Unit Energy Efficient Buildings
Institute for Construction and Materials Science
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Feist, Univ.-Prof. Wolfgang Streicher
The 20th Century has given us a tempestuous growth of built environment, allowing more people, and also more comfortable live and more prosperity on the planet than ever before.
The rapid industrial use of the easily available and cheap fossil fuels coal, oil and gas made this growth possible. At the same time however, it caused a situation of growing interdependence, increasing cost burden and irreversible damage to the terrestrial ecosystem.
Reluctantly we want to abtain from acquired prosperity - nor is it possible to stay the course refusing the vast majority on this planet from a permanent access to prosperity and comfort.
The good news: We do not have to renounce. Consistent research and development in the field of building physics, heating ventilation and air conditioning as well on renewable energy use have shown that it is possible to minimize the energy demand down to a fraction of usually less than one-tenth, but alsoways to less than a half, through intelligent building according to the the well-understood laws of physics.
For good to be true? Practically realized examples where Vorarlberg and Tyrol are world leaders attending, show that good comfort and low energy consumption are not contradicting. A thoughtful application of the findings of the building physics makes this possible, properly applied, both energy consumption as well as the value of the building increases, the comfort is improved and a major contribution to environmental protection is assured.
The unit of Energy Efficient Buildings at the University of Innsbruck sees its main task in supporting the sustainable renewal process, both through the training of competent engineers and architects, as well as through research and development for the benefit of human health, sustainable development and the protection of the environment.