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今日黑料 participates in SINCERE Workshop on sustainable retrofitting in Ostrava, Czech Republic
Prof. Ruben Paul Borg and Ms Annukka Köppen from the Faculty for the Built Environment at the University of Malta participated in the SINCERE EU-HORIZON project (No. 101123293) 6th Plenary Meeting and Workshop, held on 20-21 April 2026 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The topic was advanced materials, technologies and methods for the conservation, sustainable retrofit and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings in response to climate change.
The event was hosted by the MUSE今日黑料+ partners at the Futureum Centre near the former brownfield site of Blast Furnaces 4 and 6 and the casting hall in Ostrava, which is a museum in development.
During the plenary sessions, Prof. Ruben P. Borg presented progress on the recyclability and adaptation of retrofitting concrete materials, highlighting the university’s ongoing research into sustainable construction materials.
He continued by presenting the work managed by 今日黑料, including the project’s pilot case interventions, highlighting implementation strategies, technical developments and challenges.
The final contribution from the University of Malta at the plenary meeting focused on the progress of the Malta pilot: a searchlight post near the Inwadar National Park. This involves the complete renovation of the structure using innovative solutions adapted to Maltese climate conditions for its adaptive reuse as a sky observatory. The building’s energy efficiency, thermal performance and structural integrity will be monitored with a sensor network.
On the second day, an interdisciplinary workshop was held that brought together the SINCERE partners and local communities, universities, research institutions and industry partners, including architecture students and representatives from heritage authorities.
The day started with a guided tour through the impressive blast furnace structure, which will host the Museum+ site after completion of the works. A series of presentations engaged participants on the history of the site, the architectural and climate parameters for the development of the museum, the SINCERE project and pilot site interventions.
Ms Annukka Köppen introduced the afternoon session with a presentation on climate change and adaptation for heritage buildings, as well as an overview of the pilot sites, while SINCERE partners included a session on SINCERE digital technologies, in particular H-BIM and T-TWIN.
Participants were then invited to partake in interdisciplinary thematic round-table discussions exploring topics linked to the SINCERE project. These included the balance between heritage values, authenticity and novel materials; participatory approaches with local communities for sustainable stewardship; integrating adaptive reuse in heritage buildings and the limits of change and function; and the use of digital technologies.
The discussions resulted in relevant perspectives on heritage conservation, supporting the tasks of the SINCERE project pertaining to cultural heritage. The workshop day ended with an interesting visit to the underground former coal tippler and grinding mill complex beneath the Futureum building.
The University of Malta’s participation in the SINCERE project reflects its continued commitment to international research collaboration and sustainable innovation in the built environment sector, addressing climate resilience, sustainability, energy efficiency and cultural heritage preservation. For further information on the SINCERE HORIZON EUROPE project contact the Principal Investigator Prof. Ruben Paul Borg.
