Together with partners from the large-scale research project RENVELOPE, TOWERN3000 presented the system, which is currently being implemented in a student residence in Graz – including the specially developed CEPA® energy facade for heating and moderate cooling from the outside.
The building, owned by the Rottenmanner Siedlungsgenossenschaft housing association, is undergoing comprehensive energy-efficient renovation – while still being occupied. The CEPA® modules are delivered ready for installation and mounted on the existing facade on site within a few days. This significantly reduces construction time and minimizes disruption for residents. This project not only significantly improves the energy efficiency of an existing building, it also shows how renovations can be implemented in a lean, modular, and socially acceptable manner. Grüne Gasse is thus a showcase project that exemplifies the importance of modular technologies for climate-oriented urban development in the future.
Future technology from Styria
What can be seen on this construction site is causing a stir in the building sector: prefabricated facade modules that contain both structural elements (e.g., supporting structure, thermal insulation, windows) and complete building services components (photovoltaics, ventilation, heat dissipation, risers, and much more). The modules are pre-assembled in the factory and fitted onto the existing facade on the construction site like a precise jigsaw puzzle. The result: installation in just a few days, hardly any noise or dirt, no relocation – and an enormous gain in quality.
Strong support from state politicians
Both Deputy Governor Manuela Khom and State Minister for Housing Simone Schmiedtbauer personally inspected the progress of the work.
Simone Schmiedtbauer: “Innovations like these are crucial for making our residential buildings fit for the future. It is precisely the combination of energy efficiency, social compatibility, and rapid implementation that makes this ‘serial renovation’ so attractive. I am proud that we are supporting such great innovations ‘Made in Styria’ with funds from the housing department.”
Voices from research, housing construction, and industry
Uwe Nerwein, Rottenmanner Siedlungsgenossenschaft, emphasizes the importance of funding mechanisms that successfully combine innovation and investment incentives.
Christian Fink, Managing Director of AEE INTEC, points to the enormous potential: around 70,000 buildings in Austria are suitable for serial renovation—an opportunity that must now be seized through digitalization, automation, and clear implementation strategies.
TOWERN3000 Managing Director and CEPA® inventor Thomas Buchsteiner emphasizes the market readiness of the technology:
“With fire tests passed for Austria and Germany, buildings in classes 4 and 5 can now also be safely renovated. We plan to further expand our expert locations in Schladming and Augsburg to train and certify partner companies.”
Click here for the “construction site video”
[Source: https://towern3000.at]