Build sustainably with EcoTool

High Emissions in Construction

Man-made CO2 emissions continue to be excessively high. The goal set in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement (reducing global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius) is not being achieved. The construction sector plays a crucial role in this, as it is proportionately the largest emitter of the climate-damaging gas, CO2. This is where EcoTool comes in.

For a long time, the sustainability of construction projects was only estimated based on intuition. Thanks to well-founded facts, EcoTool succeeds in highlighting sustainable construction methods and illustrating the connections between building envelope and operational energy.

Reduced Emissions Thanks to EcoTool

EcoTool is a tool for demonstrating measurable sustainability in the construction and estimation of operational energy of a building project. EcoTool is excellent for use in the early stages of a construction project (design, competition). In these phases, the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the greatest.

Automated eco-balance value with just a few clicks

With EcoTool, the ecological balance of a construction project can be estimated effortlessly with simple inputs and a few clicks. The configurations of building components can be quickly and easily varied to identify the impact of different setups on the ecological balance. The simplicity and automation of the tool allow for the rapid identification and improvement of the major factors that negatively affect the ecological balance. The calculation is based on a balance sheet using data recognized in Switzerland (SIA standards and KBOB data). EcoTool contains ecological balance values for all materials, rooted in the KBOB list (List of Life Cycle Assessment Data in the Construction Sector 2009-1-2022_v4.0). The KBOB list can be accessed on the federal government's website.

More energy-efficient buildings thanks to EcoTool

EcoTool is a web application that assists in planning energy-efficient buildings. What used to require complex calculations by experts can now be independently carried out by architects using EcoTool in the browser. EcoTool calculates three assessment factors based on material selection and allocation within a building: total environmental impact, embodied energy, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Who is EcoTool intended for?

EcoTool is designed for everyone involved in the sustainability of construction, especially in the early phases of a construction project. EcoTool is structured to be user-friendly for architects, engineers, clients, and other interested parties.

What can EcoTool do specifically?

• Automated ecological balancing for early phases. Simple, fast, and reliable.

• Calculate with depth – The solid foundation of KBOB data and referencing SIA standards and calculation methods provides confidence in the calculation.

• Standards as templates – In each area, users can choose from a list of templates or create their own configurations.

• Quick capture – Assembling building components is efficient and follows a clear logic.

• Easy selection – Materials from the KBOB list are conveniently available for selection.

• Collaborate – Easily invite as many team members as needed to a project and collaborate seamlessly.

Modern and Sleek Tech Stack

SvelteKit is utilized as the frontend technology. This modern JavaScript/Typescript web UI framework allows us to build complex and reactive user interfaces.

Supabase serves as the ideal backend technology for this project. Authentication, real-time updates in the browser (messaging via Websockets), and a database with row-level permissions cover a significant portion of our requirements. Adjustments to the data are sent in real-time to other web clients, enabling simultaneous collaboration on a project. The likelihood of changes being overwritten by someone else at the same moment is minimized due to atomic updates.

Value for Building Owners

With EcoTool, building owners can conduct sustainable competitions and assess the ecological balance of their existing building portfolio. Through the Building Owners' Dashboard, projects can be managed directly in the browser. Digital and streamlined, both existing portfolios and the ecological balancing of competition projects can be handled in one place.

EcoTool is developed in collaboration with and supported by Real Estate Basel-Stadt. Additionally, it is promoted by the Federal Office for Spatial Development as part of the Sustainable Development program.

EcoTool - an Added Value for ZPF

With EcoTool, ZPF opens up a new market and, consequently, new target groups. The investment in a new brand with a standalone product enhances ZPF's reputation as an innovative and progressive company, showcasing its expertise in sustainability consulting.

In collaboration with ZPF, we have defined the identity of the EcoTool brand, positioning it as a positive, data-driven, advanced, and accessible brand. Based on this, we have developed a brand style guide encompassing the logo, visual elements, colors, animation principles, and more.

Guided and with specific assistance for the ecological balance value

The application is designed for use without specialized knowledge. Both architects and engineers can easily input values in two steps, which then generate automated results. A clear dashboard facilitates easy navigation between different projects. A progress bar provides orientation within a process, and tooltips at relevant points offer specific assistance.

EcoTool is a product of the company ZPF Engineers in partnership with Real Estate Basel-Stadt. The civil engineers at ZPF Engineers advise and accompany clients and planning partners from the idea stage through all stages of construction: competitions, design and execution planning, as well as construction supervision.