INHERIT's framework for preserving Europe’s cultural heritage while enhancing sustainability, inclusiveness, and resource efficiency
INHERIT is developing a framework aimed at preserving Europe’s cultural heritage while enhancing sustainability, inclusiveness, and resource efficiency. Cultural heritage buildings, which are often energy inefficient and require tailored renovation strategies, are the focus of this innovative initiative. The project addresses the entire lifecycle of heritage buildings, from design and renovation to operation, monitoring, and maintenance, all while maintaining the unique cultural value of each site.
The Assessment and Monitoring Framework, led by CARTIF, is a tool that evaluates buildings across four key pillars:
- Energy Performance and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ),
- Resource Efficiency, Circularity, and Life Cycle Costs (LCC),
- Resilience to Climate and Human-made Hazards, and
- Accessibility, Inclusiveness, and Socioeconomic Sustainability.
This framework uses advanced digital tools to conduct technical inspections of cultural heritage buildings. In doing so, it focuses on critical areas like structural stability, energy efficiency, accessibility, and climate resilience. A web-based application supports the framework, allowing facility managers to monitor the performance of heritage sites and visualise key metrics.
A significant part of the framework includes the INHERIT Hub of Measures. This detailed inventory of innovative solutions is tailored to the unique needs of heritage buildings. These solutions, ranging from energy retrofits to structural improvements, will ensure the long-term sustainability and preservation of Europe’s architectural treasures.
The framework is currently being implemented across eight European pilot sites within the INHERIT project, with the goal of developing best practices that can be replicated across Europe. CARTIF is leading the effort, with support from a wide range of partners, including experts in conservation, architecture, and digital technologies.
By integrating sustainability and modern technologies with heritage conservation, the INHERIT project is paving the way to preserve Europe’s cultural heritage for generations to come.
Photo credits: Artists Eyes on Unsplash