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German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology competition “Energy-Optimised Construction 2009”
On 1 October 2008, the EnOB research initiative publicly announced the start of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology competition “Energy-Optimised Construction – Architecture with Energy”. High comfort combined with minimal energy requirements, low operating costs and efficient technologies as part of outstanding architecture – these were the criteria for the projects sought. With this competition with a total prize money of 100,000 euros, innovative building developers, architects and specialist engineers were invited to enter their plans for new-building or refurbishment projects, compete for the prize money, and apply for the support available for model projects as part of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology’s “Energy-Optimised Construction” research programme.
The prize-winners were presented on 4 May 2009 as part of the ‘Berliner Energietage’ conference. From the total of 59 projects submitted, ten co-winners were selected. These projects will be introduced here in detail.
A) Newly built passive-house indoor swimming pool facilities in Bamberg, Germany
With its energy-saving passive-house design, the newly built bath in Bamberg sets itself apart from other indoor baths in Germany, which are typically very energy-intensive. Passive-house criteria were successfully applied to this building type, a leisure pool facility, thus making an important contribution to energy-efficient construction. ...read more
B) New passive-house Stiftung Waisenhaus offices in Frankfurt, Germany
The goal for Frankfurt’s foundation Stiftung Waisenhaus was to construct a new energy-efficient and sustainable office building. The project was clearly a success and sets an example for other projects too, while at the same time also filling an empty site in Frankfurt’s city centre. ...read more
C) New company kindergarten for Bayer Real Estate in Monheim, Germany
The goal with this new building was to construct the first crèche in Germany with an energy balance that is neutral over the whole year and thus also climate-neutral. Based on the passive-house energy standard targeted at the survey stage, the goal of a CO2-neutral building was developed and defined during the course of planning work. ...read more
D) New main building for Leuphana University in Lüneberg, Germany
Leuphana University Lüneburg plans to achieve a climate-neutral campus, and the new, 14,000-m² main building is an important part of this plan. The building deliberately stands out, which led to lively discussions about the final architectural design within the jury. However, the design makes sense as part of the university’s brand strategy. ...read more
E) Refurbishment of old indoor baths in Heidelberg, Germany
The municipal indoor swimming pool in the centre of Heidelberg, which had been in disuse for many years, was revived in a quality manner with a sophisticated utilisation concept. Thanks to well-designed additional structures, the existing facilities have taken on a contemporary new raison d’être. The high-class architecture harmonises well with the ambitious energy technology. ...read more
F) New ‘Tor zur Welt’ training centre in Hamburg, Germany
The ‘Tor zur Welt’ training centre in Hamburg is an integral part of an overall urban-planning concept. The building envelope fulfils the passive-house standard to a large degree. Wood heating provides CO2-neutral energy for this building and for neighbouring buildings too via local heating. The building and energy concepts will also be used for teaching purposes. ...read more
G) Refurbishment of an old miners’ house in Freiberg, Germany
The conversion of a small 500-year-old listed residential building into a zero-energy house impresses with its integrated concept that also respects fundamental conservation requirements. The unheated access area at the front of the building means that energy-oriented refurbishment of the historical facade which faces onto the street was not necessary here. Interior insulation with excellent technical properties, double windows and heat recovery all combine to reduce the heating requirements to close to passive-house levels. ...read more
H) Newly built Candor Bioscience GmbH offices and production facilities in Wangen in the Allgäu region, Germany
A complex range of uses – consisting of production, training and administration – is housed in a simple, compact building with two storeys. The project has the goal of showing how challenges in the construction of commercial premises can be addressed using modular building systems. The high-quality insulation, the controlled ventilation with heat recovery, and the provision of heating and cooling using ground water and a heat pump combined with a solar power system will result in a neutral energy balance. ...read more
I) New construction and conversion of a factory building into an office building in Einbeck, Germany
The conversion of a mechanical-engineering workshop into a modern administration building is impressive both in terms of architecture and technology. Four storeys, which are arranged around a central atrium, will house 120 office workplaces. Heating and cooling are provided by an external biogas combined heat and power plant and from waste heat produced by company operations; these are distributed in the building using building element temperature control. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery completes the indoor environment concept. ...read more
J) New building of integrated multi-generation residences in Bochum, Germany
The focal point of an urban development concept, the ‘Claudius-Höfe’ around the main marketplace square in Bochum is creating a new urban quarter on a previously disused industrial site close to the city centre. An urban, integrated and, at the same time, resource-conserving residential area is to be created, following the goal of a ‘solar housing development’. Solar-thermal units support hot water provision and heating as part of a local heating network based on district heating. ...read more