048 Bestand x3/x(-1)=1-2
Place:
Year:
Team:
Year:
Team:
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2024-
Aimée Michelfelder und Jurek Brüggen
2024-
Aimée Michelfelder und Jurek Brüggen
The construction sector is not only one of the largest CO2 emitters, but also the largest producer of waste and a decisive factor for biodiversity. ‘40% of Germany's total CO2 emissions are attributable to the construction and operation of buildings. 52% of Germany's waste is generated by our construction industry alone. ‘ Architecture has the potential to make a decisive contribution to the transformation to a post-fossil world.
The most sustainable building is the one that is already standing and in which the grey energy already used is used for as long as possible. The materials that have already been used have the smallest ecological footprint. They no longer need to be transported, dismantled or manufactured. The energy and resources that we have already invested in the past should be preserved and utilised for as long as possible. In addition to emissions, demolition and new construction also generate construction waste that has to be disposed of,and valuable and dwindling resources are used to manufacture new components. The construction of energy-efficient new buildings also causes emissions, even if they are built with ecologically sustainable materials. Depending on the construction method, these ‘grey emissions’, which are caused by the production of materials, transport and construction of the building, cause on average as many emissions as are generated during the operation of a building over 50 years. In the long term, refurbishments usually cause fewer emissions than new buildings.
One of the greatest opportunities for the climate transition in the building sector therefore lies in the post-war buildings of the 50-70s. These buildings with high energy consumption make up around 40% of the existing stock and are comparatively easy to refurbish into nearly zero-energy buildings.
Alongside climate change, the rapid loss of natural biodiversity is the greatest threat to human existence. The cultivation and extraction of raw materials and the sealing of buildings, open spaces and traffic areas are destroying natural ecosystems. There are 16 million detached houses in Germany. Many of these are occupied by single people or couples.Soil sealing destroys valuable habitats that have developed over centuries. It is important that new building interventions today reduce soil sealing as far as possible or compensate for it with green spaces on roofs.
An important factor in the building sector is the heating requirement. Although buildings have required less and less heating energy per square metre since 1970, the heating requirement per capita has remained constant. The reason for this is that the average living space per person has doubled from 25 m² to 50 m² in the same period.
In order for buildings to have a significantly lower impact on the environment and the climate, we need to review our own requirements and the legal requirements for reduction options and simplifications. It makes sense to consider other living scenarios and user constellations when remodelling a house. What is currently used as a whole house by one family could be divided into two separately accessible units in 20 years' time. Barrier-free living in old age should also be considered and planned. Seasonal living with wintergardens and covered, sheltered outdoor spaces enables different climate zones and temperature ranges within the home and allows a very generous living space with appropriate climatic conditions without additional emissions. Wintergardens are passively heated by the sun and therefore offer a particularly pleasant indoor climate.
The façade greening can be realised either directly with the façade material or detached from it, as shown in the pictures.as shown in the pictures. Climbing plants can climb up the trellis. This measure benefits both humans and animals: the plants store and evaporate moisture, provide privacy from neighbouring buildings and a habitat for insects. They also actively help to protect against overheating by providing shade.
Green roofs have a cooling effect in summer and a heat-insulating effect in winter. The green roof also protects the roofroof construction from hail, UV radiation, wind and weather. All this contributes to the longevity of a roof.The possibilities for greening range from extensive - self-sufficient, drought-tolerant - to intensive greening, which can beto intensive greening where an irrigation system is planned.Regardless of the type of greening, green roofs compensate for the sealed footprint of the building, contribute toIrrespective of the type of greenery, green roofs compensate for the sealed footprint of the building, contribute to cooling the microclimate through evaporation, provide habitat and food for birds and insects, filter CO2 from the air and store rainwater so that rainwater gutters and sewers are not overloaded.
