Creative Engineering, Architecture, and Technology (DOM Publishers) by DETAIL

Creative Engineering, Architecture, and Technology

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nature loves simplicity and unity.â&#x20AC;? Johannes Kepler, German Mathematician and Astronomer (1571 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1630)

This book is dedicated to Klaus Daniels and his forty years of contributions to engineering excellence.

Ralph Hammann

Creative Engineering, Architecture, and Technology

Contents Acknowledgements

Preface

Thomas Herzog, Technische Universität München, Germany

Gerhard Hausladen, Technische Universität München, Germany

Christian Bartenbach, Bartenbach Lichtlabor, Aldrans, Austria

Winfried Heusler, Schüco International KG, Bielefeld, Germany

Manfred Hegger, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany

Rüdiger Detzer, Imtech, Hamburg, Germany

Joachim Stoll, Georg-Simon-Ohm University of Applied Sciences,

Nürnberg, Germany Introduction

Engineering Competence in a Changing World, Klaus Daniels, Professor Emeritus, former Chair of Building Systems, Swiss Institute of Technology (ETH) 1 1.1

Framework Conditions

Germany: Leader in Sustainable, Low-Energy Technology

Research and Applications 1.2

Political Framework: Ascendance of the Green Party’s

“Die Grünen” 1.3

Legislation in Regards to Energy Consumption, Building

Construction, and Ecology in Germany 1.4

Subsidies: Tax Incentives and Other Supportive Government

Programs 1.5 2

Comparison with North America

Beginning Change

2.1

“Limits to Growth,” The Club of Rome, 1972

2.2

Engineering Solutions by HL Technik as a Response to

the Energy Crises I, in 1973, and II, in 1978 2.2.1

The Conventional Approach: Fully Sealed, Air-Conditioned,

Large, Open-Plan Office Floors Example: DEVK Insurance Group, Cologne 2.2.2

The “Modified ”Conventional Approach with Narrow, Day-lit

“European” Floor Plates Example: Rheinisch-Westfälischer Immobilienfonds (RWI),

Düsseldorf, 1974 (1970 – 1974) 2.2.3

The “Scientific “and Analytical Approach

Example: Swiss Credit Institution, Zurich, Switzerland. Schweizerische Kreditanstalt Zürich 3

Re-Orientation as a Result of Awareness of a World

of Limited Resources 3.1

Large Halls, Atria, Winter Gardens: Introducing, Thermal,

Low-Energy-Flow Buffers as Energy Savers 3.1.1

Dresdner Bank AG Düsseldorf, 1985, Architects: Kraemer,

Sieverts Partner KSP 3.1.2

Tchibo Holding AG Administration Center CN2, Hamburg, 1988, Architects: Bürgin, Nissen, Wentzlaff

3.1.3

DAK Insurance, Administration Building, Hamburg, 1991,

Architects: Pysall Stahrenberg Partners 3.1.4

Galleria Office Complex Opfikon, Zurich, Switzerland,

Architects: Gerber-Nauer, with Burckhardt Partners, Honegger + Klaus 3.1.5

Exhibition Hall 26, Hanover, International Hanover Trade Fair,

Hanover, Architects: Thomas Herzog Partners 3.1.6

Central Train Station, Leipzig

3.1.7

High-Speed Train Terminal Fernbahnhof Deutsche Bahn AG,

International Airport Frankfurt 3.1.8

Museum of Hamburg History, Hamburg, Architects: gmp

Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner 3.1.9

Exhibition Hall Leipzig, Architects: gmp

Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner 3.2 3.2.1

Medium-to–Heavy Thermal-Storage-Mass Concepts

Europäische Investitionsbank, Luxembourg, 1980 (1976 – 1980),

Architect: Sir Denys Lasdun Partners, London UK 3.2.2

AWK Koblenz, 1982, Architect: Struhk Partners

102

3.2.3

HL Technik AG, Corporate Offices, Administration Building, Mu-

106

nich, 1989, Architect: Ralph Hammann, REH, Munich, Germany 3.3

Double-Skin Façade Solutions (DSF): Thermal and Pressure Conditions in Tall-Building Envelopes

3.3.1

Commerzbank Frankfurt, 1994, Architect: Sir Norman Foster Partners, London UK

3.3.2

113

DLZ Stern, Essen 1995, Architect: Ingenhoven Overdieck, Düsseldorf, Germany

3.3.3

112

120

Landesbank Hessen und Thüringen (now: Main Tower), Frankfurt, 1996, Schweger

125

Partners, Hamburg, Germany 3.3.4

EWHA Womens, University Seoul, 2007, Architect: Dominique Perrault DPA, Paris, France

3.3.5

Schumacher, Frankfurt, Germany 3.4 3.4.1

134

Westhafen Tower Frankf./Main, 2000, Architects: Schneider 142

Natural Ventilation Concepts: Thermal Buoyancy Spiegel News Magazine, Administration Building, Hamburg,

148

1997, Architect: Friedrich

148

3.4.2

De Montfort University, Leicester, Architect: Peake Short Partners

3.4.3

BMW Pavillion am Lehnbachplatz, München, Architect: Sep Ruf

153

3.4.4

Uptown Munich (O2 München), Architect: Ingenhoven, Overdiek

156

& Partner, Düsseldorf, Germany

158

3.5

Buildings under Glass: Low-Energy Flow and Ventilation Concepts

3.5.1

Continuing Education Center “Mont Cenis”, Herne, 1998, Architects: Jourda Perraudin, with HHS

3.5.2

170

DVG Headquarters, Hanover, 1999, Architect: Hascher, Jehle with Heinle, Wischer Partners

3.5.4

163

State Chancellery Building of Bavaria, Munich, Bayerische Staatskanzlei München, Architects: Siegert, Munich

3.5.3

162

174

Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Munich, Herz Jesu Kirche München, Architects: Allmann, Sattler

178

3.5.5

Kunsthaus Graz, Austria,

180

Architects: Peter Cook, Colin Fournier, London UK 3.6 3.6.1

Building Design and Technology in Extreme Climates

184

European Space Agency (ESO), Cerro Paranal, Chile, 2001,

184

Architect: Auer-Weber Associates 3.6.2

Antarctica Station, GB (D.Phil. Klaus Peter, HL-Engineering

188

Partner) 4 4.1

Ten Selected Architectural Competitions and Studies

195

Deutscher Reichstag, Berlin,

196

Architect: Santiago Calatrava (Second Place) 4.2

Icade Tower, van Santen & Associates,

200

Architect: Pysall, Stahrenberg Partners PSP 4.3

Integrated Light-Weight Disaster Shelter,

208

Architect: Ralph Hammann 4.4

Samsung Global Engineering Headquarter, Seoul, Korea + EDF

218

Forschungszentrum, Architect: Dominique Perrault, LEED® Consultant: Ralph Hammann (Third Place) 4.5

Performing Arts Center, Abu Dhabi, Renzo Piano

226

(Proposal) 4.6

Phare Tower La Defense, Jaques Ferrier (Third Place)

232

4.7

Green Gorgon Art Museum Lausanne, Francois Roche, Lavaux,

244

Navarro (Proposal) 4.8

Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg, Russia,

246

Architect: Dominique Perrault DPA (Proposal) 4.9

Sheikh Zayed Knowledge Center, Abu Dhabi.

250

Architect: Snøhetta AS, Oslo 4.10

Central Train Station Stuttgart 21, Ingenhoven Architects,

254

(First Place) 5

Teaching Technology: The Education of Future Engineers

257

and Architects 5.1

International Recognition: 1st Place, U.S. Department of Energy

258

(DOE) ”Solar Decathlon“ Competition 2008 5.2

Sustained Success: 1st Place, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

264

”Solar Decathlon“ Competition 2010 5.3

Sustainability: Remarks Concerning an Over-used Term

266

5.4

Integrating Technology Education at Schools of

267

Architecture

Future Design

271

6.1

Concepts and Focus Areas

272

6.2

Materials, Embedded Energy, and Climate Change

278

6.3

Goals

279

6.4

New vs. Old: New Uses for Existing Buildings

280

6.5

Adaptable Building Skins

288

6.6

Adaptable Building Infrastructure

288

6.7

Resource Availability

289

6.8

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;2-Degree Scenarioâ&#x20AC;?

290

6.9

Architectural Building Design

292

6.10

Energy Supply

294

6.11

Hydro Energy

295

6.12

Combined Algae-Fish Plants (CAFP)

296

6.13

Food Production of the Future

302

6.14

Governing Factors

310

6.15

Architecture of Combined Algae-Fish Plants (CAFP)

316

Conclusion

322

Ten Convictions for Future Work

Contributors

326

Credits

328

Bibliography

329

Selective index

332

Christian Bartenbach

Linking Up Climate Control and Lighting – A Longstanding Cooperation

Figures 3 / 4 Yas Marina Island Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Private winebar with movable ceiling elements with integrated LED light (top), bird‘s view (left). Images: Asymptote NY rendering

I met Klaus Daniels for the first time in 1969, during an

Due to Klaus Daniels’ vitality and diligence, this cooperation

evaluation of the lighting system for the main administra-

was realized very soon. At the time, both of us still worked

tive building of Bayer. At the time, Klaus was a young

for industrial firms, although with the desire to form

engineer who was hired by Bayer to test the brand new

engineering consultancies of our own. Soon afterward, we

technology in the area of office illumination: the mirrored-

put this desire into practice: Daniels opened an engineering

louvre luminaires that I invented. Very quickly, Klaus Daniels

consultancy for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning,

realized that the introduction of this type of luminaire

and I established the first lighting engineering company

would not only provide freedom from glare, but would

in German-speaking countries. Together, the two of us

also reduce the air-changing and climate-load rates in

formed a consortium with branch offices in Berlin, Munich,

open-plan offices to 1/3 in comparison with previously

and Hamburg.Klaus Daniels is a vital, fast thinker who

used systems. In other words, this was the very begin-

equally quickly follows through with the realization of his

ning of linking up and combining the task of lighting with

clear ideas. Due to his enthusiasm, our cooperative efforts

that of air conditioning. At the conclusion of this lighting

not only took off in a short time but also lasted for more

system evaluation, in a typical Vienna-style coffee house in

than 20 years. During this time, we were able to work on a

Innsbruck, Austria, Klaus and I spent many hours discussing

large number of significant projects, and we accomplished

a potential future cooperation.

what truly can be called: Success.

