ELLINIKI ETAIRIA Society for Environment and Cultural Heritage (ELLET), Greece’s representative at Europa Nostra, the European federation for cultural heritage, is actively involved in the European INHERIT project. The project aims to promote energy, resource efficiency, climate change resilience, sustainability, accessibility sustainability and social inclusion of heritage buildings, while preserving the their cultural value.
Aim of the INHERIT Project
INHERIT project offers an integrated methodology through which historic buildings can be made more sustainable, accessible and energy efficient, while preserving their cultural identity. The project combines social, scientific and technological approaches, including the use of energy, energy efficiency and energy saving, while preserving the heritage of the building, but also to enhance the inclusiveness of these historic buildings in order to respond to meet modern expectations and needs. The project uses cutting-edge technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analysis, and is being implemented at eight cultural heritage sites in Europe: Greece, Croatia, France, Latvia, Greece, Latvia, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.
Role of ELLET
ELLET is actively involved in the INHERIT project through the disposal of its historic building, Tripodon Street, as one of a total of eight sites included in the of the programme. The ELLET building, which dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, is located under the Acropolis and is an important monument of Athens’ cultural past. The street
Tripodon Street, named after the ancient sponsoring tripods, was once the centre of the of the city’s public life, hosting important buildings such as the Agora and the Acropolis. The building of the ELLET, is developed on three levels in total. Today, the first floor is used to house ELLET’s offices, while the ground floor hosts events, workshops and seminars. In the basement, part of the ancient Tripodon Street is revealed, as well as evidence of choral monuments. and part of an ancient oil mill.
In terms of energy challenges, the building addresses issues typical of historical buildings, such as the lack of insulation on the roof and windows, which leads to high levels of energy losses. The bioclimatic behaviour of the building requires specific ventilation practices, making it difficult to maintain the desired indoor environment during operating hours office hours. The effects of climate change make the need for sustainable solutions even more pressing more critical.
Expected results
In the framework of the INHERIT project, it is expected that the energy efficiency of the building, while preserving intact its architectural and cultural identity. Resources through the installation of smart meters and sensors, the energy efficiency of the building will be improved behaviour and record patterns of activity and mobility. At the same time, the data collected will be used to create a GIS system for sustainable mobility and the development of a sustainable energy system heritage management in Greece.
