22-26 method deals with temperature of the future

Climate change, the depletion of natural resources and rising energy prices are forcing us to rethink how we design and operate buildings. In the face of all these crises, it is no longer enough to simply react, but to take decisive preventive and systematic action.

As we know, construction is currently responsible for around 40% of global energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, which is why architects have a key role to play. At the heart of this transformation are several questions. Such as: in times of climate crisis, is it more effective to radically simplify architecture rather than further technologize it? Or: does a sustainable building really need complex systems, or rather a new way of thinking about design? More and more investors, urban planners and designers are realising that adding more layers of technology or expensive installations will not solve the underlying problem. What is needed is a change in approach to design based on simple principles: efficiency, resource conservation and thinking about the future.

Certificates alone are not enough

Let us remember that for several years now, almost every major project has been trying to obtain BREEAM, LEED or WELL environmental certificates. Although this is an important step towards more responsible construction, certificates alone are not enough. Too often, they become an end in themselves rather than a tool for real change. Meanwhile, the most effective solutions are often the simplest: conscious design of the building's form, orientation and natural ventilation. Less is more, but only when less means smarter.

Baumschlager Eberle Architekten responds to these challenges with the 22·26 method. It is a model of a building that functions without heating, ventilation and cooling systems, achieved through precise construction, proper insulation and the use of passive energy sources. This method shows that the future of architecture lies not in adding, but in subtracting unnecessary layers, reducing costs and energy consumption and returning to design based on common sense. This approach certainly requires the courage not to rely on technology as insurance, but to trust in the quality of the design.

“Today, the biggest challenge in design is not finding new technology, but having the courage to trust simplicity. A building should be like an organism, it should function independently, in harmony with the environment that sustains it”,  comments Michał Rudnicki, director of the Krakow (Poland) office of Austrian Baumschlager Eberle Architekten. “Of course, technology is not the enemy. Quite on the contrary, it can give us data that we did not have before, but it should not be used to fix the mistakes of bad architecture. If we really want to combat climate change, we need to redefine modernity, no longer as a futuristic aesthetic, but as rational, responsible design for decades to come.”

Architektura 22·26: new standard of comfort and efficiency

At a time when many designers are focusing on technology, the 22·26 method emphasises climate awareness. It combines durability, energy efficiency and comfort of use without energy-intensive installations. The building regulates its own microclimate thanks to its geometry, high heat capacity and natural ventilation, supported by the intelligent 22·26 OS operating system. In practice, it maintains a constant temperature between 22 and 26°C. In winter, heat is generated by people and electrical appliances, while in summer, ventilation is used instead of air conditioning. The 22·26 OS system monitors temperature, CO₂ levels and humidity every 90 seconds to ensure a stable microclimate.

Since 2013, more than 20 buildings designed according to this method have been built in Austria, Germany, France and Switzerland. These are offices, apartments and administrative buildings that operate without classic HVAC systems, and their effectiveness is confirmed by hard data.

“Haus 2226 in Lustenau (Austria) has been operating without heating or air conditioning for over a decade. We have complete data from monitoring systems that confirm that the solution works and brings real savings”, says Michał Rudnicki. “Sustainable architecture does not end on the day the investment is completed. In the case of 22·26, we have access to data that proves that rational design can significantly reduce a building's impact on the climate for decades.”

Economy, durability, independence

Energy consumption in 22·26 buildings is up to half that of standard buildings with a similar function. The absence of classic HVAC systems means not only lower operating costs, but also a lower risk of failure. These are buildings that operate independently, even in crisis situations such as energy price spikes, heat waves or interruptions in access to raw materials. The method involves the use of natural and durable materials - brick, lime, wood and mineral plasters. As a result, these buildings are not only low-carbon, but also long-lasting. The projects speak for themselves: ROBIN Seestadt in Vienna combines office and educational functions and Confluence in Lyon proves that residential construction can also be self-sufficient. The JED project in Zurich and Amédée in Bordeaux show that aesthetics, innovation and ecology can coexist without compromise.

“Today, as we seek crisis-resistant solutions, it is crucial to design independently of external systems. The 22·26 method means, above all, greater security and real value for the investor”, emphasises Michał Rudnicki.

Awareness that makes a difference

In the face of climate change, rising energy costs and increasingly long heat waves, we in Poland are also asking ourselves: when will we start designing differently? 2024 was another record-breaking year for heat. In many countries around the world, the demand for cooling exceeds the demand for heating. Although we still experience winters in Poland, their nature is changing, and today winters are becoming warmer, frosty days are becoming rarer, and snow cover is shorter and weaker than it was 20-30 years ago. Data show that the number of days with temperatures below 0 °C has fallen by as much as 20 days per year over the past 30 years, and the average winter temperature has risen by almost 2.4 °C.

This is not a temporary phenomenon, but a permanent climate change that requires a responsible design response. Architektura 22·26 proves that it is possible to design comfortably and self-sufficiently. However, this approach requires something more. We must have a constant awareness and there is a need to redefine the concept of modernity. Because truly modern architecture is that which grows out of logic, the local climate and respect for the user, and it is this that will have real value in the decades to come.