3 digital tools and solutions for climate-resilient competition designs

08.08.25 05:58 PM - By Florian

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In this blog post, you will learn how to effectively and efficiently review designs in architectural competitions with regard to climate mitigataion and climate change adaptation and easily optimize them for climate resilience.

In times of climate change, the need to pay increasing attention to climate mitigation and climate change adaptation in the design of real estate and open space is becoming increasingly urgent, and ideally as early as possible. In addition to developers themselves, the disciplines of architecture and landscape architecture are directly confronted with these issues.

Climate resilience in architectural competitions

In an increasing number of architecture, landscape architecture and urban planning competitions, the contemporary themes of sustainability, climate mitigation, climate change adaptation and climate resilience are already an integral part and specification of the competition documents, even if there are still different focal points, criteria and specifications.

Proof of climate resilience

Depending on the competition, its type, and the way it is conducted, the criteria or evidence of climate change adaptation and resilience can be considered by the organizer in varying forms and depths, and can be requested for the preliminary assessment and demonstrated by the participating teams in the appropriate form.

When providing evidence of climate resilience in competitions on the part of the participants, a general distinction can be made between the following types:

• Conceptual proof

Open and free provision of evidence in the form of concept sketches, text descriptions, plan representations, illustrations and the like.

• Numerical proof

Numerical proof in the form of key figures/numbers or specially submitted data sheets and information.

• Spatial-numerical proof

Providing evidence in the form of spatial-numerical evidence, such as the submission of digital planning documents (e.g. dxf files) for the modelling of digital twins for the simulation and preliminary testing of contributions up to numerical target values for quality assurance

Regardless of the verification process, it is advisable to consider the important topics in addition to the many other requirements in the competition and design process and to integrate them functionally and effectively into the design of the (preliminary) design in an interdisciplinary team.

Tools for climate-fit (landscape) architecture

But how can competition participants ensure that their designs meet climate resilience requirements during the competition process?

How can they address this issue conceptually and from the ground up, setting the appropriate course at the right time in the design process? At the same time, how can they allocate and coordinate the relevant tasks within the team between the various disciplines in order to smartly and effectively meet these requirements, alongside the many other competition requirements?

This is where modern, software-based solutions such as the Climate Check or the 3D Analytics from greenpass come into play. These tools make it easy and efficient to review and optimize designs with regard to climate mitigation and climate change adaptation throughout the entire competition process.

The following digital tools support the design of climate-proof properties and open space, as well as the consideration of climate change adaptation in design and competition processes:

1. Green and open space factors

Due to their simplicity, competitions are increasingly asking for green and open space factors (e.g., GFF, BFF and many more) to consider the green aspect and, indirectly, the climate aspect. Key figures, usually in the form of spreadsheets (e.g., Excel), must be provided depending on the respective system (for each city).

Some of the factors also consider impacts; they are often abstract, purely area-based assessments based on subjective expert assessments or, to some extent, simulations.

2. Climate Check

The Climate Check is an AI- and web-based software tool developed by greenpass that is at least as easy, if not easier, to use than spreadsheet programs. It enables a quick and valid assessment of properties and open space. With minimal data requirements, different scenarios regarding sustainability, climate proofing and climate resilience can be independently reviewed within seconds.

Various criteria such as location factors, building information, energy efficiency, and greening levels are taken into account. Along with a variety of meaningful indicators and key performance indicators (KPIs), a personalized guide with the best measures for greater climate resilience is generated.

3. 3D Analytics

Another useful tool for competitions and design processes in architecture and landscape architecture is the 3D Analytics from greenpass. With the support of trained Urban Climate Architects (UCA), a more detailed, spatial, three-dimensional analysis and simulation of the design with regard to climate, water, and/or wind is carried out based on a digital twin from the greenpass Editor.

This allows for optimization of the design with regard to microclimate, stormwater management, and wind flow using numerical indicators combined with heat maps. In addition to the climate check, the results provide a solid foundation for effective optimization of the design with regard to climate resilience.

Step-by-step guide for greater climate resilience

But how can these tools be used specifically in architectural competitions and the design process? First of all, they offer the opportunity to consider climate mitigation and climate adaptation requirements early in the planning phase, and at varying levels of detail.

Below you will find step-by-step instructions and practical recommendations for a climate-fit design process in (landscape) architecture.

Step 1 | Basic analysis

Before planning is after planning. In the first step, a Climate Check provides basic input and a starting point for the design process. Based on a few quick details, such as the address and framework parameters, a climate risk analysis (CRA) can be conducted for the site.

This provides a starting point for addressing natural hazards and emerging climate risks for current and future conditions as best as possible, and for responding to them with the architecture and open space in the design process.

