12 October 2016, 11:44

On 5 September 2016, a group of 11 Chinese delegates started the Good Practice Tour in Berlin. During this event, the participants learned about sustainable building materials and design and were shown projects of integrated low-carbon districts and energy efficient buildings in Berlin.

As an introduction, the group visited Technologiepark Adlershof, an integrated low-carbon district in Berlin. The 420 ha sized Technologiepark is Germany’s biggest project of that kind and shelters 10 research faculties, the scientific campus of the Humboldt University and about 1.000 corporations. The project goal is to reach energy-efficiency by the year 2020, minimizing the area’s primary energy demand. Therefore, buildings and infrastructure are modernized, innovative storage techniques are applied and renewable energies are used.   

Mr. Frank Lauterbach presented the parks structure and organization. Key insights of the presentation include:

• The scientific-economic cooperation is a main element for innovation and sustainability.
• An energy efficiency standard is important for both new buildings and existing ones.
• All stakeholders have to be included into the planning process continuously.
• Systematic approaches must be used in order to analyse energy efficiency.

Following sites were visited during the tour:

The Centre for Photovoltaics and Renewable Energies is a technology centre offering manufacturing, laboratory and office space. Its holistic sustainability concept contains recyclable building materials, sound insulation, an extensive green roof, photovoltaic panels on the entrance façade, barrier-freedom and roofed charging points for electric means of transport.

The Institute of Physics is based on a concept of decentralised rainwater management, building greening and innovative cooling and ventilation systems. The greening elements that are irrigated by the collected rain water stabilize a sound microclimate and enable an eco-friendly urban development.

The Powerhouse project includes five residential buildings of 8.500 m² living space. It achieves the standard of “Efficiency House Plus” due to the local production of solar heat and photovoltaic, an optimized insulation and a highly efficient ventilation system.  Furthermore, power-to-heat systems are used for energy storage.

The former SOLON building contains a highly innovative rainwater system. The green roof is constructed to store rainwater in order to stabilize our climate and reduce additional drinking water demand.

Presentation can be downloaded here.

The second part of the program focused on sustainable building materials and design. Dr. Shritu Shresta introduced the European evolution in Green buildings and pointed out the importance of sustainable building materials. She also presented policies supporting the use of sustainable materials and highlighted production practices.  

The program was completed by Mr. Christopher Moore’s presentation on sustainable building design. After introducing the legal background, he compared different categories of energy efficient buildings and introduced certification systems. Specific technologies and governmental instruments were discussed, as well. The presentation was finished with several case examples of energy efficient buildings in Germany.

Presentations can be downloaded here.

The presentations were followed by a field trip to several low energy buildings:

Passivhaus Schönholzer Straße is the first multi-storey passive house in Berlin. The seven storey building is constructed on a mixed material base, using a massive core and a wooden light-frame façade. The ecologically renewable wood serves as a natural insulation layer. Pre-fabricated construction methods were applied in order to maintain a fast project completion.

Passivhaus Boyenstraße is a zero-emission building. Its construction is similar to Passivhaus Schönholzer Straße. As a multigenerational residence, barrier freedom and flexible apartments are provided. Ecological sustainability is achieved by the installation of a green roof and a grey water recycling system. The building also contains a power-to-heat unit, a photovoltaic system and a semi-central ventilation system.

E3 Berlin is Europe’s first wooden high-rise. The timber construction of the building requires special safety measures such as a free-standing fireproof staircase. Again, pre-fabricated panels are used in order to achieve maximum construction speed and quality.

Presentations can be downloaded here.