The new, ambitious
building for the Energy Academy Europe promises to become the most sustainable
education building of the Netherlands.
It is a new top
institute in which industry, education and academia are joining forces to work
together on research and innovation in the field of energy. To achieve the
extremely sustainable energy principles, the building has been given a
particular design with a large solar roof. The construction of the 10.000 m2 with
BREEAM-rating ‘Outstanding’ will be realised in 2015 on the Zernike Complex in Groningen.
The new building is
designed to inspire each other, exchange ideas, be innovative and to generate
energy. The unique design demonstrates how a building can make optimal use of
the natural elements earth, water, air and sunlight as a primary source of
energy. The sloping roof with solar panels will be optimally applied to collect
solar energy.
The solar panels not
only provide a lot of energy, but they also ensure maximum natural lighting.
This outer layer gives the building a unique and characteristic appearance,
drawing attention to the innovative energy management going on inside the
building. Roughly speaking, the building will comprise two sections.
On the north side
will be the research areas with laboratories and related workspaces, and on the
south side the workspaces , a winter garden and the teaching areas. Between
them, all worlds come together in a large ‘energy square’, the lively heart of
the building. Also the floors, made of natural material, connect all parts of
the building. Via wide, attractive stair ramps users and visitors will feel a
natural desire to take the stairs rather than the elevator.
Exercise and
sociability will be encouraged and the elevator will not use unnecessary
energy. A large winter garden will serve as an open extension for the rest of
the building, but can be closed off if required. The winter garden will be a
public place, and a pause and workplace as well. For this building we have
chosen a low-tech approach to the energy issue. Optimum use is being made of
the resources that are readily available: the elements earth, water, air and
sunlight.
A 200-metre-long air
vent under the building uses the earth to cool and heat the air and water;
rainwater is being used to flush the toilets; the ventilation is powered by a
‘solar chimney’; the sun’s rays are being put to optimum use for lighting and
energy production. When the natural sources become insufficient, back-up
installations will be in operation for heating, ventilation and lighting.
Through the
innovative use of renewable energy it is possible to cut back the operating
expenses in the long term considerably. The BREEAM-rating ‘Oustanding’ sets
extremely high standards of sustainability and energy consumption in the new
building. The building itself will be an example of an inspirational energy regime.
The standard is so high that there is no comparable education building in the Netherlands.
Location: Groningen, Netherlands
Architects: Broekbakema, pvanb architecten
Advisers: ICS Adviseurs, Arup, Ingenieursbureau Wassenaar and DGMR
Area: 10,000 m2
Client: VGI Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
Architects: Broekbakema, pvanb architecten
Advisers: ICS Adviseurs, Arup, Ingenieursbureau Wassenaar and DGMR
Area: 10,000 m2
Client: VGI Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
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