In October, Stebo temporarily opened the renovated Garden City home at Boslaan 27 to the public. The house is one of the seven test homes in Waterschei, where oPEN Lab experiments with innovative, energy-efficient technologies within the concept of positive energy districts.
After six months of intensive renovation work, visitors could discover how this hundred-year-old home was transformed into a fossil-free, energy label A dwelling. The renovated house is equipped with a geothermal heat pump, a ventilation system D and 33 solar panels and yet the result fits seamlessly within the heritage vision of the City of Genk.
During the oPEN (Lab) House Week, Stebo welcomed a wide range of visitor groups. Because each audience had different questions, tailored guided tours were organised:
– Local residents gained inspiration and insights into the renovation possibilities for their own garden district homes.
– Community workers and local ambassadors explored how feasible and affordable this approach could be for other residents in the neighbourhood.
– Renovation coaches looked deeper into the applied materials and technologies.
– Journalists and policymakers discovered how this home contributes to the broader vision for the neighbourhood of tomorrow.
– Future tenants were introduced to the improved comfort and the operation of the sustainable installations.
The personal, audience-focused approach created strong engagement and many valuable conversations. The geothermal heat pump and the deep boreholes drew particular interest. The appreciation for the final result was clearly noticeable.
Renovating a heritage home to energy label A and completely disconnecting it from natural gas? The renovation journey of this house proves it is possible — and many visitors were able to experience this firsthand.
