From worn and leaking to energy-smart

New facade, new roof, new ventilation – and significantly reduced energy consumption.
SmartFront’s exterior renovation of Brf Storspoven in Umeå, with 170 apartments, is soon to be completed.

Drilling in the walls, noisy machinery, scaffolding in front of windows—yet throughout the project, residents have waved happily at the construction workers and given them a thumbs-up.

"This entire project has been filled with kindness and generosity, a shared willingness to help each other. The association’s chairman, board, and members have been incredibly positive and appreciative while we work. We even receive praise, despite the disturbances! Property manager Riksbyggen has built an excellent organization around the entire project," says Stefan Forsberg, Product Manager at SmartFront.

Addressing both exterior renovation and energy efficiency
Brf Storspoven, built in 1968, needed both an exterior renovation and energy efficiency improvements. Riksbyggen awarded the project to SmartFront, which also provided a ventilation upgrade solution for the buildings.

Tackling building permits together
Brf Storspoven consists of eight buildings, all of which have received new exterior finishes. The old brick facades, with damaged joints, were removed and replaced with an insulated mineral wool plaster facade. The roofs have also been renovated, with a new, higher roof installed over the old one to improve the slope for better drainage of water and snow. The ground has been drained, and new ventilation ducts have been installed.

The work began in December 2021 and is expected to be completed by late 2024. But it all started with an energy audit to assess the needs.

"The findings were extensive. The association was struggling with leaking water in both the roof and facade, high energy consumption, and deteriorating windows," says Magnus Holmström, Project Manager at VNB and key coordinator for the project.

This level of renovation could be overwhelming for any housing association.

"But we were involved throughout the process to support the association and answer all their questions openly. We also participated in meetings with the building permit committee to explain our plans and why they were necessary. This project has been a true collaborative effort," Stefan explains warmly.

SmartFront’s reputation spread
The SmartFront method had already been successfully applied to several buildings in Umeå, catching the attention of Brf Storspoven, which wanted to follow suit.

"Together with the association and Riksbyggen, we laid a solid foundation through careful preparation. Our subcontractors were also involved from the beginning, which contributed significantly to the project's success," says Stefan.

The construction team started with a test building to identify any unforeseen conditions before proceeding with the remaining seven buildings.

"There are always some unknowns when starting with the first building, so we carefully fine-tuned our approach as we progressed. This ensured that when we moved on to the full-scale project, everyone was aligned on exactly what needed to be done. From there, everything ran smoothly."

It all starts with an energy assessment
SmartFront is one of the leading methods in the Nordic region for improving energy performance in existing buildings, exclusively offered by Fasadgruppen.

The SmartFront process—and really any major renovation—begins with an energy assessment to evaluate the property’s current energy performance. This leads to specific recommendations for cost, energy, and CO₂ savings. The proposed measures are categorized into three levels: Good, Better, and Best, offering energy savings between 20% and 80%.

"Not all buildings require a full-scale SmartFront renovation. In those cases, we suggest simpler measures so that property owners and housing associations feel confident in making the right decision," Stefan concludes.