Smart energy efficiency of cultural heritage buildings in cold climates

The aim of the research project is to investigate, develop methodology and technology for energy efficiency of culturally valuable buildings in cold climates without distorting the buildings' antiquarian and architectural values. The main research question of the project is: how can cultural-historical buildings in cold climates be made more energy efficient without distorting the cultural-historical values of the buildings? The research will thus also be able to answer what energy saving potential exists in existing wooden buildings in general and in culturally historic wooden buildings specifically.

The research includes an analysis of how the management and modernization of buildings and knowledge from these historical processes, affect the value system of the cultural heritage sector. The study also addresses how this transformation of value systems can be integrated into a life cycle assessment, LCA, and how it relates to the concept of sustainable development.

Through applied research and development, new knowledge is developed for use in the cultural heritage, construction and management sectors. Cultural-historical buildings with different building types and constructions are selected in some locations in Norrland. Architectural and cultural heritage values are documented and the current energy status is measured and analyzed. Methods and materials for energy efficiency are inventoried nationally and internationally. New methods for energy efficiency are developed, used in practical renovation and tested. New knowledge is disseminated to property owners and managers.

The culturally and historically valuable buildings in northern Norrland have in many cases other characteristics than buildings in southern Sweden. The colder climate zone also requires higher energy values for insulation, windows and doors in order to achieve higher energy consumption for heating buildings than is required today. This together means that research on energy efficiency carried out for buildings in southern Sweden is not directly transferable to buildings in the colder climate of northern Sweden. There are thus greater differences between the heating costs of older buildings compared with new buildings.

In Kiruna and Malmberget, parts of the wooden buildings from the early 1900s are designated as culturally valuable buildings. The whole of Malmberget and nearby Koskullskulle are cultural environments of national interest. Many of these buildings are currently threatened by cracks in the ground caused by mining activities in both locations and will either be moved or demolished. One of the arguments when discussing whether to move or demolish the building is its energy status.

The planned project will be carried out by a trans-disciplinary group with researchers in several disciplines and with practitioners in the field of knowledge: Architect, building conservator, building designer, energy technology researcher, historian and practical expertise in the careful conversion of cultural heritage buildings. The group has close contacts with municipalities, management companies and construction companies in Norrbotten.