Construction starts on lighthouse project in the Green Tech Valley

The Smart City Graz represents an energy-efficient, resource-saving and low-emission city with the highest quality of life. For SFL Technologies the construction is the culmination of their years of pioneering work: A tower which is supplied up to 100% with regional power.

The Science Tower is the first building worldwide to use panes of transparent energy glass (Grätzel cells) in the façade for power supply. The panes of SFL energy glass will be presented to a worldwide audience at the Milan EXPO. They supply the Austrian Pavilion at the EXPO site with energy.

Additional technology features to highlight in the Science Tower are the innovative energy storage system, the intelligent ventilation and the self-sufficiency in energy. All these innovations come from SFL Technologies in Stallhofen. The building and SLF owner Hans Höllwart believes: „The Science Tower is the lighthouse for our company and for future urban construction“. Scheduled for completion mid 2016, the gross floor area is 4,600 m² and the total investment in the building around 16 million Euro.

High quality of life as a location factor
The future technological landmark for the city of Graz, in the centre the Smart City, will act as a hotspot for sustainable construction. Inside regional and international companies will work on new, sustainable building technologies. „The high quality of life in Styria contributes to attracting leading companies and research institutions to move into the Science Tower. At the same time, Styria is a magnet for tourism and the Smart City project will attract many new visitors,“ commented Deputy Governor Hermann Schützenhöfer at the ground breaking ceremony.

Innovation made in Styria
Christian Buchmann, Regional Minister for Economy and Innovation noted that: „The Science Tower is an excellent example of the innovative strength of the Styrian economy and is leading the way for the global market. Once again Styria has demonstrated that it is one of the most innovative regions in Europe and with Eco World Styria has the world´s best environmental engineering cluster. The project is not just an important stimulus for the construction industry: highly skilled research jobs are also being created. The Science Tower is a landmark for innovation in Styria.“

Source: http://www.smartcitygraz.at/