Sustainable construction generates maintenance savings over the long term.
LEDArchitecture starts with the people and seeks to serve society. Architecture is design – but not only. Architecture should be creative and interdisciplinary. Only under these conditions can our work become sustainable in the broad sense of the term. As generalists, we have the ambition to develop holistic, analytical and critical thinking. We take in consideration sociocultural, economic, and environmental aspects. Integrating all these dimensions is the only way to guarantee the specificity of the architectural work.
Our core competence is our commitment to sustainable thinking, planning and building.
Sustainability throughout the construction of the FHNW in Olten.
Train accident with dangerous goods. Protection measures have been defined in collaboration with the Department for Environment. In case of accident, an alarm is triggered and the ventilation installation is switched off.
Building along the railwaySearch for beauty. Beauty isn’t just a matter of taste. It is also defined, among other aspects, by structuring, complexity, materialization and atmosphere. A can be understood as an integral part of sustainability. And conversely: sustainability forms part of A.
SustainabilityDoes not form and structure only the external envelope of the building. A Defines not only dimensions and spatial relationships. A creates spatial structure through voids. A certainly turns itself towards aesthetic criteria, but it nevertheless remains the art of guaranteeing sustainability through planning. A thus serves humans.
Aesthetics Holistic approach Sustainability PlanningThe builder is the canton of Solothurn, represented by the cantonal building department. For the B, sustainability is a matter of great importance. Thus, the building was the first public construction in the canton to reach the Minergie-PEco® standard.
Minergie Sustainability Collaborationhas been one of the main challenges. Measures had to be taken to minimize vibrations with insulation mats, optimize noise protection and reduce NIR and major accident consequences.
Comfort | Psychology | Well-being Insulation mats Vibrations Noise protection NIR Users AccidentsThe BS is visible in the four two and three-story atriums as well as in the layered structure that leads with a decrescendo from the rather public ground floor to the more private spaces of the second floor. It reflects the generosity of the ground floor and becomes denser towards the upper stories.
which reduces the amount of concrete and steel in the building’s ceilings by integrating recyclable plastic spheres in the ceiling’s core. C allows for roughly 35 percent load reduction. This means that vertical supporting elements i.e. walls, columns, and foundation can be lighter and thus more resource-efficient. By using C, 1 500 m3 concrete and 90 tons steel were saved – a significant contribution to the reduction of grey energy.
Grey energy EconomyC. and understanding were key elements for the successful planning and realization of this highly complex project. Besides the realization of a quality sustainable architecture, users’ needs had to be balanced with cost and deadlines constraints.
Architecture Builder Comfort | Psychology | Well-being Holistic approach General planning Users Participation PlanningIntrinsically, a subjective criterion to describe the atmosphere which the building radiates for the users and influences their working conditions. C can be optimized through targeted but nonetheless measurable and objective measures.
Aesthetics Building along the railway Light UsersThe “machine for thinking” is connected to the outdoor spaces by the public-spirited ground floor and the two exits. The integration of the building within the surrounding neighborhood and urban context is thus guaranteed.
Neighborhood UrbanismThe building is organized around four atriums in order to maximize daylight inputs. This strategy not only generates savings, it also fosters a sense of comfort and orientation.
Comfort | Psychology | Well-being Savings OrientationThe ratio between floor area FA and main usable area MUA reaches an optimal balance. FA is the surface of ground areas of accessible floors that are enclosed on all sides and covered, including construction areas. MUA is the portion of usable space, which serves to fulfill the purpose for which the building was intended. The optimal ratio of 1,5 between FA and MUA (without parking lot) leads to a situation where the “machine for thinking” was developed more horizontally than vertically.
Very important criterion, although, contrary to widespread opinion, not the only sustainability criterion.
Cobiax Density | Densification Savings Energy Holistic approach Grey water Ground water Cycles Cooling Light Minergie Sustainability Photovoltaic Recycling Site System separation Daylight Maintenance SeepageIs not simply the economic link between financing and compliance with budget, but also E of resources. E thus forms part of sustainability, as well as environmental or social aspects.
