EQS News: Wienerberger AG / Keyword(s): Other Brick Award 24: Architecture as a contribution to a sustainable future June 7th, 2024 / 11:00 CET/CEST The issuer/publisher is responsible for the content of the announcement. ════════════════════════════════════════ ══════════ ════════════════════════ Brick Award 24: Architecture as a contribution to a sustainable future • Leading international architects discussed sustainable and affordable solutions as part of the Brick Award Building • Optimized resource management, a more attractive public space and sharing of infrastructure as key components for more sustainable and affordable construction Vienna, June 7, 2024 – Following the presentation of this year’s Brick Award, an international biennial prize for innovation and excellence In the brick architecture, which was launched by wienerberger in 2004, a panel discussion with international architectural pioneers took place. Under the motto “Building Tomorrow: Balancing Sustainability and Affordability in Architecture”, Heimo Scheuch, CEO of wienerberger, discussed with Brick Award winner Tom McGlynn, award nominee Renske van der Stoep, jury member Ingrid van der Heijden and Jens Linnet, a speaker at the Brick Award symposium taking place on the same day. Referring to ecological transformation as the decisive challenge of our time, Heimo Scheuch stated: “In order to secure a sustainable future for future generations, we must achieve the goals set out in the European Green Deal, above all climate neutrality by 2050. Architects are in a unique position to support this transition. The construction sector is responsible for more than a third of all energy consumption and almost 40 percent of CO2 emissions. Through innovative construction methods, these emissions can be reduced, as pioneers of architecture around the world continue to do prove. Because outstanding architects are, by nature, masters of problem solving.” Reuse and better cities for sustainable living Jens Linnet, speaker at the Brick Award symposium and co-founder of Danish design studio BOGL, added: “By developing a greater awareness of the entire production chain and the materials used in our projects, we can reduce costs and create more sustainable projects, while focusing on quality and function.” He explained that BOGL focuses on using pre-existing natural resources, such as trees, and reusing or upcycling materials in its construction projects. Jens Linnet emphasized that public space must change to give people the opportunity to reduce the size and ecological footprint of their living space: “We have to be bolder in urban planning and mobility and make cities more attractive, so that we are ready to live in smaller apartments.” Ingrid van der Heijden, founding partner of CIVIC Architects in Amsterdam and member of this year’s Brick Award jury, also underlined the positive effects of reusing buildings: “When buildings are not demolished but reused, the materials and the carbon they contain stay in longer “This is a sustainable and common strategy, both in old buildings and in retrofitted buildings,” says Ingrid van der Heijden. She advocates an approach that radically demands the “inclusion of the existing stock”. Her compatriot Renske van der Stoep, nominee for this year’s Brick Award and founder of the Dutch studio Roffaa, added that, in her experience, open communication with the future residents of the buildings is a key factor in implementing new concepts in construction. “We are now increasingly working directly with end users to create a real connection with our customers. This means we can make much more targeted sustainable decisions, the process becomes more compact and the project more affordable.” Tom McGlynn from this year’s winning office Níall McLaughlin Architects from the United Kingdom also took up this point. And said: “Architects must learn to listen before they speak. We can learn from local people to ultimately better understand what is required for a particular place, culture, climate and community, both in terms of planning and construction.” Affordable Building through material management and shared infrastructure In addition to sustainability, the discussion also addressed the challenge of creating affordable housing, an issue that is becoming increasingly urgent given the rising cost of living worldwide over the last two years. “In general, I consider this to be one of the most important tasks of today’s architecture. The demand for affordable housing is increasing significantly, and this is becoming an essential social issue of our time. We must be able to provide comfortable, healthy and affordable housing for people “This is the basis on which future generations can build a future,” emphasizes Heimo Scheuch. Ingrid van der Heijden stated: “Architects play an important role as a link in the process of combining affordability and sustainability while maintaining high quality standards.” In particular, she referred to the local procurement of materials with the aim of reducing construction costs. Renske van der Stoep also emphasized the importance of “better material management” and planning construction projects taking into account the availability of building materials. Tom McGlynn suggested taking advantage of economies of scale as they can help make housing more affordable. In construction projects, this could mean that a larger infrastructure is used by several residents at the same time. “For example, installing a geothermal heat pump for an entire residential area is much more economical than for a single-family home,” emphasized McGlynn. According to Jens Linnet, these and other innovative solutions require a very specific way of thinking. “Creating innovative and sustainable designs often means working on projects and solutions that have never existed before,” which requires a certain degree of courage from both builders and architects. However, he also emphasized the great opportunities that lie in this change towards new ways of thinking and designing: “I believe that if we succeed in this, we will move into a better future together.” wienerberger wienerberger is a leading provider of innovative, ecological solutions for the entire building envelope in the areas of new construction and renovation as well as for infrastructure in water and energy management With its solutions, wienerberger enables 20,000 employees worldwide to provide energy-efficient, healthy, climate-friendly and affordable living. wienerberger is the largest brick producer in the world and market leader for clay roof tiles in Europe and for concrete paving in Eastern Europe. The company is one of the leading providers in Europe for pipe systems (stoneware and plastic pipes). With the acquisition of Meridian Brick, wienerberger has further expanded its position as a leading provider of facade products in North America. With more than 200 production locations across the group, wienerberger generated sales of around €4.2 billion and an operating EBITDA of €811 million in 2023. Inquiry note Claudia Hajdinyak, Head of Corporate Communications Wienerberger AG t +43 664 828 31 83 | claudia.hajdinyak@wienerberger.com ═════════════════════════════════════ ══════════ ═══════════════════════════ 07.06.2024 CET/CEST Publication of a corporate news/financial announcement, transmitted by EQS Group AG. www.eqs.com
════════════════════════════════════════ ══════════ ════════════════════════ Language: German Company: Wienerberger AG Wienerbergerplatz 1 1100 Vienna Austria Telephone: +43 1 60 192-0 Fax: +43 1 60 192-10159 Email: investor@wienerberger.com
Internet: www.wienerberger.com
ISIN: AT0000831706 Stock exchanges: Vienna Stock Exchange (official trading) EQS News ID: 1918881 End of message EQS News Service 1918881 June 7th, 2024 CET/CEST