Influence of regional context in building design on the transferability of material indicators: A case study of a residential building type in Kazakhstan and Germany

Building design is strongly influenced by regional contexts, including climatic conditions, structural requirements, and cultural preferences. These factors impact material selection and pose challenges to the transferability of building typologies and material indicators (MIs) across regions. This study examines how regional context affects design and material requirements, using a 9-story residential building as a case study based on building standards in Kazakhstan and Germany. The building was chosen for comparability, reflecting cultural differences in construction methods, such as with and without a basement. Climatic differences affect building physics requirements, influencing the material needs of the building envelope. Structural design followed reinforced concrete standards in both countries, determining material quantities. Analysis identified key factors influencing the transferability of building concepts, particularly climatic conditions—Kazakhstan's colder winters require thicker insulation walls—and Germany's cultural preference for basements, leading to higher material consumption. The study emphasizes the need for region-specific approaches to sustainable, climate-resilient design and strategies to improve the transferability of MIs across regions.