The users of the Heinrichstrasse 80 building in Graz, which currently houses institutes of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Graz, suffer from stressful indoor climate conditions. In particular, overheating in summer, which has been exacerbated by the increase in hot days over the last decade, leads to room temperatures that have an increasingly negative impact on productivity and well-being. The "HeinrichBiCool" project was launched to improve the well-being of users.
The project team:
- Ökoteam - Institute for Animal Ecology and Natural Area Planning
- University of Graz - Directorate for Resources and Planning
- AEE - Institute for Sustainable Technologies
- Siegfried Stark Technical Office
Project duration: (provisionally) 26 months
Start: Nov. 2024
The example of the existing building at the University of Graz, which is affected by overheating, demonstrates what greening can achieve. Comprehensive monitoring of the indoor climate, building physics, energy requirements and biodiversity before and after the greening measures provides new scientific findings on the real effectiveness of building greening.
1. optimisation of the greening planning, integration of rainwater management and biodiversity promotion measures
2. structural realisation of the three-sided façade greening at the Heinrichstrasse 80 building, Graz
3. quantitative recording of the effectiveness of greenery as a room cooling and outdoor climate regulation measure
4. quantitative findings on the biodiversity-promoting effects of the greening of the building and the additional support measures
5. economic and ecological evaluation of building air conditioning through greening compared to technical cooling solutions
6. digitalisation in the monitoring and operation of building greening using the "digital twin"
Conclusion
HeinrichBiCool is the University of Graz's flagship project for sustainable change. It ensures that the users of the Heinrichstraße 80 building no longer suffer from high temperatures. At the same time, it promotes biodiversity at the site and reduces electricity consumption and CO₂ emissions by dispensing with technical air conditioning systems. The aim is to cool the building without the use of electric air conditioning units for the time being.
