HERIT4AGES Demo Site in Tartu: From Historic Building to Living Laboratory

One of the HERIT4AGES demonstration sites, located in an 18th-century historic building at Lai 30 in the Old Town of Tartu, Estonia, has recently reached a significant milestone. The site is being transformed into a living laboratory, where innovative and sustainable renovation solutions are tested in real-life conditions.

The work is being carried out as part of the HERIT4AGES project, coordinated by the Tyndall National Institute, with the support of the Institute of Baltic Studies and key technological contributions from Łukasiewicz – Warszawski Instytut Technologiczny (WIT), a member of the project consortium.

At the site, smart sensors monitor temperature, humidity, and other environmental parameters, while newly installed ecological insulation boards made entirely from natural raw materials contribute to improved energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Importantly, these interventions are implemented without compromising the building's historic character, which has remained essentially unchanged for almost 250 years.

Recent on-site work by the Łukasiewicz – Warsaw Institute of Technology team demonstrates how scientific research and technological innovation can directly support the sustainable rehabilitation of architectural heritage. The Tartu demo site provides a tangible example of how heritage buildings can become more resilient, energy-efficient, and future-proof.

Watch the videos documenting the installation works and on-site activities on the LinkedIn profile of Łukasiewicz – Warszawski Instytut Technologiczny.