InterPreT - Interdisciplinary Preservation Tool

AI Quick Summary

🎯 GoalTo increase the chances of preserving existing building stock through renovation, adaptation or extension instead of replacement through demolition and new construction.🔍 ProblemSilo thinking and a lack of a holistic analysis tool prevent understanding of the value proposition of preserving existing built assets as an alternative to demolition and replacement.Isolated indicators often support the replacement case, leading to high emissions and resource depletion.💡 SolutionWe propose an interdisciplinary, model-based workflow to allow for a holistic assessment of quantitative and qualitative factors relevant for deciding between preserving or replacing a built asset.The tool is aims at ease of use and data-informed decision-making in the earliest planning phases, when the decision for or against preservation is usually made. What challenge in the circular building and construction industry does your idea address? (max. 50 words)The decision between preservation or replacement of existing buildings is a complex issue. Assessing individual factors (e.g. building technology, structure, acoustics, room program) often favors replacement. The industry is lacking a holistic analysis tool supporting the case for preservation by identifying synergies not taken into account by individual specialist disciplines. What is your vision for solving this challenge, and why is your approach innovative? Who will benefit from a solution to this problem? (max. 200 words)We propose the Interdisciplinary Preservation Tool (InterPreT) to facilitate a simple interdisciplinary, model-based collaboration workflow between relevant actors in the earliest planning phase – when the decision for or against preservation of a built asset is made. The tool offers a guided exchange process based on real-time data feedback from a simplified 3D model between owners, architects, engineers, contractors and users. The evaluation includes both technically measurable (e.g. energy, resource consumption, cost) and non-quantifiable factors such as architectural quality and socio-cultural value that can be decisive for preservation. The aim is to increase the chances of preserving existing buildings through a systematic, holistic assessment.InterPreT benefits multiple constituencies: Architects and planners will achieve architecturally, energetically, economically superior results that save resources and avoid emissions and waste.Owners and investors benefit from balanced, data driven decision-making processes for long-term value.Current and future users can voice their priorities and needs to make sure they are given attention early-on in the planning process.Public society benefits from minimized disruption and resource depletion and from mindful decisions regarding the existing built environment as architectural and social asset and source of identity.Eductors and students can train the holistic, interdisciplinary skills needed in today’s praxis.How could your idea positively impact the planet, people, or economy in the future? (max. 100 words)The construction sector causes by far the highest CO2 emissions of all industries - in Switzerland and worldwide. Recognizing the most circular building is the one already built, we tackle three areas of impact:Environment: Our solution reduces CO2 emissions by promoting resource efficiency and eliminating waste, protecting the climate and avoiding resource depletion.Economy: It promotes economic growth by enabling the resource-efficient development of the built environment and fostering new business and technology solutions through interdisciplinary knowledge exchange.Society: Less disruptive construction preserving existing cultural and societal values contributes to better living and working conditions and quality of life.What assumptions or ideas do you want to test? What do you plan to work on during the booster program, and what is your goal to deliver at the end? (max. 200 words)The idea we want to test is a simple, intuitive workflow guided by a simplified 3D Model based tool providing real-time feedback on performance values. The tool will be used collectively in interdisciplinary teams to arrive at meaningful, data-driven solutions efficiently.We will take the following steps during the booster program:Step 1: Further development of quantitative and qualitative criteria relevant to preservationModel-based calculation of energy and cost parameters and technical properties (e.g. statics, acoustics, lighting, etc.)Creation of evaluation scales for socio-cultural qualitiesStep 2: Further development of the workflow and visual data analysis output based on simplified 3D model inputIntuitive input and visual output formats for analytical and qualitative data.Further development of a “dashboard” format for balanced multi-criteria analysis of existing vs. replacement buildings.Step 3: Validation of the InterPreT user interface with construction industry experts on three case study projects and analysis of learnings.Project 1 (completed – used for analyis)Renovation Feldstrasse office building, Zurich. Conversion of 1880 office building to residential, extension Link: Umbau Bürohaus Feldstrasse 40 - 42Project 2 (in progress – used for analysis and field study)Preservation ZKB branch Küsnacht. Renovation and upgrade of building from 1922 with “Hourdis slabs”. Existing technical drawings and calculations are used.Project 3 (upcoming, used as pilot project)Study Turm Areal Winterthur.Existing building from 2000. Identifying the best options to convert and use the building in future. Existing formwork and rebar drawings are available.Has your idea been tested before? If yes, what were the results, and what remains to be tested?An early version of the tool developed by the research team serves as a basis for implementation but needs further development and validation. Existing results:Model structure and integrated digital planning workflow, mapping relations between disciplines, using CAD and scripting integrated with analysis toolsDevelopment of simple and interactive visualisation of complex interdependencies in the planning process Proof-of-concept through testing in research contextProposed scope:Verify relevance of currently integrated analysis tools for preservation case and optimizeValidate visual interface in collaboration situations in praxisApply InterPreT to two real-life case studies, analyze results and refine tool for praxis use.Who is in your team, and what expertise or roles do they bring?Our team brings cross-disciplinary expertise in construction management, circular economy, and digital decision tools, both in praxis and research.ZHAW Institute for Building Technology and Process (Dr. Konrad Graser, Dr. Evangelos Pantazis, David Jenny, Prof. Luca Baldini): project lead research. Leads research on socio-technical innovation processes and delivery models for circular construction.IKON Ingenieure AG (Fabian Jenni): project lead praxis. Engineering firm with extensive experience in new construction refurbishments. The company has an extensive archive of technical documents on existing building stock in ZH area, e.g. Sulzer Hochhaus, Winterthur or shopping center Neumarkt Zürich Oerlikon.NCCR Digital Fabrication, ETH Zurich (Dr. Rene Jähne): knowledge & technology transfer. The NCCR seamlessly combines digital technologies, physical building process and integrated decision making to revolutionize sustainable construction and refurbishment.How do you plan to secure the 10% third-party funding required?Funding is sought from the pilot project clients who will benefit from the use of the tool on their projects. The decision-makers are usually the builders, investors and property developers. We will activate existing contacts to present the tool and demonstrate the advantages of using it to get third-party support.

