Building & Living:
Platform for
Networking, Synthesis
and Transfer

The challenge

There is a lack of affordable housing in Germany's cities. The construction sector also contributes significantly to global resource and energy consumption. Therefore, the transformation of the building sector is crucial for a climate-friendly economic activity. At the same time, existing standards and the dynamic socio-ecological context are major challenges.

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"Improving the diversification of housing options and promoting space-saving living"
This key action area is highlighted by a working group of the academy initiative “Energy Systems of the Future” (ESYS) in its impulse “How Can the Energy Transition in the Building Sector Succeed? Key Areas for a Socially Viable Transformation”.

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How Germans want to live
When it comes to the criteria for choosing a flat or house, Germans are quite willing to forgo a balcony putting it only in 6th place among the most relevant features.

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> 30 per cent
The building sector is responsible for 37 per cent of energy- and production-related CO₂ emissions and accounts for over 34 per cent of global energy demand.

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The goal

The aim of the Building & Living Platform is to identify the obstacles to existing innovations for more affordable housing and affordability in the neighborhood and to provide key impulses for the transformation of the construction sector. The main criteria are affordability, sustainability and quality (essential living comfort).

The project is focusing on existing building structures in (sub)urban areas. Being discussed are solutions and impulses for adding stroreys, reusing or redensification on already sealed areas.

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Our working groups

WG 1 Building materials,
construction and energy

WG 1 is looking at technical innovations with a focus on individual buildings, existing obstacles and possible cost reductions..

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WG 2 Urban and
neighbourhood development

WG 2 deals with issues relating to the requirements and potential of integrated neighborhood development.

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WG 3 Transformation and
implementation strategies

In collaboration with the other two WGs, WG 3 is working on the possible transfer of solutions into practice.

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© Julius Gnoth

Building in existing structures will become the new industry standard - according to Sarah Dungs, Chairwoman of the Association for Building in Existing Contexts (Verband für Bauen im Bestand e.V.) and Managing Director of the Greyfield Group. During the webinar "Building in Existing Structures: seizing opportunities, overcoming challenges," she explained where CO₂ emissions originate in the construction industry, how resources can be conserved, and why a new mindset is essential for working with existing buildings.

Sarah Dungs
Chairwoman of the Association for Building in Existing Contexts (Verband für Bauen im Bestand e.V.) and
Managing Director of the Greyfield Group

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© acatech

“Affordable housing is a key challenge for our society. The focus of our platform is on existing buildings as there is enormous potential in terms of conversion, adding storeys and redensification. As a result, living space can be created and resources saved at the same time. The aim is to make affordable and comfortable housing possible and attractive, and to ensure that our cities are future-proof.”

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jan Wörner
acatech President,
Supervision

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© Ulrich Mayer

“This is a highly relevant issue: how can we create new living space not on ‘greenfield sites’ with even more sealing of land, but by using and densifying the already built environment, sealed areas and already built infrastructure?”

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stefan Winter 
Ordinarius of the Chair of Timber Structures and Building Construction, TU Munich,
Lead of working group 1 "Building materials, construction and energy“

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© Martin Braun

“We can only create a future worth living in if problems and their causes are analysed from multiple perspectives and if we take targeted measures to address current dysfunctional contexts and overcome existing obstacles. It is important to bring together knowledge from different areas: from planning, construction and operating, science and practice, experts and people in the neighbourhood.”

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Agnes Förster
Head of the Chair of Planning Theory and Urban Development, RWTH Aachen,
Lead of working group 2 "Urban and neighbourhood development“

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© Schöck Bauteile GmbH

"I am particularly passionate about the connection between sustainability and affordable housing. The Building & Living Platform offers the ideal opportunity to bring our expertise into the discussion and work together on solutions for the construction industry of tomorrow.“

Dr.-Ing. Daniela Kiefer
Head of Product Management Isokorb®, Schöck Bauteile GmbH,
Lead of working group 1 "Building materials, construction and energy“

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