Elevating Sustainability with Natural Materials:
In the pursuit of sustainable design, architects are turning to the inherent benefits of natural materials, particularly wood. Recognized for its renewability and minimal environmental impact, wood has become a focal point in architectural projects. The challenge now is to creatively integrate wood and other natural materials, harnessing their unique qualities to construct eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing structures.

Technological Advancements in Sustainable Architecture:
The architectural landscape in 2024 is deeply intertwined with technological innovations that enhance sustainability efforts. From advanced modelling to artificial intelligence-driven optimizations, architects are leveraging technology to complement and enhance the use of natural materials in their designs. Striking the right balance between tradition and technology is a key challenge.

Urban Density and Community Connection:
Architects are reimagining urban spaces, prioritizing designs that promote community well-being and sustainability. Incorporating natural materials into urban environments not only adds warmth and character but also aligns with the global push towards eco-conscious urban living.

Adaptability and Flexibility:
Natural materials offer architects a sustainable solution for designing adaptable and flexible spaces. Wood's versatility, for instance, allows for innovative, modular designs that can be easily adapted to evolving needs, promoting longevity, and reducing waste.

As architects navigate the challenges of 2024, the significance of natural materials, particularly wood, cannot be overstated. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these materials play a crucial role in realizing sustainable, resilient, and culturally sensitive designs. The year ahead promises not only to be a test of creativity and innovation but also a testament to the enduring potential of natural materials in shaping a more sustainable built environment.

As the population continues to rise and available space becomes scarcer, Munich is turning to an innovative solution to address its urban housing challenges - the "Level-Up" approach. This strategy seeks to increase urban density by adding floors on top of existing buildings, making it a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution. The "Level-Up" approach addresses several critical issues, such as the environmental impact of urban expansion and the need to maintain Munich's unique urban character. By building vertically rather than horizontally, this approach conserves land and reduces the need for new construction. This has a significant environmental benefit, as it minimizes the destruction of green spaces and farmland on the outskirts of the city.

Parametric Design Tools: Crafting the Future of Munich

Solving the problem of urban densification manually would be immensely complex. To achieve this, architects and urban planners are turning to parametric design tools. These innovative tools help generate different solutions that meet the specific requirements of the city. The use of parametric design tools enables an in-depth analysis of critical urban parameters. Here are some of the key factors considered:

Shadow Analysis: Determining how additional levels affect the casting of shadows on nearby buildings and streets.

Sunshine Hours per Dwelling Unit: Ensuring that residents receive an adequate amount of natural light.

Number of Desired Residents: Balancing population density with quality of life.

Movement Flows Through the Block: Analysing pedestrian and vehicular traffic to optimize urban mobility.

Desired Uses: Identifying the types of establishments and services needed in the neighbourhood.

Size of Dwelling Units: Creating efficient and comfortable living spaces.

Setback Areas: Maintaining space for pedestrians and greenery.

Open Space: Ensuring that the city remains vibrant and green.

One of the key challenges in adding floors to existing buildings is preserving the structural and visual integrity of the city. The "Level-Up" approach respects the existing architectural elements and cityscape. Using parametric design tools, the structure of the facade converts into a grid, which serves both as a structural pattern for analysis and as a connection to the existing facade's rhythm. This ensures that the new additions seamlessly integrate into Munich's existing urban fabric.

The principle of the "Level-Up" system is not confined to Munich alone. It can serve as a model for any city around the world facing similar challenges related to urban density. With careful planning and the aid of parametric design tools, existing cities can efficiently find ways to enhance their urban living while maintaining their unique character.

Munich, like many cities, faces the pressing issue of urban densification as its population continues to grow. However, with innovative approaches like the "Level-Up" strategy and the use of parametric design tools, it's possible to address these challenges in a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and architecturally sensitive manner. As Munich's skyline evolves, the city maintains its charm and character, proving that urban growth and preservation can go hand in hand.

The concept behind superblocks is brilliantly simple: we aim to consolidate residential areas within traffic-calmed zones, gradually transforming car-dominated streets into pedestrian-friendly areas. The outcome? A revolution in pedestrian and bicycle traffic throughout Munich.
Our vision encompasses several goals:

1- Enhancing the Quality of Stay: Superblocks will be safe and inviting spaces, perfect for leisurely strolls, shopping, and lingering.

2- Sustainable Transport Development: (Besides the increased usage of public transportation,) fewer cars on the streets mean reduced emissions, making a significant contribution to environmental preservation.

3 - Expanding Green Spaces and Biodiversity: Superblocks provide an opportunity to create green havens within the city, not only aesthetically pleasing but also conducive to nurturing diverse flora and fauna.

