Study Tour in Szentendre Highlights Sustainable Building Renovation Best Practices
On the occasion of the RENOINVEST international roundtable in Hungary, a dedicated study tour was organised in Szentendre to showcase exemplary projects that combine technical innovation with smart financing solutions for sustainable building renovation.
The event brought together national and international stakeholders—municipal representatives, renovation experts, and financial actors—offering firsthand insight into how advanced renovation concepts are implemented in practice. The two featured sites included the ÉMI Knowledge Centre, a state-of-the-art office complex, and a refurbished multi-apartment residential building at Hamvas Béla Street, both of which are highlighted in the newly published RENOINVEST Best Practice Handbook of Sustainable Renovations.
ÉMI Knowledge Centre: Energy-Intelligent Design in Action
The first stop of the tour was the ÉMI Knowledge Centre, an energy-efficient office building constructed with bioclimatic design principles. The building integrates advanced environmental technologies, including:
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A sewage-based heat pump system with a combined heating/cooling capacity of 469.6 kWth,
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Recycled EPS and mineral wool insulation for the roof and façades,
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A green roof and vertical green façades for climate control and improved energy balance,
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High-performance windows with orientation-optimized triple and double glazing,
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Engineered shading systems and surface-based heating/cooling panels.
The building is connected to a microgrid energy system, incorporating photovoltaic panels placed on carports and rooftop surfaces. Smart meters and monitoring tools allow real-time energy management and optimization. The project represents a scalable model for institutional buildings aiming to reduce emissions and operating costs.
Hamvas Béla Street: Integrated Residential Retrofit with PV/T Technology
Participants also visited a multi-apartment residential building at Hamvas Béla Street 2–10, where a deep renovation was carried out as part of the PIMES CONCERTO project. This comprehensive retrofit included:
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New insulation and airtight windows to eliminate thermal bridges,
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Shading solutions, new balconies, and upgraded stairwell glazing,
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A mechanical ventilation system installed in each apartment for improved air quality,
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Installation of hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) collectors, generating both electricity and hot water.
The system features 163 PV/T modules (223 m²) and a building-integrated PV plant on the southern façade, with a total combined output of over 45 kW. The hot water generation significantly reduces demand from the district heating network. The project was financed through a mixed scheme, including ESCO-type contracting and EU flat-rate support.
Driving Replication and Dialogue
The study tour served as a platform for dynamic exchange among stakeholders, with discussions focusing on replicability, funding frameworks, and the integration of renewable technologies into renovation projects. It demonstrated the importance of combining technical excellence, innovative financing models, and stakeholder cooperation to overcome barriers in large-scale renovation.
As the RENOINVEST project continues to collect and promote best practices across Central Europe, site visits like this contribute to building capacity, sharing knowledge, and accelerating the transition to a more energy-efficient building stock.
For more information on the showcased projects, visit the Best Practice Handbook.