According to the Federal Environment Agency, 27 per cent of drinking water is used for flushing toilets and six per cent for cleaning cars, gardens and rooms. This third could be replaced or at least reduced by using rainwater. With the help of a rainwater cistern, water is stored in an underground tank during rainy periods and used for watering the garden, washing bicycles and cars and filling toilet cisterns and paddling pools.
in collaboration with ammi
visualisations by ammi
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The most sustainable building is the one that is already standing and in which the grey energy already used is used for as long as possible. The materials that have already been used have the smallest ecological footprint. They no longer need to be transported, dismantled or manufactured. The energy and resources that we have already invested in the past should be preserved and utilised for as long as possible. In addition to emissions, demolition and new construction also generate construction waste that has to be disposed of,and valuable and dwindling resources are used to manufacture new components. The construction of energy-efficient new buildings also causes emissions, even if they are built with ecologically sustainable materials. Depending on the construction method, these ‘grey emissions’, which are caused by the production of materials, transport and construction of the building, cause on average as many emissions as are generated during the operation of a building over 50 years. In the long term, refurbishments usually cause fewer emissions than new buildings.
One of the greatest opportunities for the climate transition in the building sector therefore lies in the post-war buildings of the 50-70s. These buildings with high energy consumption make up around 40% of the existing stock and are comparatively easy to refurbish into nearly zero-energy buildings.
Alongside climate change, the rapid loss of natural biodiversity is the greatest threat to human existence. The cultivation and extraction of raw materials and the sealing of buildings, open spaces and traffic areas are destroying natural ecosystems. There are 16 million detached houses in Germany. Many of these are occupied by single people or couples.Soil sealing destroys valuable habitats that have developed over centuries. It is important that new building interventions today reduce soil sealing as far as possible or compensate for it with green spaces on roofs.
An important factor in the building sector is the heating requirement. Although buildings have required less and less heating energy per square metre since 1970, the heating requirement per capita has remained constant. The reason for this is that the average living space per person has doubled from 25 m² to 50 m² in the same period.
In order for buildings to have a significantly lower impact on the environment and the climate, we need to review our own requirements and the legal requirements for reduction options and simplifications. It makes sense to consider other living scenarios and user constellations when remodelling a house. What is currently used as a whole house by one family could be divided into two separately accessible units in 20 years' time. Barrier-free living in old age should also be considered and planned. Seasonal living with wintergardens and covered, sheltered outdoor spaces enables different climate zones and temperature ranges within the home and allows a very generous living space with appropriate climatic conditions without additional emissions. Wintergardens are passively heated by the sun and therefore offer a particularly pleasant indoor climate.
The façade greening can be realised either directly with the façade material or detached from it, as shown in the pictures.as shown in the pictures. Climbing plants can climb up the trellis. This measure benefits both humans and animals: the plants store and evaporate moisture, provide privacy from neighbouring buildings and a habitat for insects. They also actively help to protect against overheating by providing shade.
Green roofs have a cooling effect in summer and a heat-insulating effect in winter. The green roof also protects the roofroof construction from hail, UV radiation, wind and weather. All this contributes to the longevity of a roof.The possibilities for greening range from extensive - self-sufficient, drought-tolerant - to intensive greening, which can beto intensive greening where an irrigation system is planned.Regardless of the type of greening, green roofs compensate for the sealed footprint of the building, contribute toIrrespective of the type of greenery, green roofs compensate for the sealed footprint of the building, contribute to cooling the microclimate through evaporation, provide habitat and food for birds and insects, filter CO2 from the air and store rainwater so that rainwater gutters and sewers are not overloaded.
According to the Federal Environment Agency, 27 per cent of drinking water is used for flushing toilets and six per cent for cleaning cars, gardens and rooms. This third could be replaced or at least reduced by using rainwater. With the help of a rainwater cistern, water is stored in an underground tank during rainy periods and used for watering the garden, washing bicycles and cars and filling toilet cisterns and paddling pools.
in collaboration with ammi
visualisations by ammi
