(Re)building simply
Over the past decades, the complexity of construction has increased steadily, which inevitably leads to higher construction costs, errors, and a high level of upkeep, repair and maintenance. The latter factor is often underestimated in the design process. A high degree of technical installation usually results in increased energy consumption and a loss of comfort (performance gap). Examples such as the “Einfach bauen” (“Building simply”) research project currently underway at TU Munich demonstrate how to get out of this vicious circle.
Low-tech or simple construction does not follow a set of guidelines; it describes a planning and design attitude. Its aim is to use architectural means to create a high-quality environment, with technical installations providing support where necessary. This is not about a dogmatic rejection of technology – low-tech does not mean no-tech. Instead, it is a paradigm shift. Approaches to reducing building services are multi-faceted, and they have been implemented successfully in many buildings. Current codes and standards are balanced such that they allow for implementing low-tech approaches. For instance, several standards address the issue of providing heat protection in the summer season. Adaptive comfort standards allow for a wide range of comfort characteristics, which is usually achieved by using hygrothermally effective materials.
Thermal, acoustic, and visual comfort, as well as air quality, can be influenced by construction, design, and materiality. It is possible to raise them to a level where technical installations can be minimized or, ideally, eliminated. This approach influences architectural design and, where appropriate, puts the user in charge. At the same time, it creates buildings that respond robustly to changes, such as those caused by weather or user impact. This generally leads to greater user satisfaction, as shown in several different research projects.
