Florian Brosch’s Post

Building the Future: A German metropolis embarks on a building revolution with us. 🙌 When an old building is replaced by a new one, the materials of the old building usually end up in the trash. A threat to the climate and a waste of resources. The city of #Heidelberg wants to put an end to this. The secret: state-of-the-art technology. 🌱 Where old white 1950s residential blocks stand side by side today, a new district is set to emerge in the coming years. Nearly half of the 169 residential buildings on the former US military site are slated for demolition - and the building materials are to be almost completely recycled. ♻️ The idea in Heidelberg originated in late 2021 in collaboration with the construction consultancy firm Drees & Sommer and thebuilding materials group Heidelberg Materials. The technology behind it was developed in cooperation with Madaster Germany: A digital building materials passport, which becomes a valuable data source by facilitating the analysis for #circularity. Matthias A. Heinrich, Leading Consultant at EPEA #deconstruction #realestate #UrbanMining #sustainability #Madaster #EPEA #CradletoCradle Foto: dpa/Uwe Anspach, ZEIT ONLINE

There is so much we can learn and get inspired by from maintenance, restoration, renovation and transformation of our cultural heritage when we work with the rest of the existing building stock. Just the fact that our cultural heritage doesn’t have an “end date” and that it should be preserved for many generations to come should be used for all other building stock. During the #Kulturbyggnader2.0 conference today many good examples of working with restoration and transformation of protected buildings were shown, but also the importance of using new technologies as support for decision making in these complex and sensitive projects. We even had an inspirational and educative presentation by the Danish Comany Realdania By & Byg who presented a new method of performing LCA for renovation projects. They showcased the climate effect of maintenance, renovation and transformation in relation to newly built. It is so much better to renovate and regularly maintain the existing building stock than neglect, tear down and build new. It’s kind of evident but without concrete figures it is difficult to prove. During the panel debate there seamed to be a consensus that there should be some kind of regulation for limiting the demolish-build-new trend in order to achieve green credentials. My gratitude goes to all the speakers and especially to the organizers Realstad AB for giving me the opportunity to moderate the event today. Picture by Carsten Svensson

WHAT CAN GERMANY LEARN FROM DUTCH HOUSING CONSTRUCTION? Our partner/architect Matthias Rottmann stars in the latest ZDF heute-show. As the self-proclaimed 'most-loved' satire show in Germany, this episode focuses on issues in German housing construction and how the Netherlands has made improvements. Why were costs for newly built houses 18% more expensive in Germany than the Netherlands? How is it possible that the building permit procedure takes about 3 months in the Netherlands whereas it can take years in Germany? And, most importantly, why are Dutch staircases much steeper and does this cause any casualties? With thanks to Bouwbedrijf M.J. de Nijs en Zonen B.V. and BPD Gebiedsontwikkeling Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/e6nM6RKg #dezwartehond #architecture #urbandesign #strategy #heuteshow #satire #housing #construction #germany #ZDF

I am really looking forward to this lecture. It’s an honor to have Jonathan Natanian with us. Here is the complete abstract: Beyond Green Buildings: on holistic environmental performance design Imagine a future where our built environments contribute positively to our planet. Our goal is ambitious: achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050 and limit global warming to just 1.5°C. But how can the field of architecture drive us toward this sustainable future? This lecture explores the pivotal role of architectural design in this quest. Historically, architects used intuitive methods that harmonized with the environment. Some experts argue that reviving these traditional practices is crucial, but is that sufficient for modern challenges? Alternatively, a growing number champion the use of advanced digital tools that integrate environmental performance data directly into the design process. However, transitioning to a fully digitized workflow raises questions about what might be overlooked or lost. This lecture from the Environmental Performance Design Lab delves into the evolution from traditional to computational design methodologies. We will explore how these approaches are not just about enhancing efficiency but about deepening our understanding and implementation of sustainable practices. By bridging historical insights with cutting-edge technologies, we aim to demonstrate how modern architecture can effectively contribute to environmental sustainability.

Check out the upcoming Getzner Construction Events! Learn more about vibration and noise isolation!

Over the weekend, my recent interview with Christoph Kastenbauer about "Vernomimicry" — an approche I developed to bridge the gap between nature and architecture by fusing vernacular building techniques with inspirations from nature, was published by OVB Heimatzeitungen. In the interview, I discussed with him how #Vernomimicry can help us design buildings that are better suited to withstand the challenges of climate change and are in harmony with nature and building culture. 🔗 You can read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gVF9Mcr9 Let's build a brave new future with nature and not against it! #Architecture #Sustainability #Innovation #climatechange

The first edition of Ernst Niklaus Fausch Partner's quality manual for Vienna's Nordwestbahnhof is now available to view and download! The first competitions, etc. have now started. The manual forms the sustainable basis for all future planning in terms of development, outdoor space, use and mobility. Simple and clear rules ensure the urban development and open space qualities and form the basis for assessing all subsequent architecture-, public space-, traffic- and ecology-projects. The manual is binding both for the planning teams and for the assessment committees and is designed as a "learnig publication". The findings from the individual projects are continuously reflected upon and are incorporated into future revisions and clarifications of the manual. https://lnkd.in/eTYb6Edj #ernstniklausfauschpartner #stadtwien #wohnfondswien #oebbimmobilien #urbanplanning #nordwestbahnhof #sustainabledevelopment

In Saint Wolfgang im Salzkammergut, Gmuden, Austria, a contemporary railway station debuted in 2023. A series of canopies rooves allow for an abundance of natural like to illuminate the interior spaces and reduce the need for lighting throughout the day. The state of the art station, utilizes heat pumps for its heating and cooling systems and solar photovoltaics to power a majority of the station. Minimal material usage and locally sourced timber further reduces the projects carbon footprint, and creates a connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces. An inspirational sustainable addition to the world of public transportation, hopefully more projects just like this will take shape in our cities. We’re all in this together #sustainabledesign #sustainability #architecture #architecturaldesign #sustainablecities #renewables #renewableenergy #heatpump #heatpumptechnology #solar #solarpower #publictransportation #urbandesign #urbanplanning

An exciting project enters the next phase 

Major Announcement: The United Nations University to be a Partner of the Living Art of Building Initiative The German Parliament (Bundestag) has unlocked the funding in support of the Living Art of Building initiative. This large-scale research center will aim to revolutionize the construction sector at national, European and international level. For UNU-FLORES, the LAB - Living Art of Building initiative represents a significant opportunity aligned with two core pillars of the recently launched United Nations University Strategic Plan. Professor Edeltraud (Edel) Guenther, Director of UNU-FLORES, has been appointed as a principal investigator to spearhead efforts focused on sustainability and internationalization at the Federal Research Centre for Climate-Neutral and Resource Efficient Construction that will be established with the Living Art of Building initiative. This is specifically aligned with the Knowledge pillar of the United Nations University new strategic plan. Moreover, a strong internationalisation effect is expected, especially in the Global South, which will contribute thematically in the research and development work and implement its results. Professor Guenther commented, "We are excited to collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders to drive innovation and develop sustainable building solutions. This initiative marks a significant step towards advancing sustainability in construction practices." In collaboration with the Saxony State Ministry of Regional Development, UNU-FLORES will host an International Forum for Building and Construction on 27 August 2024. This event will gather stakeholders and experts to provide critical insights into the industry.