immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Aerogel

  • Aerogel Architecture Award 2024 honors innovative projects

    Aerogel Architecture Award 2024 honors innovative projects

    This year’s “Aerogel Architecture Award” was looking for projects that demonstrate the potential of the high-performance insulating material aerogel in architecture and construction. The “Stringi-Stringi” renovation project from Livorno, Italy, came out on top in the “Realized Projects” category. The project, supervised by the architecture firm SB Ingegneria, optimized a poorly insulated building from 1939 by implementing five decisive measures: Roof insulation, façade renovation, conversion of the heating system to a heat pump, installation of a photovoltaic system and replacement of the windows with aerogel seals. The flexible use of aerogel made it possible to upgrade the energy efficiency of the façade without altering the historic appearance.

    Innovative renovation concepts
    Second place went to the Eversbuschstrasse kindergarten in Munich, whose 120-year-old building was converted into an integrated kindergarten using simple means and aerogel materials. The project focused on the reuse of existing structures and materials, with aerogel offering maximum thermal insulation and design freedom. Third place went to the Andreas Schubert building at the Technical University of Dresden. The listed building was fitted with 50 mm thick aerogel insulation and optimized for energy efficiency while retaining its characteristic façade.

    Visionary student projects
    In the “Student Projects” category, the Brazilian duo Amanda Sayuri Hashimoto and Guilherme Pinheiro e Silva won with their “Tassi Museum” project. They are planning to renovate the “Hotel Tassi” in Curitiba, which was damaged by fire, and turn it into a museum. Aerogel insulation on the façade and a roofing of the inner courtyard made of aerogel layers within glass panes improve energy efficiency without affecting the historical substance.

    Creative approaches to social architecture
    Patricia Malota from Poland took second place with her design for an urban mental health center in Krakow. Her concept uses translucent aerogel façades to create a bright, inviting atmosphere. Third place went to Michael Chang and Adrian Corbey from Harvard University with their “Aeroblock” project. They proposed a contemporary insulation for the glass façade of the Carpenter Center for Visual Arts without compromising the iconic look of the building.

    Further information on all submitted projects is available on the Empa website.

  • Launch of the competition for the “Aerogel Architecture Award 2024”

    Launch of the competition for the “Aerogel Architecture Award 2024”

    The fourth “Aerogel Architecture Award” is looking for inspiring examples of the use of aerogel in architecture and construction. The competition, which takes place in the categories “Realised Solutions” and “Student Designs”, offers a unique platform to present and honour innovative ideas and projects. An expert jury will select the finalists from all submissions, who will compete for the “Aerogel Architecture Award 2024” at an event on the Empa campus in Dübendorf on 12 July 2024.

    Architecture and civil engineering firms with projects in the areas of renovation, refurbishment or new construction can take part. Students of architecture and civil engineering are also invited to submit their designs and proposals for the use of aerogel. All projects will be assessed in a selection process that will be held in English. Realised renovation projects for listed buildings that have been improved with aerogel insulation materials will be particularly recommended.

    The award ceremony on 12 July 2024 in the NEST building on the Empa campus in Dübendorf will be available as a public livestream. The winning projects will not only receive recognition and public attention, but will also be published in international journals and on online platforms.

    Interested parties are invited to submit their projects in the form of a ZIP or RAR file by the closing date. Submissions should include a PDF poster in A1 format, JPEG images of the project, details of the use of the aerogel insulation and a registration form with a detailed description of the project. By entering the competition, participants agree to the publication of their project and confirm that they respect the rights to images, graphics and drawings of their submissions.