Architectural Design V-IX: Topic (NN)

Abstract

On the basis of a currently relevant building task - the conversion and extension of multi-storey office buildings into residential buildings - we are testing whether and how a high ecological standard can be achieved in urban buildings. We are interested in the interplay between the existing building and the new part in terms of design, use, construction and also ecological conception.

Objective

The ability to develop a design from an idea, a concept to a fully developed project, to question intermediate stages self-critically again and again and to find an individual design methodology and attitude in the process.

Content

Ecological issues have been on the agenda since the 1970s. However, global energy consumption has risen steadily since then, despite all efforts to the contrary. The main problem is the associated greenhouse gas emissions. A considerable part is caused by buildings, i.e. their construction, operation and use. The discussion about countermeasures to global warming is polyphonic and complex - a wealth of data and concepts are available, but fragmented and not easy to classify. In our last semester at ETH, we are once again dealing intensively and in depth with the topic area and are also accessing the current Master's Thesis topic platform "DURABILITY AND/OR CHANGE?" for this purpose. Among other things, we ask: How can energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions be minimised in buildings, both for construction/disposal and for operation, with regard to the entire life cycle? Under what conditions would zero-energy houses be possible and how far are we from climate-neutral buildings? What can photovoltaic elements contribute, and under what conditions? And how can buildings be designed with them? How well or how poorly do building materials such as concrete, wood, steel, glass, brick, clay, natural stone perform in terms of grey energy, grey CO2 and durability? What about thermal insulation - also in relation to the expected energy and CO2 savings? And how do we relate to the many buildings in Switzerland that are only minimally insulated or not insulated at all and are mostly heated with fossil fuels? How can we adequately preserve the resources stored in the "veterans", how can we adapt them to new requirements - when and how should we rebuild, add to or build new? So what to do, what not to do? On the basis of a currently relevant building task - the conversion and extension of multi-storey office buildings into residential buildings - we test whether and how a high ecological standard can be met in urban buildings. We are interested in the interplay between the existing building and the new part in terms of design, use, construction and also ecological conception. The skilful balance is an art! The construction and detailing of the new building part is fundamental (integrated discipline). We also discuss our designs with structural and building services engineers and try to evaluate them against the background of their practical experience. In addition to using classic design and planning tools (sketches, photos, films, plans, details, models), we also use calculation tools this semester. They should allow us to make initial estimates of the energy and greenhouse gases involved in the construction and use phases. This will be introduced and discussed in tutorials with Arend Kölsch. Finally, we want to check and further develop the architectural expression of the projects with renderings. For this purpose, render tutorials with Martin Wey will be offered from the middle of the semester (optional).

Resources