Interview with Tatiana Smirnova, Head of the Rockwool Design Center.
The topic of energy efficient construction is becoming more and more relevant in Russia. True, we, in contrast to Europe, lack, above all, practical experience. That is why Western companies with offices in our country strive to share their knowledge and best practices. We talked about this in more detail with Tatyana Smirnova, head of the Design Center of Rockwool, the world leader in the production of non-combustible insulation based on stone wool.
Tatiana, what do you think hinders the development of green construction in Russia?
Tatiana Smirnova (T. S.): The key reason lies in the cost of building energy efficient structures. The fact is that the initial investment in innovative materials exceeds traditional estimates, and, of course, developers are intimidated by this. In order for the cost increase to be insignificant (ie 10-20%), you should not thoughtlessly adopt and implement European projects, but even at the design stage, determine the economic component from the use of each technology and, depending on the cost-effect ratio, assess their feasibility use. And then the construction costs will be more than compensated for in the first years of operation.
How, in your opinion, can the current situation be changed?
TS: In my opinion, we need to start with the “builder-designer” chain. Architects and designers need to use modern technologies in their work, communicate the benefits of certain solutions to customers, offer an alternative in appropriate situations. Of course, for this, the designer himself must be well-versed, and the market for energy-saving solutions is changing every day, and it is not always possible to keep track of everything. We, as a manufacturer, strive to support our partners by offering them highly qualified assistance.
In general, our company has always been open to communication with all specialists - designers, architects, installers. We have collected
library of auxiliary materials, created technical albums and standard drawings. And in 2012, the Rockwool Design Center appeared.
In the center for customers, calculations are carried out, constructive solutions for projects are developed in terms of achieving
optimal heat, fire and sound protection of the building.
Based on the results of the calculations, recommendations are given on how to make
the building is more energy efficient, safer and more comfortable.
We adhere to an integrated approach to the design of buildings, paying attention to their final characteristics - safety, energy efficiency, durability, and not the properties of individual structures. Our engineers are always happy to provide expertise and help make a project that meets modern requirements.
In other words, does the Design Center do some of the work for the designers? TS: I would not say that we strive to solve some of the problems for the designers. The purpose of the Center is to help specialists, provide support, advise if necessary. This is all, of course, free of charge. Also, our experts have developed a range of tools that reduce engineering labor costs. For example, on our website, you can conduct an approximate calculation of the thickness of the insulation and the energy efficiency of a building online, calculate the sound insulation index of a structure, or select a soundproof structure for existing requirements. Also at the service of designers -
calculator of technical insulation and consumption of components for installation and the program for calculating the thickness of the fire-retardant coating of steel structures CONLIT. These programs can be downloaded from our website and used on your computers, even without access to the Internet.
Tasks that used to take at least an hour
today the designer decides in five minutes.
In addition to all of the above, we have developed Rockwool Constructor - an offline reference program for designers, with constructive solutions and assemblies in AutoCad. Additionally, on the site in the public domain, you can download standard drawings in dwg or pdf format. And the specialists of partner companies are happy to use this - after all, first of all, they save such a valuable resource as time. The workload on designers is constantly increasing, and the use of software packages and calculators helps to work most efficiently.
Feedback
Elena Zhuravleva, head of the group of architects at the SPEECH architectural studio:
- I constantly use Rockwool brochures and technical albums, as well as the Constructor program. In addition, my colleagues and I have repeatedly contacted the Design Center regarding certificates for products, assemblies and calculations for effective heat and sound insulation. Collaboration with Rockwool experts assisted us in the design of the facilities to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium. The objects are a complex of buildings, for each of which it was necessary to calculate an insulation system for an unexploited roof and ventilation facades using mineral wool insulation. As a result, it was possible to form a whole complex of solutions, all the components of which were selected in such a way that their joint work provides not only high-quality and effective heat and waterproofing, but also thereby prolongs the service life of the structures.
Have you encountered non-standard projects?
TS: Yes. One of the most striking examples is the Ice Palace in Samara, which we did together with the Arena design institute. The building is unique in that instead of the usual profiled sheet on the roof, which is a concave bowl, a 4-mm steel membrane is installed on the guy wires. One of the conditions of work was the implementation of a solution sufficient in strength, taking into account the increased snow load (concave roof), and without the use of mechanical fasteners. A double-density material RUF BATTS OPTIMA was proposed, glued to a steel membrane using bitumen mastic, and a PVC membrane was fastened with special fasteners not to the base of the roof, but directly to stone wool. The thickness of the material was determined by conventional thermal engineering calculations.
Tatyana, you cited a regional facility as an example. It turns out that the activities of the Design Center are not limited to the capital?
TS: Of course not! Our company has branches throughout Russia.
For advice and recommendations from the Design Center, any designer can contact a representative
Rockwool Russia in your region.
In general, we believe that it is necessary to develop the topic of energy efficiency in a comprehensive manner, and we try to do our best. For example, we are establishing contacts with educational institutions, because their task is to release high-level specialists from their walls who are guided by current market trends.
It turns out that it is worth acquainting young specialists with energy-saving technologies and materials even from the student's bench?
TS: Ideally, yes, and we help universities in their difficult and responsible business. Thus, in 2013, Rockwool opened an educational platform "Modern Building Materials" for the Ural College of Construction, Architecture and Entrepreneurship. In the classroom, there are training stands on thermal insulation of the roof and facade, information materials on energy efficient projects in private, industrial and civil construction. In the classroom, students learn the most modern technologies, energy-saving solutions and products. This helps them to be competitive in subsequent employment.
A similar classroom operates on the basis of the St. Petersburg College of Construction Industry and Municipal Economy. Also, the Rockwool Training Center in the city of Zheleznodorozhny, Moscow Region, is always open for visits.
We are happy to provide the necessary consulting support, as we believe that the creation of high-quality and durable buildings with low energy consumption not only in accordance with current standards, but also with a margin for the future is our common task. Contact us, we will be happy to help!
Interviewed by Irina Orlova
