Our approach goes far beyond individual measures and follows the principle of holistic sustainable construction. We focus on circular building, where the reusability of materials is central. Low-emission building materials and resource-efficient planning, supported by modern BIM technologies, enable us to optimize material use and avoid waste. At the same time, we create spaces that meet users’ needs and provide them with a high quality of life. For us, sustainability is not just a matter of technology, but also of quality of life and well-being.
KMA Sustainability Specialist
DGNB Consultant Peter Müller
KMA Academy
Lectures and workshops
Certification systems
DGNB, ÖGNB, klimaaktiv
Photos
Johannes Grünbeck, David Schreyer
DGNB Consultant
We are pleased that Peter Müller, as a DGNB Consultant, brings new sustainability concepts into the planning process. As a specialist in sustainable construction, he supports us in developing resource-efficient solutions that take ecological and economic aspects into account. He accompanies the project from concept development to use, ensuring that all requirements of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) are met, that our projects meet the highest sustainability standards, and that DGNB certification is successfully achieved.
Resource Conservation from the Start: Planning and Materiality
For us, resource conservation begins in the early planning phase. By integrating sustainable concepts into the design process from the outset, we lay the foundation for long-term efficiency and a reduction in ecological footprint. This means that even in the conceptual phase, careful consideration is given to which materials and construction methods best suit the requirements without wasting unnecessary resources.
A key aspect is the selection of regional, renewable, and recycled materials. These materials not only have a better CO₂ balance but also support the local economy and minimize transportation efforts.
Reducing embodied energy—the energy embedded in the production and transport of building materials—is central. Through intelligent material cycles and the targeted use of durable, easily recyclable materials, we can significantly reduce energy consumption over the entire life cycle of a building. This ensures resource conservation not just during construction, but also during use and post-use.
“Resource conservation begins for us in the early planning phase. By integrating sustainable concepts into the design process from the outset, we lay the foundation for long-term efficiency and reducing the ecological footprint.”
→ Education Campus Nordwestbahnhof
The Nordwestbahnhof Education Campus is designed as a pioneering circular economy project in educational construction. The structure is based on a robust and economical column grid that offers high adaptability for future building changes. A prefabricated timber-frame façade allows for easy modification or dismantling. A ceramic façade was chosen for the building envelope, evoking the historic brick halls of the Nordwestbahnhof while also offering ecological and economic advantages. Bricks consist of 100% natural clay, extracted environmentally from company-owned clay pits, which are subsequently renatured.
Energy Efficiency and Intelligent Building Concepts
Our demand for clear, well-thought-out architecture is also reflected in our energy concepts: as much technology as necessary, as little as possible. Through intelligent planning and the deliberate use of modern technologies, we create sustainable, efficient buildings that meet the highest energy standards—without compromising on design quality.
→ Education Campus Willi Resetarits
The Willi Resetarits Education Campus is designed as a hybrid construction of wood and concrete, with load-bearing walls made of solid timber. Intelligent building technology—including photovoltaics, groundwater use, and rainwater management—contributes to a sustainable and forward-looking educational facility. The checkerboard arrangement of rooms with large windows provides ample natural light and creates an open, inspiring learning environment. Greened terraces and façades integrate nature into the building and improve the microclimate.
Inside, the concept is based on a flexible spatial structure using the cluster principle. Educational spaces and multifunctional zones alternate, allowing diverse use for learning and recreational activities. The open, light-filled areas not only promote learning but also foster interaction among students, creating a nature-oriented, welcoming learning atmosphere. All roofs are greened, and terraces feature targeted plantings to add green accents. In addition, street-facing façades are intensively planted to create a sustainable and pleasant environment.
Climate Protection through Flexible and Durable Architecture
Sustainability means not only using resource-efficient materials but also designing architecture that can adapt to changing needs. Buildings that can be repurposed without major interventions significantly contribute to climate protection by avoiding demolition and new construction—and thus high CO₂ emissions.
We have learned from Vienna’s Gründerzeit buildings. These historic buildings are characterized by their longevity and show that, through careful renovation and resource-conserving measures, they can be preserved for future generations.
Our goal for good architecture is to create spaces that can adapt—whether for new forms of housing, work environments, or societal developments. A well-thought-out, flexible construction method is thus a key element for sustainable urban development and active climate protection.
→ Seibersdorf Laboratory Building
The Seibersdorf laboratory building follows a flexible finger-wing system, in which various parts are connected by a linking structure. This allows for efficient use of space and easy retrofitting for future needs. The building’s basic concept is based on a flexible column grid, allowing for non-load-bearing walls. As a result, the building remains highly adaptable and sustainable, enabling subsequent changes with minimal effort.
Sustainable Construction Execution
Sustainability and efficiency are at the core of our planning and construction processes. Through optimized workflows, we specifically reduce waste and emissions and collaborate strategically with sustainable partners to implement resource-saving solutions. A central element of our strategy is digital planning using Building Information Modelling (BIM). This technology allows precise control of resource use and promotes close collaboration among all design professionals.
→ Housing ÖBB Neues Landgut Vienna
Here, planning for technical building systems (TGA) and structural engineering was integrated into a shared digital model. Early clash detection allows potential issues to be identified and resolved during the design phase—long before unexpected challenges arise on site.
The result: maximum planning reliability, holistic optimization, and a significant reduction in material use. This not only improves cost efficiency but also contributes significantly to lowering CO₂ emissions.
