How, then, can existing buildings be transformed into circular, resource-efficient and climate-ready constructions with improved energy performance?

The possible answers to this question form the central focus of this design studio and are regarded as a key to addressing the climate and energy crisis. The aim is to raise students’ awareness of the consequences of excessive resource and energy consumption in the building sector and to encourage them, as future architects, to integrate the solutions developed here into their professional practice.

This semester focuses on the adaptive reuse of the Hilton Plaza at Schottenring (constructed in the 1970s). The existing hotel building is to be transformed into a sustainable, future-oriented structure. The emphasis lies on the development of resource- and energy-efficient design concepts that integrate circularity, energy resilience and climate neutrality. Circular transformation processes are envisaged, whereby dismantled elements are reused for second-life applications, alongside the integration of renewable energy systems. The building should also be designed to remain flexible and adaptable in order to accommodate future requirements.

Input lecture series:

• Querkraft Architekten (Dubai Expo Pavillon)
• Dietmar Eberle (Haus 2226 Lustenau) requested…
• Käferhaus (erneuerbare Energiesysteme)
• …

Design Studio:

• Site analysis | structural analysis
• Research tasks on the state of research
• Concept development
• Draft development
• Corrections with research-related content (every 2 weeks), as well as input in the course of interim and final presentations

After successful completion of the course, students are able to understand the complex, circular transformation processes of existing buildings in theory and practice, develop their own concepts or designs in this area, and develop implementation approaches for their alternative or renewable energy supply and integrate them into their conversion design.

The fees include digital and analogue presentations as well as a model in M1:200.