Experimenta in Heilbronn is the first museum building to receive platinum and diamond certification from DGNB, the German Sustainable Building Council. DGNB has used the above certification to reward a real showpiece for the Dieter Schwarz Foundation. The Science Center is a good example of the perfect symbiosis of outstanding architecture and innovative technology. At the heart of the Science Center is a silent gravity cooling system by TTC Timmler Technology. For the architects, the innovative air conditioning technology was an important component of this sustainable showcase project, because when in operation it uses almost no energy and at the end of its product lifecycle it can be completely dismantled. Moreover, it integrates into the building\u2019s architecture so completely that it becomes as good as invisible.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Experimenta is a world of experiences and learning which has now had a spectacular new building added to it. Here, each day up to 2,500 visitors can discover and learn in a way that is refreshing and by no means pedantic. It is often the case that the body temperatures of large groups of people present air conditioning technology with a major challenge. Particularly if the contractor has, from the outset, defined a clear objective, the building concept should not only be technically well-thought-out, but also and especially an ecologically exemplary one. And this not only with the desired DGNB certification in mind. It was, amongst other things, the intention of Schwarz Real Estate to put in place exemplary building management, thus making for the kind of property that would highlight new approaches, at as a beacon project and serve as a shining example, one that would be taken notice of far beyond the confines of the region. With Drees & Sommer, a leading European consultancy, planning and project management company became involved in the project.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For their undertaking, the experts opted for the Gravivent silent gravity cooling system by TTC Technology. The extremely high indoor cooling requirement of the exhibits and media technology called for a powerful cooling system, one that also needed to be as invisible as possible for architectural reasons. Over the four stories there was total wall length of only 179 meters available on which the type AASI.51 high-performance units could be installed. The cooler is controlled in accordance with the wet-bulb temperature and is self-adjusting. Here the flow temperature of the cooling water is 15 \u00b0C, when it reaches 17 \u00b0C the water is reintroduced into the cooling system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The delta is sufficient to keep the ambient temperature to a maximum of 26 \u00b0C at all times. \u2018This system is extremely energyefficient, quiet and low-maintenance and is ideal for experimenta\u2019s high walls and the chosen ventilation concept,\u2018 explains project manager J\u00fcrgen Behringer of Drees & Sommer confidently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many different factors contribute to making experimenta what it is, namely an exemplary building in all respects. Its glass fa\u00e7ade means that the incident light is natural; this saves on energy for lighting. In order to keep the thermal and cooling loads as low as possible the engineering experts at Drees & Sommer optimized the fa\u00e7ade\u2019s thermal behavior and its performance with regard to daylight. A high degree of comfort in the building is achieved through component cooling in the ceiling and a gravity cooling system which works with heat exchangers and physical effects. By using groundwater in combination with a heat pump, 75 percent of the heat used in heating can be derived from groundwater. When the system is in cooling mode the groundwater absorbs the heat. Thus, thanks to the well and the cooling load reduction,
each year the system cuts emissions by 200 metric tons of CO2. By using these technologies, this energy concept adapted to usage manages to get significantly below the statutory requirements. \u2018An ideal package, one that combines the advantages of different systems,\u2018 explains J\u00fcrgen Behringer of Drees & Sommer.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the themed areas where media technology, light and the exhibits themselves generate heat the gravity cooling system keeps temperatures perfect and gets the air moving. As well as being cheap to operate, the system\u2019s silent cooling is one of the important advantages to the product, particularly in the learning environments where concentration is called for. In this context, the design approach favored by the architects Sauerbruch Hutton called for air vents that were frameless like a wall, could still be inspected, and simultaneously guaranteed the necessary airflow for the Gravivent system. In consultation with the architects, the idea was to purpose-develop a KSM-V grids with spacing between the bars of 2.5 mm as this met all the requirements. Whereas the high-performance units are almost invisible despite being installed on-wall, the refined KSM-V type air vents meet DGNB requirements. These were also designed and manufactured by TTC Technology and guarantee a harmonious visual appearance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"