ClimArchiNet – Climate Architects Network

Slovakia and the Czech Republic ambitiously follow the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Yet the progress of the sustainable construction industry is still lagging behind these ambitions. Architects perceive sustainability measures as a burden, investors do not perceive incentives to be sufficient, and the involvement of several ministries impedes efficient communication and implementation. 

The project was tailored to involve and motivate all actors to contribute to a sustainable construction industry in the target countries. Its activities were designed to reveal barriers in implementing sustainable measures, to specify ways to overcome them, and to motivate stakeholders. More specifically, implementing partners organised four round table meetings and six workshops with experts and stakeholders, two study tours on best practice examples of sustainable buildings and housing stocks, and two international conferences on innovative design and technical solutions. An online platform supported the creation of a productive environment for all actors and ensured access to project outputs. 

• Curricula and continuing education programmes address sustainable construction: Close cooperation with the Slovak and Czech chambers of architects has led to the development of new continuing education programmes on sustainable and energy-efficient construction. In addition, the Faculty of Architecture and Design at the Technical University of Bratislava has permanently integrated topics such as climate-neutral urban districts and renewable energies into its curriculum.  
• Joint knowledge platform ‘climarchi.net’: With the website climarchi.net, the project team has established a central information platform for sustainable architecture that did not previously exist in this form. It offers practical examples, specialist articles and tools for architects and experts to make innovative low-carbon solutions better known and more accessible. In the long term, the platform will also involve companies and local authorities.  
• Public awareness and engagement: The ‘Manifesto 2020’ (Slovakia) and the ‘Declaration on Sustainability’ (Czechia) were signed by over 60 experts from the construction sector. The videos produced in this context and the social media campaigns raised long-term awareness of sustainability in construction.