FuturHist is a European research project that supports the energy-efficient renovation of historic buildings while respecting their cultural and architectural value. Through research, practical tools and international collaboration, the project helps professionals adapt heritage buildings to today’s climate goals. The FuturHist Retrofit Academy is part of this mission, offering a two-step capacity building programme for architects, engineers and heritage practitioners who want to support the sustainable transformation of Europe’s built heritage.
ABOUT THE FUTURHIST RETROFIT ACADEMY
As Europe accelerates toward carbon-neutral goals, the sensitive energy renovation of historic buildings presents both challenges and opportunities. The FuturHist Retrofit Academy equips practitioners with the methodologies, tools and technical knowledge developed within the multidisciplinary FuturHist Horizon Europe research project: a consortium committed to future-proofing historic buildings through scalable, typology-based strategies.
Co-organised by the Sendzimir Foundation and ICOMOS, with contributions from leading academic and technical partners across Europe, this capacity-building programme supports participants in navigating the complex balance between built heritage preservation and modern energy performance.
ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE
The Academy consists of two complementary stages: first, an online e-learning course and, later this year, an on-site training. 20 of the highest-achieving and most engaged participants from Stage 1 will be invited to a 7-day practical training in Poland.
Stage 1, which is the e-learning course, will demand around 30 hours of work. The curriculum is centered around the following themes:
- Technical Solutions: Deep dives into innovative passive solutions (biomaterials, self-healing lime renders, and window retrofits) and active systems (HVAC and Renewable Energy integration).
- Simulation & Assessment: Gain hands-on experience with hygrothermal simulation of building envelopes and Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA).
- Decision-Making: Learn a multidimensional methodology to balance energy performance, occupant comfort, and conservation compatibility.
- Policy & Standards: Navigate the legal and technical barriers of European building stock renovation for built heritage.
PARTICIPATION AND REGISTRATION FOR THE ACADEMY
The course and training programme are designed for practitioners operating within the European Union and associated countries (United Kingdom, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine), including:
- Architects and Urban Designers
- Civil and Energy Engineers
- Conservation Officers, Energy Auditors, Project Managers
- Emerging professionals aspiring to specialise in sustainable heritage retrofit
Participation in the e-learning course is free of charge and open to all applicants who match the criteria listed above.
Registration is open until 18 April 2026.