Redesign Of Affordable Housing Facades. Preparation Of A Visual Experiment

Housing in Europe counts for 27% of the European energy consumptions which makes sustainable transformation of existing housing a relevant topic, especially in the view of the energy targets set for 2020. The energy efficiency as well as the architectural value of the post-war residential buildings is particularly poor, but since in the coming years this part of the stock will be renovated, there is a chance to improve the present performances of such blocks. To deal with energy efficiency, decay and livability problems improvements of building facades seem to be indicated. However, in order to deal with especially livability problems, it is not only relevant to consider technical aspects of faÁades but also involve residentsí preferences for architectural aesthetics. Important questions addressed in this study are to what extent are tenants willing to pay higher rent, and whether their willingness to pay higher rent depends on selected characteristics of facades that have a combined effect on the energy efficiency and the aesthetics value of buildings. In this paper it is reported the preparation of a visual experiment on the described issue and in particular the development of a questionnaire to asses preferences of tenants. For the development of the questionnaire it is adopted the Discrete Choice Method which is applied with the purpose of evaluating tenantsí preferences in innovative faÁade directed renovation approaches.