Repurposing Commercial Space for Residential

Velux Head of Sustainability, Flemming Voetman, recently visited Australia and proposed one option to address Australia’s housing crisis where approvals of new homes are not rising to meet demand.

During his visit Mr Voetmann refers to sustainable responses taken in Europe, UK and the US to respond to the housing crisis. There is approximately 3.5 – 4.5 million square meters of unused office space across Australia’s major cities. In Copenhagen unused off space in the central CBD has been converted into apartments with amenities and cultural precints all in walking distance. In Oakland, California large warehouse space at the industrial harbour has been converted into apartments. “Huge rows of rooftop skylights have been added. 12-14 skylights for every apartment in the middle of the warehouse. I thought that was one great example.” Mr Voetmann notes.

Other examples are in Copenhagen in older buildings which did not have elevators. The roof is raised and an additional floor is added. “The beauty of that is you get an entire extra floor where you have a penthouse on the top that helps finance the renovation of the block and adds elevators. This type of creativity is very encouraging.”

Mr Voetman believes affordability and sustainability go hand in hand. “And just as importantly there is also an aesthetic to the approach. And we advocate this. Velux sells daylight and fresh air”

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