Christian Bartenbach

Figure 4 A model of the Putrajaya Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is tested for uses of daylight illumination at the earlier Artificial Sky Laboratory at BartenbachLichtlabor Lighting Design: BartenbachLichtlabor, Austria Image: Peter Bartenbach, Munich

During our cooperation, we continued researching, devel-

only a few years later. Nevertheless, the foundation for

oping, and designing the combined technology of interior

technologies to come was firmly put in place by us during

lighting and climate control – at the time, truly innovative

those years. We worked on pilot projects, such as the

solutions. Each of our offices concentrated on its specific

Central Bank office complex in Cologne, and other facilities

areas, and through this constant search for new knowl-

with prismatic facade constructions utilizing both daylight

edge, in its logical extension the medium of light made its

retroreflection and deflection.It is almost impossible to

way into daylighting solutions.

name all the projects that we worked on together, and it is not really necessary since Klaus Daniels has become a

Our interest in this area grew, and after the invention of

well-recognized and respected figure, not least through

daylight deflecting systems, new sun protection technolo-

his teaching activities and lectures. Our partnership, which

gies (not shading) were developed that still allowed for the

stretched over two decades – although from time to time it

light to illuminate interior space and deflect the sunlight.

was strenuous – was for me a deeply formative experience.

Klaus Daniels pushed our efforts in the direction of reducing the heat yield within interior spaces. I can still remember very vividly that our goal was to limit the g-value to

Prof. Dr. h.c. Ing. Christian Bartenbach,

g = 0.04. Yet, we would succeed in optimizing this value

Bartenbach LichtLabor, Austria

Winfried Heusler

Tendencies in Building Envelope Design and Engineering A Personal Perspective Looking back on Klaus Daniels’ work, from my current

In the early 1990s, I became Head of Development at

perspective. I am aware that he is – and has been – ahead

Gartner Facades in Gundelfingen and had the opportunity

of his time by some 15 to 30 years. The reasons for this

to contribute to great projects of the time: the high-rise

statement can be named:

buildings of The State Bank of Hessen (HELABA) and the

– As a visionary, he has not only predicted but analyzed

Commerzbank, both in Frankfurt, and the RWE Tower in

some 30 years ago the challenges we will face as a result

Essen. All of these very tall buildings were characterized

of climate change and the change in energy availability,

by the challenging concept of natural ventilation, typically

issues which are only today in the forefront of a public

considered “impossible” for the building type. In all of the

discussion.

projects, the technical concepts for ventilation and mechan-

– Some 20 years ago, as an academic and teacher, he

ical systems for cooling were conceived by Klaus Daniels, a

prepared the ground and lectured extensively on so-

man with truly outstanding conceptional abilities, and they

called “sustainable focus” in building and construction

were carried out through the support of the highly quali-

by “inventing” the “integrated and synchronized

fied engineering staff of his firm HL Technik.

approach” to design and mechanical engineering and creating the discipline of “building climatics.” Numerous

At the end of the 1990s, I joined Schüco in Bielefeld. Klaus

generations of students at two leading European techni-

Daniels was instrumental in supporting studies toward a

cal universities were heavily influenced by his work.

new type of highly efficient façade systems, which ulti-

– Many of the technical innovations that are today often

mately led into the SCHÜCO-E2-System.

presented by the international media as novel approaches have been designed, engineered, and executed in com-

In the past ten years, I also encountered Klaus Daniels as

plex and remarkable buildings by the firm of Klaus

a connoisseur of the good things in life and as a dedi-

Daniels some 15 years ago.

cated family man. One example is his choice of a beautiful wellness hotel in the Bavarian Alps, selected as the site

Over the years, I discovered more and more commonali-

for our discussions concerning our common book project

ties between the two of us. Maybe this is due to the fact

“Plusminus 20°/40° Latitude: Sustainable Building Design

that both of our academic backgrounds can be found in

in Tropical and Subtropical Regions” (Edition Axel Menges,

mechanical engineering. Both of us also had the opportu-

2007). When we tried to find a time in our busy schedules

nity to deepen and strengthen this theoretical underpin-

to meet to finalize the content of the book we discovered

ning with decades of know-how gained in the professional

that we were both – and by coincidence – spending a

realm. It is there where we met at various times and

weekend with our families in the same hotel. It was then

engaged in a multitude of real-world projects.

that I learned not only about how to design energy-efficient buildings in various climate zones, but equally, how to

In the early 1980s, as a freshly graduated engineer, I met

write books in an efficient manner. The finishing touches to

Klaus Daniels for the first time. I was “in tow” of Dr.

our book publication were completed by Klaus over a glass

Fritz Gartner, my boss at the time. I considered these first

of red wine while our families were long asleep in their

encounters as unforgettable “continuing-education op-

cozy beds.

portunities” when I observed the two of them convincing the leading contemporary architects of a superior solution

In this context, it is of value to summarize the technical and

for a given project. I started to comprehend the complexity

philosophical framework of Klaus Daniels‘ and our work at

of modern projects, which exist in the tension zone of man

SCHÜCO, and my personal contributions.

and nature, and cost and budgetary considerations all at the same time.

Winfried Heusler

Point of Departure Across centuries, building forms and types have been

In an increasing number of markets, the interest in ques-

adapted to local climatic conditions. Only in the 20th cen-

tions of sustainability is on the rise. Ecological aspects of

tury did the development of the technology of mechanical

sustainability include the protection of the natural envi-

air-conditioning allow the design of building envelopes in-

ronment and the care for resources. In this regard, the

dependently of the conditions and parameters of the local

response to the so-called “Energy Crises” of the 1970s first

setting. However, this development comes at a price. Not

focused on reduction of primary energy and later included

only are the operating and initial costs of such structures

the protection of water resources and the elimination or

on the rise but the dependency on complex technology

limitation of pollution. For a long time, only a focus on

and the increasing need for raw materials are also conse-

“initial cost” commanded the thinking; today, however, a

quences. In the past 40 years, this problematic tendency

careful optimization of investment costs and the resulting

can be observed across all metropolitan centers in both the

operational expenses is the norm. In addition, social and

developing and developed world, and it has started already

cultural aspects of sustainability have gain importance,

to influence the surrounding landscapes of such urban cen-

such as in the exterior design of buildings, but even more

ters through the way buildings are conceived. In the mid-

importantly in the way buildings are being used and the

1990s, a somewhat diverging tendency could be observed

spatial quality they provide to the user. Sustainability in the

in central Europe, where it became of more and more

building sector needs to include all of the above-mentioned

significance that building facades don’t just “look good”,

aspects.

but also serve the need for durability and operation of a building. Klaus Daniels points out in his book “Technology

Principles

of Ecological Building” (Birkhäuser, 1995) that building envelopes are the key for indoor comfort and operational

The current discussions in the public realm can be distin-

expenditures. The façade not only is responsible for the

guished according to two different strategies: the so-called

cost related to the operation of the building’s mechani-

“Sufficiency Strategy” and the “Efficiency Strategy.” In very

cal systems but can also determine whether, or to what

general terms, sufficiency is directed toward personal re-

degree, a building needs such systems in the first place.

sponsibility, such as the degree to which an individual uses resources, whereas efficiency is a parameter of the design

Challenges

and planning of buildings. In both cases, it is the goal to minimize the consumption of energy within a building, as

If we analyze the past 40 years from a greater distance, it

well as the waste of materials, time, and money in its con-

is clearly apparent that the building sector has caused a

struction and operation. A key component in such delibera-

significant reduction of both available natural resources and

tions is the building’s enclosure system, the façade. It needs

non-renewable energy. Several factors are responsible for

to possess and deliver across its entire life span superior

this global condition, including such things as: population

resource efficiency, which needs to be the result of energy

increase and rising productivity; industrialization and urban-

and material efficiency not only in concepts and materials

ization, paralleled by increases in standards of living and

of the envelope but also in the development of highly ef-

the resulting demands for more living space per capita; and

ficient design, construction, and operational processes.

the greater expectation in regard to comfort and quality of living. Such demands lead to the consumption of primarily non-renewable resources such as coal, crude oil, natural gas, and uranium, which are limited in availability.

Winfried Heusler

Energy-Efficient Façades

of energy. However, the aim is also not to compromise comfort. Human performance and wellness are a direct

Comfort

High

Increasing energy efficiency means the reduction of waste

be understood that even the enormous need for energy of some faulty solutions of buildings and space does not

Medium

result of the comfort of a surrounding space. It needs to

the help of energy-efficient building envelopes, it is possible to even out the differences between outside climatic

Low

necessarily result in an increase of comfort (Figure 6). With

conditions and interior comfort. With such solutions, the variations within the climatic situation can be dampened and smoothed out as well. The more the quality of thermal insulation of a building envelope is increased, the more important is a focus on thermal loss due to ventilation or infiltration (Figure 7). The overarching goal must be that uncontrolled ventilation due

Low

Medium

Figure 6 The goal is to decouple comfort from energy consumption Source: Schüco Good Normal Insufficient

to gaps in the construction needs to be avoided. Sub-optimal operational procedures not only cause an enormous increase in operating cost but also result in non-acceptable interior comfort conditions. It is important to point out that the knowledge of users and/or operators of buildings, an aspect we may call “Operational Competence,” becomes of increasing significance. The most innovative building concept will inadvertently fail if it only performs in theory.

