Type and Duration
FFF-Förderprojekt, September 2023 until January 2025Coordinator
Sustainable DesignMain Research
Sustainable Planning and ConstructionDescription
What is sustainable and what is not? In the public the definition of sustainability debate is not always clear. The objective of this research is to create a catalogue of themes, define a sustainable building practice within the Rhine valley, by creating a comparative analysis of subject areas from building labels, regulations and research on sustainability definition. The catalogue of themes’ aim is to define scopes for further research within the sustainability lab as well as draw up design questions and an initial framework for the sustainability studio.Practical Application
The current standards for sustainable construction have been defined too much from the point of view of engineers and architects and thus do not meet crucial needs of sustainable construction. Moreover, they are not critical enough of building as a cause of problems.In the holistic approach presented here, five need themes are used as an organising structure. Energy and resource, space and mobility, food and health, demography and integration, values and ethics. Of these, only the first two need themes are sufficiently covered by the known standards. The needs themes focus on the quality of life of the residents and not on building.
This opens up a new perspective on building processes, from building construction, architectural design and urban planning to landscape design.
Reference to Liechtenstein
This study also takes a new look at the settlement policy of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Issues such as urban sprawl, public transport, depopulation of village centres, and scarce agricultural land are perennial topics in the country and would receive positive impulses. Contacts are already being sought with the public sector, NGOs and the population.Keywords
Standard Sustainable Design, Holistic Sustainability, Values and Ethics