Sustainability EcologyIn the “machine for thinking”, fossil fuels have been eliminated. The energy generation is CO2-free and based on renewable energies (Groundwater, Grey water, Photovoltaic). The building meets the Minergie-P requirements.
Grey water Minergie PhotovoltaicWhen building the “machine for thinking”, the E of the building was already planned for a second phase. The seepage and ground water catchment installation was more largely dimensioned with a view to this possible second phase.
Phases Ground water SeepageComposed of aluminum, glass and fiber cement. It fulfills various functions: insulation (Energy), protection against immissions (e.g. NIR), guarantee for transparency / penetration of light and noise control through the use of box-type windows. The F has ventilation sashes and sunblinds.
Energy Noise protection Ventilation sashes NIRConsidering the size of the building, a major challenge, which was solved structurally by an optimal and specific FP concept.
The system separation guarantees the flexible use of the building in the future. It was clearly designed for the University for Applied Technology, but other uses remain possible.
Users Economy System separationOnly the collaboration between the builder, architects and users allows the concretization of sustainability requirements.
Builder Sustainability Users CollaborationThe roof is entirely covered with greenery, except for the glazed surfaces above the atriums.
Energy SeepageAmount of energy used for the production, transport and disposal of a product / building. Recycling reduces GE.
CobiaxSlightly contaminated wastewater generated for instance by using ground water for ecological purposes. It is used in the toilet-flushing circuit. GW thus reduces the consumption of drinking water.
Ground waterGround water heat is recovered by circulation pumps run by photovoltaic current. The heating system is operated with this heat. Inversely, GW also allows cooling, whereby pumps are here again run by photovoltaic current. After this, GW becomes grey water.
Grey water Heating system Cooling PhotovoltaicIs operated by using ground water and the so-called internal loads. The latter are heating sources generated by the presence of users or switched on equipment (computers, etc.)
Cooling MinergieWhen architecture, planning and construction are achieved in a holistic and hence sustainable way, it means that social, economic and environmental aspects are taken into consideration. The focus is thus not only on technique, but also on people. Technique seeks to serve users.
Architecture Users Ecology Economy PlanningIn the area of foundations and façades oriented towards the railways for protection against vibrations.
Building along the railway Comfort | Psychology | Well-being VibrationsSustainability is primarily an I for the future. Therefore, some short-term higher I pays off over the long-term thanks to savings.
Savings Extensions SustainabilityLED (light emitting diodes) are found everywhere. In financial terms, energy and maintenance costs savings pay off over the long-term, despite the higher investment.
Energy EconomyDetermines spatial structures as well as comfort.
Comfort | Psychology | Well-being Façade DaylightSustainable construction generates maintenance savings over the long term.
LEDIs a quality label for buildings. The focus lies on comfort – housing and working comfort of the users. This comfort is guaranteed by the high quality of the building’s envelope and the systematic air renewal. In addition, there are above-average requirements for heat protection and energy monitoring. Specific energy consumption is used as the main indicator to quantify the required building quality. The weighted final energy demand is relevant. www.minergie.ch. The "machine for thinking" meets the high Minergie-Peco ® No. SO-011-P-ECO requirements, reached so far by 909 buildings in Switzerland (as of December 2020). To date, very few buildings of this dimension have received this certification.
BuilderThe “machine for thinking” is well connected to the existing neighborhood. The ground floor is designed as an indoor extension of the outdoor public space.
Urbanism ConnectionNon-ionising radiation (NIR), in everyday life referred to as electrosmog. In proximity to railroads, NIR is a high immission.
Building along the railwayThe proximity to the railroad requires specific measures for NP. This can be seen in the structure of the façade and the windows.
