Research Projects
There are 84 results.
ReSpace – Reclaiming Spaces
ReSpace is developing an AI-based model for identifying, categorizing, and activating sealed areas. Existing data sources (aerial and satellite images, mobile network data, land registry entries) are integrated and enhanced with dynamic analysis to derive evidence-based recommendations for action.
AI4FM - Artificial Intelligence for Facility Management
AI-based anomaly and fault detection in buildings. Digital twins of buildings with simulation models for testing and optimizing rule-based fault detection methods. Mining of the recorded time-series data from existing Building Management Systems to train Machine Learning models for fault detection.
PowerShade - Development of electricity-generating shading solutions for energy-flexible buildings in urban space
The main goal of the cooperative R&D project "PowerShade" was the development of low-cost and universally usable electricity-generating shading solutions for energy-flexible buildings in urban space.
OWA’s future - Otto Wagner Area: A trend-setting transformation from a medical institution into a NEB neighbourhood
Development of qualitative and quantitative planning objectives as well as an implementation strategy for the transformation of the Otto Wagner Area along the New European Bauhaus guidelines. The basis is formed by interdisciplinary expert forums, which provide important insights for the necessary transformation of existing areas and buildings in other cities as well.
10., Rothneusiedl - climate model district Rothneusiedl: Preparation for the planned EU mission "New European Bauhaus"
Rothneusiedl will become a pioneering district for climate protection, climate adaptation and the circular economy. The existing RothNEUsiedl Charter outlines nine principles for making the district climate-friendly and inclusive. The dialogical and integrated process involves various target groups, including the planning and construction industry, future residents and businesses, in order to establish a local building culture at an early stage. NEB working principles are applied in order to support the parallel mission statement process.
NEXUS - AI for Next Generation Smart Buildings
he NEXUS project develops a novel AI-based framework for scalable fault detection and predictive maintenance of HVAC systems in buildings. NEXUS enables early fault detection without the need for large labeled datasets. The project aims to significantly reduce energy consumption, extend system lifetimes, and contribute to the decarbonization of the building sector.
Re-Use: Holzhaus (Re-Use – Timberhouse) - Scenarios of conduction for Repair, Refurbish & Repurpose of prefabricated timber houses
The Re-Use: Holzhaus project deals with the recyclability of prefabricated wooden components, which are generally used for single-family homes and small apartment buildings and have both a long tradition and a diverse manufacturing structure in Austria. The project aims to take significant steps along the entire value chain to make components from the past more attractive as secondary raw materials and to prepare future prefabricated houses for this purpose in the best possible way.
FW-Netz Traiskirchen - Feasibility study on decarbonizing the district heating network in Traiskirchen by using the sewage treatment plant as a heat source
The exploratory project is examining the technical, economic, and ecological feasibility of community-wide decarbonization of the district heating network in Traiskirchen. The focus is on merging the existing sub-networks and utilizing wastewater heat from the sewage treatment plant using a large heat pump. The results will form a basis for strategic decision-making and serve as a model for other small and medium-sized towns.
RIGOR - Towards reproducible, transparent, and valid AI methods for buildings and cities
The RIGOR project investigates the actual added value and scientific reliability of AI-based methods in the context of buildings, districts, and cities. It focuses on reproducibility, transparency, and the objective comparison of modern AI approaches with simple, robust baseline models. The goal is to establish an evidence-based foundation for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in energy- and safety-critical applications in the built environment.
Circular Bio Floor- Floor construction made from biomaterials
In this project biogenic building materials from wood industry waste and geopolymer binders are developed that can be used as tamped fill or 3D-printed dry-screed elements in timber construction. These materials offer functional benefits and an excellent eco-balance, contribute to the conservation of forests and enable the production of separable and reusable floor segment panels using digital manufacturing technologies. That significantly reduces the consumption of primary raw materials.
