Prof Thomas Auer talks about environmental design and science
In order to get a carbon neutral building stock – which is e.g. required by the EU Carbon roadmap by 2050 – our efforts need to be smart and holistic on all scales of design. At the same time it is essential that a transformation process provide great environmental qualities – indoor as well as outdoor (public realm). This requires mitigation and adaption strategies, which can only be accomplished by transforming the design process: “Form Follows Process” (Chris Bangle, chief of design at BMW between 1992 and 2009).
Integrated design strategies and a performance driven design process is the basis to find answers on the question how the challenges of our time will transform and change our built environment. A transformation, which needs to be radical in order to achieve a full de-carbonization of our building stock and provide a highly comfortable environment. However to be convincing as a profession we need to be aspirational and at the same time inspirational. The level of aspiration must be determined by academic-as well as practice based research witch exemplary lighthouse projects, which inspire the industry and the public.
Thomas Auer is partner and managing director of Transsolar, an engineering firm with offices in Stuttgart, Munich, Paris and New York. He has developed concepts for buildings and districts noted for their innovative strategies, collaborating with world renowned architecture firms on numerous international design projects around the world. He is a specialist in energy efficiency and environmental quality. Thomas Auer taught at various universities around the world. Since 2014 he is full Professor for Building Technology and climate Responsive Design at the TU Munich with a focus in bridging academia and environmental design. His research focuses on form and materiality and their influence on performance and environmental quality at different scales.
Event series:
Dynamics of Air
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