Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Example: Treehouses Bebelallee, Hamburg
The complex of residential buildings,
built in 1959, had a typical yellow brick masonry façade Fig.
2.1
. The client wanted
to double the dwelling surface, at the same improving the energy performances of
the complex and halving CO
2
emissions. In order to preserve the original charac-
ter, the architects decided to apply a composite insulation layer on the existing outer
envelope, finished with bricks in various tones of brawn and grey Fig.
2.3
.
The 2-storey extension (walls and ceilings) has a light timber framed prefabri-
cated structure Fig.
2.4
that was assembled on site in a relatively short time, with
minimal noise and disturbance for the inhabitants that could stay in their apart-
ments during construction works. The external cladding is made of untreated
wood-shingles that recall the surrounding trees (Fig.
2.2
).
The outcome is a reduction by 62 % of energy consumption: the gross annual con-
sumption of primary-energy is 81 kWh/m
2
against the previous 217 kWh/m
2
.
Architects: blauraum architects partnership, Hamburg
Client: Robert Vogel GmbH & Co., Hamburg
Year: 2010
2.2.2 Impact on Surrounding Environment
Buildings have multiple effects on the natural systems at different scales due to
the large amount of materials they use and to the embodied and operational energy
they require. During their life time, buildings also impact on their immediate sur-
roundings due to alterations to the properties of surfaces. In dense urban areas,
these effects build up and create significant alterations to local microclimate
known as urban heat island (UHI) effect. UHI makes temperatures in cities higher
Fig. 2.1
The Bebelallee complex before renovation
