Sustainability was a top priority during the construction of the new children’s village in Altmünster. The houses were built using cross-laminated timber and feature ventilated facades made from timber frame elements. A decentralized pellet heating system provides the entire heat supply for the complex, making the SOS Children’s Village Altmünster a model project across Europe.

After extensive evaluation and planning, the groundbreaking ceremony took place in 2022. Over the course of two years, a total of eleven buildings were constructed, designed to meet diverse educational needs while employing the latest ecological and economic technologies. The new SOS Children’s Village can accommodate up to 100 children and their parents. 

Wood has a Positive Effect

“Climate protection is child protection. We therefore see it as our duty to contribute to the energy transition,” explains SOS Children’s Village Director Gerhard Pohl. “This also requires a shift in building culture,” adds Philipp Hüttl, Managing Director of LibertydotHome and Construction Manager. “The advantages of wood as a building material are numerous; it is scientifically proven that wood has a balancing effect on the mood of the residents.”

Decentralized Pellet Heating

The heat is distributed to the individual houses and administrative buildings via a local heating network. All operating states of the fully automated pellet heating system can be monitored remotely. In addition to the pellet heating system, photovoltaic cells were also installed at the Family Town Hall. Special care was taken to preserve the existing trees. Thanks to smart planning, the SOS Children’s Village was also designed to be car-free.