Estonian tech aids speedy renovations of apartment buildings in Ukraine
Summary
- ESTDEV and TalTech’s joint project tests an Estonian-developed solution for prefabricated renovations of apartment buildings in Ukraine
- Industrially produced exterior facade elements allow aging and war-damaged apartment building renovations to happen more quickly
- Renovations will comply with the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive to prepare Ukraine for accession to the EU
The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) have launched a pilot project to test the renovation of Ukrainian apartment buildings using Estonian-created technology.
The project aims to determine how factory reconstruction of standard houses could be implemented in Ukraine, i.e., renovation of apartment buildings with prefabricated external wall elements, which already contain insulation, windows, and ventilation systems. This method, developed in Estonia, makes it possible to renovate large houses built according to a standard design in a matter of weeks with improved energy efficiency and a better indoor climate.
Supporting Ukraine’s compliance with the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
According to TalTech expert Murel Truu, phased renovations are currently in use in Ukraine, which focuses on insulating the outer walls of buildings but neglects the renovation of ventilation systems. "It is also common that different apartments carry out repairs independently, a result of which are ‘patchwork’ facades with different balconies and windows, randomly placed heat pumps and sometimes also varying insulation," Truu explained in a recent article.
Although Ukraine has supported apartment building renovations to improve energy efficiency, the current methods need to be revised to meet the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requirements. "Renovation with prefabricated panels allows Ukraine’s reconstruction to speed up without compromising renovation quality," said Professor Targo Kalamees, the project’s coordinator at TalTech.
Renovation with prefabricated panels allows Ukraine’s reconstruction to speed up without compromising renovation quality."
Targo Kalamees, the project’s coordinator, TalTech
According to ESTDEV's programme manager for Infrastructure Development, Tarmo Needo, this project aims to pilot zero-emission renovations per the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and to showcase the advantages of deep renovation prefabrication while avoiding the mistakes that were made nearly twenty years ago in the early days of renovating Estonian apartment buildings.
"It will be exciting to see if the 20-year development leap can be made with one project or if it has to be divided into smaller steps," said Needo.
Three houses to be renovated in the town of Zhytomyr
A ten-member research team visited Zhytomyr from 26-28 June and mapped three five-story apartment buildings' technical conditions and renovation needs. Over three days, the load-bearing capacity of the buildings and the condition of the boundary structures were assessed, the condition of the technical systems was mapped, and the indoor climate was assessed. Samples were also collected from the buildings to draw more precise conclusions and analyse them in more detail in the laboratory. Measuring devices were installed in various apartments to track the indoor climate over extended periods.
"By the end of the summer, renovation plans and initial design tasks based on this knowledge will be drawn up for these three buildings. A local designer will then assess this information and prepare construction projects for these residential buildings by the end of the year in cooperation with Tallinn University of Technology," said Needo.
Experts from Hades Geodeesia OÜ, 3Di and Aerogrupp OÜ were also involved in the project's initial research and development. Hades Geodesia used 3D scanning and photogrammetry to measure the buildings’ spatial shapes accurately. AeroGrupp thoroughly mapped the buildings' ventilation systems and their condition.
Cooperation between Estonia and Ukraine
In addition to the building assessments, meetings were held with the Zhytomyr city government, Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, Kyiv University of Architecture and Construction, Polissia State University, the Zhytomyr Fire Department, HVAC and fire safety experts from various design firms, and local housing association representatives.
TalTech also met with representatives from three Ukrainian technical universities to discuss residential renovations.
TalTech has tested and improved the factory renovation methodology during several projects, such as MoreConnect, DRIVE0, oPEN Lab, SoftAcademy, Ren+Homes and SIRCULAR.
The data obtained from the pilot project in Ukraine will improve the technical deep renovation methodology and support the Estonian renovation marathon and the LIFE IP BUILDEST project, within the framework of which data-based aids are developed for making renovation decisions.
The project continues ESTDEV’s Ovruch Kindergarten and Zhytomyr family-style small group home projects built in cooperation with Woodhouse Estonia. It is based on the work of ESTDEV and the Association of Apartment Associations in raising awareness of apartment associations in the city.
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