House of the Future: Pilot Project Schiestlhaus

Best Practice

Topics

• Policies and instruments
• Regional value added, Protected areas

Short description

The Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology developed an impulse programme for technology and research relating to 'Sustainable Economy' - one programme line is called 'House of the Future' where solar and energy-efficient houses can be built as pilot projects. The Schiestlhaus in Styria was built as a pilot project within this programme in extreme alpine conditions. The Schiestlhaus is a modern alpine refuge in the water protection area of the Hochschwab mountain. It has 70 beds. As regards energy supply, it is self-sufficient due to the use of solar energy and the high energy efficiency. The closed water circuit is an answer to the water protection demands.

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Project executive

Association 'Österreichischer Touristenklub', financed by the BMVIT (Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie = Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology), the provincial governments of Styria and Vienna.

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Participants

Österreichischer Touristenklub as the owner of the Schiestlhaus, Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie (Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology), the provinvial governments of Styria and Vienna; the project was planned and developed by: ARGE solar4alpin (Architects Rezac-Stieldorf-Oettl-Treberspurg), general planners consortium: pos architekten ZT KEG (plannig), Treberspurg & Partner Architekten ZT GmbH, consultant statics: Robert Salzer (timber), Gerald Gallasch (Massive), consultant construction physics: Wilhelm Hofbauer, Karin Stieldorf, IBO. consultant: solar thermics, HKLS, MSR: e+c Wimmer; photovoltaics, electricity: ATB Becker; consultant effluent treatment: Steinbacher & Steinbacher ZT KEG, light planning: Pokorny Lichtarchitektur; project realising companies: GU Massivbau (Ing. Geischläger GmbH., Göstling/Palfau), GU Holzbau (Vinzenz Harrer GmbH., Frohnleiten); windwos for the low energy house (Internorm, Lannach); HKLS, Solar thermics (Burgstaller Haustechnik GmbH, Krieglach), photovoltaics/electricity (Elektro Merl/Stadtwerke, Bruck/ Mur); kitchen (Lassacher Großküchen, Graz); furniture (Tischlerei Heim, Göstling), effluent treatment (Nageler, Lienz), helicopter transportation (Wucher, Ludesch).

Objectives

The project contributes to the national policy of sustainable development in the field of building. The programme 'House of the Future' (Haus der Zukunft) encourages innovative and sustainable buildings. The Schiestlhaus aims at demonstrating the possibility of a sustainable, energy-efficient building in the Alps under extreme climate-conditions. The Schiestlhaus has also the function of a role model for implementing sustainable concepts for buildings in other regions.

Activities

Start up was in 2000, when a student of architecture, Marie Rezac, submitted her design project for an energy-sufficient alpine refuge to the newly founded national programme 'Haus der Zukunft'. The project had been elaborated at the Institute of Building Construction of the Technical University of Vienna. A consortium was founded with the student, the university lecturer and a well-known architect Mr. Treberspurg, for developing further the project and finding a location where the pilot project could be realised. The programme 'Haus der Zukunft' provided the opportunity to develop a pilot project for an alpine refuge in extreme climatic conditions. Finally, the Schiestlhaus - a 120 years old refuge in a very bad condition, which could not be redeveloped - was selected as a result of the research phase.

Process

feasibility study, workshops, planning, realisation, PR work

Results

The Schiestlhaus is located on the Hochschwab at 2.153 m within a water protection area which is important for the water supply of Vienna. The old refuge was replaced by a new construction which was finalised in autumn 2005. This new refuge provides 70 beds. As regards energy supply it is self-sufficient due to the use of solar energy and it has got a closed water circuit. The project shows that low-energy houses are also possible under extreme conditions.

Evaluation

programme 'Haus der Zukunft'

Difficulties

The problems are mainly connected with the financing of the house - without the budget of the Ministry and the Provincial Governments this project could not have been realised. The weather conditions during the construction phase and to find adequate and interested enterprises in the region for construction were the main difficulties.

Budget

EUR 2.500.000,- (Euro)

Financial backer

Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie with its programme Haus der Zukunft (Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology), Provincial Government of Styria and Provincial Government of Vienna, Österreichischer Touristenklub

Source of information

Competition

Participant at the 2005 Future in the Alps competition

Homepage

http://www.hausderzukunft.at/diashow/schiestlhaus.htm http://www.schiestlhaus.at

Publication

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Project executive as above

Contact person as above

Comments

Impact on nature and environment

The project aims at building a energy-efficient house at 2.153 m. There are three strategies: (1) energy-efficiency by using a passive solar house with a heating requirement of 15 kWh per m² per year. (2) energy-saving infrastructure like energy-saving bulbs, energy-saving kitchen equipment, no equipment with high energy consumption like a fryer, thermal insulation, heat recovery of compartment air and kitchen exhaust air (degree of efficiency 90%, kitchen 60%). (3) 100% renewable engergy sources: The remaining energy need is supplied by the sun, timber and rape-oil. Electricity is supplied at least by 60% by the photovoltaic installation, the rest and the emergency power is given by a rape-oil engine. Warm water is mainly produced by a thermophotovoltaic device. The air-ventilation has a degree of efficiency of 90% and offers a convenient comfort. Beneath the Schiestlhaus is the '2dn Viennese water pipe'. Emissions have a high negative impact on the water quality. So called Trockentoiletten (dry toilets) were installed in the Schiestlhaus all together with a small biological sewage plant.

Economic value added

The new Schiestlhaus has an economic life of 100 years. The passive solar house reduces running expenses for warm water and heating. The power costs could be reduced by the thermophotovoltaic device. The costs for helicopter transports can now be reduced by the possibility of frost-free storage in the Schiestlhaus. The comfort and the nice ambiance of the Schiestlhasu guarantees previous and new guests. The economic value added in gastronomy can be raised. There is also the possibility for workshops and tutorials in the Schiestlhaus.

Socio-cultural value added

The project can be an example for other alpine regions. Furthermore the committment of the involved persons as well as the ability to communicate and to do networking has contributed to the success of the project.

Innovative content

The project Schiestlhaus shows that low-energy buildings can also be realised under extreme climate and weather conditions. This can be demonstrated in winter time, when the Schiestlhaus is closed and not heated: inside it has +10°C when outside the temperature is -22°C. Due to the low energy use and the high-efficiency energy concept the Schiestlhaus can be cost-effectively and ecologically run. Due to the new indoor concept there are bright rooms with an excellent air-climate.

Good governance

concurrent evaluation, moderation and project management, suport of implementation was given from the beginning on.

PR impact

The project was supported by the professional PR work from the programme 'Haus der Zukunft'. There are expert workshops, congresses, several publications, internet (www.hausderzukunft.at), report on broadcast ORF

Multiplier effect / networking

The project is well known and there is a high demand for workshops / tutorials within the alpine scene. The Schiestlhaus contributes to the issue of sustainable constrution under extreme conditions and to the feasibility of energy-efficient building.

Transferability

A project like the Schiestlhaus can be implemented in any other comparable mountain region. The project was consultated for a reference in the USA.

Remarks

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