Styria, Austria

Four weddings and a Green Roof!

A short 30 minute drive from Graz for a wedding, turned into a Green Roof sightseeing tour (without even searching).

3 differing examples that show just how common Green Roofs (and Walls) are in Austria.

The last was actually the Wedding reception centre......

The first- Council Road Maintenance Depot - Berndorf, Graz, Austria

The second- Roof Installer- Liebensdorf, Graz, Austria

The third- Reception Centre- Heilingenkreuz am Waasen, Graz, Austria

.....And a Green Wall between the church and reception centre

Rogner Bad Blumau, Styria, Austria

The Rolling Hills

"Life in harmony with nature", Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Artist/Architect

Hundertwasser painted this in the 1970's. In the 1980's his vision started to become reality.
He saw himself as an Architect Doctor- creatively redesigning already exsting, ugly, "sick" buildings in harmony with nature and individual dreams of man.

In 1989 Hundertwassers dreamy concept for a housing development where the roofs of the buildings were vegetable gardens, rolling meadows and forests was turned into reality- A proposal from builder Robert Rogner to help create and build a hotel and spa resort with the same concept.

Hundertwasser agreed to the development. To him he project would acheive the folllowing-

1. life in harmony with nature
2. forest and meadow air instead of "concrete air"
3. the longing for romanticism and creativity fulfilled
4. totally green houses that can be walked upon
5. energy saving houses, cool in summer, warm in winter
6. more quality of life for neighbours, not just for the residents
7. an Austrian way out of the cul-de-sac of city planning- set a precedent worldwide

Thermal Village Blumau

The site

Originally farmland, the site of the Rogner/ Hundertwasser joint project was chosen because the area had a large natural spring deep underground. Initially there were complications in bringing that water up to the surface of the earth.

Today it is the site of Europes only geothermal power station. The water is drilled from 3000m below the earths surface, it is rich with Carbon Dioxide generating 1.1 tons of CO2 per hour. It is used to regulate the pH value of the water at Rogner Bad Blumau, the remainder sold to other local businesses. The process also generates steam which drives a turbine and generator. The result is 190kw of power produced every year. Enough for the resort to be self sufficient.

In conjuntion to the CO2 and power generated the thermal water is also used to heat the entire hotel resort, this saves the resort from needing other heating systems in turn having numerous environmental benefits.

Once the thermal water has served these purposes it is injected back below the earths surface.

The Architecture

Construction began in 1993, the resort was opened in 1997.

The hotel itself consists of about 6 buildings. Each building has its own unique design, they are all partly dug into natural lay of the land, on a slowly inclining hill. The dirt which was excavated for the foundations was placed aside and put back on top of the structure once construction was complete. (This was fundamentally important to Hundertwasser) The result has varying effects. For example looking up towards hotel buildings from the spa area you see each building staggered to overlap one another. However from side on or even on top of the hill looking down you only get glimpses of 'art' popping out of the green country side. As for above looking down- all that can be seen are the green roofs.

Each building is connected to the reception, spa area and restaurants by arcades. Internally these arcades give insight into 2 more Hundertwasser theories.

• Hundertwasser beleived a column resembled a tree. There are 330 columns, each unique in its own right.

• Hundertwasser didn't like straight lines in architecture. He actually beleived that straight lines such as flat floors were 'becoming a true danger to man'. Saying that by building flat floors we were "training" man to become disabled.  He beleived an uneven pathway to be a 'symphony for the feet'. As a result the arcade walkways are not level, and the tiles are uneven in places.

The Precedent

As metioned earlier, Hundertwasser believed this project would set a precedent for a new style of construction. Construction that would "unite two things-harmony with nature and individual human creation."

For me it has!

It is inspiring to visit Rogner Bad Blumau from a sustainable architecture perspective.

(It is also extremely relaxing from a spa resort perspective. If relaxing by the pool, eating some great Austrian food, or drinking Austrian beer interest you, then you will also be inspired here.)

To book a stay... or for more information on the architecture and philoshy of Blumau go to www.blumau.com

Ljubljana, Slovenia

European Green Capital 2016

Ljubljana won the title of European Green Capital 2016. It follows previous winners such as Bristol and Copenhagen.

The main reason Ljubljana took the title for 2016 was for its commitment to getting cars off the road by investing heavily in public transport and creating more bike lanes. Ljubljana has also shown initiative in preserving green areas around the city, as well as revitalizing others.

For more information on Ljubljana- European Green Capital 2016 visit- http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/winning-cities/2016-ljubljana/index.html

Eco Silver House, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Futuristic apartment living.... A complete example

The Eco Silver House in Ljubljana, Slovenia is a stunning example of the way apartment buildings around the world will be constructed. Combining numerous sustainable and technical design elements the result is far more than just a building that meets the requirements of passive design. Benefits for both the home owner and environment ensure this 11 story residential apartment building is truly a sustainable construction.

Quick building facts-

• Total of 17 floors
• 4 Basement levels with 279 car parking spaces, electric car charging stations
• Ground floor is for businesses, Mezzanine for storage
• 11 Floors, 128 residntial apartments
• Construction began in September 2010 and was completed in June 2014

Sustainable highlights-

• 33kw Solar Panel Plant
• 60m3 water tank-used for flushing toilets- saves an estimated 500m3 of water a year
• 750m2 Green Roof
• Excellent thermal and sound Insulation
• Triple Glazed windows
• External window shutters can be automated to provide shade from hot sun
• High quality ventilation system enables the restoration of the waste heat (85% heat recovery, leading to 50% lower costs of heating)
• Electronic car charging points, as well as an electronic car hiring promotion for residents. In conjuntion with local public transport means it is possible to live without owning a car.
• Energy consumption, heating and cooling can be individually monitored and adjusted by the individual apartment owner

A guided tour with Andraz from Akropola (the company behind the Eco Silver House) gave great insight into the project. On a heavily overcast day the 7th floor apartment we toured was amazingly filled with natural light, it had a real sense of peace and calm (due to the triple glazing and excellent sound insulation), and the air was noticeably clean (ventilation system).

To be able to see this sustainable apartment building up close was very informative. Interestingly, with support from the European Commission the Eco Silver House is being used for research. For 3 years the building is being monitored to see how new technology can increase energy efficiency.

No doubt that all of the design smart, sustainable design elements used yesterday in the Eco Silver House will become common practice in all apartment construction tomorrow.

For a lot more information on the Eco Silver House go to www.ee-highrise.eu

FUNICULAR

Green Roof fit for a King

The top station of the Cliff Railway which connects Ljubljana Castle to the inner city below has a magnificent Green roof. Built in 2005 The majority of the station is dug into the side of the hill. Split in 2 by the railway, the building overhangs the steep cliff.  Sharp angles, striking cladding and the overhanging factor give this building (although only small) a distinctly modern WOW factor. The green roof has been designed, built and maintained extremely well.  Making this striking piece of architecture look right at home nestled under a castle that was built in the 15th Century.