Work

Influence of regional context in building design on the transferability of material indicators: A case study of a residential building type in Kazakhstan and Germany

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Building design is strongly influenced by regional contexts, including climatic conditions, structural requirements, and cultural preferences. These factors impact material selection and pose challenges to the transferability of building typologies and material indicators (MIs) across regions. This study examines how regional context affects design and material requirements, using a 9‐story residential building as a case study based on building standards in Kazakhstan and Germany. The building was chosen for comparability, reflecting cultural differences in construction methods, such as with and without a basement. Climatic differences affect building physics requirements, influencing the material needs of the building envelope. Structural design followed reinforced concrete standards in both countries, determining material quantities. Analysis identified key factors influencing the transferability of building concepts, particularly climatic conditions—Kazakhstan's colder winters require thicker insulation walls—and Germany's cultural preference for basements, leading to higher material consumption. The study emphasizes the need for region‐specific approaches to sustainable, climate‐resilient design and strategies to improve the transferability of MIs across regions.

Source: ce/papers

DOI: 10.1002/cepa.3339

Authors: Regine Ortlepp, Zhansaya Satanova

Institutions: Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development, Technische Universität Dresden

Language: English

Topic: Sustainable Building Design and Assessment

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,140