Figures 7 Energy-efficient building façade with temporary thermal insulation made of sliding vacuum insulation panels. SCHÜCO 2°-Concept at the “Bau Fair” in Munich, 2009. Images: Schüco

High Energy consumption

Winfried Heusler

In case one does not intend to rely on the operational com-

and distribution of daylight through glass with electro-op-

petence of users, it is advisable to consider equipping the

tical, gasochromic (tungsten-oxide) glazing, and glass types

building with controlled ventilation with the help of me-

have also been developed with photo-chromatic, thermo-

chanically and automatically operated openable windows

chromatic, and thermo-tropic properties.

and/or ventilation louvers. As an alternative, decentralized mechanical ventilators directly linked to outside air and

For many years, an additional research goal has been the

built into the façade may be considered (Figure 8). In most

development of thermal storage properties of façade

cases, such ventilators are equipped with additional heat-

systems. Electrically operated ventilation louvers in façades

ing and cooling coils. Increasingly, they also contain heat

connected to a building management system (BMS) allow

recovery and heat exchange systems to regain the energy

for the accelerated and increased nighttime cooling of

out of exhaust air. In such cases, those ventilators are fitted

internal thermal storage masses within a building. Impor-

with air-filtration systems and additional noise attenuators,

tant here is the accessibility of such thermal masses since

with the result that indoor air quality in both a hygienic and

they are also important in regard to usable solar gains

acoustical sense is greatly improved.

and the discharge of cooling loads. We mentioned earlier de-centralized mechanical ventilation components built

The optimization of energy use should not stop at the re-

into the building’s envelope. In case such systems are also

duction of thermal losses. Transparent and translucent sur-

equipped with regenerative heat exchangers, which work

faces of a building’s envelope collect thermal gains as well.

for example with phase-change-materials (PCM), they will

In the case of buildings with high internal loads (“internally

be capable of evening out diurnal and annual temperature

dominated”) and large glass surfaces, the solar radiation

fluctuations. If the capability to store thermal energy is

of summer causes overheating if no additional mechanical

great and, additionally, the local climate possesses the ad-

measures are considered. External shading systems reduce

vantage of diurnal temperature swings even during heating

the solar radiation and the resulting thermal gains greatly.

periods, mechanical cooling systems may become obsolete.

Daylight systems, on the other hand, have the role of evenly distributing the entering daylight within a room and optimizing the daylight quality. “Adaptable” building envelope components are capable of

Figure 8 Decentralized façade ventilation (Capricorn Office Complex, Dusseldorf, Germany, Gatermann + Schossig Architects, Cologne Image/Source: Schüco

reacting to non-continuous, changing external conditions that are in many instances predictable and can be calculated, such as the case with annual or diurnal swings in meteorological conditions (i.e., solar altitude angle) or the times of a building’s operation. However, non-predictable weather and operational aspects should be included as well, such as variations in cloud cover and spontaneous presence of users. As early as 1981, the English architect Mike Davies presented his ideas in regard to what he called a “Polyvalent Wall,” whose thin functional layers were meant to control various energy flows through a building envelope. The idea was that the enclosures of future buildings will adapt automatically to external climatic conditions. Since then, many researchers have worked on the development of materials that may control the flux of light, energy, ventilation, and sound “automatically,” in a self-controlling fashion. One such research goal is the invention of glass types that are controllable and adaptable. Various technologies already allow the control of the degree of transmission

Germany has the greatest percentage of installed solar power in all of Europe – by a significant margin – as a result of regulatory intervention and tax incentives. Germany installed a record 3.8 GW of solar photovoltaic systems (PV) in 2009; in contrast, the U.S. installed about 500 MW in the same year. Germany was also the fastestgrowing major PV market in the world from 2006 to 2007, and industry observers speculate that Germany could install more than 4.5 GW in 2010. The German PV industry generates over 10,000 jobs in production, distribution, and installation. By the end of 2006, nearly 88 % of all solar PV installations in the EU were in grid-tied applications in Germany. As a remarkable consequence of the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, Germany – as the first industrialized nation in the world – agreed to completely discontinue its dependence on nuclear power by the year 2022. At that time, all German nuclear power generation will be shut down and taken off the grid. The current percentage of energy generated in Germany by exclusively renewable resources (hydro, biomass and biogas, photovoltaic, solar-thermal, geothermal, and wind) is more than 20 % (2011). That of the U.S. is slightly greater than 11 % (2009).

1 Framework Conditions

1.1 Germany: Leader in Sustainable, Low-Energy Technology Research and Applications 1.2 Political Framework: Ascendence of the Green Party “Die Grünen” 1.3 Legislation in Regards to Energy Consumption, Building Construction, Ecology in Germany 1.4 Subsidies: Tax Incentives and Other Supportive Government Programs 1.5 Comparison with North America

1 Framework Conditions

1.1 Germany: Leader in Sustainable, Low-Energy Technology Research and Applications Background

It is important for the understanding of the engineering

In terms of energy consumption, Germany, similar to other

achievements of HL Technik to sketch a background image

European countries, uses a variety of fossil fuels such as

of political and sociological frameworks currently shap-

coal, oil, gas, and nuclear energy to satisfy its primary

ing the societal landscape of Germany, the world’s second

energy needs. Crude oil-based primary energy generation

largest exporter of goods and technology. Germany is also

amounts to 35 %, natural gas to 22 %, and coal to 13 %

home of a variety of top research universities, institutes,

of Germany’s energy sources. Nuclear power generation

and world-renowned research academies such as the Max

is a relatively small source, at 12 %. In addition to those

Planck Institute, the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, and the Akad-

traditional energy sources, 7 % of the energy is recruited

emie der Naturforscher Leopoldina (Academy of Nature Sci-

from renewable sources (2008). The largest consumers of

entists Leopoldina). Germany is Europe’s largest economy

energy are the industrial sector, residential housing, and the

and was the third-largest in the world. In 2009, “the year

commercial sector – i.e., manufacturing (Figures 1.1 – 1.3).

of the global ecomomic crises,” Germany lost its status as the world’s largest export nation to China; however, this is not an enduring cause for concern.

287.82

Figure 1.1 18.1 Primary consumption, Primaryenergy energy consumption, Germany Germany Source: K. Daniels Image: Riemer Design

Figure 18.2 1.2 Figure Renewable energy consumption, Renewable energy consumption, Germany Germany Source: K. Daniels Image: Riemer Design

Figure Figure 1.3 18.3 Distribution of energy consumption, Distribution of energy consumption, Germany Germany Source: K. Daniels Image: Riemer Design

-2.621 A*

34.19

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ses Los

0.000

act ind uring ust ry Tra nsp ort Res ide ntia l Tra d com e a me nd rce Ag ricu ltur Fish e ing ind ust ry

nuf

ers

A* Electric energy import/export balance

Oth

7.964

114.93 16.2

0.557

0 Oth

olta

Pho

tov

0.000

0.114 al

her

erm

oth Ge

Hyd

Wa st

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ear Nu cl

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Oil

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ar t

256.23

25.51

100

20.86

300

200

Sol

100

27.87

400

16.18

200

167.1

150.31

300

in MWh x 106/a

7.24

373.96

400

in MWh x 106/a 40

in MWh x 106/a

1.1 Germany: Leader in Sustainable, Low-Energy Technology Research and Applications

However, Germany also has the greatest percentage of installed solar power in all of Europe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; by a significant margin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as a result of regulatory intervention and tax incentives. Germany installed a record 3.8 GW of solar photovoltaic systems (PV) in 2009; in contrast, the U.S. installed about 500 MW in the same year. Germany was also the fastestgrowing major PV market in the world from 2006 to 2007, and industry observers speculate that Germany could install more than 4.5 GW in 2010. The German PV industry generates over 10,000 jobs in production, distribution, and installation. By the end of 2006, nearly 88 % of all solar PV installations in the EU were in grid-tied applications in

Figure 1.4 Installed wind power in MW, Europe 2006

Germany.

Source: Sonnenenergie 05/2007 Image: Riemer Design

The same is the case when it comes to wind power usage in Germany (Figure 1.4), although its role of leader in wind power may soon be lost to other European countries as a result of their much longer, wind-intensive coastlines, or Capacity in MW

segment of renewable energy, except for power generation 20,000

11,500

at 1.5 % for each and the smallest sector, is surpassed by all

11,000

152.6

5.1

50.9

60.9

54.0

27.0

the largest amount, 6.2 billion Euros. Installed wind energy

500

193.1

applications in 2008, solar photo-voltaic power amounts to

1,000

35.3

the entire renewable energy sector and its installed power

86.0

1,500

other hand, we compare the economic ramifications of

1,635.0

2,000

may overtake that of nuclear power generation. If, on the

32.0

centage of primary power derived from renewable sources

776.5

2,500

519.0

current estimates indicate that by the end of 2010 the per-

1,962.9

3.000 1,716.4

to the percentage of power generation from nuclear,

745.2

biogenic gaseous, and biogenic waste segments. In regard

3,136.6

other renewable energy sources such as the hydro-electric,

3,136.6

generation for thermal and electric applications represents,

11,615

tributor to the renewable energy mix). Solar power-derived

1,560.0

sources from biogenic solid fuels (40 %, the largest con-

964.5

age of wind-originated energy is, at 15 %, the largest

20,624.9

even to emerging economies such as China. The percent-

energy, which amounts to a value of only 0.07 billion Euros

U Fra K nc Es e to n Be ia lgi um Fin lan d La Lit tvia hu an Cz Hun ia ec h gary Re pu b Po lic lan d Se rb ia

with an expected great growth potential, is geothermal

solar thermal with 1.1 billion. The smallest sector, however,

ar k Sp Ge ain rm an Ire y lan Po d rtu g Au al Ne st th ria e Lu rlan xe ds mb ou Gr rg ee c Sw e ed en Ita ly

power applications come in next with 2.3 billion Euros, and

of new systems installed in 2008.

Bild 34 Installierte Windleistung in MW (Europa 2006) Quelle: Sonnenenergie 05/2007

1 Framework Conditions

1.2 Political Framework: Ascendence of the Green Party “Die Grünen”

We may ask: what are the most significant political and

As a precursor to Germany’s Green Party, political organiza-

societal framework conditions that made possible such a

tions such as the Grüne Liste Umweltschutz (GLU), founded

successful implementation of renewable energy in Europe’s

in 1977 in Lower Saxony, had a much clearer message, a

largest economy?

conservative background, and more expertise in environmental issues than the anti-nuclear movement of the time.

