Institute of Housing (1570)

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The teaching content has been defined in terms of the following thematic areas, which are based on the focal points of research at the institute. Research on the affordability of living space as regards its production and maintenance Parallel to social developments since the start of the 20th century, social housing, too, has developed from its original focus, the provision of housing for the minimum existence, towards the construction of middle class accommodation. Safety requirements imposed by standards and regulations, optimization of energy losses, and the standard of services aimed at lead to a constant increase in construction costs and therefore in the rents that must be paid for living space, which part of society will no longer be able to afford. The institute will identify the individual themes that are of relevance to costs in order to place them in relation to current and future demands made on housing in the broader sense, for instance for the contemporary minimum existence.
 Flexibility of apartments Growing and shrinking apartments within a solid built structure that can respond to changing demands for space that result from the life cycle of families or more complex social structures is a theme that lichtblau.wagner architekten have continuously developed in their work. In addition to matters of building design and space, here organizational themes also play an important role. Spaces with functionally neutral proportions and sizes as well as the departure from floor plans based solely on narrowly interpreted functional requirements represent the basis for this work. The implementation of communicative spatial qualities in communal areas and in the surroundings of the building, as well as the avoidance of mono-functional structures, expands this theme into the immediate surroundings of housing. Active energy balance of residential buildings The use of photovoltaic arrays and production of hot water by means of solar energy as decentralized energy sources can make housing independent of fossil fuels and increasing energy prices. The integration of energy sources in the building envelope lead to a more conscious use of energy and can allow new spatial and poetic qualities to develop in the facade zones.