Green – Architecture, Plants in Buildings, the Cycle of Nature, Creating an Inspiring, Healthy Indoor Climate.

 

Dieter Schempp, Architekt BDA

LOG ID 

Sindelfinger Str. 85

D -72070 , Tübingen

Germany

Green solar architecture is an integral architectural concept with the following objectives:

Solar energy, the only energy source we have which is free of harmful substances, which even makes life possible at all, and the only perceptible energy – this is what we use to the greatest possible extent for the production of energy in our buildings.  Our strategy here is to produce as much as possible through the building skin, only using technology when it is necessary to ensure the sustainment of the building. Our aim is to design our buildings in such a way that they have a positive effect on people, both in their external appearance and in their interiors.

Another important factor is the reduction of costs in the operation of the building through lower energy costs and the high quality of the building, plus the building's flexibility and the recycling of materials.

Cycles of Nature

People need nature for regeneration. We are only able to live on this earth through plants and vegetation in the first place, and we can learn a great deal from nature and its cycles. Our solar concept includes interior planting, which takes on technical functions and aesthetic qualities. We climatize the building with the plants, plants which are chosen for their suitability, and which also guarantee us high air quality and air humidity regulation. Particularly in winter, the plants create a relative humidity of 40% to 60%.

The plants also take on aesthetic functions – they are beautiful.

Planning

This concept requires integral and interdisciplinary planning.  Even when determining the basics, and in the preliminary planning, it is necessary that the specialist engineers take part and contribute their knowledge. The planting conception must be coordinated with the HLS technology (heating, light and sanitary).

This requires knowledge in the choice of plants and substratum, as well as watering and drainage technology. The plants are selected in such a way that some of them shed their leaves in winter in order to allow a lot of solar energy into the building. In summer these plants should replace the shading elements, i.e. the plants must form shade with the roof cover provided by their leaves, and cool the building through their transpiration.  This works very well with our concept. We achieve temperatures indoors which are 2-3 degrees below the outside temperature as a result of the combination of interior planting,  the mass of the building and the air exchange in summer through ventilation flaps in the facades. These components must be coordinated with each other.

This also includes the control, if possible though a BUS system, with coordination of the watering of the plants and the opening of the ventilation flaps. It is also necessary to check the CO² content, the humidity, and according to the temperature regulation, the conventional heating with relation to the seasons.

In the architectural planning, it is important that these plants get enough light and are provided with enough space to develop. This space should be integrated into the usable floor area, and must be included in the preliminary planning.

The planting is planned specifically for each one of our buildings, based on the usage of the building, the location, the costing available for the initial planting and for subsequent costs (maintenance).

Experience

Interior planting in our buildings has mostly been met with a positive response. The air quality in the buildings is excellent, the shading and air-conditioning functions and also the aesthetic effect indoors are viewed positively. In administrative buildings, the number staff off sick has decreased – the individuality of the work place also plays a role here.

Energy Requirements of the Building

When we reduce the energy requirements with the use of solar energy in combination with the interior planting to a minimum, we usually cover 50%-80% of the building's energy requirements with solar energy.

One problem is the care of the plants, this must be carried out regularly

The plants must be monitored for pests, and if any are found, beneficial organisms introduced.  This requires a certain knowledge which is often not available. Plants must be cut back, watering devices regularly checked, and the fertilisation necessary must be expertly carried out. Instruction must be provided on the care of plants so that they remain attractive and able to function in the long-term.

Summary

Solar architecture and and interior planting require integral planning and a symbiosis between nature and technology.

This concept is sustainable, ecological and with the correct planning, results in  high acceptance and quality in both outdoor and indoor areas.

The concept protects our environment.

Economically, the architecture is also cost-effective and future-orientated with growing acceptance and increasing commercialisation – and it is beautiful.