The development of renewable energy technology and an

From the later years of the 1970s until the formation of

entire industry is inseparable from the rise of a middle-class

the national German Green Party, many sub-organizations

environmental movement, which started to become

of the environmental movement were able to gain seats in

a mainstream phenomenon in the late 1970s. Long before

local parliaments, sometimes with the help of prominent

the German Green party was founded in 1980 (Figure

candidates from various sectors of the society. As seen in

1.5), local grassroots organizations combined efforts in

images from the party’s inaugural congress in Karlsruhe in

the new environmental organizations such as the Bund

1980, the party did not want to be categorized as “leftist”

für Umwelt und Naturschutz (BUND), the Bundesverband

or “right-wing,” but rather as being “ahead,” or in front.

Bürgerinitiativen Umweltschutz (BBU), the Germany-wide Despite successes of the newly founded German Green Party in state elections such as in Baden-Württemberg in 1980 (5.3 % of votes), the Green Party’s first participation in national elections in 1980 was a complete failure. The party collected a mere 1.5% of all votes, and due to the 5% threshold that prevents political fringe organizations from entering the German Bundestag – a lesson learned from the tumultuous years of the highly fragmented political scene of the Weimar Republic in the 1920s – the Green Party was left out of parliament. Only three years later, however, the first Green parliamentarians were members of the Bundestag, with the party gaining the necessary 5.6 % of votes; ten years later, in 2002, it had 8.6 %, and in the last election for the Bundestag in 2009 10.7%. It is Figure 1.5 Founding board members of the German Green Party at their first conference in Karlsruhe, Germany in 1980 Source: Deutschlandradio, 2011

interesting to note here that, according to polls, the majority of German voters (57 %) – even if they do not vote for the Green Party – believe that it is still important that the Greens play a role in the political system in Germany. For several years, the Greens served as junior partners

organization for the Protection of Life, and many organi-

in changing coalitions ranging from “Red-Green” (Ger-

zations dedicated to the protection of natural resources,

man Social Democrats (SPD) and the Green Party) under

such as undeveloped land, wild birds, and forest habitats.

Chancellor Gerhard F.K. Schröder (1998 – 2005) to “Black-

Although they were still somewhat fragmented and ir-

Green” (German Christian-Conservatives and the Green

relevant fringe groups of society in the early 1970s, they

Party) under Chancellor Angela Merkel, in office from

soon started to gain substantial impact on the decisions of

2005 to the present. The latter served as Minister for the

local and regional governments and eventually the federal

Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety in

government. Many of the movements also emerged out

the previous Helmut Kohl government, which was in power

of the earlier anti-nuclear movement of the 1970s (Anti-

from 1983 to 1998. The Green Party was instrumental in

Atomkraft-Bewegung). Political successes of similar political

the change of Germany’s energy policy and indispensable

grassroots movements in neighboring France, which were

in the development of Europe’s most ambitious road map

not yet solidified as political parties, led to the first initia-

to what ultimately became a fully renewable-energy-driven

tives by German environmental groups to organize them-

economy.

selves as political entities and to participate in elections. 42

1.3 Legislation in Regards to Energy Consumption, Building Construction, Ecology in Germany

1.3 Legislation in Regards to Energy Consumption, Building Construction, and Ecology in Germany

Since the mid-1980s, and significantly fostered by the

– Heizkostenverordnung (HeizkostenV) (1990)

growing influence of the Greens, Germany has estab-

(Decree for the consumption-dependent billing of heating

lished one of the world’s most comprehensive framework

and water cost in rental property) “Verordnung über die

structures in regards to environmental concerns, resource

verbrauchsabhängige Abrechnug der Heiz- und Warm-

protection, renewable energy, and building design – mainly in the areas of energy consumption, insulation and infiltration, water conservation, and limits to emissions.

wasserkosten” – Wärmeschutzverordnung (WärmeschutzVO) (1994) (Regulation regarding building insulation standards)

It is important to note in this respect that the earlier laws

This law aims at the improvement of building insulation

were not yet influenced by a concern for nature and how

and the reduction of thermal transmission losses through

best to protect resources but rather by the ever-increasing

windows, walls, and roofs. The defining criterion is the so-

cost for conventional fossil fuels, the uncertainties of

called transmission-loss factor, which leads to the amount

distribution of oil as experienced in the oil crisis, and the

of total heat energy a building requires. The type of energy

dependencies on foreign producers in war-torn regions of

generation, whether by traditional non-renewable or by

the world.

renewable resources or heating (or cooling) systems was not yet a focus of the law.

The most important laws and regulations concerning energy efficiency and savings, renewable energy, performance

New in the context of this law was the introduction of a so-

of buildings, and emissions are as follows:

called ”energy balance sheet,” which allowed for the first

– Energieeinsparunggesetz (ENEG) (1976)

time the comparison between solar gains through building

(Decree regarding energy savings in the built environ-

envelopes; internal energy gains by human occupation,

ment) “Gesetz zur Einsparung von Energie in Gebäuden”

lighting, or other building equipment and processes; the

– Wärmeschutzverordnung (WärmeschutzVO) (1984)

orientation of the building; and finally the quality of the

(Regulation regarding building insulation standards)

building envelope. It was still a main concern to lower

This law was put into effect a Approximately ten years af

energy consumption only – environmental concerns did not

ter the oil crises. It further defines the minimum insula-

play a major role.

tion values for buildings. Again, as in the case of its

– Heizungsanlagenverordnung (HeizanlV) (1998)

predecessor, environmental aspects, such as emissions,

(Decree regarding the design of energy-efficient building

types of energy generation, and energy savings, were not

heating systems) “Verordnung über energiesparende

in the forefront.

Anforderungen an heizungstechnische Anlagen und

– Wasserhaushaltsgesetz (WHG) (1987) (Decree for the organization and protection of the resource water) “Gesetz zur Ordnung des Wasserhaushalts” – Bundes-Immisionschutzgesetz (BImschV) (1988) (Decree regarding limits of emissions) “Erste Verordnung

Warmwasseranlagen (Heizungsanlagen-Verordnung HeizAnlV) – Energieeinsparverordnung (ENEV) (2002) (Regulation regarding energy savings) “Verordnung über energiesparenden Wärmeschutz und energiesparende Anlagentechnik bei Gebäuden

zur Durchführung des Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetzes” – Feuerungsanordnung (FeuAO) (1990) (Decree for the design and engineering of energyefficient heating systems and fuel storage) “Anordnung über Feuerungsanlagen, Anlagen zur Verteilung von Wärme und zur Warmwasserversorgung sowie Brennstofflagerung”

“In the late 1950s, Aurelio Peccei, the Italian Industrialist and important co-founder and long-time president of the Club of Rome began to consider whether he had been doing enough with his life. He had many rich and rewarding experiences; he had raised a beautiful family and had provided well for its future; he had held important positions of responsibility for many years and had learned to recognize problems and opportunities quickly and how to organize people in order to achieve goals. He was accustomed to being a leader. However, he had become troubled by the world situation and the realization that the difficul-

Aurelio Peccei receives the prestigious Friedenspreis des

ties of both the industrialized and the poorer regions of the

Deutschen Buchhandels. From left: Ernst Klett, Director,

world were mounting into a tide. He had reached what is

Börsenvereins des Deutschen Buchhandels; Aurelio Peccei,

known as “the fifth age.” That period of life when people

Italian Industrialist, Founder, Club of Rome; Eduard Pestel,

become more introspective. However, because he was, by

Ministry of Arts and Sciences, Lower Saxony, Germany.

profession, a manager, he could not conceive of meditation

(Source: Bundesarchiv Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

divorced from action. For him, mere ideas, however worthy,

Reineke, Engelbert, 1973)

were not enough.” Crusader for the Future. Gunter Pauli; Pergamon Press, 1987

2 Beginning Change

2.1 Limits to Growth, The Club of Rome 1972 2.2 Engineering Solutions by HL Technik as a Response to the Energy Crises I in 1973 and II, in 1978

2 Beginning Change

2.1 Limits to Growth, The Club of Rome 1972

As discussed earlier, the group of scientists, business leaders, and politicians who united to form what is commonly

known as the Club of Rome established the notion that a relentless pursuit of the ideals of growth inevitably comes

in to conflict with the simple fact that the natural resources 09

habitat and that provides the environment that nourishes us – are limited. When we think of such potential limita-

tions, we may separate the analysis into a view that tries Ecological Footprint, per Person by Country, 2003

to understand the consequences of such limitations on a personal, family, corporate, communal, or a larger societal level. In the case of HL Technik, the engineers began their education in technical universities and their professional work generally prior to a wider awareness of resource limitations, with the establishment of a small office in Munich, Germany in 1968. From the beginning, nevertheEcological Footprint, per Person by Country, 2003

less, the mission statement of the engineering consultancy and its CEO Klaus Daniels described the purpose of the

firm as providing climatic conditions for indoor working

and cultural and community environments with great care HL Technik aim to create technical solutions not as ends in

1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

1980

08 07 06 05 04

05 04 03 02 01 0

World Avarage Biocapacity per Person 01 Built-up Land Nuclear Energy 0 Fossil Fuels CO2 from Fishing Ground Forest Grazing Land Cropland

Number of Planet Earths 1.8

1.6

1970

Figure 2.1 Lifestyles and the consumption of resources range from very high to extremely low rates from country to country. On average, each person needs 2.2 global hectares to support the demands they place on the environment, but the planet is only able to meet consumption levels of 1.8 global hectares per person. Source: BBC News 2008

Ge UK rm an Ru y ss ia So Jap ut a h n Af M rica ala ys i Br a az i Ch l Th ina ail an Sie Eg d rra yp Af Leo t gh n an e ist an

Au USA str ali a Living Planet Index (1970 = 1) 1.8

themselves but as means to provide healthy and comfortable environments for humans.

