 The model of the glass hall |
 Facade with integrated solar panels |
 Solar panels mounted on the roof |
The design is a glass hall (168 x 72 x 15 metres) with two wooden buildings inside it. These two volumes accommodate offices, halls, restaurants and a public library. Between the buildings and the glass hall a micro-cosmos is created that protects the people, plants and buildings from the extremes of the outside climate.
In the winter this buffer zone acts as an insulating coat. Warmth-recovery from the ventilation air creates a further reduction of the use of energy. To prevent overheating in the summer, roof- and façade elements of the glass envelope can be opened. Moreover the solar cells in the roof work as an awning. The 'climate roof', the trees and plants and the water basins in the greenhouse are part of a natural air management system. Replenished in the summer with air cooled by the earth and conveyed via a tunnel.
In the roof there are approximately 10.000 m2 of solar panels that generate three times as much energy as the building uses itself. Next to the sun panels there are also light dispersing (Lichtlenkungs) panels. The sun panels and the light directing panels are divided around the roof surface in such a way that an optimal lighting level is created and at the same time avoiding direct sunrays. The colourful pattern of sun cells and prisms of the fifth façade is determined with help from elaborate computer simulations.
Because the two wooden volumes have to fulfil much less strict demands of water- and airtightness compared to buildings that are not roofed in, they could be simply constructed. With the advantage that they are easily adapted to the users' wishes later on.
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