Through the NEST-Unit Beyond.Zero project in Dübendorf, we are investigating how buildings in future can not only reduce CO₂ emissions but even act as carbon sinks. To this end, innovative, low-carbon and carbon-negative building materials are being used and tested under real-world conditions.

Our contribution as an architectural practice: using Clever Architecture, we are investigating the feasibility of these materials and developing suitable construction methods to ensure they can be used in a meaningful and practical way.

Yesterday at INNOVATE Bau, the project took centre stage at the panel discussion ‘How will the net-zero building go from being a pioneer to the norm?’. The discussion centred on the challenges of climate-neutral construction: what is needed for innovative approaches to take root in practice and become the new standard?

Our founding partner, Andreas Derrer, discussed these questions alongside Enrico Marchesi (Empa), Andreas Schefer (KLARK – der Klimabeton), Wolfram Kübler (WaltGalmarini AG) and Beat Kämpfen (Kämpfen für Architektur AG).

We are delighted that Beyond.Zero is helping to shape this important discussion, and we would like to thank all the speakers for the professional exchange!