Au USA str ali a Ge UK rm an Ru y ss ia So Jap ut a h n Af M rica ala ys i Br a az i Ch l Th ina ail an Sie Eg d rra yp Af Leo t gh n an e ist Global Hectares per Personsan

and with a focus on efficiency: the consulting engineers of

Global Hectares per Persons

of the Earth – the only planet that we are able to use as a

1990

2000 2003 Year

Figure 2.2 Humanity‘s demand for resources is exceeding available supply by about 25%. Meanwhile, the health of the planet‘s ecosystems, measured by the living planet index, is falling, at “a rate unprecedented in human history.“ Source: BBC News, 2008

Humanity’s Ecological Footprint Living Planet Index

2.2 Engineering Solutions by HL Technik as a Response to the Energy Crises I in 1973 and II, in 1978

2.2 Engineering Solutions by HL Technik as a Response to the Energy Crises I in 1973 and II, in 1978 2.2.1 The conventional approach: Fully sealed, air-conditioned, large, open-plan office floors.

Figure 2.3 DEVK Insurance Company, Headquarters, Cologne, Germany. Architects: Novotny, Maehner Associates, Offenbach/Main. Image: Ralph Hammann

Example: DEVK Insurance Group Headquarters,

which has a volume of more than 200,000 m3, were

Cologne

HL Technik employees under the project management

The massive building of the insurance company is nestled

of Henning Krügell and Dieter Henze. The sophisticated

into a park-like setting in one of Cologne’s most beautiful

interior lighting system of the office floors was designed

areas, directly located near the Rhine River at Niederländer

and engineered by LichtLabor, Bartenbach, Austria. The

Ufer and the large Zoological Garden of the city of Cologne

building’s design is characterized by office wings that are

(Figure 2.1). It was one of the first major building designs

organized in a closely knit and a compact series of clusters

the author – as a junior partner at the architectural firm No-

around four vertical cores, which contain circulation and

votny Mähner Associates in Offenbach/Frankfurt – had the

mechanical space. The clusters are north-south and east-

chance to work on. The engineers of the office building,

west oriented, respectively.

2 Beginning Change

Figure 2.4 DEVK Insurance Company, Headquarters, Cologne, Germany East Facade Image: Ralph Hammann

Figure 2.5 DEVK Insurance Company, Headquarters, Cologne, Germany South Facade Image: Ralph Hammann

Figure 2.6 DEVK Insurance Company, Headquarters, Cologne, Germany Main Entrance Image: Ralph Hammann

2.2 Engineering Solutions by HL Technik as a Response to the Energy Crises I in 1973 and II, in 1978

In order to reduce the height of the building vs. its surrounding urban fabric, the upper floor of the structure is recessed, and its façade is made visually lighter due to a material change, from the stone veneer of the lower floors of the building’s base to solar protection glass (Figure 2.3 to 2.5). On the one hand, the project is of particular interest since it is the last example of HL Technik’s approach to an office building’s air-conditioning system in a completely traditional, U.S.-style fashion: fully enclosed, sealed façades, full and conventional air conditioning, no thermal mass activation – although the building is constructed as a concrete building. On the other hand, the building and its systems are notable, since it is equipped with an HL-designed, localized, individual work-station supply air globe, mounted with in reach of each office occupant at the height of the desk. The supply air is brought in – ducted – from a raised floor system, and it is returned to the mechanical rooms via registers in a return air-plenum, the suspended floor, which is negatively pressured. In this respect, the otherwise conventional air-conditioning system of the building shows a new approach: air delivery from below, exhaust above, utilizing the natural aerodynamic behavior of air, which is brought into the space at lower temperatures, and thus with greater density, at a low point of the office space, from where it heats up due to its contact with internal loads and rises via thermal buoyancy to the top (Figure 2.8). The interior lighting introduces a system of direct-indirect lighting fixtures, mostly as free-standing floor lamps working in unison with the highly reflective aluminum suspended ceiling panels (Figure 2.8).

Figure 2.7 DEVK Insurance Company, Headquarters, Cologne, Germany. Typical floor plan showing the six office clusters. Source: HL Technik

Figure 2.8 The concept for air delivery to the offices as part of the HL Technik HVAC design introduces for the first time in a European office building not only bottom-to-top (thermal buoyancy) ventilation but also direct air supply to the individual work stations at the height of the desk. The so-called “Direct/Indirect“ lighting system developed by LichtLabor Bartenbach is another first. Source: HL Technik Image: Schwaiger Winschermann, Munich

2 Beginning Change

2.2.2 The “modified” conventional approach with narrow, day-lit, “European” floor plates.

Figure 2.9 Rheinisch-Westfälischer Immobilienfonds, RWI Headquarters Complex, Düsseldorf Architect: Hentrich, Petschnigg & Partners KG Image: HPP

2.2 Engineering Solutions by HL Technik as a Response to the Energy Crises I in 1973 and II, in 1978

Example: Rheinisch-Westfälischer Immobilienfonds

The vertically accentuated façades of the cross-shaped

(RWI), Düsseldorf

office towers use solar shading glass with a low U-value,

The thinking about the limitation to permanent resource

combined with the aforementioned shading system.

exploitations was first discussed during the engineering of

In terms of air conditioning, the building is still considered

a large-scale project for a real-estate developer in Düs-

“traditional.” It uses a high-pressure induction system

seldorf, Germany. The office complex for the Rheinisch-

for the offices, which provides two air changes per hour.

Westfälischer Immobilienfonds (RWI) (Figure 2.9, 2.10), de-

The induction system is connected to a four-pipe system,

signed between 1971 and 1973 by the architects Hentrich,

providing heating and cooling. Decentralized, dual-duct

Petschnigg and Partners in Unterbilk, Düsseldorf, North

air-distribution systems serve the building podium. They are

Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is characterized by four tall,

capable of responding to the various times of usage for the

yet slender silver office towers with 13 upper tower floors

multi-functional areas of the large base of the building.

with a “European” arrangement of office environments: instead of the “deep-plan” offices commonly used in the

At the time of the engineering of the systems for the large

United States, which require permanent electrical light-

building, innovations of comprehensive systems controls

ing, the offices in the case of the RWI towers are arranged

were first introduced. For the first time, building-manage-

along double-loaded central corridors. They provide space

ment systems tried to collect operational data over a longer

for 3,000 employees.

period after the completion of the building and adjusted mechanical systems based on the “learned” conditions. After the collection of consumption, temperature, and other data over one full year, the building systems of the RWI building were adjusted. The resulting energy savings in Year No. 2 amounted to 35 % – an impressive value. Figure 2.10 Typical floor plan

It can be said that in terms of operating cost, architecture, and internal functionality the large (46,000 m²) building today can still be considered a competitive player in the area of office real estate. It can be operated economically, even under current energy cost scenarios. This is the case for

Office depths as a result of the layout along central cor-

all technical aspects of the building’s mechanical systems;

ridors are moderate and allow for day lighting. The façades

however, not for the building enclosure. Here, a fixed,

of the four towers have fixed glazing featuring an outside

glazed building façade, which does not allow user interac-

shading system of adjustable lamellae and an interior glare-

tion and control of thermal and air-change conditions, does

protection layer provided by a translucent fabric. The four

not constitute a truly modern design.

towers rest on a two-story building podium that allows for the location of large-scale, deep-plan components of the building program such as the conference zones, restaurants, shops, and various support spaces. The silver aluminum-and-glass-façade building was at the very forefront of technology in this typology and still is today a beautiful and efficient example of office building design.

As one of the consequences of the energy crises of 1973 and 1978, HL Technik began to develop engineering solutions for buildings as integrated, interconnected “systems” that did not stop at the mechanical system but included key contributing components such as the building envelope. There, at the perimeter of structures, their façades, the primary decisions with regard to a building’s future energy behavior, overall sustainability, and comfort provisions are made. Together with the architects of the forthcoming projects of that time, who in turn concentrated on “basic design principles” such as solar exposure, orientation, compactness, and surface-to-volume ratio, engineering of systems was seen by HLT as inseparably related to a building’s envelope performance. At the beginning of the 1980s, HL Technik went on a field trip to study examples of buildings in which large glasscovered atria were integrated. This excursion to executed architectural projects in Scandinavia and the U.S. left a great impression. Together with various architects, HL Technik in the following years worked on atria solutions successfully.

3 Re-Orientation as a Result of Awareness of a World of Limited Resources 3.1 Large Halls, Atria, Winter Gardens: Introducing Thermal, Low-Energy Flow Buffers as Energy Savers 3.2 Medium-to-Heavy Thermal-Storage-Mass Concepts 3.3 Double-Skin Faรงade Solutions (DSF): Thermal and Pressure Conditions in Tall-Building Envelopes 3.4 Natural Ventilation Concepts: Thermal Buoncy 3.5 Buildings under Glass: Low-Energy Flow and Ventilation Concepts 3.6 Building Design and Technology in Extreme Climates

3 Re-Orientation as a Result of Awareness of a World of Limited Resources

3.1 Large Halls, Atria, Winter Gardens: Introducing, Thermal, Low-Energy-Flow Buffers as Energy Savers

Figure 3.1 Deere & Company World Headquarters, John Deere. Moline, Illinois Architects: Eero Saarinen Image: Ralph Hammann

Upon careful analysis of one of the visited examples, the

The garden courtyard also functions as a public space,

addition to the John Deere Headquarters building (Figure

serving as a pedestrian link through the block. The concept

3.1) in Moline, Illinois, by architects Kevin Roche and John

of creating a community-oriented building and “adding

Dinkeloo, HLT found important criteria that became essen-

something more” by making provisions of space for public

tial in the understanding and design of successful building-

use are recurring themes in Roche’s work. In the case of the

integrated atria.

Ford Foundation building, however, a significant difference exists in comparison with the building at John Deere:

The new building, called the West Office Building, designed

Ford Foundation office spaces are enclosed by an openable

in 1975 – 79, has a similarity to Roche’s earlier – and land-

façade featuring sliding glass doors toward the courtyard,

mark – design of the Ford Foundation building in New York

while in the case of the John Deere expansion, they are

City in 1967 (Figure 3.2). The Ford Foundation, with its

entirely open to the atrium, and office floor plates become

tall interior atrium is Roche’s most important early design,

one space. That results in significant operational issues,

in which the architect introduced a tall, covered, enclosed

reduced comfort, and complaints by the building owner

garden courtyard. Each office of the buildings faces the

and the employees in the John Deere building.

courtyard, reinforcing a sense of community and family within the large corporate structure.

