Sustainability Report

Sustainability information provided by Oliver Steinbauer, architect and founder of STEINBAUER architektur+design.

HÄUSL. was not designed to achieve a formal environmental certification such as LEED, BREEAM, or DGNB, nor was a full life-cycle assessment undertaken. Instead, the project’s sustainability strategy was guided by architectural principles centred on conservation, material longevity, and resource efficiency.

Embodied carbon overview

• The decision to preserve and adapt an almost 200-year-old farmhouse rather than replace it formed the project’s primary environmental strategy. By extending the service life of the existing building, retaining as much of the original structure as possible, and introducing only the minimum necessary interventions, material consumption and demolition waste were reduced.
• Retaining the existing farmhouse was fundamental to reducing the embodied carbon of the project. Rather than treating the building as an obsolete structure, it was considered a valuable material resource whose existing fabric represented nearly two centuries of stored energy and craftsmanship.
• A substantial proportion of the original masonry walls and timber roof structure was preserved and carefully repaired. Existing spruce timber elements were inspected individually, repaired where necessary, and reintegrated into the building rather than replaced. This retained both the material value and the character of the original construction.
• The contemporary extension was deliberately designed as a restrained intervention. It clearly distinguishes itself from the historic structure while limiting the amount of new material introduced. Rather than replicating the old farmhouse, the extension complements it through simple construction, efficient structural design, and a compact architectural language.

• Thermal upgrading was achieved through carefully integrated insulation while respecting the historic fabric. The original box windows were restored rather than replaced, preserving both their architectural quality and their thermal buffering characteristics.
• Roof glazing introduces daylight deep into the building, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. The arrangement of openings allows effective cross-ventilation, providing passive cooling during summer and improving indoor comfort without relying heavily on mechanical systems.
• Together, these passive strategies improve the building’s operational performance while maintaining its historic character.

• Long-term durability was one of the guiding principles throughout the project. Every intervention was conceived not only as a contemporary addition but also as a means of safeguarding the historic building for future generations.
• The new extension performs several functions beyond providing additional living space. It also stabilises the hillside adjacent to the existing farmhouse and contributes to the management of surface water and groundwater, improving the long-term protection of the historic structure.
• The distinction between existing and new construction was intentional. Rather than imitating the original building, contemporary interventions remain clearly legible, ensuring that future repairs or adaptations can be undertaken without ambiguity.
• Wherever possible, existing components were repaired rather than replaced, reflecting the belief that the most sustainable building element is the one that already exists.
• Robust, durable materials with low maintenance requirements were selected to ensure that the building continues to age gracefully while requiring minimal future intervention. The project embraces repairability, longevity, and adaptability as central aspects of sustainability, extending beyond energy performance alone.