Kerakoll GreenLab is a highly innovative project of enormous impact on European industrial culture, and a place where GreenBuilding comes to life right before your eyes.
Indeed, the new research centre will be a global benchmark for the development of Green Technology applied to building materials and to research and innovation on issues relating to the environment and healthier homes, thanks also to the cooperation of scientific bodies and universities.
The design solutions that have made the GreenLab one of the most revolutionary buildings in Europe are:
> Healthy, natural Materials Walls that breath thanks to the use of natural hydraulic lime-based mortars, plasters, paints and insulating plasters from Kerakoll's BIO range, ensuring buildings that are breathable, healthy and beneficial. Featuring high energy efficient thermal blocks made of natural clay and wood flour, wood of certified European origin used for the structure of the building and roof, and certified biocompatible wood fibre panels for the thermal insulation, the GreenLab was designed and built using the very best natural materials. Each individual material used to build and finish the GreenLab was selected as being among those having the least impact on the environment, the lowest VOC and CO2 emissions and the highest energy efficiency rating, to make it an example of GreenBuilding par excellence in Europe.
> Energy Efficiency The energy efficiency of the shell is added to by the choice of systems for winter and summer air conditioning, which were designed to cut energy consumption and control the humidity and temperature parameters of individual rooms locally. Climate control in each area is provided by a system of radiant ceiling panels which guarantee a high level of indoor comfort whilst optimizing the efficiency of the energy generation system, provided by ground-source geothermal heat pumps buried in the ground outside the building. Fine adjustment and control of individual room comfort and optimal management of the climate-control systems along with the various bio-climatic components are important features adding to the overall goal of the project.
> Photovoltaic Energy and Building Automation Control of the various functions and energy-efficiency of the building is achieved through the intelligent and remote control of all electrical and mechanical systems; special sensors measuring the amount of light in each room are used to determine when natural light must be boosted with artificial light in order not to waste energy. There are also presence sensors in each room/area. The photovoltaic installation on the south face of the roof with integrated glass-glass panels adds to the production of energy from renewable sources.
> Water Management Rainwater is collected, treated in natural filtration systems and used for irrigation and bioclimatic cooling; anything left after treatment is returned to groundwater; waste water from sinks is treated and then reused.
> Bioclimatic Architecture and Natural Lighting Positioned longitudinally along the north-south axis, the sweeping surface on the front of the building is south-facing to capture the sunlight whilst there is only a small tapered north-facing surface to limit heat loss. The landscaping, the glass photovoltaic panel shielding and the water pools in front of the main facade together contribute to the control of the building's microclimate. Natural ventilation inside is favoured by the presence of motorized openings which are controlled by an intelligent automated system which allows air to cross the central atrium and exit through the skylight in the roof. Natural lighting is guaranteed and glare prevented, by light entering from above through the large skylight, sun tunnels in the roof, and windows fitted on the inside with adjustable blades to carry and control light. The insulation and thermal inertia of the building are guaranteed by infill panels and high-performance windows with double and triple, low-emission glazing.
