The research project aims to gather information on different levels and scales in order to enable a comparison of variants during construction tasks, and thus to aid decisions concerning renovation or demolition and new-build. To that end, comparison criteria and the necessary input parameters need to be obtained. These help provide a clear statement of the project’s objectives and potentials as well as its sustainability. In order to increase user friendliness, the number of input parameters and comparison criteria should allow for smooth selection on a scale from very few to a maximum number. After successfully defining those parameters and criteria, a comparative tool delivers a statement that is as accurate as possible based on a preferably low number of input parameters. Thus, the tool generates variants with different quantifiers by merely influencing the input parameters and comparison criteria. The EM = S/AN project differentiates from existing certification systems insofar as:

• inputs and comparison criteria are not determined. They can be manipulated and are thus able to clarify the effects of decisions,
• it not only considers potential for future developments on a local (i.e. quarter) scale, but also with respect to building technologies,
• despite a limited number of inputs, it is possible to detect trends towards a certain quality.  

Project duration:
2013 – 2014 Project management:
Institute of Architectural Theory, History of Art and Cultural Studies, TU Graz
Roger Riewe
Tim Lüking
Uta Gelbke
Ziga Kresevic
Armin Stocker Finanicng:
Institute of Architectural Theory, History of Art and Cultural Studies, TU Graz