Renovation is not just about buildings – it’s about creating a smarter, more sustainable future together!
We were pleased to take part in a recent round table on sustainable renovation, organised by Construire la Wallonie. The event brought together professionals from across the sector – architects, contractors, manufacturers & economists – to exchange ideas & share perspectives on how to accelerate the transformation of the built environment.
Our architect-partner & studio manager Guy Standaert emphasised the importance of moving away from a one-size-fits-all mindset. As he explained: “Each building carries its own constructive intelligence. Renovation cannot be standardised – it must recognise and extend this intelligence.”
This contextual approach is particularly relevant when it comes to heritage buildings or structures with specific constraints, where creativity and innovation are needed to find the right balance between energy performance, cultural value and new uses. Renovation, in this sense, is not only about technical upgrades – it is about embracing change at a societal level, rethinking how spaces can evolve to meet today’s and tomorrow’s needs.
The discussions also touched on broader challenges for the sector:
the need for new skills & training to support advanced renovation techniques
the potential of digital tools such as 3D scanning to better understand existing structures
the opportunities of material reuse & circular economy approaches
the importance of collective dynamics – from neighbourhood-scale renovation programmes to stronger collaboration between all stakeholders
At assar, we are convinced that sustainable renovation is a collective journey. It requires architects, builders, manufacturers, policymakers and citizens to work hand in hand, aligning expertise, resources and ambitions.
We thank Construire la Wallonie for hosting this fruitful exchange and all participants for their valuable contributions. Together, we can make renovation not just a necessity, but an opportunity to shape resilient and inspiring living environments!