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: InterPreT - Interdisciplinary Preservation Tool
• Date: 4/9/2025 2:12:20 PM
• Administrators:
  • Konrad Graser

Project Idea Description

What challenge in the circular building and construction industry does your idea address? (max. 50 words)

The decision between preservation or replacement of existing buildings is a complex issue. Assessing individual factors (e.g. building technology, structure, acoustics, room program) often favors replacement. The industry is lacking a holistic analysis tool supporting the case for preservation by identifying synergies not taken into account by individual specialist disciplines.

What is your vision for solving this challenge, and why is your approach innovative? Who will benefit from a solution to this problem? (max. 200 words)

We propose the Interdisciplinary Preservation Tool (InterPreT) to facilitate a simple interdisciplinary, model-based collaboration workflow between relevant actors in the earliest planning phase – when the decision for or against preservation of a built asset is made. The tool offers a guided exchange process based on real-time data feedback from a simplified 3D model between owners, architects, engineers, contractors and users. The evaluation includes both technically measurable (e.g. energy, resource consumption, cost) and non-quantifiable factors such as architectural quality and socio-cultural value that can be decisive for preservation. The aim is to increase the chances of preserving existing buildings through a systematic, holistic assessment.

InterPreT benefits multiple constituencies:

• Architects and planners will achieve architecturally, energetically, economically superior results that save resources and avoid emissions and waste.
• Owners and investors benefit from balanced, data driven decision-making processes for long-term value.
• Current and future users can voice their priorities and needs to make sure they are given attention early-on in the planning process.
• Public society benefits from minimized disruption and resource depletion and from mindful decisions regarding the existing built environment as architectural and social asset and source of identity.
• Eductors and students can train the holistic, interdisciplinary skills needed in today’s praxis.

How could your idea positively impact the planet, people, or economy in the future? (max. 100 words)

The construction sector causes by far the highest CO2 emissions of all industries - in Switzerland and worldwide. Recognizing the most circular building is the one already built, we tackle three areas of impact:

• Environment: Our solution reduces CO2 emissions by promoting resource efficiency and eliminating waste, protecting the climate and avoiding resource depletion.
• Economy: It promotes economic growth by enabling the resource-efficient development of the built environment and fostering new business and technology solutions through interdisciplinary knowledge exchange.
• Society: Less disruptive construction preserving existing cultural and societal values contributes to better living and working conditions and quality of life.

