, Sustainability Manager, ASR Real Estate