Transform:Leoben2040 - Preparation of a demonstration project for the climate-neutral development of the Fichtlplatz–Kärntnerstraße district
The exploratory project Transform:LEoben2040 develops a transferable transformation concept for the municipal residential district Fichtlplatz–Kärntnerstraße in Leoben. By developing an integrated district energy system as well as new financing and operational models, the project aims to identify climate-neutral and economically viable solutions for transforming existing urban neighborhoods. The results will provide the basis for a subsequent demonstration phase and serve as a transferable model for other pioneer small cities.
Mind the gap - Development of a Directional Drilling Method for Shallow Geothermal Energy
The project develops a miniaturised directional drilling method enabling geothermal boreholes to be installed beneath existing buildings, addressing a major gap in densely built urban areas. By drilling from accessible edge zones and keeping all probes on private land, permitting procedures are simplified and public-space interventions minimized. The study assesses technical, regulatory and economic feasibility and forms the basis for subsequent prototype development.
SUDICA - Sustainable Digitalization as a Challenge for City Administrations
The project investigates the tension between digitization and sustainability in city administrations, particularly focusing on the largely unaddressed, negative global feedback effects of digital technologies. It aims to systematize these interactions, develop an integrative understanding, and lay the groundwork for a more sustainable use of digitization in municipal decisions.
LenA circular houses - Demonstration of the circular architecture design process for circular andreuse building based on the lighthouse project LenA
The LENA project demonstrates in practice how resource-efficient use of materials can be achieved in architecture. LENA documents circular design methods and shows why planning begins at the end-of-life phase. By using digital methods and technologies to recover existing building elements and manufacture new ones with a focus on reuse, it determines what savings in gray energy and CO₂ can be achieved in the manufacture of re:use products and detachable/demountable/replaceable connections for our built structures, urban and residential areas.
StatiPLANT - Exploration of a standardized model for the static assessment of climbing plants
The StatiPLANT project aims to systematically record and analyze static loads on vertically greened facades caused by climbing plants under the influence of wind, tensile forces, and dead loads of the plants. The goal is to develop a conceptual, parameterizable assessment model as the basis for a standardized design procedure in structural engineering.
DEKARBOdezentral - Cost-effective Implementation of Decentralised Decarbonisation in Residential Buildings
The project explores cost-effective, decentralised heat pump solutions as an alternative to gas-fired floor combi boilers in existing flats. By utilising existing infrastructures such as chimney shafts, minimally invasive decarbonisation is enabled without comprehensive building refurbishment.
StirliQ+ Component development of the expansion Stirling generator with supercritical fluid as working & lubrication medium
Technical research and further development of details or components of the novel StirliQ engine, which has the potential to overcome the technical hurdles of conventional Stirling engines. On the basis of simulations as well as a laboratory plant, a narrowing down of the process parameters with regard to a resilient pre-dimension of apparatus components is carried out.
ReNew Lindenplatz - Resolving key transformation conflicts for a climate-resilient redevelopment of the Lindenplatz district in Kapfenberg
The exploratory project ReNew Lindenplatz develops a transferable planning approach for climate-neutral and climate-resilient small and medium-sized cities, using the historic old-town district around Lindenplatz and Hauptplatz in Kapfenberg as a case study. Through interdisciplinary analyses, participatory processes and scenario-based development of alternatives, an integrated transformation concept for the district will be developed. The results will form the basis for a subsequent demonstration project and provide transferable solution approaches for other small Austrian pioneer cities.
NEB-Tischlerei-Melk - Development of a former joinery site into a multipliable European lighthouse NEB neighbourhood
The former production site of the Fürst Möbel GmbH shall be transformed into a climate-neutral, multifunctional, scalable mixed-use NEB city quarter. This quarter called “Tischlerei Melk” is intended to achieve the highest ambition levels of the NEB compass and to position and represent Austria strongly in this context. As the area is located next to the world-famous Abbey of Melk, the project has the potential to become an internationally known best-practice solution.
Fit4Heat_Rust - Future-proof heating network in Rust
Development of an innovative, sector-coupled heating network concept for the city of Rust that flexibly integrates renewable heat sources and cooling provision and enables third-party access in accordance with RED II.