Sustainability Report

As a natural and renewable building material, timber is abundantly available in the region. The extension’s structural components, floors, walls, and ceilings are made from locally sourced spruce, reducing transportation emissions and supporting local forestry practices.

With its all-wood construction, local sourcing, natural insulation, and prefabricated timber elements, the project achieves a low embodied carbon profile.

Heating Energy Demand: 50 kWh/m2a. This is quite low, as Austria’s building code generally considers ≤ 100 kWh/m2a to be good.

Primary Energy Consumption: 134 kWh/m2a

Through efficient envelope design, triple-glazed timber windows, passive ventilation, and natural daylighting, the building achieves low operational emissions.

• The use of prefabricated solid timber panels minimised on-site waste and reduced construction time.
• The walls and roof are insulated with wood-fibre panels. Renewable and breathable, the panels improve thermal performance.
• High-performance, triple-glazed timber windows, made from regional pine, enhance energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
• Small decorative holes around the windows, combined with operable vents, provide natural ventilation, reducing the reliance on mechanical systems. Custom external sun blinds further regulate interior temperatures. Such passive design elements minimise the need for mechanical building equipment.
• Heating is via district heating.
• The use of roof windows and openings maximises natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
• The natural limewash finish maintains healthy indoor air quality and requires minimal upkeep. No synthetic varnishes or lacquers were used.
• The roof’s fibre-cement shingles are durable and low-maintenance.