3.1 Large Halls, Atria, Winter Gardens: Introducing Thermal, Low-Energy-Flow Buffers as Energy Savers

Figure 3.2 Ford Foundation in New York, view from Street and courtyard Architects: Roche & Dinkeloo, 1965 Image: Stefan Moses, Munich

Figure 3.3 West Office Building Addition, Deere & Company World Headquarters, John Deere, Moline, Illinois Architects: Kevin Roche and John Dinkeloo Image: Ralph Hammann

The West Office Building stands near the original building (Figures 3.3, 3.4) and is connected to it by an enclosed walkway. The three floors of offices are organized around an enclosed central court as tall as the complex itself. The court is treated as a winter garden and extends over 1,000 m². The glass-covered atrium lets daylight enter the space, although the insufficient insulation values of the glazing used – high-performance thermal glazing had not yet been developed at the time – causes interior atrium glass surfaces to reach much lower temperatures in winter vs. the surrounding room air. This temperature spread between the atrium glass cover and the room air results in cold air currents that descend rapidly downward to occupied space. The resulting drafts cause discomfort among occupants and thus are undesirable.

Figure 3.4 West Office Building Addition, Deere & Company World Headquarters, John Deere, Moline, Illinois Architects: Kevin Roche and John Dinkeloo Image: Ralph Hammann

3 Re-Orientation as a Result of Awareness of a World of Limited Resources

The engineers at HLT analyzed the parameters that would

a heating medium within the structural elements (mullions)

need to be observed when tall interior glass atria are part

of the roof glazing is capable of raising the inside glass roof

of a design. Tall atria are attractive elements of a design.

temperature. Heating of the structural framing of the glass

For example, they

roof can be provided electrically, or by circulating warm

– Provide qualities of a “communal marketplace of ideas”

water within the frames of the glass roof structure. To raise

within a building;

the surface temperature of the inside of the glass atrium

– Serve as a visual focal point;

cover in this matter will reliably prevent the cold air “water

– Allow for visual vertical connections through space;

falls” common in unsatisfactory atrium design solutions.

– May serve as ventilation spaces for natural, thermalbuoyancy ventilation.

Important dependencies between inner surface temperature, humidity, and ambient air temperature of the sur-

Since all these advantages are evident to designers, the

rounding interior spaces need to be observed whenever the

correct building physics need to be employed to make the

architect considers the inclusion of a tall building atrium.

atrium “thermally successful.” HLT’ s research discovered

Building retrofits are very costly and should be avoided.

that during winter operating conditions in colder climates the surface temperature of atria glazing should not be

The glass industry developed, in the following years, glaz-

more than 3 K lower than the surrounding room tempera-

ing with improved thermal performance that can replace

ture in order to prevent the sort of draft conditions that

the heating of structural framing. Glazing with low U-

were criticized in the John Deere addition. When glazing

values in the range 0.5 – 0.7 W/m² K is capable of provid-

with high insulation capabilities is not available or will not

ing the necessary higher surface temperatures of atrium

be used for other reasons, HLT found out that so-called

glazing that are important for its success.

“integrated façade technology” ought to be used, in which

3.1.1 Dresdner Bank AG, Düsseldorf

The building, along one of Düsseldorf’s most promi-

block structures – “integration” and “blending in” rather

nent and attractive thoroughfares, the Königsallee, was

than “object-driven individualism” was the aim (Figure

3.5).The building, which incorporates interesting technical

Cologne, Germany, between 1982 and 1985. It is a part of

“firsts,” has a built volume of 200,000 m³ with an internal,

an inner-city block, and it was created in such a way as to

glass-covered atrium of 1,890 m² and a volume of

counter urban design and architectural mistakes that had

50,000 m³.

elicited negative reactions in the German cities after World War II. This bank building was supposed to be an integral part of the scale and detailing of the surrounding historic

3.1 Large Halls, Atria, Winter Gardens: Introducing Thermal, Low-Energy-Flow Buffers as Energy Savers

Figure 3.5 Dresdner Bank AG, Dusseldorf, Germany Architects: Kraemer, Sieverts, Partner GmbH, Cologne Mechanical: HL Technik, Munich Image: Ralph Hammann Seen from the outside, the bank building appears as a rather simple, block-filling structure. With a re-interpretation of the materials and proportions of surrounding historic buildings, it attempts to be a modest and â&#x20AC;&#x153;good neighbor.â&#x20AC;&#x153; The interior of the building, however, is a large, impressive, tall atrium.

3 Re-Orientation as a Result of Awareness of a World of Limited Resources

Offices that are open toward the atrium surround it on two of its four sides (Figures 3.6, 3.7). The client required the architect to develop two schematic design solutions, one with a traditional inner courtyard, open to above, and one with a building-integrated, glass-covered atrium, in which the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teller stations and other work spaces would be placed. Since there was only a 3 % cost difference between the two solutions, and because the view from the surrounding offices into an internal tall atrium would be much more attractive than a view into a bare exterior courtyard, the bank decided to approve the atrium design. Figure 3.8 shows a building cross section. Great reservations, however, existed on the side of the fire department. Such tall interior spaces were in their infancy, and the responsible code authorities tended to stay on the safe side of things. The code officials of the fire department required up to 50 % of the glass roof surface to be openable automatically for smoke exhaust; only extensive computer and physical modeling could show that only 8 % is in fact necessary in case of fire

Figure 3.6 Air supply integrated into skylight structural trusses Image: Ralph Hammann

(Figures 3.9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3.12).

Figure 3.7 View of interior courtyard Image: Ralph Hammann

3.1 Large Halls, Atria, Winter Gardens: Introducing Thermal, Low-Energy-Flow Buffers as Energy Savers

Figure 3.8 Cross section

Figure 3.9

Figure 3.10

Figure 3.11

Figure 3.12

4 Ten Selected Architectural Competitions and Studies

Architectural and engineering competitions breathe “fresh

Continuous participation in competitions represents most

air” into the practice of architects and engineers alike. They

clearly the “research” side of the HLT engineering firm.

are an opportunity to think ahead and present advanced

Many executed projects of the practice are the result of

technical solutions, in some instances even apart from the

won competitions. A competition entry requires the willing-

constraints of everyday practice, such as budget, code com-

ness to spend a significant amount of resources of the

pliance, and schedule. The competition is the place for an

engineering firm without a firm contract or commission,

engineering firm to showcase solutions in close coopera-

but so, typically, does research in all other areas.

tion with an architectural firm from the very beginning. In a congenial sense, the engineers seek solutions for tomor-

Increasingly, competitions are held to seek solutions in

row, not only complementing and supporting an archi-

regard to the existing building stock, such as existing office

tectural idea but finding ways to express the essence of a

buildings, industrial complexes, and even residential build-

design with the help of technology. HLT has had the oppor-

ing types. This segment of the building industry will gain

tunity to cooperate with the leading architects of our time

importance at a time when fewer and fewer new construc-

on projects across almost all building typologies. Architects

tion projects are necessary in a market of saturation, and

such as Norman Foster Partners; Santiago Calatrava; Domi-

when existing buildings, on the other hand, are technically

nique Perrault; Jourdan+Perraudin; Thomas Herzog; Renzo

insufficiently equipped to serve the demands of tomorrow.

Piano; Jan Kleihues; Hentrich, Petschnigg Partners; Pysall,

Energy consumption comes to mind when older building

Stahrenberg; Coop Himmelblau; Ingenhoven Partners; and

façades need to be upgraded in terms of modern solar

many others have been design partners with HLT over the

shading devices, insulation, acoustics, and water vapor

past four decades. Maybe the most prominent competition

tightness. Often, internal organizational changes will cause

projects have been: the Reichstag in Berlin, the Samsung

a major refurbishment of existing technical systems, such

Engineering Headquarters in Seoul, the Lulu Island Perform-

as lighting, air-conditioning, and any of their sub-systems.

ing Arts Center, the Icade Tower in Paris, and the National

Changing window wall glass types typically requires the

Museum in Oslo, among others. Here, it is important to

change of the air-conditioning system.

point out that success is not necessarily measured purely by winning a prize or a commission to build, but by the accomplishment of a novel technical and sustainable approach, and the fruitful and ingenious cooperation with a world-renowned architectural practice.

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4.1 Deutscher Reichstag, Berlin, Architects: Santiago Calatrava (Second Place)

4 Ten Selected Architectural Competitions and Studies 4.1 Deutscher Reichstag, Berlin, Architects: Santiago Calatrava (Second Place) 4.2 Icade Tower, van Santen & Associates, Architect: Pysall, Stahrenberg Partners PSP 4.3 Integrated Light-Weight Disaster Shelter, Architect: Ralph Hammann 4.4 Samsung Global Engineering Headquarter, Seoul, Korea + EDF Forschungszentrum, Architect: Dominique Perrault, LEEDÂŽ Consultant: Ralph Hammann (Third Place) 4.5 Performing Arts Center, Abu Dhabi, Architect: Renzo Piano (Proposal) 4.6 Phare Tower La Defense, Architect: Jaques Ferrier (Third Place) 4.7 Green Gorgon Art Museum Lausanne, Architect: Francois Roche, Lavaux, Navarro (Proposal) 4.8 Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg, Architect: Dominique Perrault DPA (Proposal) 4.9 Sheikh Zayed Knowledge Center, Abu Dhab, Architect: SnĂ¸hetta AS, Oslo 4.10 Central Train Station Stuttgart 21, Ingenhoven Architects, (First Place)

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4 Ten Selected Architectural Competitions and Studies

4.1 Deutscher Reichstag, Berlin Architect: Santiago Calatrava (Second Place)

Figure 4.1 Deutscher Reichstag, Berlin, Architect: Santiago Calatrava (Second Place) Daylight quotient as seen in a cross section of the plenary of the Reichstag, in % (*)

(*) The so-called daylight coefficient in accordance with DIN 5034, Part 3, is relevant for the evaluation of ambient daylight. It describes the ratio between the horizontal luminous intensity inside and outdoors, under a completely overcast sky.

