MŽP, in cooperation with experts, has created a methodological guide for the renovation of historical buildings

Prague - Architects and designers will be able to use a new methodological guide for the renovation of historically valuable buildings. It focuses on technical and legislative measures to improve energy efficiency while preserving the architectural value of the buildings. The guide was created by the Passive House Center in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment (MŽP). During the launch of Passive House Days 2025 today, the creators of the guide spoke to journalists.

"Getting an architecturally or historically valuable building into energy class B, or even A, is not science fiction but today’s technological reality. The key is the preparation of the project; this is where the bread is broken, so to speak. The specific guidelines we prepared together with the Ministry of the Environment as part of the new methodological guide help experts and investors design solutions that reduce energy demand without damaging the value of the building. Real savings are possible even where the range of measures is limited by heritage protection,” said the author of the guide and technical expert from the Passive House Center, Michal Čejka.

According to him, the guide is intended to serve as a practical tool for architects, designers, investors, or professionals in building heritage protection. According to the creators, it operates on the principle of evaluating a specific building, which includes identifying limits, assessing the scope of the renovation, choosing a suitable energy concept, and subsequently balancing technical, heritage, and economic parameters.

One example of an upcoming renovation and the energy demands of a building that experts consider historically and architecturally valuable is the Radost House in Prague's Žižkov district. The construction from 1934 is set to undergo a major reconstruction, after which the building will offer new rental housing in more than 600 small apartments, complemented by shops, galleries, multifunctional halls, and sports facilities. The project received a building permit this year and also has approval from heritage authorities.

The presentation of the guide was part of the launch of Passive House Days, which will last until Sunday. During the event, 49 houses in 11 regions will be open to the public, including six renovations and 43 new buildings. The program will include guided tours, videos from construction sites, and expert lectures focused on energy savings and the indoor environment of homes.