You want a secure roof over your head, to live and work comfortably and relax the way you want in your free time. If you look at (nearly) vacant existing buildings with that thought in mind, what possibilities do you see? Housing in existing buildings offers many opportunities. Are you making the most of them? I am more than happy to help you with that. In this blog you can read how this transformation can take place successfully, with you firmly holding your ground.
Give new life to existing buildings
A lovely kitchen where the old geography classroom used to be. A spacious apartment instead of another vacant office. Accessible senior housing in an old convent that was given a new purpose. Creating housing is so much more than erecting new buildings. By giving existing buildings a new purpose we give them a new life. It is important that we do that for several reasons:
- Demolition is destruction of capital and (biological) materials. We simply cannot afford that. We urgently need to evolve from consuming to reusing.
- Demolition creates nuisance to the environment. Through the clutter and the negative appeal on that environment.
- Many historic buildings are too valuable and atmospheric to discard and they are always part of people’s personal lives. Buildings house stories and emotions. If they are demolished, they often hit the headlines. There is no other form of “waste” that gets so much public attention!
The ideal (renovation) process
So we are excited to work with our existing property. With varying degrees of success. The success of the transformation strongly depends on the approach. For me, each building first consists of two fundamentally different components: the base building and the fit-out. I would like to explain what I mean by that and what exactly are the benefits of this approach for you.
What do I mean by base building?
The base building consists of the core (concrete foundation, skeleton and central installations) and the shell or the facade. The builder and/or owner of the base building ensures a good connection of the building to water, sewer, electricity, and often also gas or heat. He also ensures that the property meets all the engineering and environmental requirements. And he looks at how the building and its new purpose fit into the environment.
What do I mean by fit-out?
The fit-out is all you need for living and working comfortably. Like MEP systems (Mechanical, Electric, Plumbing) that regulate heat, light and air as it fits your changing needs. Placement of partitions in such a way that you can live, work and relax the way you want. A kitchen and bathroom that match your needs and tastes. With everything placed in a way that can be easily adapted and replaced when your needs change. For example, when the kids are growing up or leaving home. When you have become less mobile. Because your are going to work from your home or want to stop doing that. Or because you are moving and want to take the fit-out with you. And should the next occupant like it, you sell it on. Because with the separation of base building and fit-out the way I see it, you own the fit-out. So you can do whatever you want with it.
How do you want to live and work?
This kind of freedom is absolutely wonderful of course, but also comes with responsibilities. Because how do you effectively translate your life story and wishes into the layout and design of your home and work environment? And how do you describe these wishes crystal clear for the professionals who are going to fulfil them for you. In today’s construction industry that is a profession in itself. I will gladly put my expertise to work for you here. So you really get what you want and have ordered.
A new market for building products
If you own the fit-out, you want direct contact with its producers and suppliers. Because you want value for your money. That means you want a firm grip on what you get delivered. But you also want to learn from your supplier as it comes to benefits and examples. That is how it works for all products, except in today’s construction. In construction, the architect, several consultants, contractors and anyone they hire, determine bit by bit what is ultimately delivered by the suppliers whom you never get to meet yourselves! But when you own the fit-out, you are in charge. The market for construction products is already adapting to that. Several producers are directly selling complete fit-outs, custom-made to your demands, based on innovative standard building elements. You can become the owner of the fit-out by buying it or you can lease it for a favourable monthly fee.
The benefits for you are clear
I am sure you have already seen what the benefits are for you. You are completely your own boss! You have maximum say over your personal fit-out without having to own (part of) the building. That brings us to new relations in ownership which enable new ways of funding. It is a leading political topic, among politicians, in the construction industry and for me. I actively invest in your interests as user of a building, the main client of the industry. By using all possibilities within current rules and regulations. By investigating what additional possibilities we need, legally and fiscally. And by showing you the ropes in dealing with the construction industry that is far from customer friendly at the moment.
Take the next step and share your experiences
Do you want to take a next step? Come to the FREE* Masterclass. We will work with practical tools to instantly implement the actions of my ebook in your organizational, fiscal or financial projects and organization.
Join the conversation
Do you know how to build that new way and what you need? Share it in the comments below.
To your health and wellbeing,
Remko Zuidema
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This post is also available in: Nederlands
