When is a house a home? A house is a roof over your head; a home provides peace, routines, and the space to shape your life. “Home” is an experience, a feeling. How fragile this feeling can be was discovered by Aynur Tosun and her two daughters, aged 20 and 17.
Her house in Nieuw Texas (Genk) underwent an extensive renovation in 2024 as part of the oPENLab project (*). “The result is fabulous”, she says. “With new windows, insulation, solar panels, a heat pump, and ventilation, the home became energy-efficient, modern, and very comfortable to live in. But while the physical quality of the house improved, during the seven-week renovation, it lost something essential: the feeling of home. This story encourages Wonen in Limburg and all its construction partners to put even more effort into ensuring an acceptable living experience during the course of a renovation.
“I love my house. The result of the work is fantastic. The road leading to the result was difficult. We all learned from this experience, which made it all worthwhile.”
Aynur had voluntarily signed up to be one of the first homes for this kind of renovation. Both the housing company (WiL) and the contractors had to learn how to handle a renovation without moving. She knew the renovation was coming and thought she was well-prepared…
Until, after returning home from a short birthday trip, she ended up in the middle of a construction site. “I put my suitcases down when I realized: this is not going to be easy. Everything was covered in plastic. There was dust, noise, and people were walking around everywhere.” Her daughters temporarily moved in with their father.
A house in renovation, a family without a home
“Let’s just give it a chance” she says. But under these conditions, even cooking, sitting down, showering, and sleeping became a challenge. The renovation came with holes in the outer walls, which allowed curious people to peer inside as if her home were an abandoned construction site. Engineers talked about the work without involving her. “It didn’t feel like my home anymore.”
She kept in touch with her daughters through conversations in the car when she drove them to their hobbies. She slept at her eldest daughter’s place. Finding peace in their home wasn’t easy. Family and friends helped with practical matters, but the sense of stability was missing during the process of renovation.
“Yes, there were times when I got angry and yelled at the coordinator. I regretted it afterward.” She understands that it was a period of trial and learning for everyone. The main lesson, Aynur believes, is how important it is for everyone to realise that they are working in a home where a family is trying to live.
“Everyone who is doing the work or making decisions is focused on their own tasks. I understand that. But still: never ignore the residents. Don’t make them invisible in their own home.”
An opportunity and invitation to do things different
Many more renovations are coming up at WiL. What does Aynur want to share in terms of ideas for these future projects? Respect is the most important, she says. Communicate well with the residents, involve them in conversations, and make sure that promises are kept. These small gestures can help to build trust. Cleaning up after the work and considering family situations shows that the contractors understand that this workplace is still someone’s home.
For Aynur, it would have been better to work in phases, for example, room by room, so that a house always remains partially livable. Clear and open communication, where residents are involved at every step, can reduce stress. For those who need alternative accommodation, temporary options like transition homes or shared rest areas can be valuable solutions. Also, a space in the neighbourhood where residents can meet each other and seek answers to their questions can be a helpful resource.
Back home
At this point, the renovation is completed. With the girls back home, the furniture in place, and after a thorough cleaning, the feeling of home returned.
“The house is so much better now: warmer, quieter, more energy-efficient, and well-ventilated. My daughters can control the heating in their own room and study there if they want. The house feels like our safe and cozy place again. I love this house. I plan to stay here for many more years.”
Aynur takes a look at her home, proud and grateful. “I now live in a beautifully finished and sustainable home. Those new techniques bring us a lot of comfort. With the insulation, new windows, and ventilation, we experience a pleasant and healthy indoor climate. Moreover, our neighbourhood now contributes to a better environment, with better homes and more environmentally conscious behaviour from residents.”
(*) The renovation of Aynur’s home is part of the European pilot project oPENLab. oPENLab aims to create a positive energy neighbourhood. Pilot renovations were carried out in which combinations of new techniques were tested. Residents were highly involved in the preparation and execution of the project. Part of the “test” was also to carry out the renovations in such a way that residents could continue living in their homes during the process.
