The fields of architecture and construction are evolving towards sustainability and climate neutrality. On one side, there is a multitude of scientific publications and research projects focusing on circular construction and technical solutions to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings. On the other side, there is CSRD reporting and energy performance certificates. Yet, despite the promise of a seemingly better future, there is still a significant amount of new construction and demolition of existing buildings.
In particular, large-scale buildings from the 1960s and 1970s, constructed using reinforced concrete skeleton methods and featuring a mixed-use function (not exclusively residential), are either demolished or undergo thermal renovations that destroy their architectural and cultural heritage. The reasons for this are highly complex, balancing between technical feasibility, economic viability, legal requirements, and societal acceptance.

ELEMENTS examines these various parameters of building renovation with the goal of defining the performance profile for a subsequent project currently working under the title “Circular Building Refurbishment Laboratory” (CBR-Lab). The CBR-Lab aims to develop a procedure for an early potential analysis of the targeted building type (1960-79, reinforced concrete skeleton construction, hybrid) based on selected buildings in the Graz metropolitan area, focusing on their renovation potential. This procedure is intended to be integrated into planning practice in the future and utilized by companies in the construction industry. Due to the international nature of the building stock under investigation (including its construction methods), the insights gained from case studies in Graz can be applied throughout Austria and beyond.

The building stock from the 1960s and 1970s is currently in need of renovation, must be adapted to meet current climate goals, and constitutes a significant portion of the building inventory in Austria. According to the building census by Statistics Austria, approximately 25% of the existing building stock in Austria was constructed between 1961 and 1980. To achieve climate neutrality and reduce the resource consumption caused by the construction industry, innovative projects must be developed for the preservation of the building stock under investigation. In this context, the focus is often on the development of technical systems.

In contrast, ELEMENTS aims to approach the issue from an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspective to develop a sustainable procedure that takes into account not only technical but also design-architectural, economic, legal, and socio-cultural aspects. To achieve this, stakeholders from the construction industry, administration, and users will be extensively involved in the project. On one hand, content will be developed collaboratively (co-creation and co-design) to ensure the acceptance of research results among the involved stakeholders. On the other hand, this approach enables the development of renovation concepts that are tailored to the needs and preferences of users. Furthermore, involving stakeholders facilitates knowledge transfer between practice and research, as well as among users, administration, and the construction industry. This process helps to strengthen awareness of the societal relevance of building preservation and climate neutrality.