Sustainable Building

The Building Culture of the Future is the Culture of Renovation - From "Grey" to "Golden" Energy

The requirements for the realization of today's construction and planning tasks have become increasingly complex in light of climate change and societal change. This starts with urban planning and encompasses infrastructure and detailed planning as well as the construction and operation of buildings and open spaces, especially in the case of existing building renovation. What needs to be considered at which project phase? Which actors are necessary? What competencies and knowledge are required for this and where can information be found?

The focus of the 11th event in this lecture series is on the culture of renovation - a highly topical issue in light of the increased focus of the discourse on "grey" energy.

The German Foundation for Baukultur has dedicated an entire annual report to this topic and has expanded the scope of the consideration to include "golden" energy.
This is not only about technical questions such as life cycle assessment, but also about aesthetics, the dialogue between old and new, and high-quality design, as well as reuse and repurposing. It opens up conceptual spaces for creativity, new architectural languages, and the combination of different alternatives.

Die Veranstaltung in Kürze:

Event Summary: The Building Culture of the Future is the Culture of Renovation - From "Grey" to "Golden" Energy
Greeting: Prof. Dr. Eva Schmitt-Rodermund (FHP, President)
Expert speaker: Rainer Nagel (German Foundation for Baukultur, Potsdam)
Moderation: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Prytula (FHP)
Guests: Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Silke Straub-Beutin (FHP, Building Construction), Frank Schönert (Hütten und Paläste, Berlin), Lara Brenner (FHP, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning)
When: December 4, 2024, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

The event took place both live on site and online via video stream.

The Building Materials and Buildings of the Future Are Recycled - Experiences and Examples

The requirements for the realization of today's construction and planning tasks have become increasingly complex in light of climate change and societal change. This starts with urban planning and encompasses infrastructure and detailed planning as well as the construction and operation of buildings and open spaces, especially in the case of existing building renovation. What needs to be considered at which project phase? Which actors are necessary? What competencies and knowledge are required for this and where can information be found?

The focus of the 10th event in this lecture series is on the reusability of building materials, components, and building parts - a highly topical issue in light of the increasing demand for waste avoidance in the construction sector.
Technical questions arise that relate to dismantling, storage, and reinstallation, but also legal questions, including warranty issues, as well as questions about the possibility of repurposing buildings or building parts.

Ultimately, reusability or the possibility of repurposing already begins in the planning phase, a largely unexplored field.
Using the example of a project in Werder/Havel, which was awarded the Erich-Mendelssohn Prize, it is explained what all needs to be considered and experienced in this process.

Event Summary:

Title: The Building Materials and Buildings of the Future Are Recycled - Experiences and Examples
Expert speaker: Jurek Brüggen, Architect (undjurekbrüggen)
Moderation: Monika Remann (BA)
Guests: Carolina Mojto (Freiraum in der Box GmbH Berlin), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Pistol (FHP, Materials Testing Laboratory), Lara Brenner (FHP)
When: October 9, 2024, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

The event took place both live on site and online via video stream.

Further information on the reuse of bricks can be found in the guideline of Spreeplan Projekt UG (haftungsbeschränkt). This was written by Antonia Bremer, Manuela Mathäs, and Martin Schienbein and commissioned by the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt).

The Nature of the Future Grows in the City - on Walls, Roofs, and Brownfields -

The requirements for the realization of today's construction and planning tasks have become increasingly complex in light of climate change and societal change. This starts with urban planning and encompasses infrastructure and detailed planning as well as the construction and operation of buildings and open spaces, especially in the case of existing building renovation. What needs to be considered at which project phase? Which actors are necessary? What competencies and knowledge are required for this and where can information be found?

The focus of the 9th event in this lecture series was on the connection between urban uses, natural cycles, and biodiversity. Starting from the various demands placed on buildings and urban open spaces on the one hand, and on the natural living conditions of plants, animals, and humans on the other, individual aspects of this were examined in depth.
First, the widely observed biodiversity crisis was made tangible, which ultimately calls into question human existence.

Then there was a differentiated look at the natural spatial possibilities in connection with buildings, especially facades and roofs, as well as the often neglected fallow land. Recognizing and utilizing their potential was explained as a profitable approach. It is about nothing less than a rethinking in both building and open space planning.
Practical examples also made it clear which framework conditions and requirements are necessary for this.

