The FLAIR in the City residential project is the world's first greenpass Certified property. This multi-award-winning climate showcase housing complex in the south of Vienna impresses with its outstanding qualities in climate resilience, sustainability, and living comfort
The FLAIR in the City residential project is the world's first greenpass Certified property. This multi-award-winning climate showcase housing complex in the south of Vienna impresses with its outstanding qualities in climate resilience, sustainability, and living comfort
A pioneer with a climate showcase housing complex
At the heart of FLAIR in the City was the vision to create an innovative flagship project for sustainable housing on a former 5,000 m² industrial site in Vienna’s 23rd district, directly adjacent to a public park. This vision took shape long before climate protection and climate change adaptation became as relevant and prominent in public discourse as they are today.
In 2016, the developer FLAIR Living, in collaboration with the City of Vienna – Environmental Protection and with the support of greenpass, took a completely new approach. For the first time, an entire planning process was guided and optimized with a focus on climate resilience and environmental impact. The result: greenpass Gold Certification – a world first and a milestone that laid the foundation for many more climate-friendly projects and livable cities across the globe.
Gold
Gold
Climate-sensitive architecture and landscape design
Climate-sensitive architecture and landscape design
The many qualities and unique features of the residential complex are clearly visible and tangible after successful implementation, fully living up to the name FLAIR Living of the developer. During the planning process, the design was recreated as a digital simulation model, simulated using the expert simulation system ENVI-met, and evaluated with reference scenarios (Worst Case, Moderate Case, and Best Case) in terms of environmental impact and quality of life. The project was assessed and Precertified using 28 quantitative and 26 qualitative indicators.
greenpass
In joint workshops with the developer, the city, and the architects, targeted measures for optimization were derived and implemented based on the analysis. As a result, the project's performance in the six key areas – climate, water, air, biodiversity, energy, and costs – was significantly improved, and additional trees and green spaces were created. Various types of green roofs and trough-based facade greening were also effectively and strategically utilized to adapt to climate change.
Plenty of greenery and effective water features
Great attention was given to details and effective green space design during the development of the residential complex, ensuring a unique sense of well-being and a positive contribution to the environment and urban climate. In total, more than 6,000 m² of fresh leaf area is created with the entire vegetation, which increases CO₂ storage by 20% compared to before, while also reducing thermal storage capacity.
By utilizing green and blue infrastructure, the air temperature on a hot day can be reduced – in some areas, by as much as approximately 20°C! As a result, the thermal comfort has been significantly improved to ensure areas with a pleasant quality of stay in outdoor spaces. Over 60% of the area is de-sealed, and both rainwater runoff and storage have been optimized through targeted measure.
At FLAIR in the City, we completed a part of the residential complex with a major investor, where the greenpass Certification played a crucial and ultimately decisive role, serving as confirmation of the sustainability and climate resilience of the project.
FLAIR Living Shareholder Otto Kauf
Climate resilience and biodiversity
In addition to extensively greened rooftops and numerous water features, FLAIR in the City also offers a variety of intensively greened terraces and roof areas with shrub and tree plantings that are accessible for residents. Furthermore, there is a shared pool, greened pergolas, urban gardening with raised beds, and communal areas on the roof, which also contribute to the project's success in the bonus fields of social aspects and biodiversity.
Additional points were earned for aspects such as barrier-free outdoor spaces and private open spaces. To promote biodiversity, species-rich vegetation structures, bee and bird meadows, and a habitat with natural zones and water plants were created. The project stands out especially for its use of smart lighting and irrigation systems, as well as natural, ecological, and sustainable building materials. For these achievements, it was also honored with the eXcellence Award by the building materials manufacturer Xella.
The world's first greenpass Certification
Just as a passport serves as an official identification document for people, the greenpass acts as an official certification. The greenpass transparently summarizes the climate resilience and sustainability of buildings and their surrounding open spaces.
The climate-resilient model development FLAIR in the City achieves a certification level of 85% after successful optimization, and thus greenpass GOLD. This is not just any gold, but the world's first greenpass GOLD Certification .
GOLD
FLAIR in the City
AT-2016-001
Additional awards
BRONZE
Climate
Water
Air
Biodiversity
Energy
Cost
Modern and natural building ecology
In addition to adapting to climate change, wind exposure, and ventilation, the focus for the building structures was primarily on the use of natural and ecological materials such as wood and lime sandstone, as well as a well-thought-out building physics approach. The buildings were constructed to low-energy standards, and where structurally feasible, reinforced concrete was replaced with lime sandstone walls.
With excellent connectivity to public transportation, as well as the bike network and pedestrian paths in the neighborhood and surrounding area, the project also scores highly in terms of mobility. The promotion of e-mobility and the inclusion of bicycle parking spaces further complement the offering for sustainable modes of transport. After the Pre-Certification during the planning phase, the final design was re-analyzed, verified, and ultimately certified following the successful construction phase.
With greenpass, the topics of environmental protection and climate resilience can be managed and considered in a fact-based manner throughout the entire planning process. This brings added value for everyone – for the residents and neighbors, the city, as well as the developer itself!
City of Vienna - Environmental protection MSc Jürgen Preiss
Climate mitigation and green financing
In addition to greenpass, the building is also klima:aktiv Bronze certified. The two certification standards are synergistic and complementary, allowing for a holistic approach to the planning and development of sustainable real estate. FLAIR in the City serves as a joint showcase example of how the certification systems can be applied together to design future-proof and investment-secure properties. Points from the greenpass system can also be directly credited to the klima:aktiv system, making it the ideal combination for the development of comprehensive, sustainable buildings with their associated open spaces.
Greenpass is an official klima:aktiv partner, jointly promoting important quality assurance for sustainable and climate-resilient construction. As the example shows, the greenpass Certification also serves as an official proof for regulatory bodies and financial institutions to confirm green properties and their financing conditions.
We are proud that our exceptional residential complex is the world's first greenpass certified project, and that we were able to collaboratively optimize the qualities during the planning process for the benefit of the residents and users. The greenpass Certification has also provided us with a significant advantage and an official quality proof, confirming a greener and more affordable financing option with the bank!
FLAIR Living Managing Director MSc Christopher Gebhart
Conclusion
The climate showcase residential project FLAIR in the City in Vienna demonstrates how innovative solutions and integrative, transdisciplinary planning, followed by quality assurance, create added value for all stakeholders. In times of advancing climate change, the project highlights the relevance of contemporary residential construction combined with sustainability to contribute to climate mitigation and successful urban climate change adaptation. It also aims to improve the quality of life for residents and users, while fulfilling the responsibility to make a climatically positive contribution to the district and the city.
FLAIR Living
U.M.A Architektur Ziviltechniker GmbH
U.M.A Architektur Ziviltechniker GmbH
City of Vienna - Environmental Protection
greenpass
