Building of Tomorrow

The Austrian Program on Technologies for Sustainable Development

The Austrian Program on Technologies for Sustainable Development is a five-year research and technology program. It has been developed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT). It initiates and supports trendsetting research and development projects and the implementation of exemplary pilot projects.
The program pursues clearly defined emphases, selects projects by means of tendering procedures and is characterized by networking between individual research projects and by accompanying project management. The Ministry invites tenders in two subprograms

  • Subprogram "Building of Tomorrow"
  • Subprogram "Factory of Tomorrow"
  • Subprogram "Energy Systems of Tomorrow"

Project proposals will be accepted in German language only.

What is the "Building of Tomorrow"?

The "Building of Tomorrow" makes use of the two most important developments in solar and energy efficient building: the passive house and the low energy solar building method. For the purposes of the "Building of Tomorrow" subprogram, these energy centred innovations are expanded to take in ecological, economical and social concerns (see graphic).

The "Buildings of Tomorrow" are residential and office buildings, and differ from current building practice in Austria by fulfilling the following criteria:

  • higher energy efficiency throughout the whole life-cycle of the building
  • greater use of renewable energy sources, especially solar energy
  • greater use of sustainable raw materials, and efficient use of materials
  • increased consideration of user needs and services.
  • However, the costs are comparable with conventional building methods

Goal of the program

The subprogram's goal is the development and market diffusion of components, prefabricated building parts and building methods which correspond to the above criteria and to the main principles of sustainable development.

Combining all of these demands is very challenging. Conflicts of aims can arise which need somehow to be reconciled. On the other hand, when social, economic and ecological aims can be integrated, the chances of success for the concept are vast. The key to realising this goal lies in innovation - not only technological but social, technological and institutional innovation.

It is precisely in the combination of all these criteria that the chance arises to make technological leaps which actually have a high market potential.

After careful consideration of over-development of the countryside, land use and mobility demands, priority has been given to multiple dwellings, rather than single family homes.

Structure of the subprogram

The "Building of Tomorrow" subprogram has a planned duration of five years. It comprises the following elements, which build on each other logically.

  • Generation, preparation and dissemination of know-how in order to support the technology development process in a way that focuses on the project's aims
  • Concept-led technology and component development
  • Development of innovative building concepts for residential and office buildings
  • Setting up and evaluating demonstration projects
  • Market diffusion of the "Buildings of tomorrow"

The current call for tenders concentrates on the first three elements of the subprogram, and considers especially the projects that have already been financed or supported by the programme.

In subsequent calls for tenders, demonstration buildings will be set up and evaluated, although concept-led technology and component development will continue. In order to focus future calls effectively, the "Building of Tomorrow" subprogram will draw strongly on the results of the call topic "innovative building concepts".

The close of the programme will involve activities to disseminate the results and to support the market diffusion of the "Building of Tomorrow".

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