With the refurbishment and extension of the residential complex on Friedrich-Inhauser-Strasse, Heimat Österreich has created a lighthouse project that combines climate and environmental protection and affordable living.
This innovative construction project is completely extraordinary and has already won numerous awards. The official handover was celebrated on May 20th 2022, with the participation of the inhabitants and top-class guests from politics, research and business. In addition to the state councilors Andrea Klambauer and Josef Schwaiger, the managing director of the climate and energy fund Theresia Vogel, Section Head Henriette Spyra, Head of Section III “Innovation and Technology” in the Ministry of Climate Protection (BMK) on behalf of Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler also participated.
What makes the “Friedrich-Inhauser-Strasse” project in the Salzburg district of Aigen so special? The housing estate was built in the mid-1980s and was in urgent need of renovation. In terms of sustainability and climate and environmental protection, Heimat Österreich (HÖ) has dared to take the visionary step of developing a renovation concept with experts and planners, with which not only the Paris climate goals of 2030 can be met, but which also takes into account the social needs of the residents – and all this within the tight budget of subsidized housing.
The existing buildings of the settlement were renovated and revitalized. In addition, the former 75 apartments have now become 99 residential units through an increase in floors. The residents had to move for the time of the construction work. A project that required many discussions to develop joint solutions. With the help of other non-profit building associations and the housing service of the city of Salzburg, replacement apartments were found, the moves were organized, and costs were calculated and covered. The personal care of the residents was particularly important. A specially assigned employee of “Heimat Österreich” and the renowned sociologist Rosemarie Fuchshofer always had an open ear for all questions and uncertainties of the residents. Contact with the tenants was maintained throughout the construction work and around a third of the former residents returned to their apartments after the conversion was completed.
Thanks to the accompanying research by the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and the SIR Salzburg Institute for Regional Planning and Housing (financed by the Climate and Energy Fund as part of its “Smart Cities Initiative”) a comprehensive renovation concept for the project could be developed. The primary goal was to reduce the CO₂ emissions of the housing complex to a minimum.Instead of gas, all 99 apartments are now 100% supplied with heat from the sun, wind and water. The building’s energy consumption has been drastically reduced by a new type of facade insulation system made of cellulose. Renewable raw materials were predominantly used for the increase. Photovoltaics, heat recovery from waste water and room air as well as buffer storage are used. “The energy concept of the building is absolutely forward-looking and is second to none,” says HÖ Managing Director Ing. Stephan Gröger and adds: “Heat recovery from waste water is a completely new approach in multi-storey residential buildings. Previously, the hot water flowed unused into the sewer, now it supplies the entire building with energy.”
In addition to the accompanying research, good quality assurance was also an important instrument. Not only the energy supply and the building materials were checked, everyday mobility is also included in the CO2 balance. This area still has the greatest CO2 reduction potential. Head of Section Henriette Spyra, Ministry of Climate Protection: “Austria wants to become climate-neutral by 2040. In order to achieve this, we have to renovate old existing buildings and make them climate-friendly. The project here shows that a refurbishment can be planned and implemented cost-effectively and efficiently. We are convinced that the solutions shown here in Salzburg will influence future settlement development in Austria.”
The project is therefore taking on a pioneering role, above all with an innovative mobility concept that is so far unique in the state. The aim was to reduce the use of private cars through alternative means of transportation. The increased use of alternative modes of transport, such as public transport, cycling or walking, can already make a sustainable contribution to the environment and quality of life. However, the concept of Friedrich-Inhauser-Strasse goes far beyond that. In the “Mobility Point”, a room of approx. 25 m², which is accessible to all residents using their own apartment key, various sharing products (mobility modules) are offered for use at very low cost. In addition to bicycle basket trailers, bicycle child trailers, e-scooters and e-bikes, the portfolio even includes an e-cargo pedelec and an e-car. The charging stations for the e-mobility modules are located directly in or in front of the Mobility Point.
Even the increased online trade was taken into account in the mobility concept. A parcel room was set up in order to save on unnecessary journeys and thus on climate-damaging CO₂. This contains the MYFLEXBOX, an intelligently networked and flexibly usable locker system in which parcels and other items can be safely deposited and picked up around the clock.
With the EU project Syn.ikia, a two-year monitoring is now being carried out to check whether the goals could be achieved. In this way, the project can show the way to European plus-energy districts.
This project was funded by the federal country of Salzburg, the Austria Climate fund and the EU.
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