Construction Regulations for Existing Buildings in Archikon 2025: Industry Experts Propose Updated Standards

The construction industry is facing a significant shift, with the focus on sustainable development and resource management. A recent conference, hosted by the Chamber of Architects Baden-Württemberg (CA BW), brought together around 1400 participants for a nationwide congress focusing on the topic "Resource Transition: Planning with New Strategies!"

One of the key issues discussed was the high costs in the construction industry. It was suggested that these costs might not be due to scarcity of resources but rather excessive bureaucracy. The interview with Hannes Bauerle, titled "Visions instead of Debate on Renunciation", highlighted this concern.

The construction industry is called upon to cooperate with clients and society to create clear guidelines for how to live and build in the future. However, nothing is wrong with renunciation, but the focus is on sharpening awareness of its consequences. This is particularly important when considering the significant waste production in construction, an issue that requires an error culture for both processes and material handling.

Sustainability in construction consists of economic, ecological, and social pillars. While adding complexity may lead to increased time, money, and resources, it's crucial to ensure that the criteria remain socially acceptable. The German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU), through the German Sustainability Strategy, is working towards integrating economic, social, and ecological dimensions and ensuring sustainability assessments in legislative processes.

Organizations such as the Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND) and Climate KIC are also contributing to sustainability actions and promoting systemic change towards climate-neutral circular economies.

The conference emphasized the importance of repurposing and rebuilding in the future. The construction industry could focus more on renovating existing buildings instead of always building something new. This approach not only reduces waste but also offers economic benefits, as the high fees in the construction industry, which range from 15 to 20 percent and are based on a percentage of the construction sum, do not allow for remuneration of renovation or the use of used materials because they lack essential construction costs such as demolition or new construction.

Innovative solutions are emerging to address these challenges. For example, the startup Concular from Stuttgart has developed a platform for listing and reusing used building materials. Active urban and neighborhood development can also help create incentives for a change of mind regarding consumption.

Politics is needed to make building in existing structures attractive through regulations that reward renovation and the use of used materials. The expectations are high for the new government to take action on the topic of resource transition. It's clear that the construction industry, along with clients, society, and the government, has a vital role to play in shaping a sustainable future.

Construction Regulations for Existing Buildings in Archikon 2025: Industry Experts Propose Updated Standards