Integrative approach for the diffusion of the ecologic passive house: village of passive houses for test-living with an Energy Competence Centre on the basis of a sustainable concept for settlement development at Großschönau.

The main objective is the unprecedented reconstruction of older one-unit buildings to the standards of passive houses. The reconstruction estates are of the numerous older one-unit houses in Austria. The reconstruction will considerably enhance the convenience of living quarters in the old houses.

The study concentrates on describing the reasons behind the slow uptake of space-saving, densified forms of housing, and explains the dominant preference for detached single-family homes. However, it goes beyond simply describing the decisive motives for choices of housing. The study analyses the determining factors and the basic conditions under which these motives come or came into being. Based on this analysis, alternatives will be proposed and evaluated with regard to their effectiveness and feasibility.