The structual framework: Construction biology and environmentally friendly technology
Environmental compatibility was of great concern in planning, designing and selecting the materials for the expansion building at Dorfstrasse 1. This is reflected in the extensive vegetation planted on the roof and the effective insulation of the building using mineral wool instead of Styropor or Styrodur. This enabled us to exceed the specifications of the German Heat Insulation Ordinance. Natural materials including copper, ceramic and wood from native Douglas fir characterise the exterior façade, while natural colours were used inside and out.
The heating and cooling system is based on a sophisticated energy concept. The intelligent energy management system features a number of heat recovery units. Heat is extracted for instance from the warm air exiting the building ventilation system or from wastewater. The intelligent energy management system monitors demand for heat or cooling and ensures that this demand is first met from the heat recovery system. To make the flows of energy more transparent and easy to follow, an energy and water monitoring system was installed which can measure data inline and send it to the building control system. This data makes it possible to immediately recognise and quickly remedy any technical defects that may arise.
We rely on natural cooling to cool process equipment. Colder exterior air is first used before cooling compressors kick in or the cold sink is tapped. A similar process is used to air condition the production facilities. The ventilation system can be operated using up to 100% exterior air; if the outside temperature is low enough, no additional cooling is needed at all.
Because the high-bay warehouse serves only as a storage place for goods and no employees work there, low ambient temperatures are sufficient. In order to minimise energy consumption, the warehouse has been sunk 3.6 metres into the ground. This results in a “cold sink” with a relatively constant temperature, which can be used for cooling purposes.
An additional environmental protection measure involved expanding the number of water cisterns in the existing collection system. The rainwater collected in the 430 cubic metres of cisterns can be used for flushing toilets, watering balcony vegetation and cooling compressors, process machinery and other technical equipment which was previously partially cooled with drinking water. Noise control is another aspect of environmental protection. We have installed sound insulation for the ventilation and cooling systems to maintain noise emissions below 45 dB(A). We have also constructed our parking lot using grass pavers to help prevent sealing of the soil surface. Lighting in our parking lot has been designed to keep light pollution to a minimum.
