For a long time, cultural buildings were flagship projects – architecturally impressive, but often energy-inefficient. Today, cultural buildings are facing a turning point: the question of their carbon footprint is no longer just a technical detail, but the starting point for any conceptual consideration. But sustainability means more than climate protection – it also encompasses social and cultural responsibility as well as the economical use of resources. As a consulting team for culture, education, and public infrastructure, we provide strategic support for this transformation, focusing on economic efficiency, feasibility, and social impact.
Sustainability begins in phase 0 – with a view to the city
Sustainable construction is not an add-on in the implementation planning stage, but rather an integral part of early project development. As early as phase 0—before the classic requirements planning stage—we examine how existing structures can be used, integrated, and preserved. Building within existing structures plays a central role in our projects: By weighing up demolition, partial demolition, and conversion, we can not only avoid CO₂-intensive new buildings, but also preserve urban identity. The fact that the cultural identity of a place is a social sustainability factor that should not be underestimated is currently evident in one of our projects in Herford: Here, we are supporting the strategic planning for a sustainable cultural building including a theater, event hall, and rehearsal rooms. In the initial phases of the site analysis, not only is the existing building structure analyzed with regard to its potential for further use, but also the question of how the project can strengthen the city center. By integrating existing spaces and opening up the building programmatically, rooms for cultural use with urban amenity value can be created. In close cooperation with the city and its urban development concepts, new impetus is thus provided for the revitalization of the city center, while the cultural buildings simultaneously benefit from increased attractiveness. In this way, ecological sustainability and urban development impact are combined.
From benchmark to standard
Funding bodies such as the federal government, state governments, and EU institutions are increasingly expecting a clear sustainability profile—not only for construction, but also for subsequent use. Sustainability is not a compromise, but a quality feature and a necessary component. Those who plan are not only designing a building, but also the future of the city center. Sustainable cultural buildings that are ecologically, economically, socially, and culturally effective are becoming the new standard. To make this requirement tangible in everyday project work, we jointly consider relevant sustainability criteria, thus creating a basis for well-founded decisions. In addition, we support you in the practical implementation of this standard in your project.
In Herford, Munich, or Bad Pyrmont, actori considers sustainability in four dimensions:
- Ecological sustainability through the analysis of operating cost potential, construction volume, and savings.
- Economic sustainability through the consideration of life cycle costs, financing models, multiple use, and detailed operating cost analysis.
- Social sustainability with a focus on accessibility, participation, revitalization of the city center, and identity for urban society.
- Cultural sustainability through programmatic diversity, resilience in use, and cultural impulses for urban space.
This systematic assessment is incorporated into economic analyses, location evaluations, and project decisions—ensuring that cultural projects have a lasting impact not only in terms of construction but also in terms of society. In addition, our methodology aims to provide concrete implementation recommendations to make projects easier, more economical, and more socially impactful. Our article “Strategy instead of quick start: Why construction projects for cultural buildings need a strong phase 0” uses the example of the Landestheater Detmold to show how important a well-founded phase 0 is. It clearly illustrates how a careful concept and coordination phase can provide a solid foundation for complex renovation and construction projects.
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A conrtibution by Rebecca Heinzler, head of arcitecture.