Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 3.14
Ecobox: A section of the building, showing the central triple-height atrium (Fundación
Metrópoli).
Design
(Arup Associates). Ángel De Diego Rica; 2003
Example: New Housing for Seniors, Brescia, Italy
The BIRD project (Bioedilizia,
Inclusione, Risparmio energetico e Domotica—Green design, Inclusion, Energy sav-
ing and Home automation) is divided into a service centre and 52 flats organised in
two-storeys rows. Each of the flats has a glazed sunspace, connected to the living
rooms, and a loggia or a balcony facing South. The metallic roof abuts the South
façade in order to protect it from the high summer sun. Generally speaking, the
building includes strategies that prioritise the passive behaviour over the mechanical
systems, and produces a large amount of the energy it still needs in the peak seasons.
The building earned an “A
+
” rating for energy efficiency from the CasaClima
Agency, Bolzano, Italy.
Some of the innovative solutions include:
• natural ventilation integrated to mechanical ventilation with heat recovery;
• radiant loor panels for winter heating;
• geothermal heat pumps;
• photovoltaic panels on the roof;
• lightweight steel structure with highly insulated envelope (Figs.
3.15
,
3.16
).
3.2.2 Areas for Innovation: Integrated Generation
To maximize renewable energy generation, it is important to consider the integra-
