As an architect one rarely is given such a special commission as the design of a freestanding building in the built-up inner city. Here the issue is to a considerable extent to form urban aspects, urban implications and the qualities of the building to create a meaningful and successful synthesis.
In the case of the House of Research it is fortunately not only the form that engages in a dialogue with its surroundings but also the building's function. As central headquarters for the allocation of research grants in Austria it forms a living and animating nucleus that radiates movement and future beyond its immediate environs.
The stated goal of the design process was to achieve a level of innovation in the building that is appropriate to the contents that are promoted through this building. As the connecting element and key theme of architecture and research a high level of energy efficiency seems indispensable. In this respect the House of Research represents a prototype as regards sustainability in the area of administration buildings that sets the bar for future achievements in this area very high indeed. These goals require an individual formal language and an aesthetic of optimization: the free-standing nature of the building allows and encourages the building to be experienced from all sides.
This makes a varied appearance of the surface- a face almost self-evident this surfaces flows without interruptions around the volume and creates the interstitial space with the circulation - the spine of the building. Energy efficiency on the other hand demands an optimized building envelope. Here an intelligent membrane is required that allows just as much transparency (and with it solar heat gain) as the building can deal with. The form of the building is the result of this balance.
Key data according to monitoring (2006-2009) Danube University Krems: Useful heat demand for space heating: 29 kWh/m²a gross floor area Useful cooling demand for space cooling: 36 kWh/m²a gross floor area Total primary energy demand: 96 kWh/m²a gross floor area
• Compact building volume with optimal proportion of windows. Windows: Ug= 0.7 Wm²K, Uw= 0.9 W/m²K • Extremely good thermal insulation of the envelope elements, external wall UAW = 0.15 W/m²K. • Mechanical air supply and extraction with heat recovery and pre-conditioning of the outside air in a ground heat exchanger • Strict organisation and operation as a non-smoking building with balconies for smokers reduces the required amounts of air • Production of warmth by means of district heating, cooling produced by night-time free cooling from the concrete core activated ceiling slabs • Transfer of heat and cold by means of concrete core activated ceiling slabs, preconditioning of intake air and radiators along the facades • Motion and presence sensors control the lighting (workplace centred, without redundancy) • Special sun protection slats help light the back of the rooms (light is bounced off the ceiling), and allow a view through even when the venetian blinds are closed • Chemical management of all products used • Avoidance of PVC in particular for tubes, windows and doors, electrical services and with foils • Selection of halogen-free materials and their inspection • Low emission fitting-out of the interiors: free from CFC and H-CFC • Central meeting rooms with intranet booking encourages efficient use of space
