Research for energy-optimised construction: Berlin

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Building from the Berlin University team

The building from Berlin shows an unusual contrast between the interior and exterior. The facade and roof of the Berlin house are clad in scorched larch wood. It is a natural surface cladding that expresses the wood structure and grain. All the active solar surfaces lie flush with the almost black surface. This gives the building a very compact and cohesive appearance. The Berlin team appreciates that the black facade is rather disconcerting for some observers but still stands by their design. An impressive feature is the change in perspective when entering the building – the lofty, light room that opens up is almost reminiscent of a church.

Architecture

This building design is based on the traditional central European building typology of a single family home, whereby it takes the German gable roof as its starting point. By means of various design elements, a modernised form is developed. For example, the roof is tilted at an angle of around 29 degrees to achieve an optimal orientation to the sun, which creates a slanting eaves line and gives the house its own special dynamic.

The building is split along its north-south and east-west axes by two light bands, which, orientated towards the four cardinal points, emphasise the building’s interaction with its environment. Rainscreen cladding consisting of surface-scorched larch panels gives the building envelope its characteristically dark, almost black colour. The surface scorching of the panels ensures natural and durable weather protection. The open and generously sized internal space is brightly lit from the light bands and, across 74 square metres of space, offers its occupants plenty of possibilities for individual creativity.

Energy concept

A solar power system consisting of frameless, square modules is integrated in the south-facing roof of the house. It is installed flush with the facade and, thanks to its solid black colour, harmonises with the overall appearance of the building. In addition, a specially developed solar power system consisting of tailor-made plastic solar modules has been integrated in the solar shading system, which consists of folding shutter doors along the south and west sides of the house. The solar thermal collectors are located on the south facade of the building next to the terrace doors and were also produced to fit the building grid.

Innovations

Solar-active solar shading as a radiation- and user-controlled folding shutter systemFaltladensystem
Reversible heat pump
Clay boards with PCM on the walls and water-filled pipes on the ceiling (heating and cooling ceiling)
Sophisticated heating, cooling and ventilation system in a closed circuit
Radiation surface on the north-facing roof
PV system integrated into the building’s colour and grid system
Scorched timber as rainscreen cladding

Competition performance

Overall ranking: 10th place

Individual disciplines:

First prize for Solar Systems and Hot Water
Third prize for Communications and Social Media

Where you can visit the house

The building is being constructed on the campus of the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW Berlin) where it will be used as a research laboratory: Wilhelminenhofstr. 75A, 12459 Berlin. Construction will start in mid-August and is scheduled to be completed by the end of September 2010 at the latest.