Event Summary:

Title: The Nature of the Future Grows in the City - on Walls, Roofs, and Brownfields
Expert speaker: Jakob Nolte - Botanist and Biodiversity Specialist, Lecturer at Justus-Liebig-University Giessen
Moderation: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Prytula (FHP)
Guests: Marco Schmidt (BBSR), Claus Herrmann (hochC Landschaftsarchitekten PartGmbB), Lara Brenner (FHP)
When: June 19, 2024, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

The event took place both live on site and online via video stream.

Further information on the topic of evaporative cooling and the water balance in the anthroposphere can be found in the attached works by Wilhelm Ripl.

The Heat of the Future Comes from the Earth - Practical Examples and Experience with Geothermal Energy

The demands on today's construction and planning tasks have become increasingly complex in light of climate change. This starts with urban planning and encompasses infrastructure and detailed planning as well as the construction and operation of buildings and open spaces.
What needs to be considered at which project phase? Which actors are necessary? What competencies and knowledge are required for this and where can information be found?

The focus of the 8th event in this lecture series was on the natural resources below the earth's surface that can be used or made usable as heat sources and storage - a highly topical issue in light of the goal of becoming climate-neutral nationwide by 2045.
Starting from the current situation in the heat sector, which is still characterized by the combustion of a lot of fossil energy for space heating, both alternative possibilities and their limits were shown in order to be able to use the possible local heat sources of the earth to achieve the target by 2045. Compared to other alternative possibilities, advantages and disadvantages were made clear. Practical examples also made it clear which framework conditions and requirements are necessary for this.

Event Summary:

Title: The Heat of the Future Comes from the Earth - Practical Examples and Experience with Geothermal Energy -
Expert speaker: Michael Viernickel, Project Coordinator at eZeit-Ingenieure GmbH Berlin with a focus on geothermal energy
Moderation: Monika Remann, Chairwoman of the Sustainability Working Group of the Brandenburg Chamber of Architects
Guests: Eckard Veil (EWP), Prof. Dr. Ingo Sass (GFZ Potsdam), Lara Brenner (FHP)
When: April 24, 2024, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

The event took place both live on site and online via video stream.

Further information on the topic of geothermal energy (cover image) can be found here.

What to do in the face of increasing extreme weather events such as droughts and heavy rain? - The "sponge city" principle!

The demands on today's construction and planning tasks have become increasingly complex in light of climate change. This starts with urban planning and encompasses infrastructure and detailed planning as well as the construction and operation of buildings and open spaces.
What needs to be considered at which project phase? Which actors are necessary? What competencies and knowledge are required for this and where can information be found?

The focus of the 7th event in this lecture series was on the resource water, specifically on the management of rainwater. In view of increasing periods of heat and drought, coupled with an increasing risk of heavy rain and flooding, this is also a highly topical issue for us.

The starting point is the current situation, in which more and more areas are being sealed over, be it by buildings and traffic areas or by the design of sealed open spaces. The challenge is to move away from the previous approach of rainwater disposal towards rainwater management, in which the resource water is understood as a precious basic resource and is not directly discharged. Instead, rainwater should be used, infiltrated or evaporated on site as much as possible. On the one hand, this leads to the retention and retention of water in the regional water cycle, which contributes to securing the local drinking water supply, and on the other hand, it dampens runoff peaks during heavy rainfall events, which could otherwise lead to flooding.

In this context, the "sponge city" principle was explained, which, through the cooperation of planners, municipalities and all other actors, is intended to lead to a sustainable, water-sensitive urban development with green and blue infrastructure. Through the use of suitable trees and green spaces, the "sponge city" principle also has a landscape design, microclimatic and health significance.

Event Summary:

Title: What to do in the face of increasing extreme weather events such as droughts and heavy rain? - The "sponge city" principle!
Expert speaker: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gunar Gutzeit (FHP)
Moderation: Erik Wolfram (Department of Urban Planning, State Capital Potsdam)
Guests: Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Maren Brakebusch (FHP, Office VOGT), Dr. Darla Nickel (Rainwater Agency), Friederike Böttcher (Alumna FHP), Lara Brenner (FHP)

When: October 11, 2023, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm The event took place both live on site and online via video stream. 