4- Community Engagement and Responsibility: We are committed to involving the community in planning and implementing these changes. Their ideas and concerns are pivotal to the success of this project.

A significant step towards achieving a bicycle-friendly Munich is the establishment of an inner-city express bicycle network. These bicycle paths are designed to make cycling safer and more convenient. The city needs equilibrium, and a combination of express bicycle lanes and superblocks within the Mittlerer Ring might hold the key to achieve that balance. Our commitment involves systematically improving bicycle paths and related infrastructure to facilitate easy and secure commutes using bicycles and public transportation. Residents of the superblocks will enjoy a peaceful lifestyle, along with the added benefit of simplified parking. These changes will also bring green spaces closer to every citizen.

Our vision is straightforward: we aim to make Munich a city where the bicycle is the preferred mode of transportation. With superblocks and an extensive network of express bicycle lanes, we will elevate the quality of life, ensure sustainable urban development, and contribute to environmental preservation. It is time for us to collaborate in making this transformation a reality and transform Munich into a genuinely bicycle-friendly city.

Overpopulation has emerged as a significant challenge in our world's capitals, and it shows no signs of abating. As urban centres grow, so does the demand for alternative living spaces. The issues of housing, infrastructure, and access to leisure activities must be addressed urgently. A holistic solution that caters to the growing urban population while maintaining a high quality of life is required. Traditional "machines," inspired by Le Corbusier's ideas, often fall short in various aspects. They lack the diversity of housing elements needed for a modern, cosmopolitan community. These machines neglect to provide well-designed and maintained public spaces, semi-private areas, and private retreats. Often, they have been seen as a solution to a specific problem, when they should have been approached with consideration of many factors, parameters, and unforeseeable events, that modern urban life presents. Moreover, these machines can inadvertently create social isolation. By attempting to function as self-contained units, they can segregate themselves from their surroundings, neglecting the integration that is vital to the social fabric of a city. The team explores the concept of rethinking the "machine," focusing on how a well-placed machine can offer a wide range of housing types while embracing its surroundings and addressing the 15-minute city paradigm.
The Vision: Rethinking the "Machine"

The new vision for the "machine" is one that aligns with the needs of the modern citizen. Instead of just providing housing, it must also incorporate leisure activities and green spaces. Importantly, it should seamlessly integrate into its surrounding environment.

In our case, the focus is on the southern part of Munich, particularly the area of Giesing. This region presents an exciting opportunity for densification designs because it's strategically located only 15 minutes away from the city centre and the historic old town of Munich. The concept of the 15-minute city, which emphasizes easy access to essential amenities, is becoming a reality in Giesing. Medical institutions, parks, nightlife activities, and public infrastructure connections are already within short reach. The reimagined "machine" planned for Giesing is a multifaceted solution. It offers a substantial diversity of housing strategies, coupled with offices and a rich array of sports and leisure activities. This concept doesn't aim to reinvent the wheel but to provide a well-researched and thoughtfully designed toolset for urban densification. The parameters considered during the yearlong research process were comprehensive. They encompassed the environmental impact, social integration, accessibility, sustainability, and the overall well-being of the residents. By incorporating knowledge, research, and a deep understanding of the urban landscape, this "machine" aspires to be a model for growing metropolises.

The concept of the "machine" has come a long way since Le Corbusier's initial vision. While his ideas were groundbreaking for their time, today's urban challenges require a more multifaceted approach. This reimagined "machine" represents a fresh perspective on urban living. It strives to harmonize housing diversity, leisure, and sustainability while embracing the 15-minute city philosophy. As cities continue to evolve, this vision of the "machine" could provide a template for a more harmonious, thriving, and sustainable urban future.

For this year's Biennale, one of our OSA Lab teams explored the topic of land use and densification in urban areas. They were particularly interested in underutilized spaces in Munich's city centre, such as single-story building rooftops and areas under elevated highways. Their goal was to maximize these unique conditions by envisioning innovative ways to combine different functions, similar to expanding a residential unit. Their vision focused on promoting sports and leisure activities to revitalize these overlooked spaces, meeting the recreational needs of the expanding population, and rejuvenating public areas.

In Munich, achieving a sensible and functional allocation of space is crucial, especially in the inner city. The city could unlock substantial added value through deliberate densification or repurposing, recognizing that movement and green spaces are essential components of urban vitality. Regrettably, as the city becomes more densely populated, valuable open spaces and sports fields are shrinking, and some might argue that housing shortages bear some responsibility for this trend. One viable approach would be to foster collaboration between the city government and urban development initiatives to ensure sustainability. Urban residents are increasingly organizing their own sporting activities and no longer require large facilities; instead, they seek easily accessible options near their homes.

