Historical cities are integral to Europe’s cultural heritage. Their building facades and neighbourhood street layouts reflect local history, fostering a sense of identity and belonging among residents. Nearly 22% of Europe’s building stock predates 1945, representing a collection of historically significant structures that, while rich in cultural value, often exhibit low energy efficiency.
The HeriTACE project develops solutions to support the transition of historic buildings to zero-emission buildings while preserving their heritage value and improving user comfort. The project approach starts with the definition of different Archetype townhouses, as a set of representative buildings of the townhouse typology. They are derived from case studies across three European climatic zones and four countries. Building on these archetypes, the project develops a holistic assessment model that allows to evaluate the performance of various renovation scenarios for the archetype townhouses, accounting for a holistic range of performance criteria. While the holistic assessment model is mainly used in the early design stages of the renovation project, by a transdisciplinary team, HeriTACE also develops technical design guidelines and tools to support designers during the detailed design stage. The model and guidelines are part of a transdisciplinary process, in which various stakeholders of the heritage renovation design take part.
The technical renovation solution encompasses durable insulation and air-tightness solutions for the renovation of building envelopes, optimised and smart controlled Heat Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) concepts optimising comfort and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), and Integrated Renewable and Residual Energy Source (R²ES)-based energy supply solutions that use 100% fossil-free energy sources in the building and neighbourhood.
The HeriTACE project supports the European Commission’s goal of renovating 35 million buildings by 2030, helping Europe move toward becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. By implementing the values and principles of the New European Bauhaus, the project delivers a transdisciplinary approach to historic building renovation, providing sustainable technical solutions that enhance energy efficiency and ensure long-term usability.
A comprehensive methodology for renovating heritage townhouses in historic neighbourhoods that aligns with conservation and climate objectives and is endorsed by the relevant authorities.
A design approach that facilitates deep renovation of historic buildings, aiming to reduce primary energy use by 60% and prepare the building for a fossil-free energy supply. Design optimisation also increases the cost-effectiveness and reduces the construction waste by 10%. The approach is made accessible via optimal design guidelines.
Long-lasting insulation and airtight solutions for renovating building exteriors, preserving their heritage features and traditional construction methods, while improving energy efficiency by 60%.
Smart and optimised heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems improve comfort and indoor air quality in historic townhouses exactly when and where it’s needed. These systems cut energy use by 60% through smart design and control, reduce construction waste by 10% by reusing existing components, and use easy plug-and-play solutions
Integrated renewable energy solutions (R²ES) provide 100% fossil-free energy for heritage townhouses in historical neighbourhoods across three climate zones, maximising the use of locally produced energy at both the building and neighbourhood level. Smart model predictive control (MPC) makes the buildings and energy systems flexible and efficient, reducing energy use by 15% and maintenance costs by 10%. An innovative and resilient system-sizing method also improves cost-effectiveness by 10%.
Information about funding and project duration can be found on Cordis website.