Further information on the concept for urban rainwater management (cover image) can be found here.

Clay, wood and co. – Possible applications and limits

In the course of the necessary change in the building industry, the use of earthen building materials and renewable raw materials is currently multiplying.

Advantages that have long been considered soft factors in the sustainability assessment are suddenly having a positive impact in terms of price. In many places, so-called conventional building materials can be replaced by clay, wood & co.; rather with a gain in quality than a loss of quality. The solutions for masonry or dry construction and even more so for plastering are available and regulated in terms of construction technology.

The entire process from value creation to processing and use to reuse or waste avoidance was considered. Numerous examples gave a good insight into practice and made trends in development clear.

The speaker Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christof Ziegert, ZRS Ingenieure, Berlin, is a proven expert in the field of earthen construction with many years of experience. The focus of his work is on the planning and assessment of earthen buildings in Germany and abroad. He is a publicly appointed and sworn expert for "Damage in earthen construction" of the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce and an honorary professor for earthen construction at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (FHP).

During the subsequent panel discussion, representatives from professional practice as well as students had their say. Numerous questions from the audience and chat complemented the discussion.

Presentation structure

1. Explanation of the areas of application and limitations of earthen building materials and various renewable raw materials, with a focus on earthen building materials in public and private building projects
2. Standards and regulations in earth building
3. Possibilities and limits for their use in construction
4. Specific applications (e.g. interior insulation, dry construction)
5. Practical examples
6. Outlook

The event in brief:

Title: Clay, wood and co. - application possibilities and limits
Expert speaker: Prof. Christof Ziegert (FHP)
Chair: Marita Klempnow (energy consultant / building biologist)
Guests: Fred Wanta (Continuing Education Committee of the Brandenburg chamber of architects), Christian Gäth (Bauhaus der Erde); Jakob Fock and Hannah Helene Dziobek (students of the FHP)
When: 07th of June 2023, 6.00 to 8.00 pm.

The event took place live on site as well as online via video stream.

Decisive decisions in phase 0

The start of planning services in phase 1, as defined in the scale of fees for architects and engineers (HOAI), ignores important findings and decisions. Yet it is precisely in the so-called "Phase 0" that the course can be set that promotes sustainable construction and literally "pays off" in the subsequent phases.

The lecture also dealt with the specific requirements in public building construction and especially in school construction. Especially the concerns of different future users as well as the current state of pedagogical requirements can be taken into account in this first planning phase. Examples from the space concept are rooms with multiple uses for communication and creativity as well as rooms for individual uses. Particular attention was paid to the socio-cultural aspects of sustainability. In addition, the equally important ecological and economic concerns were presented.

The speaker, Dipl.-Ing. Arch. Jeannette Hanko is a proven expert as a sustainability consultant in public building construction. Representatives from research and teaching as well as students had their say in the subsequent panel discussion.

Presentation structure

1. Importance of preparatory planning considerations before the start of HOAI phase 1
2. Effects of these preparatory services on later HOAI planning phases
3. Importance for sustainable building
4. Special features of public building projects
5. Examples from school construction planning
6. Outlook on emerging trends

The event in brief:

Title: The cradle to cradle principle - the reused building materials of the future
Expert speaker: Dipl.-Ing. Arch. Jeannette Hanko (Sustainability Consulting, KIS)
Chair: Norbert John (Brandenburg chamber of architects)
Guests: Dr.-Ing. Susanne Hofmann (Die Baupiloten BDA), Marcel Adam (BA), Hannah Helene Dziobek (student at FHP)
When: 26 April 2023, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The event took place live on site as well as online via video stream.

The cradle to cradle principle – the reused building materials of the future

The requirements for the realisation of today's building tasks have become increasingly complex in the wake of climate change. This includes, for example, not only the detailed planning but also the execution, operation and finally the demolition of buildings.

The focus of the 4th event in this series of lectures is on the reusability of building components and building materials. This is intended to focus on the entire life cycle of construction.

Who thinks about demolition or dismantling when building?
The ever more threatening flood of harmful waste that has to be disposed of, the ever more obvious shortage of resources such as steel, sand or copper for the hitherto familiar applications in the building industry, the increasing energy consumption that occurs not only in new construction but also in the demolition of existing buildings, all point to an urgent need for action.

