The Case for Robustness – Gap-Free Building Performance
I am convinced that we must design buildings in such a way that they have a positive impact on the global climate, meaning they must be able to offset their CO2 emissions over their entire lifecycle. We can achieve this through robust buildings that deliver on their promises.
Robustness relies on people interacting with buildings as active users once again, rather than leaving everything to machines. To this end, communicating clear expectations regarding the quality of stay plays a significant role in overall building performance and user satisfaction. Synergetic spatial planning, facade design, and the appropriate use of materials have the potential to create the necessary flexibility – solutions do not have to be purely technical.
I take great joy in working with builders and clients who are bold enough to embrace unconventional paths. I am passionate about developing innovative ideas within a project team and am always eager to take on the role of questioning established practices, driven to find the best possible solution and generate added value.
We need creative solutions, as buildings with complex technology often suffer from a so-called "performance gap" – a difference between the expected, calculated performance and its actual performance. For robust buildings, less is more. With a ‘mechanization made-to-measure’ approach, it is much easier to get it right – resulting in a closing of the gap.
If we have the courage to continuously question conventional views – moving away from the mindset of "this is how we've always done it" – innovative ideas can emerge that combine comfort with efficiency. The courage for robustness in building design can turn expectations into reality.
This is my path to climate neutrality in the construction sector.
Felix Thumm is one of the ten new Associate Partners who will acquire shares in Transsolar and Transplan in the near future. With the ten new Associate Partners, we begin to diversify and build a solid foundation on which the generational transition can advance in a continuous and open way.