The construction of the technology campus at the University of Innsbruck began in 1969 on a greenfield site on the western outskirts of the city centre. Today it is surrounded on three sides by residential buildings and to the south it is bordered by Innsbruck Airport. Up until recently the buildings on the campus epitomised the rather heavy reinforced concrete frame structures typical of myriads of universities and schools built in Central Europe during the 1970s. Most buildings of this typology are known for requiring extensive refurbishment.
The Faculty of Architecture and the Faculty of Engineering Science at Innsbruck University have since been upgraded. The Austrian Federal Property Association, Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft (BIG), initiated a two-tier European competition for their refurbishment in 2009. The locally-based architecture practice, ATP, was awarded first prize. During the design phase, BIG decided to use the upgrade of the Faculty of Engineering Science (accommodating civil, environmental and mechanical engineering students) as a pilot project for highly energy-efficient refurbishment. The aim was to reach the EnerPHit Standard developed by the Passive House Institute ? a Passive House Standard for refurbishments with slightly lower requirements than those for new-builds.
The Faculty of Architecture and the Faculty of Engineering Science at Innsbruck University have since been upgraded. The Austrian Federal Property Association, Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft (BIG), initiated a two-tier European competition for their refurbishment in 2009. The locally-based architecture practice, ATP, was awarded first prize. During the design phase, BIG decided to use the upgrade of the Faculty of Engineering Science (accommodating civil, environmental and mechanical engineering students) as a pilot project for highly energy-efficient refurbishment. The aim was to reach the EnerPHit Standard developed by the Passive House Institute ? a Passive House Standard for refurbishments with slightly lower requirements than those for new-builds.