Sustainability in Ruppichteroth: New rescue station sets standards

Sustainability in Ruppichteroth: New rescue station sets standards

Something is happening in Schönenberg: A new rescue station is being built, which will not only be used as a rescue center, but will also serve as a showcase project for sustainable construction. The project in the Rhein-Sieg district has everything it takes to set an example for climate-friendly and resource-saving construction. The main building materials of this guard are wood and clay, which makes the project unique in the region broeltal.de reports.

What is particularly exciting is the collaboration of students from TH Köln, who are building an approximately 25 meter long soundproof wall made of clay. The rammed earth technique is used here, in which moist earth is pressed into wooden frames. Not only is a traditional building material being researched, but an old craft technique that requires a lot of skill and perseverance is also being revived. The entire process takes place under the scientific supervision of Professor Philipp Hoppe, who closely observes the changes in the material.

A look at the details

The rescue station will be built in a modern half-timbered construction and will create habitats for plants and animals with green roof areas. “It is important not only to create a functional building, but also one that is in harmony with nature,” says District Administrator Sebastian Schuster. With heat supply via heat pumps that use geothermal energy and a photovoltaic system to generate energy, this project also sets new standards in terms of energy efficiency.

Keyword sustainability: The building reflects the trend towards environmentally friendly materials such as clay and wood, which are attracting more and more attention as sustainable alternatives in the construction sector. Class climate describes that the construction sector causes around 38% of global CO₂ emissions. Therefore, sustainable construction, which minimizes the environmental impact throughout a building's life cycle, is becoming increasingly important. Wood, for example, stores CO₂ and has a low environmental impact, which significantly reduces the ecological footprint.

A win for the region

The new rescue station will be built on a spacious plot of 4,200 square meters and will include a vehicle hall and lounges for employees. This not only improves medical care for the local population in Ruppichteroth, Eitorf, Much, Neunkirchen-Seelscheid and Windeck, but also keeps deployment times shorter. Mayor Mario Loskill describes this project as a “milestone for the community”.

With total costs of around 8.6 million euros, which will be borne by the Rhein-Sieg district, commissioning is planned for the end of 2026. The project illustrates how important sustainable planning is in our society - whereby aspects such as resource conservation, economics and social inclusion must be reconciled. The IB SH emphasizes that sustainable building must be assessed not only ecologically, but also economically and socially, across the entire life cycle.

Overall, this is a place where members of the community are not only cared for, but also experience an example of sustainable construction. A nice sign from Ruppichteroth for the region and the environment!