Energy-surplus day-care centre for children

Within a municipality in the commuting belt of Munich a new day-care centre for children is planned to be realised as an energy-surplus building to serve as an example of energy efficiency and sustainability. Following this aim, a team of qualified architects and research group from Fraunhofer Institute of Building Physics closely worked together from the very beginning of the design process. As a result, a very energy efficient and architecturally high quality building was planned, coping challenges like a narrow north-south stretching building site and the users' demand to create differentiated interior and exterior zones for children aged 0-10. The energy concept includes many different features, partially influencing each other. Amongst others, a high level of thermal insulation, optimized and demand-controlled ventilation, intelligent control systems and the use of renewable energy sources are planned. Solar panels will not only serve as a source of energy, but are integrated into the building's design. The hybrid ventilation system, which includes underground ventilation tubes and a solar chimney, provides high quality interior climate and reduces the energy demand. To fulfil the aim of producing more energy than required, a photovoltaic power plant will be integrated into the design. Even without this installation, the yearly primary energy demand per net floor area will undercut the minimum requirement by 57%. With the PV installation, the primary energy demand will be zero or negative respectively.