While large cities such as Vienna are growing, many remote regions in Austria (and other European countries) have to contend with emigration. However, if high quality of life is offered, this trend can not only be stopped but even reversed. This is also the specific goal of the municipality administration of Karlstein: A SPAR food market and a new residential settlement are to be built on a scenic area in a river loop of the Thaya. The USP of the new settlement is to be provided by the inhabitants and their proximity to nature.
The goal is a showcase project that meets the requirements of sustainable and resilient construction, while at the same time taking into account the location and its local characteristics. In this respect, we have to show ways in which architectural solutions can be developed which are easy to understand, easily adaptable, easily accessible, easy to maintain, change and easily reproducible / multiply. All aspects are to be combined with aesthetic and ecological requirements as well as cost-efficient to a smart and convincing overall concept (integral design approach). Special attention will also be given to the possibilities of wood prefabrication, both in the residential area as well as in the business area of the area (SPAR).
Citizens and mayors are fundamentally consistent in the objectives: It is primarily about the quality of life!
With the help of the Klima: aktiv criteria catalog, each project (self) is evaluated and a building profile is created which describes the quality of life achieved. The three best projects are awarded by the municipality & SPAR.
New tasks for society are pressing for: the creation and revival of neighborhoods in residential areas are to be reached via flexible building structures and lived practices such as parts and fair coexistence. Much of this can be excellently practiced in neighborhood assistance (possibly also DIY construction workshops). But how can such approaches be applied in multi-storey construction without restricting the scope for future generations?
We see settlement space as a lively natural space, which is to be similar to the ecosphere of great plurality. Interactions between humans and nature are the potential for further development of built space. Collaboration can take place in the context of assembly processes, as well as in the realization and maintenance of buildings. Technology and architecture are thus visible to all, understandable and can always be adapted to emerging needs.
Using the example of this real, practice-oriented project in the municipality of Karlstein (Waldviertel, Lower Austria), a completely sustainable and integral design is being developed based on the four pillars of sustainability. The necessary documents are conveyed in the course of the design. As a checklist for the quality of the buildings the criteria of Klima: aktiv are used and applied.
The development of the design projects is carried out in cooperation with the SPAR food chain and the municipality of Karlstein. In order to get to know the situation on the spot, the municipality invites you to visit. The opportunity is provided for discussions with the local population and the administration so that all participants can get a good picture, as well as develop objectives and strategies.
Concrete topics of design:
Within the framework of the design, two design methods can be chosen:
1. Core-activated concrete space blank (with self-assembly option):
In this case, a space blanket corresponds to a bodyshell, which together with building technology provides a secure framework and also allows self-constructionists a path to possible participation. Self-construction ends can be the expansion of e.g. Intermediate walls up to the façade cover and (partly) themselves.
The space blanket is suitable for use and appropriation, offers a high level of design space per storey, and allows for social mixing through a variety of possible usage models, which function both for office, residential, industrial and creative offices.
A key goal is also to integrate concrete storage technologies (= component activation) into the space blank.
2. Urban wood-burning system (system) Construction method:
The construction of the basic structure is to be developed in modular wood construction and taking into account digital prefabrication (possibly in combination with DIY activities).
The components of the buildings should be easy to transport and can be quickly built / dismantled (rapid assembly, plug & play). This is intended to ensure a short cost-saving construction period and allow possible further use in other locations.
The focus here is on joining techniques, as well as solutions regarding heat storage and sound insulation in multi-storey wood roof construction. Here, too, utilization and appropriation as well as room for maneuver in self-service are striven for.
Ecology and economy:
Permaculture approaches, integrated renewable energy concepts, food production methods (Bauerngartl - Urban Gardening) as well as energy-efficient buildings are encouraged
Thermal simulation and evaluation (ÖGNB) are shown and applied
Life Cycle Analysis LCA is optional
The sketches will be presented at posters at the end of January in Karlstein on posters and as a ppt presentation.