To explore ways to expand existing spaces, such as building on current structures or introducing new functions beneath infrastructure, the team conducted a thorough assessment of various urban areas suitable for such projects. They quickly identified single-story supermarkets as a prominent typology offering vast rooftop areas ideal for development. Furthermore, this concept could be replicated beyond Munich, offering an innovative blend of daily grocery shopping with physical activity. The idea was to stack buildings and open spaces atop these structures to create a diverse range of opportunities. To facilitate replication and construction, they devised a versatile grid system based on dimensions derived from multipurpose sports halls (small, medium, large). The objective was to create a grid that would enable multidimensional stacking of sports halls, with provisions for green spaces and outdoor areas. Additional functions like outdoor galleries, climbing walls, urban gardens, and more could fill the remaining spaces, much like a Tetris game, maximizing the use of available space. This approach allows for the expansion of existing areas within residential neighbourhoods in dire need of these amenities, with a focus on identifying underrepresented uses in the vicinity.

To make this concept easily applicable, the team aimed to develop a comprehensive catalogue featuring various categories of uses, complete with their space requirements (in terms of grid squares used), dimensions (horizontal, vertical, or three-dimensional), necessary environmental conditions (natural light, ventilation, noise pollution considerations), and optimal time of day for usage. The spaces between these volumes could be filled with smaller functions that best utilize the available conditions. This approach ensures that future implementations are replicable and straightforward. The team firmly believes that cities must evolve, and they aspire to provide inspiration while continuing to work on innovative ideas that enhance the quality of urban life.

How does OSA react to change and specifically to the current change in the construction industry?
At OSA, we've seen a significant shift in our approach to construction in recent years. Sustainability and change have become central to our thinking. Instead of immediately considering demolition for new projects, we now prioritize exploring what we can reuse from existing structures and materials. This shift in mindset is crucial for reducing waste and promoting sustainability of our buildings and designs.

How does the concept of circular building fit into OSA's approach?
Circular building is becoming increasingly important for us. It's about finding solutions that not only maintain our design flexibility but also expand our creative possibilities. Building Information Modeling (BIM) plays a pivotal role here, as it enables us to analyse aspects like solar studies, material quantities, and types, all crucial for sustainability considerations.

You mentioned BIM. Can you elaborate on its advantages in OSA's sustainable construction efforts?
One of the distinct advantages of BIM is its time-saving potential. By streamlining our processes with BIM, we are likely to free up time that we can use to develop other innovative ideas. We also recommend to our clients the reuse of materials and existing stock whenever possible, which not only benefits the environment but might also offer long-term cost savings.

Are there any challenges associated with including existing stock in construction projects?
Yes, there are challenges, and it's essential to be aware of them. Integrating and reusing existing stock on a large scale can make the construction process more complex compared to traditional demolition and rebuilding. However, we firmly believe that long-term thinking and sustainability should be a priority, considering the benefits and resource conservation in the long run.

How is OSA trying to expand its expertise in BIM and become more sustainable?
OSA is fortunate to have several builders and developers who are deeply committed to sustainability. We also see an increasing interest in BIM among our industry partners, something that facilitates us in investing more time and recourses within this area. Personally, I have gained extensive experience with BIM during my studies and work and bring valuable project management skills. We are also expanding our team by hiring another BIM manager later this year. This will further strengthen our ability to integrate circular construction methods and lead us to more sustainable and innovative solutions. OSA is excited about the direction it is moving in and is committed to making a positive impact through sustainable construction practices.

Arrived in Munich and still no idea what to do? Why not visit our architecture! The buildings designed by OSA will take you all the way through Munich and past historic squares and great cafes, restaurants, and parks.

Let's start the tour in our newest district concept, in the east of Munich at the 'Macherei'. Here you will not only find our impressive brick building, the Incubator, but also generous open spaces and a café where you can fortify yourself for the start.

We continue towards the Werksviertel, where we find one of our signature buildings, also a special high-rise with recognition value, the Atlas high-rise. On 12 floors, the office complex offers a spectacular view over Munich. When we renovated the tower, we also redesigned the strict geometry of the facade. Using prisms on the edges and vertices, we created a light and elegant play of reflections and colors that delights the viewer at ground level as they gaze up at the sky.

From the east, the view continues into the city center to Rindermarktplatz. Here one looks at a special facade in the form of a noble trompe-l'oeil. It is a geometric pattern of white, gray and black ceramic tiles. Arranged in such a way that a new image is created every time the viewer changes perspective. From Munich's city center we quickly reach the Munich Bahnhofsviertel, where our 25h hotel is located. OSA has extensively renovated and refurbished the historic building here, taking care to preserve the old charm. A visit to the 25 Hours Hotel is always worthwhile - whether for an overnight stay or just to hang out at the "Boilerman Bar"!

