Denkmal und Energie III: Integral concept development for a listed historical laboratory building from the post-war modernist era with consideration to climate change

Objectives and work programme

Climate change and climate protection are currently a major challenge in the field of construction. On the one hand, large volumes of energy are consumed and greenhouse gases emitted in the building sector, which can be reduced for new buildings, as well as in existing buildings. On the other hand, buildings and residential structures must be equipped to adapt to the effects of climate change due to their long-term use. These two strategies should not be conflict with one another. It is much more important to coordinate them in practice. In doing so, post-war modernist buildings pose a particular problem. They have high energy parameters and are particularly vulnerable to renovation measures.

The laboratory building being studied as part of this research project is a building from the later post-war modernist era which has an increased need of renovation after forty years of use. The main priority is to improve the energetic properties of the building envelope and building equipment. As a laboratory building, the property consumes a lot of energy due to its special usage and due its complex interior ventilation system. The laboratories require high flow volumes of fresh air that is thermally conditioned and pumped using fans. The laboratories have above-average internal heat sources that influence the building’s heating and cooling needs.

Especially from a climate change perspective, a sustainable strategy must be developed that simultaneously optimises the heating needs in winter and the cooling needs in summer. Adapting the laboratory building to account for climate change, while also optimising the energy consumption, is an innovative and sustainable research task.