Overview
Joining Forces to Simplify Construction
The Alpine Space project SIMPLIFY – Building Outside Standards investigates how simple, legally robust and resource-efficient approaches to building “beyond standards” can be implemented in practice. The aim is to reduce costs, CO₂ emissions and material consumption while facilitating circular construction.
A particular focus is placed on Gebäudetyp E and comparable approaches to simplified construction. SIMPLIFY examines existing experience, identifies room for manoeuvre within current frameworks and develops transferable approaches to support their broader application in practice.
To this end, the transnational consortium of twelve project partners analyses case studies from the participating European regions and identifies solutions that can be transferred to other contexts. The Swiss contribution includes an analysis of the national regulatory and institutional framework as well as the investigation of several practical case studies. In parallel, a dialogue and expert network is being established, bringing together stakeholders from planning and construction practice, public authorities, investors and building owners. Together, they discuss existing barriers, opportunities for action and successful approaches and further develop them for practical implementation.
The findings feed into European formats, including a map-based online platform, as well as into national dialogue and knowledge-transfer activities. In addition, SIMPLIFY develops so-called Blueprints. These are modular text components that can, for example, be used in approval and procurement procedures, contractual models or user agreements and adapted to different legal and organisational frameworks.
Alpine Space Project Team
The AS project team is coordinated by ZUkunftsagentur Bau ZAB (Austria). Further partners are:
- Universität Innsbruck, iBT (AT)
- University of Nova Gorica(SI)
- Bayern Innovativ (DE)
- Buildsystems (DE)
- Technology Park Ljubljana (SI)
- Habitech (IT)
- Innovation Salzburg (AT)
- Eurac Research (IT)
- International Centre of Resources & Innovation für Sustainable Development CIRIDD (FR)
- International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment Italia iiSBE (IT)
- Hochschule Luzern T&A, CC Typologie & Planung in Architektur CCTP (CH)
Swiss cooperation partners
Within the Swiss project team, Immobilien Basel-Stadt and Immobilien Stadt Zug collaborate under the leadership of the Competence Centre for Typology & Planning in Architecture (CCTP).
Financing
The Swiss participation in the SIMPLIFY project is co-financed within the framework of the Neue Regionalpolitik (NRP) of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) by the Regional Development Fund, Immobilien Basel-Stadt, Immobilien Stadt Zug and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and supported by the Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE).
