By adopting the Lower Austrian Energy Concept and joining the Climate Alliance in 2008, the province of Lower Austria committed itself to a series of measures to protect the climate, and climate protection was incorporated into the provincial constitution. The core objectives of the energy concept are the sustainable use of energy, the careful use of natural resources, which are not available in unlimited quantities, and the reduction of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. Since then, this has also been reflected in the requirements for educational buildings in Lower Austria, where the specification is to achieve klimaaktiv Gold with as many points as possible.
The new science building comprises state-of-the-art teaching, learning and research areas for life science laboratories, various special laboratories, infrastructure for technology and laboratory services, as well as office areas, a seminar centre and a parking deck, and achieved klimaaktiv gold with 961 points.
During the heating period (October to April), the heat supply is ensured by a central local heating system using wood chips and a gas condensing boiler to cover peaks. Electricity for operation and water heating is generated by an 80 kWp PV system on the roof of the building.
The ventilation system not only meets all the requirements of the technically complex laboratory rooms, but also offers energetic and indoor air hygiene advantages for the other working and common areas: high requirements with regard to limiting the CO2 content in working and learning rooms are met, and heat recovery and area-specific control contribute to the efficiency of the system.
The building blends into the topography and forms a striking contrast to the surrounding Vienna Woods. The parking management system disappears into the hillside at the rear of the building, leaving the front free of parked cars.
