TRANSFORM was assigned to conduct a feasibility study on a transformation of the 352 iconic student residences located at the Vrije Universiteit Brussels’ campus ‘Oefenplein’.

The initial master plan for new residential and educational facilities on campus ‘Oefenplein’ included demolishing all modules of the student residence. Although this would be an easy and straightforward way to deal with these outdated buildings, the university’s facility management is more than aware of the residences cultural and historical value.

As an alternative to the demolition, the transformation and reuse of the modular units is studied. In order to understand both the financial and the environmental effects, TRANSFORM conducted Life Cycle (Cost) Assessments of alternative transformation strategies. These analyses will compare different scenarios, in which the modules will be reused and possibly reconfigured.

Please, consult the following publications related to this research project.

Environmental Life Cycle Assessement:
Vandenbroucke, M., et al. (2015). Using Life Cycle Assessment to Inform Decision-Making for Sustainable Building. Buildings, 5(2), 536–559.