Separating construction waste by type alone is not enough. It is a question of a paradigm shift. Instead of a linear construction process, symbolically speaking "from the cradle to the grave", the so-called "take-make-waste principle", a cycle should be possible, symbolically speaking "from the cradle to the cradle", the so-called "cradle-to-cradle principle (C2C). This also involves the cooperation of all those involved in the overall process: the building owner, the construction company, the user, and others. The paradigm shift applies to all of them in order to be able to create value cycles for a post-fossil world.

One of those who have been dedicating themselves to this task for years with good ideas and solid expertise is the expert speaker at this event, Jörg Finkbeiner (architect), the founder of the architectural office "Partner und Partner". With the help of completed as well as planned examples, he will be able to explain how much of the future still lies in the undertaking of circular building and what can already be realised today. The focus will be on the special features of deconstructable and recyclable buildings, from the determination of requirements to planning and construction supervision to the use, deconstruction and reuse phase, from the choice of materials to the world of relevant standards and ordinances and corresponding key figures in order to be able to assess the effect that has actually occurred.

In the subsequent discussion on the podium, Andreas Rieger (president of the Brandenburg chamber of architects), Dr.-Ing. Nina Pawlicki (TU Berlin), Julius Schäufele (Concular) and Sophie Littmann (FHP) met.

The event took place live on site as well as online via video stream.

The event in brief:

Title: The cradle to cradle principle – the reused building materials of the future.
Expert speaker: Jörg Finkbeiner (architect, Partner und Partner Architekten)
Chair: Andreas Rieger (President of the Brandenburg Chamber of Architects)
Guests: Dr.-Ing. Nina Pawlicki (TU Berlin), Julius Schäufele (Concular), Sophie Littmann (FHP)
When: 18th of January 2023, 6.00 to 8.00 pm

Rethinking materiality: Looking at natural resources alongside human resources.

The requirements for the realisation of today's building tasks have become increasingly complex in the wake of climate change. This begins with urban planning and, in addition to infrastructure and detailed planning, also includes the execution and operation of buildings in particular. What needs to be considered in which project phase? Which actors are necessary for this? What skills and knowledge are required for this and where can information on this be found?

The focus of the 3rd event in this lecture series is on natural resources - Looking at Natural Resources alongside Human Resources.

"Anupama Kundoo advances the idea that architectural imagination must transcend design and enter the realms of materials science and economics, where some bigger questions reside. She will discuss the thrust of her inquiries, which have been to find practical ways to fulfil the universal human aspiration for refuge, purpose, and social engagement through extensive material research and experimentation. She will discuss 'Human Time as a Resource' in the quest for new materiality and critically examine the way the time value of money has nudged us towards code-based design and the industrialized production of building components and, sometimes, even entire buildings themselves. Furthermore, she will discuss materiality and consumption of finite natural resources alongside their impact on human wellbeing and human resourcefulness."

The speaker has been a professor at the FHP for "Design Structures" in the degree programme "Architecture and Urban Design" since 2018. Until then, she had already worked, researched and taught in various cultural contexts around the world. In 2021, she was awarded the "RIBA Charles Jencks Award" by the Jencks Foundation and the "Royal Institute of British Architects" (RIBA) in recognition of significant contributions to the theory and practice of architecture. Prof. Dr. Anupama Kundoo's holistic practice, which combines theoretical investigation, materials research and sustainable building methods, was recognised. She was also awarded the "Building Sense Now Global Award" in 2021 in the course of the World Climate Conference COP26. She was thus honoured for her commitment to climate- and culture-friendly building methods.
Her technical lecture will be held in English. Afterwards, the event is to continue bilingually.

The event in brief:

Title: Rethinking Materiality: Looking at Natural Resources alongside Human Resources.
Technical speaker: Prof. Dr. Anupama Kundoo (FHP)
Moderation: Theresa Keilhacker (president of the Berlin chamber of architects)
Guests: Andreas Rieger (Brandenburg chamber of architects), Maximilian Löffler (FHP student), Hannah Helene Dziobek (FHP student), Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schwarz (University of Sustainable Development Eberswalde)
When: 12 October 2022, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The event took place on site and was streamed.

