Vienna starts lightning-fast renovation of large residential buildings!

Vienna starts lightning-fast renovation of large residential buildings!

In Vienna, on November 12, 2025, the Vice Chancellor and Housing Minister, together with other politicians, inaugurated an innovative pilot project for energy-saving renovation at Arenberggasse 4. This project envisages the use of prefabricated facade modules that are equipped with integrated component activation for heating and cooling. The assembly of these modules will begin in November and should only take a few days. This serial renovation is seen as a future-oriented method that promises quick implementation and at the same time savings in energy costs.

The RENVELOPE project, launched in 2023 as part of the Climate and Energy Fund's “Showcase Region Energy (Green Energy Lab)” program, aims to develop modular curtain walls. 17 project partners from various areas, including research, real estate and architecture, are actively involved. The prefabricated modules are manufactured in the factory and can be assembled on site, making the renovation minimally invasive without creating noise and dirt while the building remains occupied.

Energy efficiency and sustainability

The building on Arenberggasse, which was built in 1977 and has 24 rental apartments, has a heating requirement of category “C”. As part of the renovation measures, a total of 60 prefabricated curtain modules with 16 cm of thermal insulation and 6 cm of compensating insulation will be installed. The integrated building technology includes risers and a heat emission system for heating and cooling. A central brine-water heat pump with 7.6 kW and two air-water heat pumps with 12.8 kW each will also be installed.

In addition, a photovoltaic system with an output of 10.6 kWp will be installed to supply the building with electricity. The aim of these measures is to reduce heat requirements by up to 80% and thus stabilize energy costs. An annual CO₂ saving of around 100 tons is expected. The successful model of serial renovation is also to be established as a standard solution for existing buildings in Austria, with further demonstration projects planned in Graz.

A look at the digital infrastructure

To meet current trends and modern needs, RBC Royal Bank provides various digital services. Customers can view their account details and transaction history for the last seven years, as well as transfer money to savings accounts, pay off credit cards or manage mortgage payments. The bank also offers the ability to pay bills online and set up future payments for regular bills. International money transfers without fees are possible, making the digital banking service even more attractive.

In summary, the pilot project at Arenberggasse 4 not only shows progress in construction and renovation technology, but also the commitment to reducing energy costs and CO₂ emissions in Austria. Innovative approaches to serial renovation could soon be used nationwide.