The first major apartment renovation in Tartu under the oPEN Lab project has reached completion, marking the next step in the city’s transition toward energy-efficient and climate-resilient housing. The project transforms a typical multi-family building in the Annelinn district into a high-performance residential building with substantially improved energy performance, comfort levels and long-term sustainability.
The renovation, carried out in close collaboration between Tartu City Government, local housing partners and research partners within the oPEN Lab consortium, has upgraded the building envelope, installed modern energy-saving technologies, and dramatically reduced heating demand. Key interventions include:
- Enhanced thermal insulation of façades and roof
- Replacement of outdated windows with high-performance frames
- Modern heat-recovery ventilation and efficient heating systems
“We are proud to deliver this fully renovated apartment building in Tartu under oPEN Lab, that achieves such strong results in energy efficiency and occupant comfort,” said Annika Urbas, Living Lab Leader in Tartu. “This project demonstrates how integrated design and deep renovation can bring multiple benefits, lower energy costs, healthier indoor environments, and long-term value for residents.”
The renovated building now serves as a showcase for deep retrofit approaches and as a learning hub for local stakeholders, residents and professionals. Prospective tenants and community members will be able to visit the site, observe the results firsthand and learn about the technologies and processes used.
The work in Tartu forms part of wider efforts across the oPEN Lab project to accelerate the uptake of energy-efficient renovation models that can be replicated in cities across Europe. By combining practical demonstration with research, stakeholder engagement and monitoring, oPEN Lab aims to unlock pathways toward Positive Energy Neighbourhoods and healthier, climate-neutral urban communities.
More about oPEN Lab:
oPEN Lab is transforming neighbourhoods in Tartu, Pamplona, and Genk into Positive Energy Neighbourhoods (PENs). Residents, local authorities, universities, businesses, and industry experts are coming together to convert these neighbourhoods into ones that generate more renewable energy than they consume, aiming to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and even to produce a surplus of clean energy each year. However, this project is not only about renovation, but also about building a community. By embedding technology, art, culture, and local voices into the energy transition, oPEN Lab is fostering a sense of ownership, pride, and collective purpose, ensuring that the energy transition is not only sustainable but also deeply human.
oPEN Lab receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under Grant agreement No. 101037080.
Media Contact:
More information about the Tartu oPEN Living Lab:
Annika Urbas (annika.urbas@trea.ee)
More information about the oPEN Lab project:
Adélaïde Chopard (adelaide.chopard@steinbeis-europa.de)
