14/09/2012 - A zero-energy house under construction in Germany is set to provide the first real-life test for a new façade system that uses live microalgae to provide shade and generate renewable energy at the same time.
The world’s first ‘bio-adaptive façade’ will be installed in the 'BIQ' house for the International Building Exhibition (IBA) in Hamburg, which runs through 2013.
The façade concept is designed so that algae in the bio-reactor façades grow faster in bright sunlight to provide more internal shading. The ‘bio-reactors’ not only produce biomass that can subsequently be harvested, but they also capture solar thermal heat – both energy sources can be used to power the building.
In practice, this means that photosynthesis is driving a dynamic response to the amount of solar shading required, while the micro-algae growing in the glass louvres provide a clean source of renewable energy.
The shading louvres for the BIQ house in Hamburg are being fabricated in Germany by Colt International on the basis of bio-reactor concept and design work led by the international design consultant, ARUP, in cooperation with SSC Strategic Science Consult of Germany. The BIQ house was designed for the IBA exhibition by Splitterwerk Architects of Graz, Austria.
Arup’s Europe Research Leader, Jan Wurm, said, “To use bio-chemical processes for adaptive shading is a really innovative and sustainable solution so it is great to see it being tested in a real-life scenario. As well as generating renewable energy and providing shade to keep the inside of the
building cooler on sunny days, it also creates a visually interesting look that architects and building owners will like.”
Simon O'Hea, Director at Colt, said, “It’s been a very rewarding scheme to be involved in. We have put a lot of work into meeting the technical challenges and we now have a commercial-scale, effective solution that uses live algae as a smart material to deliver renewable energy. You can’t get greener than that.”
Once completed in March 2013, the BIQ house will allow scientists, engineers and builders to assess the full potential of the system as a green alternative providing dynamic solar shading alongside sustainable, renewable energy.
The “BIQ” house will be home to the first ever building with a façade bioreactor and forms part of the International Building Exhibition Hamburg (IBA).
The façade of bioreactors uses photosynthesis to generate micro-algae, which are harvested and converted to biomass for energy generation. The process creates a shimmering green façade for the building and the fuel for generating sustainable, renewable energy.
The bio-façade concept is being developed by three partners: SSC Strategic Science Consult of Germany (Bioreactor Technology), the international design consultant, Arup (Concept Design, Coordination and Engineering) and Colt International (Reactor Design).
The BIQ house was designed by Splitterwerk Architects of Graz in Austria and is one of the houses set to showcase smart materials as part of the IBA Hamburg exhibition.
The product development was supported by the German research initiative “ZukunftBau” of the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development.
About Arup
Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry. From 90 offices in 35 countries worldwide our 10,000 planners, designers, engineers and consultants deliver innovative projects across the world.
www.arup.com
About Colt
Colt International are experts in climate control, ventilation, solar shading and smoke control systems. Founded in 1931, Colt has been providing healthy, comfortable and safe working conditions in industrial and commercial buildings for over 80 years. Colt is present in more than 75 countries around the world, designing and supplying products and services for the built environment.
www.coltinfo.co.uk
About SSC
SSC Strategic Science Consult carries out strategic consultancy, concept development, issue management and project management in the energy and environment field. The firm is based in Hamburg and is a leading developer in the area of micro-algae bioreactors.
www.ssc-hamburg.de
From Arup Europe Press Office
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