The kindergarten "Solhuset" is the result of an intensive and innovative process - the joint "creativity" of the commune of the city of Hoersholm, the children's center Lions Børnehuse as customers of a new type of building (even for Europe) for children's institutions on the principles of "Active House" and VKR Holding A / S. The house was built by the construction company Hellerup Build A / S with the participation of the engineering company Rambolll and designed by the architectural firm Christensen & Co Architects (winner of the municipal competition).
The idea of "Active House" originated in the early 2000s as an initiative of Danish companies
VELUX, VELFAC, SolarCAP, WindowMaster and others to develop the principles of the concept of "active buildings". Today it is the International Alliance "Active House", to which all new partners are constantly joining.
Active House has been developed and is being improved as an international platform for exchanging experience, finding solutions and developing methods to implement the principle of “active buildings”. This is in line with the European development strategy for 2020, which includes the development of norms for energy policy, environmental protection and the creation of a healthy microclimate for human life. The main task of the Alliance is now to find solutions for the construction of buildings that are completely CO2-neutral and provide a healthy microclimate for humans, which includes eco-materials, alternative energy sources, clean air, natural insolation, etc.
House "Solhuset" is both a showroom for innovations and a "testing ground" for collecting information and analysis throughout the entire life cycle (from the production of materials for it, construction, operation and ending with issues of disposal). And the kindergarten "Solhuset" is a "testing ground" for a "sustainable" attitude towards the development of children.
The in-situ concrete building is built on a triangular section and has a corresponding plan, with two long facades (which is very important) facing south-east and south-west. In addition to concrete, glass of increased transparency and wooden pressed Superwood panels, made without the use of toxic substances, were used during the construction. The main architectural feature of the object is the presence of several pitched roofs, which, like giant ridges, rise above the surroundings. This form, as well as the internal layout, was predetermined by the use of energy efficient technologies.
As you know, natural insolation has a positive effect on human health, and not only enhances immunity ("solar" vitamin D), but also improves the psychological state, affects awakening and the ability to concentrate, and increases vital activity.
To increase the natural insolation in the roof slopes, 80 VELUX roof windows (model GGU U04) have been installed. And the facades are dotted with Velfac windows of different sizes (model 200i with warm edge) and Velfac doors. The hatches and transoms of the windows are electrically operated and open automatically, providing natural ventilation; air circulates freely in the interior thanks to the high ceilings. The air exchange system at the facility is hybrid, that is, forced ventilation with heat recovery is also used.
Normal 0 false false false RU X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Windows and hatches let in about 3.5 times more sun than a typical house. The layout of the eco-garden is such that natural light enters any room from at least two sides. In general, according to the designers and "ideologists" of the project, sunlight is the basis of the educational process in a preschool institution, where little Danes learn to live in harmony with nature.
However, the "House of the Sun", belonging to the 1st energy class, no one would dare to call it ordinary. The fact is that according to the concept of "Active House" this means that it produces more energy than it consumes. In figures, this is expressed as follows: 1 m2 of the building area produces 9 kWh of electricity per year, which more than covers its needs. Consequently, the Solhuset facility returns the surplus energy to the city's electricity grid for 8 months a year.
Where does renewable energy come from? Hot water supply and space heating are provided by 50 m2 of solar storage batteries installed on the southern, more gentle roof slopes. Another 250 m2 of photovoltaic cells supply the House of the Sun with electricity. Heat pumps are in operation: the length of the geothermal pipe system exceeds 1000 m. Automatic protective screens mounted on the facades of the building help maintain a comfortable climate. Stonecrop grows in areas of the roof that are not occupied by aggregates: this plant creates a green “blanket” that cools the batteries and therefore prolongs their service life. In addition, the lawn reduces the likelihood of leaks, provides thermal and sound insulation.
Another interesting detail is the meteorological mini-stations installed on the roof ridge. They determine the direction and speed of the wind, outside temperature, and also calculate the probability of precipitation. This data, as well as the information from the temperature and CO2 sensors that are in each room of the kindergarten, is processed by a digital controller, which, if necessary, turns on the electric drive of Velux hatches and Velfac window transoms.
Already, experts have calculated that over 40 years of operation, the "House of the Sun" will save as much oxygen for the inhabitants of the planet as was required in due time for the production of building materials of which it consists. Perhaps this is the principle of "do no harm" in
eco-architecture.