What assumptions or ideas do you want to test? What do you plan to work on during the booster program, and what is your goal to deliver at the end? (max. 200 words)

The idea we want to test is a simple, intuitive workflow guided by a simplified 3D Model based tool providing real-time feedback on performance values. The tool will be used collectively in interdisciplinary teams to arrive at meaningful, data-driven solutions efficiently.

We will take the following steps during the booster program:

Step 1: Further development of quantitative and qualitative criteria relevant to preservation

• Model-based calculation of energy and cost parameters and technical properties (e.g. statics, acoustics, lighting, etc.)
• Creation of evaluation scales for socio-cultural qualities

Step 2: Further development of the workflow and visual data analysis output based on simplified 3D model input

• Intuitive input and visual output formats for analytical and qualitative data.
• Further development of a “dashboard” format for balanced multi-criteria analysis of existing vs. replacement buildings.

Step 3: Validation of the InterPreT user interface with construction industry experts on three case study projects and analysis of learnings.

• Project 1 (completed – used for analyis)
  • Renovation Feldstrasse office building, Zurich.
  • Conversion of 1880 office building to residential, extension
  • Link: Umbau Bürohaus Feldstrasse 40 - 42
• Project 2 (in progress – used for analysis and field study)
  • Preservation ZKB branch Küsnacht. Renovation and upgrade of building from 1922 with “Hourdis slabs”.
  • Existing technical drawings and calculations are used.
• Project 3 (upcoming, used as pilot project)
  • Study Turm Areal Winterthur.
  • Existing building from 2000. Identifying the best options to convert and use the building in future.
  • Existing formwork and rebar drawings are available.

Has your idea been tested before? If yes, what were the results, and what remains to be tested?

An early version of the tool developed by the research team serves as a basis for implementation but needs further development and validation.

Existing results:

• Model structure and integrated digital planning workflow, mapping relations between disciplines, using CAD and scripting integrated with analysis tools
• Development of simple and interactive visualisation of complex interdependencies in the planning process
• Proof-of-concept through testing in research context

Proposed scope:

• Verify relevance of currently integrated analysis tools for preservation case and optimize
• Validate visual interface in collaboration situations in praxis
• Apply InterPreT to two real-life case studies, analyze results and refine tool for praxis use.

Who is in your team, and what expertise or roles do they bring?

Our team brings cross-disciplinary expertise in construction management, circular economy, and digital decision tools, both in praxis and research.

• • ZHAW Institute for Building Technology and Process (Dr. Konrad Graser, Dr. Evangelos Pantazis, David Jenny, Prof. Luca Baldini): project lead research. Leads research on socio-technical innovation processes and delivery models for circular construction.
  • IKON Ingenieure AG (Fabian Jenni): project lead praxis. Engineering firm with extensive experience in new construction refurbishments. The company has an extensive archive of technical documents on existing building stock in ZH area, e.g. Sulzer Hochhaus, Winterthur or shopping center Neumarkt Zürich Oerlikon.
  • NCCR Digital Fabrication, ETH Zurich (Dr. Rene Jähne): knowledge & technology transfer. The NCCR seamlessly combines digital technologies, physical building process and integrated decision making to revolutionize sustainable construction and refurbishment.

How do you plan to secure the 10% third-party funding required?

Funding is sought from the pilot project clients who will benefit from the use of the tool on their projects. The decision-makers are usually the builders, investors and property developers. We will activate existing contacts to present the tool and demonstrate the advantages of using it to get third-party support.

🎯 Goal

• To increase the chances of preserving existing building stock through renovation, adaptation or extension instead of replacement through demolition and new construction.

🔍 Problem

• Silo thinking and a lack of a holistic analysis tool prevent understanding of the value proposition of preserving existing built assets as an alternative to demolition and replacement.
• Isolated indicators often support the replacement case, leading to high emissions and resource depletion.

💡 Solution

• We propose an interdisciplinary, model-based workflow to allow for a holistic assessment of quantitative and qualitative factors relevant for deciding between preserving or replacing a built asset.
• The tool is aims at ease of use and data-informed decision-making in the earliest planning phases, when the decision for or against preservation is usually made.