Vienna, Austria

A new construction project in Vienna's second district, with around 22,000 m² of office space, is using wood-hybrid-construction to overcome new challenges. Around 4,000 solid cubic metres of spruce have been used in the ‘green’ building. By using wood-hybrid-construction, CO2 emissions are reduced by up to 80% compared to conventional construction methods. The internationaly successful HerzCON is also on board. Behind the scenes, DI (FH) Christian Bundschuh, has been working for 21 years as a project manager for large scale projects at Ortner Ges.m.b.H., a company of the IGO Group. In our conversation, he provides insights into the challenges of wood-hybrid-construction, but the conversation goes far beyond technical details: the shortage of skilled workers, politics, new technologies and the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence.

HERZ News: Mr. Bundschuh, could you give us a brief insight into the LeopoldQuartier project?

Christian Bundschuh: The project consists of several residential buildings and an office building with ten floors. We, at Ortner, are responsible for the office building services of that office complex. The special thing about the project is the wood-hybrid-construction method. The core is made of reinforced concrete, while the load-bearing components facing the facade are made of wood. It is a method that is still rarely used in the industry, but it seems to be the future.

HERZ News: What challenges does this pose for you in this project?

Christian Bundschuh: This construction method is relatively new and requires flexible solutions, especially in building services. For us, the challenge lies, on the one hand, in the details that do not yet exist, such as penetrations in the outer area or fastening. How do I fix the building services, especially the cooling ceiling systems, so that they also look good? On the other hand, the wood construction is largely modularly prefabricated and in this size, the wood is not really easy to obtain. It's a tightrope walk, but that's exactly what makes it so appealing.

HERZ News: As far as I know, HerzCON was also customised to the individual requirements of the project. Was the solution flexible enough?

Christian Bundschuh: In our business, especially when it comes to large scale construction projects, flexibility is essential. We are constantly making product adjustments to our projects to make commissioning and processes easier. If there are also interfaces, as in the LeopoldQuartier, product customisation is all the more important. I have to solve the interfaces safely and cleanly so that I don't become dependent. HerzCON is used for the cooling panels because it also allows us to solve the interfaces cleanly and work efficiently. In addition, we are doing the commissioning for this project, so it was important to me that it would take only little time. At the end of the day, anything that is time-consuming is also cost-intensive.

HERZ News: Due to the shortage of skilled workers in the industry, the time-saving installation of products is becoming increasingly important. How do you view this situation?

Christian Bundschuh: The shortage of skilled workers remains a major issue – in office technology as well as on the construction site and even across industries. On the construction site, temporary workers are used to make up for the lack of qualified technical personnel. Therefore, products must be designed in such a way that anyone can assemble them. Our group has an apprentice academy to get young people interested in the industry at an early stage. I have to give the apprentice tasks and opportunities so that he can develop and feel useful. These are different times, it's a different generation. We need new approaches. But the reality is that access to work has also changed.

HERZ News: To what extent?

Christian Bundschuh: Prosperity and work-life balance characterise the young generation. They are satisfied with their lives and don't want to build anything more. I miss thinking about the future and the next generation here. I don't blame the youth, it's due to prosperity. Prosperity is at its zenith. They have received everything from their grandparents or parents, why should they work so hard? We have been in a recession for two years and most people don't even realise it. As for the new generation, we are all facing a major challenge.

HERZ News: Do you see artificial intelligence (AI) as a way of compensating for the shortage of skilled workers, at least in the office environment?

Christian Bundschuh: I think that AI is being misinterpreted: AI accesses a set of tools that humans have to provide. It can simplify processes, for example by automating accounting or planning. It complements human work, but it cannot replace humans themselves. The person giving the instructions is still the human. If we use AI wisely, I see an opportunity for it to be used for recurring tasks to partially counteract the shortage of skilled workers.

HERZ News: What changes do you see in the construction industry in terms of technology?

Christian Bundschuh: It is the supply that has changed, so buildings are being constructed and technology adapted accordingly. In Vienna, you can increasingly see that deep boreholes are being planned for geothermal energy or heat pumps. These are topics that arise in the planning phase. In the past, it was the boilers. Basically, more and more work is being done with low-temperature systems, so only surface heating systems are used because the base temperature is not available. If we look behind the scenes, everything depends on funding, and thus on politics.

HERZ News: So the changes are more likely to be politically driven?

Christian Bundschuh: The technology itself is not changing because someone says they want to heat in an environmentally friendly way of their own accord. There is either a regulation or a subsidy behind it. In recent years, numerous photovoltaic systems or heat pumps have been sold as a result of the many subsidies. I dare to doubt whether the green idea is at the forefront of the individual's mind. It is politically driven and we live with the technical adjustments.

HERZ News: How do you see the future of the construction industry?

Chrisitan Bundschuh: We are not going to see a return to the good old days when everyone earned well because everyone was kept busy. These are indeed difficult times for the industry, but we have to go downhill to go uphill again. It just takes a little time and new approaches. Difficulties such as labour shortages and the economic situation will be the next hurdles for us to overcome. After all, crises are there to be overcome.

HERZ News: I really appreciate you taking the time to speak so openly and honestly about these important issues affecting our industry. Thank you for sharing your perspectives with us.

Project LeopoldQuartier OFFICE

Construction of the LeopoldQuartier OFFICE began in the second quarter of 2023, with completion scheduled for tenants in winter 2025. The LeopoldQuartier OFFICE offers its tenants flexible office solutions: from individual offices to open space. Ortner Gesm.b.H. can look back on a long history of successful projects with the client UBM Development AG. UBM Development AG is aiming for numerous sustainability certifications for the LeopoldQuartier OFFICE thanks to the sustainable construction and focus on environmental protection. Further information about the project can be found at: www.leopoldquartier.at/office