Innovation Manor - Rokietnica

#Welfare #SustainableDevelopment #Interculturalism #Historicity #Collaboration.

Transforming a dilapidated country estate into a local community hub and regional innovation centre.

Innovation Manor is a concept that can easily be replicated. This is where a monument becomes a place that promotes education, collaboration and innovation beyond all preconceptions. Our first project - a monument - is located in a dwarf village in the Podkarpacie region: Rokietnica. The manor house dates back to the 18th century and is part of a larger estate, dedicated to farming, which was the most important activity in the region. After World War II, the estate was nationalised and has not been used since 1988, to the disappointment of the local community.

Innovation Manor - Rokietnica aims to create a sustainable, inclusive and aesthetically pleasing space that brings together rural and urban environments around the idea of lifelong learning and wellbeing. Following sustainable strategies, new technologies and a respectful approach to heritage, we envision creating a beautiful place that fosters a sense of community and well-being. 

The idea of Innovation Manor encompasses the village of Rokietnica, as well as the wider region beyond. The property will be restored to the local community. The site's sense of belonging to its region will be restored through: building spaces of exchange, inclusion and education. Furthermore, the restoration of the property will focus on creating a deep sense of well-being by inviting personalities and academics to give lectures or organise performances at the Manor House. Our aim is to build a network of contacts linking the Manor to the cross-border region, other regions in Poland and internationally.

The Podkarpackie region has a strong potential for innovation, which has not yet been exploited, however, it is included in the regional development plan. The level of education, employment in agriculture, the low rate of ICT industries located in the region are the main elements of our development plan. We want the Innovation Mansion to become a representative monument symbolising the key assumptions of our Foundation.

What sets the project apart in terms of sustainability and the circular economy?

One of the main objectives of the Innovation Court is to pilot solutions that improve environmental protection. We want our project to exemplify the community's commitment to the innovative use of available technology, both with respect for heritage and with a focus on continually looking to the future and promoting a circular economy. Therefore, we plan to:

• reuse and preserve as much of the original fabric and building materials as possible. This is a listed building, which means that many details must be discussed and approved by the local conservation officer. 

• regenerate 100% of green spaces in the spirit of biodiversity conservation.

• rely mainly on vernacular materials and local manufacturers to reduce the carbon footprint of the project. We want to create a modern village water supply and sewage network to reuse as much water as possible through a rainwater harvesting system, as well as natural filtration and grey water reuse.

• connect the building to the power grid to design a system whereby the facility becomes 100% self-sufficient in heating, cooling and hot water use. The power required has been estimated at 0.8-1 MW. The facility has great potential for solar energy, which, combined with a powerful heat pump system, can be used in both winter and summer. Further research is needed to analyse the use of biogas from agricultural production, but it appears that from the outset 50-60% of the energy needed can come from renewable sources. 

• select 100% of food suppliers among local businesses and use as much local produce as possible and promote the municipality's waste management system, implementing a manor policy to minimise environmental impact by reducing resource consumption.

• use technology to optimise resources through the building management system (BMS) and educate the community and visitors about our sustainable solutions related to the circular economy.

What distinguishes the project in social terms?

Innovation Manor is about community engagement, inclusion and a sense of belonging. Affordability and accessibility will be key elements of the project process, which means defining an operating model that allows for socially engaged activities and maintenance of the facility. Our idea is to revitalise and transform the Manor House into a place of shared experience and knowledge. We want to create a space that will give residents of the village and neighbouring towns the opportunity to discover new people, ideas and lifestyles.

Our objectives are: 

• recruiting local staff and team leaders to work in the manor, providing training and engaging them in promoting our values

• developing the skills and knowledge of local entrepreneurs employed in the restoration of the manor using the latest technology

• involving the local community and authorities at every stage of the project (consultation, social media, website)

• opening the site to local events, celebrations and official activities of the local authorities, outdoor events such as concerts or summer cinema

• engaging regional and international partners to provide knowledge, mentoring, career guidance and digital skills

• creating a showcase facility for educational activities and digital skills development

• providing a space for teamwork

• engaging partners from the worlds of science, business and culture to be part of the community

• introducing the community and visitors to all aspects of the project through the creation of educational spaces demonstrating the potential of the Manor's solutions, particularly its commitment to biodiversity, sustainable energy and the circular economy

• focusing on well-being by facilitating access to culture, promoting healthy and active lifestyles, interculturalism, open minds

• bringing heritage to life and strengthening the sense of belonging of local communities by creating opportunities for engagement and interaction in a variety of ways

The Innovation Manor is a concept that can be easily replicated, with a historic building becoming a place that promotes education and collaboration in a sustainable and culturally sensitive way. It can be replicated anywhere in Europe with the involvement of a diverse community, a strong network and dedicated funding. The features mentioned above make the concept exemplary. It aims to create relationships inspired by the fivefold helix of innovation: university-industry-government-environment-society. 

What's more, designing and executing environmentally friendly solutions at a heritage site without changing its character will make the site unique to a wide variety of academic, business and political stakeholders. The whole idea is to combine social, environmental and aesthetic aspects to create a unique place in a region where the rural world still has an uneven playing field.

In summary, we also want to recreate an area that was once the beating heart of the village, an important employer and a place of international social activity. However, this time we want it to belong to a community across social and cultural differences. We are convinced that the symbiosis of Innovation Manor with the local community will result in increased social capital and, in the long term, higher levels of education, digitalisation and employment.

The full description of the project: NEB 2022

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