Paradigm shift in property planning
With LessTech, AFC AG presents a proprietary concept for reducing oversized technical solutions in building planning. The company uses digital simulation tools to check the impact of measures at an early stage and create a basis for decision-making for construction stakeholders.
AFC AG, which is active in the fields of fire protection, sustainable construction and building simulation, is presenting its specially developed LessTech concept, which analyses buildings in terms of their functional requirements. According to a press release, the spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich(ETH), based in Technopark Zurich, aims to achieve a paradigm shift in property development: away from oversized technical solutions and towards robust, economical and sustainable buildings. The aim is to increase controllability in construction, improve planning and investment security and reduce operating costs.
The LessTech method works with digital tools such as thermal building simulation and CFD air flow analyses to check the impact of construction measures at an early stage. LessTech also brings innovation to the core area of fire protection: with early simulations and interdisciplinary collaboration, AFC creates solutions that are designed for maximum safety, according to the company. “With LessTech, we are creating a paradigm shift in building planning: less technology, less complexity – but more impact, stability and return on investment. Simplicity is the key to the properties of the future,” Daniel Gubler, CO-CEO of AFC AG, is quoted as saying about the benefits of the concept.
The LessTech precision tool also improves the ESG (environmental, social and governance) compliance of buildings: “The most sustainable building component is the one that doesn’t have to be built in the first place,” explains AFC AG. With the label pre-check, AFC also supports building owners and investors in choosing the right sustainability label (e.g. SNBS, Minergie, LEED or BREEAM).
Founded in 1995, AFC AG develops future-oriented and holistic solutions for sustainability, energy efficiency and safety concepts for safe, energy-efficient and climate-friendly buildings. Clients include Flughafen Zürich AG and SBB.