--- title: Living Lab NRW url: "https://www.plattform-bauen-und-wohnen.de/en/real-world-laboratory-mapping/living-lab-nrw/" date: 2025-08-06 modified: 2025-09-15 lastUpdated: 2025-09-15 --- # Living Lab NRW 1. [Home](https://www.plattform-bauen-und-wohnen.de/en/) 2. [Real-world laboratory mapping](https://www.plattform-bauen-und-wohnen.de/en/real-world-laboratory-mapping/) 3. [Living Lab NRW](https://www.plattform-bauen-und-wohnen.de/en/real-world-laboratory-mapping/living-lab-nrw/) General information --------------------- The Living Lab North Rhine-Westphalia is a platform for research and education at the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering of the University of Wuppertal, on the topic of ‘Climate-neutral and sustainable construction in the city’. The platform was created as part of the Solar Decathlon Europe 21/22 (SDE 21/22) competition. Target values - Economical - Ecological - Social Content focus - Urban / neighbourhood development - Construction type / method - Climate adaptation Innovation type - Technical Funding - Public, federal state Research orientation ---------------------- ### Research questions Das Living Lab NRW dient als Forschungsplattform für klimaneutrales Bauen und Wohnen in der Stadt. In diesem Kontext gibt es unterschiedliche Forschungsfelder, die vor allem im Bereich Bauphysik und Technischer Gebäudeausrüstung sowie Architektur liegen. Das angegliederte Forschungskolleg mit 5 Doktoranden von NRW-Hochschulen setzt zudem weitere thematische Schwerpunkte. Cooperation ------------- ### Type of co-creation Those collaborating in the project pursue the co-creation approach intensively in only one phase of the project. In addition, the co-creation approach is applied in cross-process phases by involving people with practical und professional experience in decision-making about how to proceed. ### Society involvement Organised civil society and/or local society exchange ideas with the project managers. The decision-making power lies with the scientists. Continuation of the project ----------------------------- - Es wird nach geeigneten Nachnutzungen für die einzelnen Demonstrationsgebäude gesucht Constellation of actors ------------------------- ### Scientific involvement - University of Wuppertal (initiator) ### Actors in administration - Wuppertaler Stadtwerke (WSW) (active) Result and effect ------------------- ### Results and impacts in terms of affordability and other ecological and social target values - **Affordability** - Shared use concepts: The integration of shared living areas and sharing models helps to reduce individual living space (space sufficiency). Shared resources and rooms enable more efficient use, which reduces the financial burden. - Sustainability: The use of sustainable materials and energy-efficient technology helps to reduce energy consumption and thus also the financial burden. - **Ecological target goals** - Energy efficiency and renewable energies: All demonstration buildings in the Living Lab NRW are equipped with photovoltaic systems, some of which are integrated into the buildings (BIPV). They have highly insulated building envelopes, controlled ventilation with heat recovery and energy-efficient building services. In addition, an innovative local heating network with a central solar collector field is used to ensure a sustainable heat supply. - Sustainable materials and construction methods: The use of ecological building materials and recyclable materials reduces environmental impact and promotes resource conservation. - **Social target goals** - Promoting social coexistence: The housing concepts focus on co-living and social interaction. The design of communal areas strengthens social interaction and improves quality of life. - Participation and education: Living Lab NRW serves as an educational platform where students, researchers and the public work together on sustainable solutions. The transfer of knowledge is promoted and social participation strengthened through guided tours, events and dialogue formats. ### Consideration of the EU taxonomy and ESG criteria The Living Lab NRW meets key requirements of the EU taxonomy and ESG criteria, in particular in the areas of climate protection, resource efficiency and social sustainability. The energy-efficient demonstration buildings with photovoltaics, solar-thermal-supported local heating network and recyclable materials contribute to decarbonisation and the circular economy. At the same time, the project promotes social objectives through communal living concepts, educational opportunities and participation. As an interdisciplinary real-world laboratory, it makes an exemplary contribution to the ecologically and socially responsible transformation of the building and housing sector. Experiences ------------- ### Helpful insights & solutions - **Buildings as real-world laboratories and demonstrators** - Use of real buildings to test and communicate sustainable construction methods - Enables practical research, monitoring and direct public participation - **Modular, circular construction** - Use of demountable, recyclable materials and modular designs - Supports the circular economy and reduces embodied energy - **Smart neighbourhood solutions for energy and heat supply** - Combination of building-integrated photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, heat pumps and intelligent local heating network - **Easy-access, communal living arrangements** - Ideas for ‘living in a small space’ along with a high quality of life - Communal areas to encourage social integration and resource sharing - **Collaboration between science, local authorities and partners in the field** - Interdisciplinary collaboration as the key to success - A high level of knowledge transfer through the involvement of universities, city authorities, energy suppliers and civil society - **Participation and educational impact** - Opening up projects for guided tours, workshops, and events - Strengthening social acceptance and motivation to adopt similar practices Further information [Go to project website](https://livinglabnrw.uni-wuppertal.de/de/ "Externer Link auf livinglabnrw.uni-wuppertal.de/de/")