At the end of our tour, we finally reach Heimeranplatz in the west of Munich. Here stands another of our high-rise buildings, the Heimeran. The striking head of the high point reflects the dynamics of the location where Garmischer Straße meets Ridlerstraße. The existing ensemble on the corner lot consists of three building parts, which are used as office buildings.

A beer in Munich may not be missing, of course, so we end our tour in the Hirschgarten in Munich Here there is Bavarian home cooking and a spacious beer garden to linger.

Enjoy the tour!

How can OSA become better?

Lina: Our planning should have sustainability in mind right from the start and pay attention to ecologically sound design.
Annalena: OSA is trying to think in the right direction and wants to achieve more. A first step is done, but there is a lack of knowledge for further implementation. OSA could think and design even more in 3D, so that the design directly includes sustainability aspects such as sun hours, shading and ventilation. I would be very interested in a passive house certification and life cycle assessment course, and I think our training could be better planned.
Dajun: I think we could get back to basics more and build more simply.

Which building materials and methods should no longer exist?

Dajun: In any case, ETICS, these Thermal insulation systems are not recyclable and can only be disposed of as hazardous waste. Dismantling is therefore not possible, even with natural insulation materials, because the bonding can no longer be separated and recycled. Due to the enormous amount of energy required for production from ore bauxite, I also think that aluminium is an obsolete material.
Annalena: I would like to see less "over-technologized houses". If technology must/should be used then really only if it ensures that energy is saved

Which building materials and methods are ideal and suitable for the future?

Annalena: In my opinion, all renewable raw materials, with attention to origin and production, as well as products and materials that function in a circular economy and can be reused.
Dajun: In general, I think wood should be used before concrete and mainly demountable products.
Lina: I think it would be nice to make something like a material passport during construction for re-use and extraction in a later life, something like that could be a good application of BIM.

How do you envision the future in terms of architecture and urban development?

Annalena: I would like to see clean energy production and more people who WANT change and recognize the benefits.
Lina: I hope for much less new construction and increased conversion, less demolition more reuse!
Dajun: I would like to see car-free and greener cities :)

What is considered a wood hybrid construction and what are the advantages of this construction method?
S: The term wood hybrid has not yet been precisely defined and established. at OSA we refer to buildings in which the load-bearing structure is predominantly made of wood as wood hybrid buildings. Building with wood creates a real reduction in CO2 emissions! Furthermore, construction times are significantly reduced due to the high degree of prefabrication. In general, the wooden surfaces achieve a higher quality of space.

Can OSA contribute as an example of sustainable real estate development?
S: By using the knowledge of more sustainable constructions and efficient commercial properties, OSA manages the balancing act between real sustainability in construction and operation and an economic realisation for the client. After all, building must continue to be worthwhile for the client; a building that tries to integrate everything technically possible in terms of sustainability and then becomes too expensive to realise is of no use to anyone.

Is a wood hybrid building sustainable?
S: I say a resounding yes! Cement is so CO² intensive in its production that it is said to be responsible for 8 percent of global annual carbon dioxide emissions. Wood as a building material is CO²-positive (1m³ of wood stores 1 ton of CO²) whereas, for example, 1m³ of concrete causes approx. 200kg of CO² emissions. It is also important to mention that in Germany approx. 1 m³ of wood regrows every second. For example, the amount of wood for an office building with 12,000m² is regrown in about one hour. More wood grows back than is used for construction!
(Read more about wood in Bavaria ￫)

What are the disadvantages?
S: I see the disadvantages mainly in the planning, as this is much more complex than with conventional construction methods. Due to the low component mass of the exterior wall and ceiling constructions, it is also difficult to meet the sound insulation requirements. However, the faster construction method is usually "bought" by a higher planning effort and lead time.

What are the costs compared to conventional construction methods?
S: One can expect about 10 percent additional costs compared to conventional construction methods. However, the price difference is becoming smaller and smaller, as there are currently considerable price increases for reinforced concrete.

What are the guidelines, what is the building law?
S: Fire protection must be guaranteed! The current regulations cover class 4 buildings, but we are rather in building class 5, which is not the regular planning. This means that an intensive exchange with competent fire protection planners and fire protection experts is necessary to be able to realise such projects. - "Freestyle", as one of our fire protection officers says.

What would be your ideal construction method, how can we build better in the future?
S: I think we should build more simply. Choose slimmer components, simplified layer structures with less complexity. Above all, standards need to be questioned and reduced. Especially the requirements for sound insulation.

What is your favourite OSA timber hybrid and why?
S: The project Kistlerhofstrasse 140, I have been involved in the project since the 2nd service stage and we are currently making great strides towards realisation.

What is your wish for the future?
S: Many beautiful wooden houses, in all shapes, sizes and colours 😊