Human Sustainability

Buildings for future generations

Only when buildings and residential areas are designed with humans in mind will people perceive them positively – and enjoy using working and inhabiting them in them for a long term.

Our premise

Werner Sobek’s 17 theses on sustainability

Thesis 5

‘It is wrong to focus on energy efficiency only during the utilisation phase. Calls for energy efficiency during a building’s utilisation phase are actually aimed at reducing the associated emissions. However, the ultimate objective is zero emissions, and this should be clearly stated.

In fact, operating the building is only part of the problem, g. Global construction must shift the focus of its efforts and prioritise a dramatic reduction in embodied emissions.’ – W. Sobek

Our contribution to the Circular Economy

If we look at a building constructed today, around 50 per cent of its emissions over the next 60 years will occur before it is even occupied. That’s why sustainability also involves the long-term use of these valuable resources: after all, raw materials must be extracted, and building materials or entire components must be produced, delivered and installed.

Products for generations to come Our contribution to the circular economy

If we look at a building constructed today, around 50 per cent of its emissions over the next 60 years will occur before it is even occupied. That’s why sustainability also involves the long-term use of these valuable resources: after all, raw materials must be extracted, and building materials or entire components must be produced, delivered and installed.

More about Circular Economy

Sustainable construction in Vorarlberg

The state of Vorarlberg in Austria is committed to achieving ambitious sustainability goals – and is an important part of the history of the Zumtobel brand. This region is known across Europe for its exemplary and sustainable construction that uses ecological materials and unites modern and traditional architecture. Armed with this knowledge, and with an awareness of its responsibility for the environment and for future generations, Zumtobel has set itself the goal of creating the best light for people and architecture.

Example – by Baumschlager Eberle Architekten: The office building ‘2226’ is a manifesto for sustainable construction in Millennium Park in Lustenau. The six-storey building manages without heating, cooling or mechanical ventilation systems. Instead, architect Dietmar Eberle relies on solid walls and the air-purifying effects of limestone, large room heights and depths, high-quality materials, good air exchange and optimum use of daylight. In the evening and at night, artificial lighting compensates for the lack of daylight: it provides visual conditions in which people feel comfortable so that they can carry out their work with concentration and motivation. Lighting also plays an important role in guiding people through the building. Light lines, light points and light surfaces create a high-quality unit in terms of design and lighting technology.

Zumtobel Group Award: outstanding innovations for sustainability

The Zumtobel Group Award was established in 2007 and recognises architectural projects that make exemplary use of scarce resources, support decarbonisation or investigate potential new ways of using existing buildings. Other categories are dedicated to sustainable development concepts in urban and rural areas and to the use of new materials and innovative processes. Human sustainability becomes visible in all its complexity.

‘The Zumtobel Group Award places people at the heart of the built environment. Architecture shapes urban situations and spaces. With its lighting solutions, Zumtobel makes a significant contribution to how people experience and live in these places.’ – Isabel Zumtobel, Head of Art & Culture, Zumtobel Group.