Based on the CRA, the climate check proposes effective and impact-based measures that can be incorporated and considered as input for initial design sketches and initial briefs.

Step 2 | Variant study

In the next step, the architectural team, landscape architect, energy consultant, or a specialized climate planner can easily create one or more scenarios in the Climate Check app and review them within seconds using up to 30 input parameters.

With the help of input aids, the building, energy, surface, and greening information can be easily selected and entered in the scenario, such as various area specifications for the building and its height, the energy system and consumption, as well as a variety of greening types, different surfaces, roof and facade greening, or different trees. This is how you create your own scenario – there are almost no limits to your creativity.

The planning or design scenario can be reviewed with just one click. You will then receive detailed information on climate proofing performance including climate risk, climate mitigation related to CO₂ emissions and energy, climate change adaptation with indicators for climate, water, air and biodiversity, financial key figures and an individual list of measures with the best and most effective measures regarding climate risk reduction, climate mitigation and adaptation performance, costs and feasibility.

Step 3 | Comparison

With the comparison function of the climate check, the different designs can be easily compared online in the app and discussed directly and together with the team in the planning workshop.

Step 4 | Optimization

The Climate Check's list of measures contains a customized recommendation with a profile of measures to improve the scenario's impact and performance. With just a few clicks, the scenario can be easily cloned and other different design variants can be easily tested with regard to climate mitigation or individual sub-areas.

This could include different architectural or building concepts or scenarios with different adaptation measures, such as different levels of green roof and facade greening, or to optimize the number and impact of green space and trees.

Step 5 | Simulation

Given the appropriate timeframe and resources, as well as specific challenges and requirements for the site or task, a 3D Analytics with simulation provides further important insights into the design process.

With the help of trained experts (Urban Climate Architects), spatial weak points, such as particular heat hotspots, wind comfort, downdrafts or pressure loads, as well as cold air currents or obstacles, can be identified and reduced or avoided. Furthermore, the orientation and positioning of the building structures can be effectively optimized for ventilation and thermal comfort.

This is particularly recommended for large urban development projects, multi-stage and invited competitions or competitions where this is explicitly required in the tender documents.

Step 6 | Final review and verification

For the submission of competition documents, the final competition design can be quickly reviewed with the Climate Check for verification purposes. Furthermore, the well-founded results can be used in presentations and competition documents (e.g., posters, text descriptions, etc.) to underscore the sustainability and climate resilience of the design and thus gain a competitive advantage.

This can be achieved by using either figures and their performance interpretation, direct screenshots of the easy-to-understand graphic elements of the online app, or the greenpass and PDF report as complete and transparent documentation and submitting them for the competition.

The Climate Check and the 3D Analytics thus provide valuable information to specifically improve the design with regard to climate proofing and climate resilience, as well as to identify potential weak points at an early stage and to maximize the cost/benefit ratio of the competition design.

One advantage of software-based solutions is their efficiency. Automated data analysis and fast, sophisticated calculation of results save you time, money, and effort.

In addition, solutions like the Climate Check can be used for complex projects and tasks without requiring specialized expertise. Additionally, there is the opportunity to expand your knowledge in these areas with the UCA training at the greenpass Academy and complete the training to become an official Urban Climate Architect.

In addition to optimizing individual buildings, these tools can also be effectively used in the planning of entire urban districts or neighborhoods, as well as in existing buildings or for renovations. By considering holistic climate proofing, sustainable and climate-resilient (landscape) architecture can be created.

Studies

What would the Hundertwasserhaus be without trees?

What would the Hundertwasser Krawinahaus be without trees? A climate check for the Hundertwasser Krawinahaus in Vienna, both in its existing state, without greenery, and with renovation.

11 min reading time

Learn more

Conclusion

Overall, software-based solutions such as the Climate Check or the 3D Analytics from greenpass offer developers, architects, and landscape architects valuable support in competitions and in the design process for climate-resilient properties and open space.

They enable various designs in architectural competitions to be efficiently and effectively reviewed and optimized with regard to climate mitigation and climate change adaptation in order to meet the increasing demands and competition specifications regarding sustainability and climate resilience.

This allows us to make an important contribution to protecting our environment while simultaneously creating functional, contemporary, and climate-resilient (landscape) architecture.

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Florian

Co-Founder & CEO greenpass

https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-kraus/

Ich bin internationaler Experte mit jahrelanger Erfahrung in der Bewertung und Gestaltung von klimasicheren und nachhaltigen Immobilien und Freiräumen. Nach meinem Masterstudium für Landschaftsplanung & -architektur war ich an der BOKU als Forscher und der Green4Cities als Manager tätig.