04 Industry News
World’s first Passive House+
A single-family home in southern Germany has been certified as the world’s first Passive House Plus building. The house, built in the village of Ötigheim, combines the advantages of the Passive House Standard with renewable energy. The classic Passive House Standard is primarily based on the optimisation of energy consumption. The heating demand should be 15 kWh/(m²a) maximum, and the total demand for renewable primary energy may not exceed 60 kWh/(m²a). A Passive House Plus is even more efficient – here the upper limit for the total demand is 45 kWh/(m²a). At the same time, at least 60 kWh/(m²a) of renewable energy must also be generated – with reference to the projected footprint (the ground covered by the building). If a building plot is unsuitable for on-site generation, then investment in new off-site renewable energy installations can also be taken into account.
Dr. Wolfgang Feist, director of the Passive House Institute, said: “This building proves that creating an infrastructure based completely on renewable energy is already possible today for every building owner. “The considerably improved Passive House energy efficiency allows the issue of seasonal discrepancies between generation and demand and the resultant storage problems to be overcome with minimum effort”. Image credit: Scholz/Gerber
The building in Ötigheim has a heating demand of 13 kWh/ (m²a), with the total demand for renewable primary energy was calculated as 28 kWh/(m²TFAa) using the PHPP design tool. A 64 m² photovoltaic system on the south-facing roof generates electricity. The Passive House Plus thus produces 76 kWh/(m²grounda) of renewable primary energy. As in every Passive House, a high level of energy efficiency is ensured through an excellent level of thermal insulation, triple-glazed windows, a heat recovery ventilation system, an airtight building envelope and a largely thermal bridge free design.
London’s Nine Elms opens up to the public The redevelopment of a huge area of London’s South Bank is creating several landmark buildings as local residents are invited to view plans.
The Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership has hosted two open days for local residents and interested Londoners to find out what the regeneration of Nine Elms, Vauxhall and Battersea will mean to them. Taking place at the ROSE Community Centre in Battersea, on 14 and 15 July, local people spoke to those involved and viewed the detailed plans.
Exhibition highlights included the latest scale model of the regeneration plans, information on jobs and training opportunities and updates on construction of the Northern line extension to Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station. There were also opportunities to find out more about plans for new public space including the linear park and improvements to the Thames River Path. Spokespeople on the development of social infrastructure including plans for new affordable homes, schools and health centres were on hand to answer any questions that visitors had. The multi-billion pound private investment programme is transforming Nine Elms from a semi-derelict, light industrial zone into an ultra-modern residential and business distinct with several internationally renowned developer-update.co.uk
architects creating landmark buildings in the area. Estate agent Knight Frank predicts property values will increase by 140% between 2011 and 2016 – the highest forecast growth in the UK. Over 600,000 sq m of new business space within the Central London Activity Zone will be created – a high density employment area and one of the most productive commercial territories in the world. It will support up to 25,000 new jobs and deliver billions in new economic growth and new foreign direct investment. A £1billion transport improvement package will make Nine Elms on the South Bank as well connected as the rest of Central London. Two new Northern line stations will create fast, direct links to the West End, City and North London. There will also be new riverbus piers, new bus services and a new network of cycle lanes and footpaths. The Vauxhall Gyratory will be remodelled to create a more pedestrian friendly environment and a new bridge across the Thames will link the area to Pimlico on the opposite bank.