The 1994 competition entry by the architect Santiago Cala-

wind, and temperatures, and it was intended to harmonize

trava was accompanied in the aspects of building systems

natural environmental conditions with user needs during

design by HL Technik (Figure 4.1). This particular com-

different seasons (Figures 4.2, 4.3).

petition is one of the most prominent examples of HLT’s emphasis on intelligent engineering, with the least amount

The technical design focused on the utilization of wind

of consumption, a great degree of utilization of natural

energy for natural ventilation of the building fabric itself,

respources such as natural ventilation and daylighting, and

as well as natural lighting and the utilization of the thermal

thermal buoyancy ventilation. The goals were:

masses (Figure 4.6). The building’s existing thermal masses

– Minimization of energy consumption;

were used for cooling. Another important aspect to be re-

– Minimization of investment costs, increased economy

searched was the proper construction of the glass surfaces

of operating cost; – Easy maintenance and operability.

in the hall and the prominent glass dome, or cupola area (Figures 4.4, 4.5), the design’s landmark feature. It was found that cooling the glass roof and the cupola with grey

The sustainable design approach in this case included

water presented the best solution, including cost-usage

all possible passive measures for the reduction of heat

considerations. The selected advanced approach with

consumption, the creation of solar heat gain in winter, and

regard to building systems for the design by Calatrava had

the minimization of heat in summer. The building was to be

to include an aware ness of the historic building’s orgininal

responsive to the factors of the environment such as sun,

technology, which is well worth mentioning due to its very

196

4.1 Deutscher Reichstag, Berlin

“modern” and sophisticated approach for the time. The original central air-conditioning system for the Reichstag, designed by architect Paul Wallot, was very progressive. At the opening ceremonies of the Reichstag on December 1,

Figure 4.2 Schematic of glazing variations Insulating glazing with interior shading units

1894, the architect responded as follows when asked how the arts of architecture, painting, and sculpture are related:

Figure 4.3 Sun protection glazing with photovoltaic units (semitransparent)

Figure 4.4 Daily measurements of room temperatures in upper section of building, insulating glazing with outside water cooling (sprinkler), during summer period

Specific temperatures At 2 p.m. Outside temperature 31°C

Figure 4.5 Daily measurements of room temperatures in upper section of building, insulating glazing with water sprinkling, autumn, transitional season

Specific temperatures At 2 p.m. Outside temperature 15°C

20° C

___ Outside temperature - - - Roof temperature ___ Air temperature in atrium ___ Perceived temperature

21° C

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4 Ten Selected Architectural Competitions and Studies

“Today some have spoken of three ‘sister arts.’ But in our

separately controllable secondary heating chambers to the

time there is a fourth art which has joined these, the art of

individual rooms and offices (Figure 4.8). The warm- and

engineering. A steam engine, in my opinion, is the highest

cold-air shafts leading from the cellar passageways were

artistic achievement in that purpose and means are com-

similar to the type known today as a ”dual duct” system.

bined to perfection. In any harmonious collaboration of all

The rooms were connected, as desired, to the cold-air riser,

the arts, I would include the art of engineering. I propose a

to the separately controllable warm-air riser, or both. This

toast to a melting together of all four arts, to their unity.”

made fine-tuning the air supply in each room possible without losses through mixing. Modern steel air-delivery ducts

Similar to a”Hypocaust” system, building components of

were not available then, which, in fact, proved to be an

the Reichstag were used for energy storage. The keystone

advantage for summer cooling. For rooms in the perimeter

were the five supply and extract fans, installed below the

zones having transmission heat requirements, there was

plenary hall, which conducted air through masonry pas-

a warm-water heating system that served as the principal

sageways, large enough to hold a person, to all areas of

heating system for the entire building.

the Reichstag building, and from there directly or through

Roof gullys

Rainwater

River Spree

Cooling water

Cistern

Potable water feed UV disinfection installation

Control center

For use: Toilets Watering Indust. water Pump water Dishwashers Sprinklers 24-hour storage

Dosage installation Filter installation

Figure 4.6 HL Technik concept for water use in Reichstags building: Rainwater is collected at roof level, stored in a underground cistern and used for toilet flushing, landscape

198

irrigation and mainly for the cooling of the large glass dome (cooling sprinkler system). Overflows discharge surplus to the nearby river Spree.

4.1 Deutscher Reichstag, Berlin

Figure 4.7 Isometry

Figure 4.8 Blueprint of old Reichstag building, Berlin Plenary, sections and warm water heating chamber, sections and ground plan Basement of ground plan and section

199

4 Ten Selected Architectural Competitions and Studies

4.2 Icade Tower Architects: van Santen & Associates, HL Technik Pysall, Stahrenberg Partners PSP

Entirely new challenges have arisen lately, when tall buildings are being designed with the intent of complete nonrenewable energy autarchy, or even a surplus of energy generated by the building’s systems, fed back to the utility grid. Such buildings are typically referred to as “zero-netenergy” buildings (ZEBs). They gain increasing importance in the current debate about how the environment can be protected and greenhouse gas emissions reduced, while maintaining comfort levels for occupants. The most cost-effective steps toward a reduction in a building’s energy consumption usually occur during the earliest design process, when systemic decisions in regard to ”basic Figure 4.9 Icade Tower, Perspective north Source: Project Icade Tower, van SANTEN & Associates PSP Architekten Ingenieure

design” are made by the architects (solar orientation, enclosure, window-to-wall ratio, surface-to-volume ratio, and wall enclosure assemblies). To achieve efficient energy use, zero-energy design departs significantly from conventional construction practice. Successful zero-energy building designers and engineers such as HL Technik typically combine time-tested passive solar or natural conditioning principles that work with the assets of a given site and climate. Sunlight and solar heat, prevailing breezes, and the cooling or warmth of the earth below a building, can provide daylighting and stable indoor temperatures with minimum mechanical means. ZEBs are normally optimized to use passive solar heat gain and shading, combined with thermal mass to stabilize diurnal temperature variations throughout the day, and in most climates such buildings need to be superinsulated. All of the technologies needed to create zero-energy buildings are available off-the-shelf today. Sophisticated 3-D computer simulation tools are available to model how a building will perform with a range of design variables such as building orientation (relative to the daily and seasonal position of the sun); window and door types and placement; overhang depth; insulation type and values of the building elements; air tightness (i.e., weatherization); minimized infiltration; and the efficiency of heating, cooling, lighting, and other equipment, as well as local climate. These simulations help the designers and engineers predict how the building will perform before it is built, and enable them to model the economic and financial implications of building cost-benefit analysis, or, even more appropriate, life-cycle assessment.

200

4.2 Icade Tower

Figure 4.10 Icade Tower, Perspective south

Figure 4.11 Energy concept: minimization of energy loss maximization of energy gains with earth, wind and solar potentials

An example is the 2008 international competition for a

The design brief for the high-rise building defined that the

100-meter-tall, reconfigurable, mixed-use high-rise named

tower had to use a maximum of renewable energy, mainly

the ICADE Tower (Figures 4.9, 4.10). The competition,

from solar and wind energy, but also including potential

in which HL Technik took part, was in cooperation with

resources such as geothermal and groundwater energy. The

architects of the firm Pysall, Stahrenberg and Partners (PSP)

goal was to generate as much energy as would be used in

Architects and Engineers. PSP is one of the largest architec-

the operation of the building (Figure 4.11).

tural offices in Germany, with offices in Berlin, Braunschweig, and Hamburg. The firm has a history of large-scale projects for over 30 years in Germany and abroad.

201

5 Teaching Technology: The Education of Future Engineers and Architects

Klaus Daniels was asked to teach Building Technology and Systems by the prestigious Swiss Federal Technology Institute (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich ETH, Switzerland) in 1994 and served as the Chair of Technology within the Department of Architecture at this “MIT of Europe” institution until his retirement in 2008. Subsequently, he has served as Professor at the Technical University of Darmstadt, again as Chair of the Department of Architectural Design and Technology, until the present day. These academic positions are understood by Daniels solely as a service to young future professionals and not as a “career,” (images right: Klaus Daniels with students during reviews at the Technical University Darmstadt, 2010). Daniels, at the time he began his work in academia, was owner and CEO of one of Europe’s largest engineering consulting firms; the professorship was not seen by him as a “launching pad” for a professional career but as the solid realworld resource that enabled him to draw from cutting-edge professional research, from the highly stimulating cooperation with the world’s best architects, and from numerous design competitions and international commissions. Both at the ETH in Zurich and at Darmstadt Klaus Daniels’ teaching is two-fold. First, the weekly “big” lecture course introduces students to a dense fabric of advanced building systems, moving from the communication of a basic understanding of the material to more involved technical concepts and how they may be related to a given architecture. This is the area where Klaus Daniels’ teaching becomes really special: it is the ultimate technology course, taught by an engineer – however, one closely connected to issues and concepts of architectural design. Whoever is familiar with the current situation of academic education at schools of architecture knows that this is an extremely rare, precious advantage. The engineer is not teaching a disengaged technology course, but instead Klaus Daniels as the “Designer-Engineer” is teaching a technology-design hybrid. This is of course very successful.

