Architect Ervins Krauklis in Diena calls for the reconstruction of Latvia's housing stock, making it the basis for so-called passive houses.
Like the kindergarten built from glued timber in Salaspils, which received the first certificate of its kind in Latvia. "Architects found solutions on how to combine energy efficiency, a healthy indoor environment, durability, and fire safety."
"Wood, thermal insulation made from wood fibers, cellulose wool, hemp, and straw panels can not only reduce the overall carbon footprint of a building but also store carbon bound to the atmosphere for decades, and such materials in the building act as a kind of carbon reservoir."
"Most of the buildings we will live in twenty to thirty years from now were built fifty, seventy, or even over a hundred years ago. The so-called Khrushchyovkas are often built from very durable structures. Stone walls made of silicate bricks and reinforced concrete floors can last for several more decades, but it is important to properly insulate the building, choose appropriate windows, and ventilation. It doesn’t even have to be centralized for the entire building; it is often better when each apartment is equipped with a recovery system," explained the architect.
