Main content:
Buildings of the Future at BAU 2011
This year, BAU 2011 focused on concepts and solutions for sustainable and climate-neutral buildings. This applied both for the actual trade fair itself and the extensive support programme. For example, the EnOB research initiative presented new concepts, methods and model projects as part of the “Buildings of the Future” research symposium, which was held on 18 and 19 January 2011.
A highlight here was without doubt the presentation of pioneering building prototypes from the European university competition, Solar Decathlon Europe. It was also possible to view the highest ranked German building from Rosenheim in the flesh – which for many trade fair visitors was both an astonishing and thought-provoking experience. A report in words and pictures shows the most important highlights at the event…
1. “Buildings of the future” four times over
The building of the future looks like a very small house, especially when it is seen directly next to Munich’s enormous trade fair halls. It was built on the outdoor space at the Bau 2011 trade fair. Rosenheim University excelled with this building at the Solar Decathlon Europe university competition and achieved a highly respected second place in the competition’s ten architectural disciplines. The "people’s winner” in Madrid also proved to be a real crowd-puller in Munich, attracting both trade professionals and lay people alike …
2. On route to climate-neutral buildings
The plans are ambitious: it has already been established that all new buildings must be climate-neutral by 2020. Even if a precise interpretation of the climate neutrality requirements is still being worked on in Berlin and Brussels, the trend among new buildings is already very much towards zero-energy and energy-plus buildings. New concepts, materials, systems and design methods for these “buildings of the future” were presented at a symposium held by the EnOB research initiative.
3. An evening extending from Brussels to Rosenheim
In his keynote speech, Dr. Stefan Tostmann from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy outlined the enormous energy policy challenges that will be faced during the next few decades, and in so doing made one thing clear: Without the committed work of architects and designers, as well as developers and investors, all politically determined efficiency goals are doomed to failure. An opportunity was provided during the evening to continue the discussions in a cosy atmosphere. The Rosenheim team supplied the music and two very special attractions …
4. Architectural decathlon
On the second day of the event, the university teams from Berlin, Wuppertal, Stuttgart and Rosenheim presented their residential projects with which they very successfully competed in the Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 in Madrid. The European-wide competition is conceived as an architectural decathlon with the aim of constructing zero-energy and energy-plus buildings. In his citation, Professor Manfred Hegger (TU Darmstadt) praised the excellent performance of the teams and specifically their results in the individual Architecture, Construction and Engineering, Comfort Conditions and Sustainability disciplines …
5. All-electric world?
The latest trend is for houses that are operated solely with electricity. This particularly applies to zero-energy houses & Co. They do not require oil, gas, heating networks or biomass. However, does electricity really provide a convincing alternative in the heating market in ecological and economic terms? Are we heading towards an “all-electric world”? The illustrious panel sought to find answers to these questions. The discussion veered between fierce controversy and consensus. Then finally a player was identified who must play a facilitating and steering role in supplying energy to buildings and settlements…