37 apartment associations across Estonia apply for the innovative factory reconstruction grant
12.05.2021
A total of 37 apartment associations from several parts of Estonia submitted an application to KredEx for the innovative and more efficient reconstruction of an up to five-storey apartment building built on the basis of a standardised design. With factory reconstruction, factory-made wall and roof panels, already fitted with insulation, windows and ventilation pipes, will be installed on the apartment building. In total, KredEx will allocate nearly EUR 17 million for the new type of reconstruction.
‘It is very delightful to see that active apartment associations all over Estonia are interested in reconstructing apartment buildings in a novel way, both in larger and smaller cities. We have received a lot of attention across Europe with this pilot project, and Estonia has become a kind of innovation centre for the reconstruction of old buildings. Other countries are eagerly awaiting the results of the project,’ said Triin Reinsalu, Head of the Housing and Energy Efficiency Department of KredEx. ‘The total amount of applications received is EUR 20.2 million.’
Out of the total number of applications, 16 were submitted from Tallinn and Harju County, nine from Tartu and Tartu County, six from Pärnu County, two from Rapla County, and one each from Lääne-Viru County, Viljandi County, Järva County and Saare County.
The next step is to draw up, in cooperation with the apartment associations receiving the grant, the outline plans for the reconstruction, on the basis of which, the consortia of companies participating in the measure (designer, insulation element manufacturer, general contractor for the construction) will propose the costs of the reconstruction of the buildings, and the design and construction contractor for each building will be identified. These contractors will be identified by autumn, after which, design work will start. The reconstruction works will mainly take place in 2022.
The factory reconstruction project, that is innovative in both Estonia and across Europe, is targeted at apartment buildings of up to five storeys. The maximum grant is 50% of the cost of the works or up to EUR 1 million.
‘On the one hand, the advantages of factory reconstruction include improved energy efficiency and indoor climate in apartments, and a significant reduction in heating costs. However, equally as important is the speed of the whole process – as the factory-produced insulation elements are installed directly on the existing façade of the house, as well as the construction process is significantly shorter and less disruptive for people living in the house,’ said Triin Reinsalu, describing the benefits of the grant.
In the case of the factory reconstruction support measure, KredEx takes on a significantly greater role and responsibility, taking care of all the paperwork and finding both the designer and the executor of the works.
It was possible to apply for a grant for the renovation of apartment buildings built in accordance with the following standardised designs: ‘Khrushchyovka’ (standardised design 1-317), ‘Mustamäe panel building’ (1-464), ‘Õismäe and Lasnamäe panel building’ (111-121) and ‘Annelinn panel building’ (111-133).