Allianz für Substanz is an Austrian network and platform that brings together organisations and people working for a change in the construction sector: it argues that existing buildings should be treated as an ecological and social resource, rather than routinely demolished and replaced. The alliance describes its role as connecting relevant topics and actors and promoting a shift centred on retaining existing building fabric.1
Its core position is that demolition and new construction should give way to retaining, adapting and renovating existing buildings. The group argues that preserving structures retains the “embodied” energy and resources already invested in them, while climate-conscious renovation can reduce energy use in operation. It calls for the demolition-and-replacement cycle to be suspended across the building stock and for architecture and urban planning to protect the climate and biodiversity.1
The alliance’s initial supporters include Austrian architecture and heritage bodies, professional networks, climate organisations and civic initiatives. Among them are Architects4Future Austria, DOCOMOMO Austria, IG Architektur, Architekturzentrum Wien, RENOWAVE.AT eG, Scientists4Future Österreich and the Haus der Architektur Graz.1 The website names Christian Eibel, Martin Hess, Norbert Mayr, Maik Novotny, Jürgen Radatz, Carina Sacher and Lukas Vejnik as authors of its text; it does not identify them as founders or formal leaders.1
Its stated activities and connections extend beyond Austria: the website says its demands draw on initiatives in neighbouring countries, including Germany’s Abrissmoratorium and architects4future Deutschland, as well as countdown2030.1 It also identifies the alliance as part of Allianz Alte WU, a network concerned with the future of Vienna’s Alte WU site.14 The available sources do not specify a founding date, formal headquarters or registered office.1