Building in existing structures with ambitious climate protection goals

The requirements for the realisation of today's building tasks have become increasingly complex in the wake of climate change. This begins with urban planning and, in addition to infrastructure and detailed planning, also includes the execution and operation of buildings in particular. What needs to be considered in which project phase? Which actors are necessary for this? What skills and knowledge are required for this and where can information on this be found?

The focus of the second event in this series of lectures is on existing buildings and will explore further questions such as:

• How can a loss of "grey energy", which takes place with every demolition, be counteracted?
• What possibilities are there for conversion, refurbishment, reconstruction, extension?
• Do monument protection and climate protection contradict each other?
• Which energy standard is achievable for which existing buildings?
• What knowledge is required for this?

Answers to such questions are to be found on the basis of examples.

The speaker on this practical topic, Mr. Ole Busch, works as a project architect in the ZRS office, which has been committed to sustainability in all its projects for many years. From the wealth of projects realised in this office, the following will be presented in particular:

• a former barn in the state of Brandenburg that has been renovated in terms of energy efficiency and which, together with a supplementary building, received the Brandenburg architecture prize 2007 (Haus Ihlow),
• the deconstruction, upgrading and conversion of a peat barn threatened with demolition and disposal,
• the energetic refurbishment of a listed half-timbered building from the 18th century in the village surroundings of Kassel, as well as
• the preservation and refurbishment of the administration building in the Berlin-Friedrichsfelde Zoo, a GDR system building from the 1960s.

Open question and answer session and panel discussion

In the subsequent discussion, both the teaching and research perspective and the student perspective are also represented on the panel.

Participants:
Teaching/research: Prof. Silke Straub-Beutin
Practice: M. A. (Arch.) Ole Busch, ZRS Architekten Ingenieure, Berlin
Studies: Maximilian Löffler, Hannah Helene Dziobek (FHP)
Client representative: Ulf Heitmann, board of directors of the "Bremer Höhe" building cooperative

The event in brief:

Title: Building in Existing Contexts with Ambitious Climate Protection Targets
Technical speaker: M. Arch. Ole Busch (ZRS Architekten Ingenieure, Berlin)
Moderation: Dipl.-Ing. Monika Remann, architect (WG sustainabilty of the Brandenburg chamber of architects)
Guests: Prof. Silke Straub-Beutin (FHP), Maximilian Löffler (FHP student), Hannah Helene Dziobek (FHP student), Ulf Heitmann (Board of Directors of the "Bremer Höhe" building cooperative))
When: 29th of June 2022, 5.00 to 7.00 pm

The event took place on site.

Basic principles of climate-neutral building – kick-off event

The requirements for the realisation of today's building tasks have become increasingly complex in the wake of climate change. This begins with urban planning and, in addition to infrastructure and detailed planning, also includes the execution and operation of buildings in particular. What needs to be considered in which project phase? Which actors are necessary for this? What skills and knowledge are required for this and where can information on this be found?

The focus of the opening event of the new lecture series by the Brandenburg chamber of architects and FHP will be an overview of strategies and measures for sustainable use of the natural resources required in building, such as land use, raw material and energy consumption.

The speaker on this fundamental topic, Prof. Dr Michael Prytula, is an architect and has been a research professor at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam for "resource-optimised and climate-adapted building" since 2014. He is the spokesperson for the Institute for Applied Research Urban Futures, head of the Master's degree programme of the same name and, since 2021, a member of the climate council of the state capital Potsdam. In addition to research projects on sustainable building and new forms of housing, he is also well acquainted with the practical planning requirements and the resulting conflicts of objectives.

The event in brief:

Title: Basic principles of climate-neutral building
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Michael Prytula (FHP)
Chair: Dipl.-Ing. Arch. Jeannette Hanko (sustainability advisor to the municipal real estate service of the state capital Potsdam)
Guests: Dipl.-Ing. Katja Melan (Architect BDA Potsdam), Maximilian Löffler (FHP student), Hannah Helene Dziobek (FHP student), Dipl.-Ing. Ekkehard Buß (City Planning Office Luckenwalde)
When: 06th of April 2022, 5.00 to 7.00 pm