Globe Project : technical details
Design and techniques - Materials - Water management - Biodiversity
Energy and environmental design/technical installations
In this project, the goal was to develop a zero primary energy
building, i.e. a building producing, on a sustainable basis, at least as
much primary energy as it consumed. This ambitious goal (although already
achieved abroad) was undertaken by :
1) achieving the passive standard (heating energy needs of less than 15kWh/m2/year),
particularly through the very compact nature of the building, optimal insulation
of the walls and an in-depth study of the position and dimensions of the
windows. The overall level of insulation, calculated according to the Belgian
standard NBN B62 001, is K14 for the building located on Rue Bernaerts and
K13 for the building on Chaussée d'Alsemberg (current official standard:
K45)
It is important to note that the thermal insulation of the building provides
sound insulation against external noise, which is also largely above average.
2) reducing electric energy needs at source (economic lighting, energy-saving
household appliances, washing machines connected to the hot water supply,
etc.); the lifts have also been chosen on the basis of their energy performance.
3) obtaining with the aid of a biomass micro-co-generator the energy needed
to provide supplementary heating or bathroom hot water as well as electricity.
4) completing the project with the installation of solar photovoltaic panels
enabling the primary electricity consumption of the building to be offset.
Every apartment will have its own photovoltaic installation.
The production of electricity via co-generation will be to the order of
22,000 kWh/year, and via the solar photovoltaic panels 18,000 kWh/year.
The domestic hot water needs and additional heating will be supplied by
the co-generation and a supplementary gas boiler.
Click on the image to enlarge
Materials
The eco-construction aspect has been handled at a later stage
and the envisaged materials in general well placed in the NIBE methodology
(standardized classification, according to their energy consumption, effect
on the environment, health, recycling, etc.).
All material has been chosen according to its technical and ecological efficiency.
In particular :
- STRUCTURE : Given the application of new sound standards and the instability of the soil, preference has been given to a concrete structure rather than a wooden frame. While there is a negative CO2 balance at the level of production compared to timber, concrete remains an advantage in terms of recycling.
- INSULATION MATERIALS : the choice was made following the NIBE classification, the only one at this time to assess materials taking account of the energy needed in their manufacture (embodied energy), their environmental impact and in terms of recycling. The choice was made to use resole foam and expanded polystyrene, which have a good NIBE classification and optimal thermal performance.
- WATER/DRAUGHT PROOFING OF ROOFS: EPDM
- FRAMES: are foreseen in wood/aluminium (wood for inside, aluminium for the outside). Aluminium provides a better guarantee in terms of wear, does not require maintenance, contrary to wood, the maintenance of which may have a negative impact on the environment if harmful products are used.
- WOOD: All timber used is FSC or PEFC labelled
- PAINTS: all paints carry the Nature plus label, the European ecological label, French environmental standard, blue angel, white swan, guaranteeing a low content or absence of organic compounds and solvents.
- The use of GLUE is limited as far as possible: the kitchen furniture and doors will be painted and the flooring will be semi-solid timber (which can be nailed and therefore needs less glue than solid timber).
- FACADES in fibre cement and covered in mineral plaster.
Water management
The accessible roofs, that is 150m2, (the others have solar
photovoltaic panels) will be green.
A 10,000 litre rain water tank will be installed and the water collected
will be used for watering the outside plants and for cleaning shared spaces.
Water saving "at source" has also been studied in relation to
the apartments' fittings :
- thermostatic taps: allow the desired water temperature to be reached more rapidly, wasting less water, on top of their energy efficiency.
- taps equipped with flow regulators: increased water pressure with lower flow (air/water mix).
- economic showerhead: 6 - 9 litres/minute, thanks to mixture of air/water. This head means that water consumption is reduced during a shower, without reducing the comfort.
- dual-flush WCs.
Biodiversity
The building will contribute to the ambient biodiversity with
its green facades and green roofs.
The green facades will be constructed using a steel frame and climbing plants
and so will not threaten the surface of the facade.
Green Immo - 112 rue Konkel - 1200 Bruxelles Belgique - info@greenimmo.be
