Sustainability Report
Custom Certificates
Operational Emissions / Energy
Microclimatic Adaptation: The urban morphology consists of narrow, elongated volumes designed specifically to facilitate maximum fresh air inflow from the Graz Basin, reducing the energy load required for mechanical ventilation.
High-Performance Envelope: The "pixelated cloud" facade acts as a dynamic thermal filter. Automated, light-sensor-controlled shading elements rotate 90 degrees in real-time, minimizing solar heat gain while preserving natural daylight and external views.
The "Equal Light" Principle: By utilizing highly reflective panels and a precise grid, the design redirects daylight deep into the building’s core. This significantly lowers the demand for artificial lighting across all levels.
Integral Energy Concept: The project utilizes a massive geothermal system—comprising 221 energy piles and 119 deep probes—combined with solar thermal systems. This approach led to a 36% reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP) compared to standard research buildings, ultimately earning the DGNB and ÖGNI Platinum certifications.
Service and maintenance emissions
Modular 1.15m Grid: The entire project is founded on a strict 1.15m modular system. This allows for the standardized production, installation, and easy replacement of facade elements and interior components, reducing waste during repairs.
Use-Neutrality: The interior structure is designed to be highly flexible. Laboratories and offices can be reconfigured into individual or open-plan layouts without requiring carbon-intensive structural interventions. This adaptability extends the building's lifecycle and prevents the emissions associated with major renovations or demolition.
Design for Deconstruction: The modularity of the grid and the choice of low-pollutant, separable materials ensure that the building is not just easy to maintain, but also prepared for sustainable dismantling. This facilitates the recovery and reuse of components at the end of their life.
Vertical Stratification: By grouping high-maintenance technical infrastructure and lecture halls in the plinth and keeping research areas flexible above, the design optimizes service access routes and reduces the complexity of ongoing facility management.
Afterlife
The interior structure is designed to be highly flexible. Laboratories and offices can be reconfigured into individual or open-plan layouts without requiring carbon-intensive structural interventions. This adaptability extends the building's lifecycle and prevents the emissions associated with major renovations or demolition.
The modularity of the grid and the choice of low-pollutant, separable materials ensure that the building is not just easy to maintain, but also prepared for sustainable dismantling. This facilitates the recovery and reuse of components at the end of their life.