NRP Gulden Feniks Debate #1: Sustainability and Social ImpactNRP Gulden Feniks Debate #1: Sustainability and Social Impact

Drawing on insights from previous editions and projects submitted for this year’s Gulden Feniks renovation awards, architects, clients and jury members will discuss the prerequisites for successfully combining sustainability and social impact.

• 19:30 – Opening and introduction
• 19:40 – Presentations about two Gulden Feniks award nominations: De Punt in Amsterdam-West and FMP in Utrecht Overvecht
• 20:00 – Roundtable discussion. Block 1 – Continuity and collaborative teamwork; Block 2 – Synergy between technical aspects and social value
• 20:55 – Closing remarks by the moderator
• 21:00 – End

The challenge of renovating post-war social housing is huge. By 2050, no fewer than 1.1 million social housing units in the Netherlands must be fully energy neutral. The primary focus is on neighbourhoods built between 1945 and 1970. The clock is ticking, and the challenge is complex: properties with poor energy ratings must be brought into line with national performance agreements. Estimates suggest that costs will range from €70,000 to as much as €165,000 per home.

These homes often suffer from delayed maintenance, but the true challenge is even greater. The neighbourhoods in which they are located often face urgent social issues such as loneliness, poverty and health inequality. How, then, can we approach the enormous technical challenge in a way that not only renovates the housing stock, but also strengthens neighbourhood cohesion and boosts residents’ dignity?

In the run-up to the presentation of the Gulden Feniks award for renovation and transformation in November 2026, the National Renovation Platform (NRP) is organising two debates. These events will bring together a variety of stakeholders, including designers, clients, developers, contractors, policymakers, residents and users, to discuss important topics related to creating a sustainable and future-proof built environment. As the NRP puts it: “The real estate of the future is already here.”

The National Renovation Platform takes a collaborative, integrated approach to the societal issues involved in renovating and transforming the built environment. More than 100 organisations and companies from across the construction and real estate sectors are affiliated with the NRP’s partner network. Through the annual Gulden Feniks award, the NRP showcases exemplary projects, enabling the entire sector to benefit from the knowledge and insights gained.