On 29 August 2024, the latest building module “STEP2” was officially opened in Empa’s NEST research and innovation building. This two-storey module in the south-east of NEST brings together a large number of innovations, all of which are aimed at significantly reducing material and energy consumption in the construction industry and promoting resource-saving construction methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
In Switzerland, the construction sector is responsible for the majority of raw material consumption, waste generation and a third of CO2 emissions. With the NEST building, Empa, together with over 150 partners, is pursuing the goal of developing new technologies and materials to the point where they are ready for the market. The “STEP2” unit is the latest example of how this vision is being turned into reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
From the digital staircase to the adaptive fa\u00e7ade Another technological masterpiece is the curved “Cadenza” concrete staircase, which forms the centrepiece of the building. It was realised using computer-aided design and 3D printing technologies, which enabled an extremely material-efficient construction method. This staircase is an impressive example of how digital manufacturing technologies can contribute to innovative and sustainable design solutions in the construction industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Holistic energy concept and innovative materials STEP2″ also focusses on innovation and sustainability when it comes to the materials used. For example, wall and floor panels were made from recycled waste materials such as denim fibres, paper cups and coffee grounds. These materials not only reduce the need for new raw materials, but also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Co-creation and market readiness “STEP2” is more than just a building module – it is a real innovation environment that demonstrates how research and industry can successfully work together to bring sustainable technologies to market. In future, the unit will serve as a workplace and innovation workshop to achieve further progress in sustainable construction.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Empa has opened the latest extension to its NEST innovation building, the “STEP2” unit. The module brings together pioneering technologies and materials that pave the way for sustainable construction and provide marketable solutions for the construction industry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":113136,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pmpro_default_level":"","_surecart_dashboard_logo_width":"180px","_surecart_dashboard_show_logo":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_orders":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_invoices":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_subscriptions":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_downloads":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_billing":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_account":true,"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22358,12489,22698],"tags":[15729,49347,13443,12575,30330,12564,12525,12526,12577,16748,12847,12528,15669],"class_list":["post-113158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-construction","category-new-construction","category-sustainability","tag-bauwirtschaft-en","tag-co-creation-en","tag-energieeffizienz-en","tag-forschung-en","tag-gebaeudetechnologie-en","tag-immobilien-en","tag-immoinvest-en","tag-immonews-en","tag-innovation-en","tag-materialien-en","tag-nachhaltigkeit-en","tag-news-en","tag-ressourcen-en","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":{"bild_mit_ki_erstellt_worden":[],"lead":"Empa has opened the latest extension to its NEST innovation building, the \"STEP2\" unit. The module brings together pioneering technologies and materials that pave the way for sustainable construction and provide marketable solutions for the construction industry.","autor":"Quelle: Admin, Bild: newsd.admin.ch","ort":"","bildunterschrift":"","zusammenfassung":"","bild_im_grid":false,"gallerie":"","newsim":""},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
<\/strong>When you enter the “STEP2” unit, the innovative ribbed filigree ceiling immediately catches the eye. This was developed by an interdisciplinary team and enables spans of up to 14 metres, ideal for office and high-rise construction. Thanks to digital planning methods and 3D-printed formwork, it was possible to reduce the amount of material used by 40% without compromising on stability. The ceiling also fulfils important functions in terms of room acoustics and as a thermal storage mass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The “STEP2” unit is based on an integrated energy and comfort concept that was developed in collaboration with leading engineers. The innovative double skin fa\u00e7ade, which is equipped with modern shading technology and controlled natural ventilation, plays a central role in the building’s energy efficiency. This fa\u00e7ade also serves as a test platform so that new technologies can be easily integrated in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The “STEP2” unit was developed using a co-creation approach in which all partners involved worked closely together from the outset. This approach made it possible to develop marketable solutions that have a real future in the construction industry. For BASF, the main partner in the project, “STEP2” provides the ideal environment to translate its chemical expertise into concrete, sustainable construction solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n