Publications

Development of a pragmatic assessment scheme applicable to building practice for the impact of building products on human health

Renovation of an apartment house from the 1970s as passive house using renewable energy.

Knowledge transfer from "Building of tomorrow" projects into the network "partner network sustainable construction Charinthia, nabaupool Charinthia" consisting of key actors of the building sector. Establishing a "Building of tomorrow" knowledge transfer centre Charinthia including infrastructure (Library) for all actors of the building sector. Conference and workshop with key actors (24.11.2006) taking place in Technologiepark Villach.

By means of pilot projects in two urban areas comprehensive goals and criteria, assessment approaches and a code of practice for sustainable urban renewal are elaborated jointly with decision makers and experts in urban development.

Documentation, comparison and optimisation of solar combisystems for domestic hot water preparation and space heating in the framework of an IEA research project

Standardisation of testing criteria of acknowledged eco-labels in co-operation with the specialised trade for building products.

The construction, use, and disposal of buildings cause expenses, material flows, energy consumption, and emissions. With intelligent design, construction, management, and marketing, it is possible to reduce environmental burdens and costs, improve building quality, and increase building value.

Discussion of transfer of know how for ecological passivehouses, networking (national and international)

The objective of this project is to examine the ability of magnesite bonded wood wool panels as an inside thermal insulation system, especially for houses with historical facades and to acquire starting points for further development of the products and components being used. Parallel to the data which will be calculated in a theoretical FEM-model, a field trial will be carried out to prove the influence on the inside room climate. In addition the sustainability of the system will be analysed.

Demonstration project for sustainable construction of a working and living environment

integral reconstruction of the valuable cultural heritage "Freihof Sulz" to a communication- and action centre; Demonstration project for local culture and life quality, old building techniques, energy saving and ecological reconstruction."

The many housing estates of detached houses in Austria built in the times of economic crisis between the wars and post-war as part of publicly funded housing programmes are the starting point for this research project. The aim is to offer detailed guidelines with basic planning principles for the renovation of these housing estates with detached houses, aiming to reach the standard of a low-energy house or a passive house.

Holistic sanitation concepts for three selected army barracks belonging to the Austrian armed forces to achieve the standard of a low-energy house. An increase in energy efficiency and corresponding models for implementation agreed with large-volume buildings with due consideration to the special conditions prevalent within the Austrian armed forces.

An empirical analysis of the most important factors in supporting or hindering the market diffusion of selected technologies or different innovative residential concepts.

Modernization of a multistorey block of flats with 50 units (built in 1957/58). Renovation up to passive house standard.

Seasonal storage of solar heat for use in low energy and passive houses (new buildings as well as old buildings).

theoretical topics: Optimization of natural light, ambient humidity and of private exterior space, planted over buildings, evaluation of the energetic performance and special challenges of large volume "Passivhaus" residential buildings. applied research: concept for the renovation of a 13 storey residential building for senior citizens built in 1974 to PassivHaus standards, applying the results attained in the theoretical part.

Development and building of a prototype of a coolingmachine with a cooling power of 2 kW, tests and optimizing on a test facility, connection to a solar unit and utilization for air conditioning.

Development of a laminated wooden/aluminum window for a passive-housing featuring an integrated sun shield in the shape of blinds or of folding net curtain.

Total Quality Design and Assessment is an instrument to increase the demand for high quality buildings; "high quality" in terms of improved comfort as well as decrease in negative environmental impact, at affordable costs. Application of TQ design targets requires additional and new knowledge, thus increasing the level of know-how with regard to the issue of "sustainable buildings".