New Building Bionorica AG, Neumarkt/GER
In-built company philosophy - environmentally friendly and energy-efficient
(from left) Architekt Wofgang Brummer, Brummer und Retzer GmbH, Amberg/GER;
Professor Michael A. Popp,CEO der BIONORICA AG, Neumarkt/GER;
Wolfgang Dotzler, Geschäftsführer Grammer Solar GmbH. Amberg/GER
Saving energy and generating energy. What does this mean for you as a client?
Popp: We are the leading manufacturer of herbal medicines in . We use patented manufacturing processes and the latest methods of analysis to produce herbal medicines; these medicines are also tested in extensive clinical and pharmacological studies and are approved for sale worldwide. We were very keen, that this building should make a contribution to the environment. I’m also very grateful to Mr Brummer for ensuring that the whole team worked so well together throughout the complete development process.
A special concrete mix was used for the outer wall of the building. What was special about it?
Popp: Professor Braungart from EPEA (an international scientific research and consultancy institute based in ) selected and approved all of the building materials – from the concrete aggregate to the carpets and office furniture. Only PVC-free pipes and cables were used. The relocation of our computing centre was an opportunity to create a completely new energy concept. Today I’m very happy that we took this decision. And, in that sense, it was the right decision to proceed with such a building here in and, indeed, in .
Schüco AWS 75.SI windows and Schüco ProSol PV modules were used in the skylight area. Do the benefits of a fully integrated energy façade also come into play here?
Brummer: We have integrated ProSol PV modules into the roof and into the south-eastfacing façade. Schüco AWS 75.SI windows with the concealed Schüco AvanTec sittings were used here. High insulation AWS 75.SI triple glazing has been fitted throughout this building. The remaining façade was insulated using 20 cm mineral foam panels. This material is considerably more sustainable and environmentally friendly than other insulation materials.
How do you approach solar heating?
Dotzler: The solar roof absorbs the passive solar gains. The built-in solar cells have the same effect as shading elements.
Much of what you have achieved with this building is not immediately obvious from the outside. Is this a case of “really good design is invisible”?
Brummer: The materials and technology used are almost completely concealed. There are three aspects: environmental safety, the reusability of materials, and the integration of the building into its natural environment. This begins with making use of rainwater and extends to façade greenery and the external areas. A returns guarantee for non-recyclable materials was requested by the companies.
In other words, there was not just one focus during the planning of the façade, it was the sum of a series of factors – intelligent materials, fully automated controls, high-performance solar shading, solar cooling, a high-quality façade… and only then the aesthetic quality of the building?
Brummer: Yes, it was the sum of all the factors that were included in this project. Of course, to incorporate all of these ideas into one building will always involve a compromise.
Using resources responsibly – is that also an example of energy-efficient building?
Popp: Absolutely! Without a doubt, this building is a prime example. I’m thinking now of companies that use natural products. First of all, they would have to switch to similar concepts.
Do you see modifiable façades with a flexible thermal insulation value as a solution for buildings that can adjust to different climates?
Dotzler: The differences between summer and winter make it imperative that façades are able to adjust to different climates. For that they must also have modifiable parameters. This factor is becoming ever more important, particularly in terms of climate development.
How would you like to manipulate the g value?
Dotzler: Through targeted and controlled shading. Not only with additional external shading elements, but by using the façade component itself. Shading by the photovoltaic units represents an additional positive sideeffect.
Brummer: The louvre blades at the top of the solar shading are already fitted with daylight control technology, and the façade is state-of-the-art. But I believe that there is still a need for modifiable building envelopes.
Do you see separate elements as a more plausible solution? Separate controlled solar shading and façade elements that can also be operated individually? Or would you prefer an integrated package?
Brummer: The complete package is available in the Schüco E² Façade. Heating, ventilation, solar shading and different lighting options are served by a complete package. A prototype was presented at BAU 2007, and development is heading in the right direction. Moreover, this is the way we will have to think in the future.
Were climate, daylight or even flow simulations carried out prior to starting this project? How were these aspects incorporated into the initial design?
Brummer: We commissioned the ZAE (Centre for Applied Energy Research) in to run a thermal building simulation. This threw up several interesting problems for which we then had to quickly find new solutions. But we had already done a great deal of work at the design stage.
Dotzler: The ZAE also tested the system technology. Interestingly, the energy technology was not split between the individual specialists in advance. Ventilation, heating, cooling, electronics and solar technology were all bracketed together and only then divided up into the individual areas.
That is undoubtedly highly advantageous and allows a more integrated approach. Can the subject of heat and heating actually be separated from the issue of natural light and artificial lighting?
Dotzler: The question of natural light and electric lighting can no longer be viewed in isolation from thermal loads. There’s a clear correlation between the two. It starts with the choice of lighting, which in turn has a bearing on the air conditioning system. And so it continues, right down to the choice of computer equipment.
Brummer: In future, we will also need a separate “building technology planning manager”. This will mean new personnel and also, of course, a different type of training.
Climate control using intelligent materials – do you see potential for future development here and, if so, what? I’m thinking of materials that respond interactively, i.e. to differences in temperature or light.
Dotzler: There are some already. If one looks at interiors, phase change materials (PCM) can also be used to achieve absorption for the inside space. Several manufacturers of dry mortarless constructions are currently working on this, but as yet there is no product on the market. Technically, it’s already possible, but the cost is still prohibitive. Here, there’s a real need for action.
How intelligent could or should the buildings of the future actually be?
Brummer: They only need to be intelligent enough for the building user to know and understand why something happens if he or she presses a given button.
Does that tend to favour decentralised or centralised building technology?
Dotzler: In the case of a decentralised, the user is often overextended because he or she cannot retain an overview. The user must be aware that both the heating and air conditioning are affected when the window is opened.
How did you decide on the orientation and shape of the building?
Brummer: The head office needs to have a certain appearance and is therefore located directly on the street. The rotation of the building is linked to the alignment to the south, to optimise the design of the solar roof. The diagonal orientation of the new building creates a new forecourt that serves as an entrance for the entire site.
Dotzler: The idea was to maximise the yields from the photovoltaic elements by using the best possible long-term angle of incidence to the sun.
Brummer: The shape of the building has a lot to do with function, of course, but above all with energy and sustainability. The architectural design involves this aspect of energy efficiency.
What does “Phytoneering” mean as an approach to planning? And how is this reflected in your project?
Popp: “Phytoneering” consists of “Phyto” for plants and “neering” from engineering. “Phytoneering” means using technology to take the best from nature in order to provide a greater quality of life. All of that can be found in our new building. It is high-tech without being harmful to nature. This idea is present in the choice of plants and in the building interior, in the colours of the storeys – the transition from green to blue: from nature to technology.
Architect Wolfgang Brummer, Prof. Michael Popp and Wolfgang Dotzler talked with Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Höhl, Munich/GER
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