The trend-setting UBA office will be built to zero-energy standards. The entire energy supply needed to operate the building will come from renewable energy sources on the building itself. A rooftop solar energy system will supply electricity, and a heat pump will generate energy from the groundwater to heat the building. On an annual scale the building’s energy budget will be balanced. Construction will take just one year and produce attractive office space for a staff of 30. Ventilation, heating and lighting will be individually adjustable in every room.
Flasbarth pointed out that the new building now already meets the stricter requirements of the European Building Directive effective as of 2019. UBA’s President encouraged other public building owners to lead by good example: “Ecology and economy are no longer in conflict as concerns larger office buildings. With proper planning sustainable solutions can be found that are both economically viable and architecturally attractive.” The EU requires new public buildings constructed as of 2019 to have a balanced energy budget.
The planning phase took into account the building’s entire life cycle to ensure a high degree of efficiency. The insulation of the building shell is so thick that heat energy demand is less than 15 kilowatt hours (kWh) per square metre and year, about a quarter that of a similar, conventionally built new building.
UBA headquarters are in Dessau-Roßlau. The Berlin branch office houses water research laboratories and offices. The Marienfelde location is devoted to scientific testing and experiments with groundwater. A heat pump will extract energy from the groundwater to heat the building. A photovoltaic unit covering the roof will supply electricity.
In addition to high energy standards, ecological aspects are also high priority. Pollutant-free building materials are used, and the entire carcass and facade are made of wood, a renewable material. In terms of sustainability the building will be certified according to the Assessment System for Sustainable Building for Federal Buildings (BNB). The building will meet the gold standard upon certification.