Building along the railway Comfort | Psychology | Well-being FaçadeContinuity of the spatial structure and guidance of light, in particular the four atriums, help the sense of orientation within the “machine for thinking”.
LightThe majority of rooms and urban spaces are designed and built by men, women remain broadly excluded from planning processes. In reaction to this reality, the concept of sustainable development seeks to integrate as many people as possible into designing living spaces, women in particular. www.lares.ch
SustainabilityThe new building is the first phase. For the second phase, it is already envisaged to double the current building volume.
Architecture Savings Extensions EconomyRoofing useful area is 1 000 m2. Annual performance provides 57 000 kWh. Ph installation is connected to the public electricity network, so that surplus energy can be redistributed.
Energy Ground waterOnly global and complex planning and collaboration between architect, builder, users and appropriate specialists can optimize the integration of sustainable development principles.
Builder Sustainability Users Participationwas used at Olten. Its aggregate content is at least 25 percent concrete or recycled aggregate. Concrete aggregate contains at least 95 percent concrete demolition. Recycled aggregate is a mix between concrete demolition, crushed bricks and artificial sand-lime bricks. Recycled concrete reduces the amount of construction waste brought to landfills and partly replaces the use of gravel. Only the thorough sorting of concrete demolition can guarantee the fabrication of high quality recycled concrete. Recycled concrete is ecological only if transport between demolition site and new construction site is economical. In the case of the “machine for thinking”, journeys were limited to the region of Olten.
Due to lack of space around the building, the S installation had to be implemented underneath the new construction. The installation includes two big seepage galleries. Roof water pre-cleaning occurs upstream in the mud collectors. Roof surfaces with extensive greenery are connected to this installation. Glazed roof surfaces, which necessitate periodic cleaning, are drained into the pipe. S installations are dimensioned to absorb the amount of rainwater of the extended building.
Roof water Extensions PhasesThe site is defined by the urban strategy and the proximity to the railroad. It is characterized by centrality and hence connectivity to national and international transport networks, in particular public transport.
Building along the railway UrbanismSP is layered. This means that it becomes denser towards the upper floors. Spans and slab thicknesses decrease accordingly, which generates savings in the volume of necessary concrete.
Supporting structureBuilding sustainably means planning with a holistic approach. S includes an increasingly complex network of factors and relations, which are summarized in the present simplified glossary.
Holistic approach General planning PlanningThe SS has a consistent logic. 1. The primary system, with a durability of 80 to 100 years, includes the supporting structure, distribution and envelope of the building. 2. The secondary system, with a durability of 20 to 30 years, includes inner walls, ceilings and floors, fixed insulations and interior completion. 3. The tertiary system, with a durability of 10 to 20 years: devices, furniture. SS maximizes flexibility and hence is an important part of sustainability.
Flexibility SustainabilityThe “machine for thinking” establishes connection with the city and the surrounding neighborhood. The volume of the construction is adapted to existing buildings. It reorganizes their relations and proposes a new spatial definition. The northern square defines the building’s main entrance and creates a transition towards the public indoor space, which becomes gradually more private towards the upper floors.
Neighborhood ConnectionThe “machine for thinking” was tailored for the needs of the University for applied technology. This can be seen in the rooms program: public areas (Connection) include simultaneously rooms for conferences, seminars, teaching, groups and offices. Building’s flexibility is however not excluded.
Flexibility Participation ConnectionThe building is ventilated by a mechanical V installation. V is regulated according to the needs: CO2 sensors regulate air quality and hence air climate depending on operational loads. V is a significant contribution to increasing concentration at work and hence working atmosphere.
Working atmosphere MinergieDespite Minergie standard, windows can be partially manually opened according to individual needs. Some of them are automatically controlled for smoke extraction.
Acceptance Comfort | Psychology | Well-being MinergieOlten is one of Switzerland’s highest-frequency railroad hubs. Hence the building is exposed to important vibrations due to the trains.
Building along the railway Comfort | Psychology | Well-being Insulation mats