Nineteen universities – one decathlon
- Architecture
- Construction
- Energy balance
- Solar Systems
- Comfort
- Technology
- Communication
- Economics
- Sustainability
- Innovation
The Solar Decathlon is a competition, in which different evaluation criteria determine the projects success. The primary task of the contest is the development of an energy autarchic, solar-powered building, which meets the standards of future society. In the following summary we will explain the criteria which are most important for our design.
Architecture/Aesthetics/Design:
In consideration of the buildings ability to be integrated into a culture and into its environment, as to the variability of its groundplan and shape, we have arrived at a compact multifunctional residential building.
Its barrier-free design offers unlimited accessibility for everybody. A sensuous mood is created through the haptics of the material and the way, the light is used to illuminate the building. With the photovoltaics and solarthermic elements aesthetically integrated into the cubage of the building, they represent the tasteful ecological home of the future.
Building Services Engineering / Technical Quality:
The photovoltaic elements necessary for electricity generation are intelligently integrated into the facade.
To achieve optimal and sustainable energy the innovative, advanced building technology will illustrate the future viability of the building.
The reduction of energy demand is reached by including daylight and artificial concepts, energy-efficient appliances and low cooling loads.
Through the combination of phase-change material (PCM) in the components and a small-format solar cooling (zeolite) unit, a pleasant indoor climate is created.
A novel multi-media communications platform temps the user to intuitive perception of the system and connects him globally.
A visual presentation about the energy congestion of the building will be visible in the building and around the world via the Internet.
Scientific and technical analysis and assessments:
We are going to apply the following methods for sustainability surveys and considerations regarding structural physics:
- German Sustainability Certificate by DGNB and BMVBS
- thermal bridge analyses
- software aided heat- and humidity analyses
- Blower-Door test
- thermal images
- simulation of illumination intensity
- software aided project planning of yearly primary energy requirements
Economic analysis and assessment:
Several surveys are conducted for the sake of profitability evaluation.
This includes the preparation of a business plan, amortization calculation, cost-benefit and preinvestment analyses as well as general economic considerations.