Universally recognised as emblems of many cities, historic buildings account for a quarter of Europe’s existing construction. Retrofitting such buildings presents many opportunities for reducing carbon emissions but can also present many challenges for preserving historic and aesthetic traits and as such, particular and specific care is vital.
Given the unique character of each building, standard energy saving measures are often not viable. Instigating interdisciplinary procedures for renovation and developing affordable and efficient technologies which are compatible with conservation needs are essential for the survival of built heritage and for reducing its environmental impact.
The SBE21 Heritage Conference brings together scholars and practitioners working in the fields of energy efficiency and historic building conservation to foster multidisciplinary dialogues and find new retrofit approaches to save our common heritage and guarantee a sustainable future.
Eurac Research is a private research centre located in the heart of the Alps with a research focus on mountain regions and a vision that extends to Europe and beyond.
The Institute for Renewable Energy conducts applied research in advanced energy systems, with a group specifically dedicated to energy retrofitting in historic buildings. This research area includes not only formally listed buildings, but all those that shape our “cityscapes” and are therefore worthy of preservation.
The SBE21 Heritage Conference is co-financed by three projects focusing on different aspects of sustainability and built heritage:
These projects, coordinated by Eurac Research, will conclude shortly before the conference and will present their findings and achievements at SBE21 Heritage. All together, they involve 30 organisations from 14 countries.