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5.1 International Recognition: 1st Place, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) “Solar Decathlon” Competition 2008

5 Teaching Technology: The Education of Future Engineers and Architects 5.1 International Recognition: 1st Place, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) ”Solar Decathlon“ Competition 2007 5.2 Sustained Success: 1st Place, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) ”Solar Decathlon“ Competition 2009 5.3 Sustainability: Remarks Concerning an Over-used Term 5.4 Integrating Technology Education at Schools of Architecture

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5 Teaching Technology: The Education of Future Engineers and Architects

5.1 International Recognition: 1st Place, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) ”Solar Decathlon“ Competition 2007 Architects: Team Deutschland, Students of various departments, Technical University Darmstadt

Figure 4.1 Deutscher Reichstag, Berlin, Architect: Santiago Calatrava (Second Place) Daylight quotients as Seen On cross-section of plenary in %

Figure 5.1 House on the campus of Technical University Darmstadt, Lichtwiese, after the return from Washington D.C., 2008: 1st Place U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) ”Solar Decathlon“ Competition 2007 Architects: Team Deutschland 2007 Image: Ralph Hammann

An internationally recognized success was the “Team

system (photovoltaics). The latter best displays the basic

Deutschland” 2007 participation in the international Solar

approach of Daniels: building systems, such as in the case

Decathlon Competition, organized by the U.S. Department

of the photovoltaic panels, ought to be integrated into the

of Energy (Figure 5.1). The entry of a prototypical solar

architecture, made one with it, rather than being tacked on

house that explored visions for the residential living of the

as separate, non-fitting engineering devices. This con-

future was awarded 1st Place honors, out of 19 entries

cept of integration, a melding of architectural design and

from other world-renowned international universities, most

technical systems, is inherently very simple when seen in its

of them from the United States.

completed result, yet it is very laborsome, as well as intellectually and organizationally challenging, to achieve during

Klaus Daniels advised the student-led team in matters of

the process of design. What looks self-evident is the result

the building’s technology, which introduced thermo-active

of intense preparation, coordination, and creativity. It is

building components such as phase-change materials

what the title of the book suggests: “creative” engineering.

(PCM), state-of-the-art high-performance vacuum insulation (VIP), and a wall- and roof-integrated solar-electricity

258

5.1 International Recognition: 1st Place, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) “Solar Decathlon” Competition 2008

The Darmstadt entry to the 2007 Solar Decathlon was a

The concept of layering is explained in Figure 5.2, which

single-story residential building with a gross area of 72 m2,

shows (1) the greenhouse verandah of the house, (2) the

of which 50 m2 are mechanically conditioned interior space.

living-room space with large windows oriented toward

The focus of the building was on:

the north and south and enclosed façades facing east and

– The architectural design

west, and (3) the internal utility core, including the bath-

– Thermal insulation

room. To provide an optimum of functional flexibility, the

– Façade systems

building is equipped with a raised floor system into which

– Glass types and window technology

all technical systems are integrated (Figures 5.3, 5.4).

– Daylight design – Natural ventilation and heat recovery – Active cooling – Regenerative and passive cooling – Thermally activated building component cooling – Heat pump technology – Heat and cold storage – Building management systems and controls – Building automation – Solar-thermal energy – Photovoltaic (solar-electric) energy usage – Biomass utilization – Building material ecology.

Figure 5.3 Detailed view of internal core with heat pump and thermal storage reservoir

Thermal energy losses due to natural ventilation

3 2

Figure 5.4 Diagram of thermal backradiation of cooling water towards the night sky

Thermal transmission losses through façades

Source: Solar Decathlon Competition 2007, Technical University Darmstadt, archplus 184, October 2007

Source: Technical University Darmstadt, Germany Image: Riemer Design, Munich

1 Night

1 2 3

Greenhouse/Verandah Living space Interior core with bathroom

Figure 5.2 Solar Decathlon house 2007 Figure 167define the space zoning Three layers Solar Decathlon 2007 Three layers define the space Source: Technical University Darmstadt, zoning. Germany Image: Design, Munich Source:Riemer Technical University

Darmstadt, Germany

1 2 3

Reservoir Distribution core Back radiation

Figure 169 Diagram of thermal back-radiation of cooling water towards the night sky. Source: Technical University Darmstadt, Germany

259

5 Teaching Technology: The Education of Future Engineers and Architects

Figure 5.5 Thin-film photovoltaic louvers integrated into faรงade Image: Ralph Hammann

Figures 5.5 to 5.7 allow the conclusion that the design is not only highly interesting energetically but also of superior aesthetic and design quality. Figure 5.8 shows the verandah with an integrated photovoltaic roof in front of the south-facing faรงade and additional operable large-scale louvers. These are outfitted at the exterior with thin-film photovoltaic elements. Figure 5.6 shows the living space with a sunken seating area; according to user requirements, daylight enters into this space and can be finely adjusted for either lighting or more direct solar gains. Figure 5.6 Flexible living space with lounge Image: Technical University Darmstadt

260

5.1 International Recognition: 1st Place, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) “Solar Decathlon” Competition 2008

Figure 5.8 Verandah with an integrated photovoltaic roof in front of the south-facing façade and additional operable large-scale louvers Image: Ralph Hammann

Figure 5.7 Decathlon house night view Image: Technical University Darmstadt, Germany

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5 Teaching Technology: The Education of Future Engineers and Architects

Figure 5.9 displays the floor plan with verandah space,

The roof of the building unit is composed of multiple layers,

kitchen, and core, and Figure 5.10 presents a section

with the outer layer being laminated glass with integrated

through the building with descriptions of the various com-

mono-crystalline photovoltaic elements. They are capable

ponents of the assembly.

of providing 8.6 kW of electric energy (Peak). Above the bathroom unit, a solar collector area of roughly 2 m2

The passive energy concept of the prototype is an integral

provides the warm water used for the building’s radiant

part of the design concept. The main elements are the

heat floor and the warm water used in the bathroom and

excellent surface-to-volume ratio of the enclosure and the

the kitchen. The system here is composed of evacuated

large, south-oriented windows that allow for solar gain.

solar tubes. Below the energy-generating roof, a vacuum

On the other hand, the active energy components of the

insulating panel is installed that has an insulation capacity

photovoltaic shading devices protect the façade from

10 times greater than that of a current typical modern roof.

overheating. The different layers of the south façade allow

One layer below the vacuum insulation of the multi-layered

for excellent, fine-tuned response to changing conditions

roof is a drywall ceiling attached to the wood joists that

at different times of the day and under different seasonal

contains piping used for ceiling cooling during periods with

conditions. Glazing oriented toward the north is of a

higher outside temperatures. The opaque wall sections fac-

quadruple-insulated type based on Passivhaus standards

ing north are highly insulated and show a U-value of 0.25

and provides a U-value of 0.3W/m K. The south-oriented

W/m2K. An added outside louver allows the façade to be

glazing is triple-insulated, also according to the recommen-

closed during the night for added privacy.

dations of the Passivhaus standard, and it has a U-value of 0.5W/m2 K. The roof covering the verandah consists of a

The same is the case for the south façade, where the

laminated glazing unit with integrated thin-film photovol-

louvers not only protect against views from the outside

taic elements, which provide shading but also around 1.1

but also generate 2 kW (Peak) of electrical energy with

kW of electric power (Peak).

integrated, thin-film, photovoltaic elements.

Figure 5.9 Solar Decathlon House Floor plan Source: Solar Decathlon Competition 2007, Technical University Darmstadt, archplus 184, October 2007

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5.1 International Recognition: 1st Place, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) “Solar Decathlon” Competition 2008

Walls surfaces toward the east and west are equipped

The Architecture Jury said the house pushed the envelope

with an insulation layer of so-called phase-change material

on all levels and is the type of house they came to the

(PCM). By storing heat energy during the day and releas-

Decathlon hoping to see. The Lighting Jury loved the way

ing it during the cooler evenings and at night, the PCM is

this house glows at night. The Engineering Jury gave this

effectively capable of reducing cooling loads, as shown in

team an innovation score that was as high as possible, and

Figure 5.11.

stated that no other team accomplished the “integration of the photovoltaic elements” better than Team Darmstadt.

The most important lessons that one can learn from a

Darmstadt was one of seven teams to score a perfect 100

comparison between the entries of the house designed and

points in the Energy Balance contest. All week, long lines of

built by the Technical University Darmstadt, the competi-

people waited to get into this house.

tion’s winner, and its U.S. competitors are these: – While all U.S. entries tried to maximize the generation of energy by renewables such as solar-electric and/or solarthermal installations on or in their buildings to heat and cool the interior residential space with conventional technology, the Darmstadt entry focused on energy efficiency and performance, reducing demand as much as possible, while maintaining comfortable conditions. – The architecture of the house accomplishes the integration of systems, instead of having them added as a design afterthought.

Figure 5.10 Solar Decathlon House Cross section, details

Figure 5.11 Functioning of Phase-Change-Material (PCM); Measurements on clear days

1 Evaporative cooling system 2 Vacuum insulation (VIP) on roof 3 Cooling ceiling 4 PCM in east and west walls 5 Vacuum insulation (VIP) in east and west walls 6 Technical plattform in floor 7 Vacuum insulation (VIP) on floor 8 Heating floor radiant

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5 Teaching Technology: The Education of Future Engineers and Architects

5.2 Sustained Success: 1st Place, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) “Solar Decathlon” Competition 2009 Architects: Team Deutschland, Students of various departments, Technical University Darmstadt

Figure 5.12 House on the campus of Technical University Darmstadt, Lichtwiese, after the return from Washington D.C., 2011: 1st Place, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) “Solar Decathlon” Competition 2009 Architects: “Team Deutschland” Image: Ralph Hammann

A second significant success of the team of teachers and 24 students from a variety of disciplines was the second 1st Place in sequence, the winning entry in the Solar Decathlon competition of 2009. Again, the team won upper rankings in the competition’s categories of “Comfort,” “Architectural Design,” and “Lighting Concept.” However, the category “Energy” led to the dominance – and the first place – of the entry by the German team. The technologies used were not dissimilar to the first competition entry with an intelligent mix of cogeneration powerplant (CHP), superinsulated outside envelopes of the building, heat pump application, and photovoltaic systems being used. Figure 5.13 House on the campus of Technical University Darmstadt, Lichtwiese, during construction, 2010 Image: Ralph Hammann

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5.2 Sustained Success: 1st Place, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) “Solar Decathlon” Competition 2009

Figure 5.14 House on the campus of Technical University Darmstadt, Lichtwiese, during construction, 2010 Image: Ralph Hammann

Figure 5.15 Operable louver photovoltaic elements in a so-called “shingle“ (overlapping)arrangement; notable is the thin-film technology for the shingle elements which shows greatest efficiency in energy generation for indirect insolation (Thin-film shingles provided by Würth Solar, Germany) Image: Ralph Hammann

Figure 5.16 Klaus Daniels and author in front of Solar Decathlon house, technical University Darmstadt, Lichtwiese, 2011 (Thin-film shingles provided by Würth Solar, Germany)

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