Columnar beech trees have recently been planted in front of the facades of the building at Heinrichstraße 80. These are joined by medlars, elder, snowy mespilus and other shrubs. Clematis, grapevine, honeysuckle and hops climb upwards on trellises. On the balconies, potted plants provide shade – with a wide variety of berries to snack on. Here and there, nesting aids for house martins and bats can be found. Grasses, flowering plants and herbs such as meadow sage and thyme thrive on the roof. In between are small piles of stones, sandy patches and light deadwood – providing shelter for wild bees and many other insects: The ‘HeinrichBiCool’ project clearly demonstrates the full potential of greening.
“Through the natural cooling of the Faculty of Theology’s building and the accompanying measures to promote biodiversity, the University of Graz is demonstrating how climate protection, quality of life and biodiversity can be effectively combined. ‘HeinrichBiCool’ is a prime example of how universities, together with strong partners from the worlds of science and industry, can develop innovative solutions to societal challenges and test them directly on site,” says Peter Riedler, Rector of the University of Graz, adding: “Such flagship projects underline the important role of universities as catalysts for a future worth living. To ensure that this innovative strength is maintained in the long term, we need reliable framework conditions and planning security.”
“With ‘HeinrichBiCool’, we are showing what sustainable adaptation to climate change can look like in buildings and cities. It is crucial to quantify the impact of greening and make it measurable. In doing so, we are laying vital groundwork for future replication by many other property owners,” says Christian Fink, Managing Director of AEE – Institute for Sustainable Technologies.
In recent years, the building at Heinrichstraße 80 has regularly heated up significantly from early summer onwards. The increasing number of hot days necessitated a measure to lower indoor temperatures in order to ensure the well-being of the institute’s staff. The University of Graz has opted for a climate- and biodiversity-friendly solution. The system’s computer-controlled irrigation is also optimised for water efficiency, drawing water from a cistern.
Scientific Monitoring
Green facades and roofs are now regarded as a key element of climate-friendly construction. However, there is a widespread lack of before-and-after measurements to assess their actual effects on real buildings. With ‘HeinrichBiCool’, the University of Graz is now making a significant contribution to filling this gap. A central component of the project is comprehensive monitoring before and after planting. Studies and automated measurements provide sound scientific data on the effectiveness of the measures, both in terms of indoor climate and energy requirements, as well as the promotion of biodiversity. These enable a technical, economic and ecological assessment of building climate control through greening compared to active cooling solutions. In consultation with the building’s users, a survey will also be conducted in autumn 2026 to gauge their personal satisfaction with the implementation of the measure.
