Greening buildings is seen as one of the keys to climate-friendly construction. The new EU Buildings Directive (EPBD 2024) among other things relies on greenery to increase energy efficiency. But how strong is the actual cooling effect? And what can greenery do beyond cooling?
The HeinrichBiCool research project is investigating this using the example of a university building in Graz, which is being extensively greened. Currently still rare before and after measurements will provide valuable real data on temperature reductions, energy savings and comfort gains. Continuous monitoring records seasonal and diurnal effects.
In addition to cooling performance, the focus is also on biodiversity, rainwater management and cost-benefit analyses in order to provide sound findings for sustainable greening solutions.
Project team: University of Graz – Directorate for Resources and Planning, AEE INTEC, Siegfried Stark Technical Office, Studio Boden (landscape architecture), Ökoteam Graz.
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology as part of the Mission Climate Neutral City programme.