About the project

SOFTacademy is not just about refurbishing individual houses, but a holistic approach that focuses on renovating several apartment buildings at once.

SOFTacademy aims for more than just beautiful facades – it is about creating a cosy community based on the wishes of the residents, where neighbours can spend time together in the shared courtyard between the buildings. Neighbourhood-based renovation is a win-win for all residents, both in terms of economics and sustainability.

Project duration: 1 September 2023–31 August 2027

The apartment buildings at Akadeemia tee 4, 6, 14 and 22 in Mustamäe, together with the surrounding space and courtyard area, will receive a fresh, modern look, with functional and energy-efficient solutions.

Tallinn needs to renovate 5000 old apartment buildings by 2050. To do this efficiently and quickly, multiple buildings need to be done at once. SOFTacademy is a novel approach to neighbourhood renovation not only in Tallinn, but in the whole of Estonia. Renovation work has never before been done the way it will be for the apartment buildings at Akadeemia tee 4, 6, 12, and 22 in Mustamäe.

Among other things, SOFTacademy encourages residents to dream, and not just of the appearance of their apartment building or the presence of a bin or a bench in the courtyard. The project will bring together housing associations and their residents with city officials, municipal governments and private sector experts to discuss what is best for the people living in that particular area visually, physically and in terms of energy efficiency. Neighbourhood-based renovation makes the neighbourhood the heart of the community.

The project will create a model that can be applied to housing associations across Estonia, improving the quality of life while reducing the ecological footprint of renovation works. As a bonus, we believe that the Mustamäe renovation project will also be of interest to other European cities that are looking for solutions to renovate several residential buildings at once. For example, SOFTacademy activities are already being closely followed by Lahti (Finland) and Krško (Slovenia).

Why Mustamäe?

SOFTacademy is getting its hands dirty in Mustamäe, because it is a mono-functional district that was built mainly to solve the housing crisis during the Soviet era. The condition of the buildings here is deteriorating due to thermal insulation, limited accessibility and the worn public spaces and building exteriors.

Mustamäe’s renewal is more than a construction project; it’s about revitalising the community – an effort that respects the past while looking toward the future. Mustamäe is an evolving district in Tallinn, a mix of modernity and history. While the area has modern infrastructure, it also retains a significant number of dilapidated buildings awaiting renovation, making it an ideal pilot area for renovation and modernisation projects. As the district continues to grow and change, renovating older buildings helps to refresh the overall look of Mustamäe.

The fact that a large part of Mustamäe is occupied by residential blocks, home to tens of thousands of people (~150-250 people/ha), yet lacks or has limited options for other urban functions such as a diverse range of common leisure activities, is a key reason why SOFTacademy has focused on Mustamäe. The neighbourhood needs livability-focused transformations: creating an integrated, dense, and diverse urban environment that encourages community activity, improves residents’ well-being and increases property values.

Who is SOFTacademy for?

SOFTacademy is useful for anyone who wants to make their apartment buildings and the courtyard between them into a better and more modern place that fosters a sense of community. For housing associations, SOFTacademy is an opportunity to elevate their buildings, such as gaining financial savings from renovations and energy-efficient solutions, while creating a more comfortable and welcoming neighbourhood and shared courtyard spaces for the residents. SOFTacademy helps housing associations through the renovation process step-by-step, providing support for the renovation of both buildings and courtyards.

The project will provide valuable insights and solutions not only to all parties involved, but also to the City of Tallinn and the state, helping to speed up renovation processes and simplify regulations. Here are some examples of what the respective parties will gain from this project:

Housing associations
With the support of the SOFTacademy project, a renovation catalogue will be made to help housing associations design renovation solutions tailored to their needs and budget. The toolbox also includes standard solutions for outdoor areas.

Residents
Residents of Mustamäe, whose homes and courtyards have been renovated as part of SOFTacademy, can enjoy a more comfortable, warmer and aesthetically-pleasing home. The renovated courtyard area will offer better leisure facilities, such as children’s playgrounds and green recreation areas. All of this enhances the quality of life in the area and strengthens the sense of community.

City of Tallinn
Tallinn City Government will gain valuable insights and experience from the SOFTacademy project on how to improve the efficiency of renovation processes. For example, new procedural frameworks will be mapped out and better planning solutions will be developed to ensure renovations proceed more quickly and align with urban development objectives. In addition, it will create a more aesthetically-pleasing and sustainable living environment in the neighbourhoods, which will improve the overall image of the city and the satisfaction of its residents.

The state of Estonia
Through the project, the state of Estonia will gain an overview into the legal and bureaucratic obstacles that slow down renovation processes. The results of SOFTacademy will enable the state to improve legislation and develop new support measures to make renovation easier and more widespread throughout Estonia in the future. The state’s goal is to accelerate the improvement of building energy efficiency to meet climate commitments and reduce energy consumption.

Why is SOFTacademy necessary?

Tallinn needs to renovate 5000 old apartment buildings by 2050. To do this efficiently and quickly, multiple buildings need to be done at once. Without the SOFTacademy project in Mustamäe, housing will age even further, heating costs will rise and quality of life will decline.

At the core of SOFTacademy is the creation of a scale effect that enables simultaneous renovation of several buildings. The renovation model that results from the project will also be easily adaptable to other neighbourhoods. This approach makes renovation more attractive to large construction companies, as they can offer higher quality and lower costs through larger volumes. This approach is particularly important in suburban areas, where simultaneous renovation of several buildings is often the only way to attract large companies at a reasonable cost.

The SOFTacademy project focuses on developing neighbourhood-based renovation solutions that include both complete energy efficiency improvement of the buildings and the development of surrounding public spaces. The project demonstrates how, through cooperation with housing associations and community involvement, comprehensive solutions can be achieved in line with the New European Bauhaus and Renovation Wave Strategy.

The Renovation Wave Strategy is an important part of the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus Initiative, which aims to make cities energy efficient, aesthetically-pleasing and socially inclusive. The renovation of panel buildings in Mustamäe is not only a technical necessity, but also a cultural and social project that strengthens the community and improves the quality of life.

SOFTacademy is helping to address the major challenges facing urban housing: outdated panel buildings have low energy efficiency, high maintenance costs and often neglected exteriors. Renovation not only improves living conditions, but also reduces the energy consumption and carbon footprint of buildings, which is critical to achieving a greener future.

The project will bring together different parties and provide integrated solutions to help speed up the renovation process. In addition to practical renovation activities, the project has also focused on engaging communities and getting them actively involved in shaping their living environment.

SOFTacademy contributes to the goals of the European Green Deal by providing models and solutions that can be widely implemented to make our cities more sustainable and people-centred.

How does SOFTacademy work?

The renovation process starts with working together with each housing association. First, a thorough audit will be carried out to understand the condition and needs of the buildings. Then, a customised renovation plan will be developed together with residents and experts, addressing energy efficiency, design and the needs of the residents. Renovation solutions will use technologies that reduce construction time and costs.

SOFTacademy follows the principles of the New European Bauhaus, which aims to combine design, sustainability, accessibility, affordability and investment to contribute to achieving the European Green Deal.

An inclusive and sustainable living environment considers the needs of all people. By combining design, science, technology and community involvement, we can create a more pleasing, accessible and greener environment for us all.

SOFTacademy also contributes to meeting the European Green Deal targets by reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions from buildings. The project will support achieving climate neutrality by 2050, focusing on the energy-efficient solutions needed for mass-produced apartment buildings to meet future climate standards.