We see sustainability as a top priority
Photo: HGEsch
Ongoing climate change makes the use of resource-saving materials and the systematic reduction in the CO2 footprint in the construction industry more urgent than ever. Dr. Christian Bergmann and Bernd Muley from the acclaimed Architects Hadi Teherani (Hamburg) and Ralf Seufert from the aluminium systems manufacturer WICONA discuss why sustainability has long since been a key criterion of forward-looking construction and how this manifests in current projects.
Starting with a question to the architects: In your projects, what importance do you attach to sustainable concepts such as recycling or new materials?
Bernd Muley: We are always very interested in using sustainable products and systems in our projects and always keep up-to-date on developments in this field. One key point is the façade – at the moment there is a lot happening here with recycled aluminium. But the concrete technology sector is becoming increasingly important, especially looking to the future. Concrete or cement is among the biggest producers of CO2, and that is precisely where things are changing on the market. We always aim to integrate newly developed technologies into our projects straight away – this is our claim.
Dr. Christian Bergmann: Here at Hadi Teherani we have focused on sustainability for many years. Incidentally, at an early stage, we used thermal component activation, for example for projects like the Berliner Bogen in Hamburg. Or put another way: sustainability is as much of a given for our projects as is the harmonious integration of the building in urban planning, the appeal and attractiveness of our architecture or the comfort of the resident or user. At Hadi Teherani all these things go hand in hand. This all naturally links in to the key issue for us as architects: the future. We imagine and try to provide solutions for how we will live in the future – and give this life a space. And this naturally has to be sustainable. Here the key topic of recycling plays a major role, because we really never know what the future will hold. But when we design our initial sketches and 3D studies, we usually plan for something that will only see the light of day in a few years time. And of course the technologies will also have changed again by then. In view of this, issues like recycling, the circular economy and also material cycles are very important, in order to be able to repeatedly redesign this future.
What importance do investors and clients give to sustainable construction? How has this changed over the last few years?
Bernd Muley: The investors and clients that I personally deal with place great importance on sustainability, and above all on building certification. So in this area there has been a very, very positive development. As long as there are no disadvantages in terms of scheduling or quality, clients are also willing to consider the matter of costs and – when necessary – increase the budget somewhat, if this means it is possible to create a building which is fit for the future and sustainable.
Dr. Christian Bergmann: I can only confirm this point. This is naturally due on the one hand to the shift in thinking throughout society in view of climate change. But on the other hand, building certification has also helped a lot. I would not be able to name a single building which we have certified as anything less than "DGNB Gold". Over the last few years we have seen an increased innovation capability in this respect and also requirements from the clients. Sustainable construction methods that save CO2 are becoming increasingly important.
How do you view the topic of sustainability from the the manufacturer’s angle, Mr Seufert?
Ralf Seufert: Over the last few years a huge amount has happened on the market – both in terms of what fundamentally concerns sustainability, and also in the willingness to think sustainably and to invest in it. And this applies to all the partners in the market – whether clients and investors, architects or the metal and façade construction industry. At WICONA we take a comprehensive view of sustainability as a key element in our strategy. Besides the activities in the areas of product development and manufacturing, we also consider all the other company processes, and incorporate our social engagement as well. In terms of our products, sustainability for us means that we want to offer aluminium systems that can be separated into their materials after use at the end of their life cycle simply and easily, and reincorporated into the recycling loop. This means that glass, seals, gaskets and all the other materials are returned to the appropriate material cycles and therefore remain in circulation. This is a new and groundbreaking concept for the industry – and it also offers direct access to ever scarcer material resources. We aim to do this in cooperation with market alliances, with partners who share our values. With Hydro CIRCAL 100R we have now developed a sustainable aluminium alloy made from 100% end-of-life aluminium. In other words, scrap that has already been used in a façade, for example, has been disassembled and completely recycled. This is a true circular economy.
Do you share this view, Herr Dr. Bergmann?
Dr. Christian Bergmann: I believe that a truly closed circular economy for all sectors is an exceedingly important point. This means we save natural resources. It is important here that we recycle at the same quality level, in other words that it doesn't result in downcycling, but that the value of what was once created is also preserved, including throughout the service life of a building and beyond.
When we consider the circular economy, then digitalisation is also an important element, don't you agree?
Dr. Christian Bergmann: Yes, absolutely. Digitalisation will be key in enabling an almost closed loop from the first draft to deconstruction and recycling. The catchphrase here is Building Information Modelling (BIM). In this context I should also mention RFID technology which is used to tag the products. And if this is all stored digitally in a 3D building model, including the product features, manufacturers, etc. and is ideally maintained via construction site management and during service life by facility management, then you know very precisely where which products and materials have been used and where these recyclable materials can be obtained.
Ralf Seufert: This is exactly where we are also making a start. In future we will provide our aluminium systems with a QR code. This will enable every product detail to be called up at any time by scanning with a smartphone. Which system is it exactly? What hardware has been used ? The item numbers are stored and in addition information on the amount of aluminium used and on the CO2 footprint. This means we are creating the maximum transparency in terms of the circular economy – including in terms of the materials.
Keyword "built sustainability". In the Innovationsbogen Augsburg, Hadi Teherani is creating a trendsetting project that also involves Wicona. This is not the first pioneering project involving this partnership.
Bernd Muley: Correct. For the façade of the Mercator One office building, completed in Duisburg in 2020, Hydro CIRCAL 75R, an end-of-life aluminium product made by WICONA was used for the very first time. And now we are working together again on the project in Augsburg – a truly pioneering project.
Dr. Christian Bergmann: Yes, the Innovationsbogen in Augsburg actually contains the claim in its name. The building is the start of an innovation park in Augsburg, right at the meeting point of the university, research and development and also tech companies – this is where the innovation happens. When you arrive, the 14,800 square metres of the Innovationsbogen rise up from the surroundings, out of a flowering meadow. What we have done is to take hold of this landscape in a manner of speaking and lay it over the roof. This is how this relatively simple idea arose of developing an approximately 145 metre-long building with six floors at the highest point positioned as an arc from east to west. The Innovationsbogen boasts maximum flexibility in the floor plans, a very good ratio of façade area to floor plan area and an innovative concept for the building services. The guiding planning principle is sustainability. This is evidenced for example by the use of district heating and cooling energy from the groundwater, photovoltaics for energy generation and also the green roof. This helps with cooling in summer and as a water reservoir, and also supports biodiversity in the city. The 70 e-charging stations in the underground car park and 220 bicycle racks provide flexible and sustainable mobility.
What is key in the Innovationsbogen is that we have integrated the demand for high quality architectural design with the most important aim of our times – sustainability.
Dr. Christian Bergmann
And last but not least, the sustainability concept is reflected in the façade solution.
Ralf Seufert: Yes, that's correct. The façade solution implemented there makes use of the Hydro CIRCAL 100R aluminium alloy from 100% recycled end-of-life aluminium, for a start. The CO2 footprint is less than 0.5 kg CO2/kg aluminium – the European average is 6.7 CO2/kg aluminium. This is a truly pioneering project that we are implementing together.
Dr. Christian Bergmann: Agreed. We made a joint decision with the project partners for a unitised façade system with a great many benefits in terms of construction time, scheduling and manufacturing quality. These were mainly prefabricated in the workshops, meaning that the construction scheduling can be synchronised very accurately. And another aspect that is really important for us is that, for design reasons, three-dimensional pilaster strips which can be illuminated at night, are arranged in front of the façades. The Innovationsbogen therefore has yet another eyecatcher.
Thank you very much for the interesting discussion.