Industrial renovation in Sindi
The building is a five-storey Õismäe-type residential house with 60 apartments, located in Sindi (Estonia). Originally constructed from reinforced concrete elements, the building underwent a complete renovation in 2024. During the renovation, factory-produced wooden frame façade panels were installed for insulation. The renovation work was carried out with minimal disruption to residents’ daily lives – no scaffolding was used for installing the façade elements, which sped up the process and reduced noise disturbances.
The exterior finishing features two-tone, mass-colored fiber cement panels, giving the building a modern appearance and enhanced durability. During the reconstruction, new balconies were added to one side of the building, and all apartments received new windows. As a result of the renovation, at least 50% heating energy savings were achieved, and a mechanical ventilation system was installed throughout the building, significantly improving indoor air quality.
For this project, the high prefabrication level of the façade elements—over 95%—allowed for their rapid installation. A four-member team completed the entire façade panel installation in just 17 days, with follow-up work carried out by a reduced team over approximately 14 days.
To determine the optimal fastening solution, test samples were drilled from the building’s foundation and analyzed in the laboratory of Tallinn University of Technology to assess concrete quality. Additionally, trial drillings and pull tests were conducted to ensure the reliability of the fastening system. All façade elements were mounted onto brackets installed in the building’s foundation.
As part of this project, a new type of horizontal joint for façade elements was successfully piloted, requiring less labor and materials compared to previous solutions. Furthermore, the integration of ventilation ducts into the façade elements was tested successfully, achieving nearly 100% factory readiness and significantly accelerating installation.
Façade panel area: 2200 m²
Building energy class after renovation: B, energy efficiency rating: 116 kWh/m²
On-site construction duration: approximately 8 months
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