De Optopper – BuurtBoost (Neighbourhood boost)

In 2021 ontvangen Solarix uit handen van Daan van der Vorm de PROVADA Proptech Award. Een jaar verder en de eerste samenwerking een feit met de integratie van ontwerp gevel zonnepanelen in de modular housing solution: de BuurtBoost Optopper. topper. This Plug & Play solution for affordable sustainable homes on existing real estate is part of BuurtBoost. In February 2022, BuurtBoost joined forces with BurtonHamfelt Urban Architecture, DAT Bouwsystemen (VORM wood factory, Smart2Prefab (VORM initiative), The Urban Jungle Project en Solarix. In drie maanden ontwikkelden zij een volledig prototype, geschikt voor het optoppen van bestaand vastgoed.

What is the BuurtBoost (Neighborhood) Optopper?

Building project developer VORM has launched a modular housing solution based on the BuurtBoost initiative: the Optopper. A prefab full residential apartment, completely made of sustainably produced wood, with prefab bathroom and toilet. The Optopper provides rapid train speed in more affordable housing, applicable to almost every (post-war) apartment building. The Optopper has been developed as a flexible home product, for use in large numbers, for various target groups and according to a standard methodology.
“The housing shortage in our country is becoming problematic. Finding a home is almost impossible for many people,” says Mariette Broesterhuizen, Strategic Manager BuurtBoost. “Housing corporations and municipalities know what to do: tackle it, push ahead and rapidly expand the housing supply with affordable, sustainable and attractive homes, thus giving the neighborhood a ‘boost’. The Optopper is one of BuurtBoost’s unique products within our integrated approach that offers a solution for this.”

Sustainable and nature-inclusive

The Optopper is prefabricated from sustainably produced wood by DAT Bouwsystemen, VORM’s wood factory. The modular homes are supplied with a prefab bathroom and toilet from Smart2Prefab – also an initiative of VORM – and are provided with a facade of solar panels by Solarix. The Urban Jungle Project provides the Optopper with a green roof garden, where there is room for birds, bees, caterpillars and other insects.

 

Solar design facade panels in Optopper

Solarix panels have been incorporated into the facade of the Optopper. Depending on the type of home, between 14 m2 and 26 m2 active facade solar panels have been installed. Each home is finished with matching custom dummy corner panels. The houses have an average generation of 1800 kWh, and meet the consumption of a standard terraced house. The energy label of the house is therefore a beautiful A++++; the most economical and green score. With the energy generated, a resident saves converted between € 1080 – € 1900 per year (calculated with the current energy price of € 0.60) on the energy bill. By generating energy in the facade, the space on the roof offers other possibilities for further sustainability; for example with a green roof.

Solarix panels not only contribute to the energy generation of the home, but also to the objective of BuurtBoost aimed at aesthetic upgrading of existing neighbourhoods. For the Optopper, a choice has been made for designs from the Dot Collection: a melange of gray tones with a depth effect from both far and near. The gray tones are in line with the architect’s wish for a calm, subdued color that matches the anthracite colors in the exterior of the house.

We are proud of the result and the great collaboration. The BuurtBoost Optopper with integrated Solarix facade solar panels is another major step towards beautiful and efficient cities.

To learn more about this project: De BuurtBoost

Photography: Michel Kievits and Marijke Krekels