Climate Of Exemplar Location

1. Climate of exemplar location

Climate change increases risk flooding, droughts and overheating and put coastal areas at risk of inundation.

Referring to the building regulation (NI), part C (Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture);

Regulation 28 regarding resistance to ground moisture of floors and walls, and weather resistance of walls, shall not apply where the building is intended to be used as;

(a) Storing goods, provided that any person who is habitually employed in the building is engaged only in storing, caring for or removing the goods.

The Kunathaus bregnez has climate control system which prevents ground moisture of the walls and floors as have been installed in the ceilings and walls.

The climate control system of this building can’t be seen and it doesn’t have sound to collapse the absolute silence of the gallery. It has been designed as a structural unit cooling or heating. This systems is composed of a total of 28 kilometers of pipes filled with circulating water, creating an active engagement of the room climate in the substance of the building.

2. Thermal efficiency of fabric and method of construction

The Kunsthaus Bregenz is a prime example of thermally active surfaces in architecture. While these visual effects of the building are familiar, the thermally active surface system and the building science that enables the scheme’s minimalism is less documented. The galleries are sup ported and enclosed by thermally active concrete structure.

3. Integration and coordination of active and passive building service strategies

Active: The minimalist structure stands as a light box that absorbs, reflects and filters light across the façade and throughout the building. Translucent glass and facades are illuminated externally by sunlight and inside by artificial light, becoming a dynamic part of the building as it reacts differently according to the light, time of day, the weather and the surrounding context.

“… The building is made of steel, glass and a molded mass of stone cast concrete that gives the interior of the building with texture and spatial composition. From the outside, the building looks like a lamp. It absorbs the changing light of the sky or the foggy lake, it reflects light and color and gives an indication of its inner life according to the viewing angle, the light of day and time… ” Peter Zumthor

Passive:

4. Low energy systems

NI regulation, Part F, Conservation of fuel and power; Conservation measures

39. Reasonable provision shall be made for the conservation of fuel and power in any building

by—

(a) limiting heat gains and losses—

(i) through thermal elements and other parts of the building fabric; and

(ii) from pipes, ducts and vessels;

(b) providing energy efficient fixed building services with effective controls; and

(c) commissioning the fixed building services.

The galleries have no windows, but daylight is everywhere, scattered by etched glass facade. The total façade around the building is made of glass and it direct and reflect the light inside. It doesn’t matter which way is the direction of natural light is, because it’s always conveyed horizontally inside. This lowers the cost of the electricity down and make the building sustainable. “Also, the cavities have been built over each plant to catch the light coming from all sides of the building and is deflected down into each exhibition hall.”

As it was mentioned before, the climate control system controls the structural cooling and heating which limits heat gains and losses.

5. Technology required for environmental control of heat loss and heat gain.

The Kunsthaus is also taking the surrounding land, the groundwater temperature is used as a coolant in the summer, while in winter the water is heated with gas. Plastic pipes within the construct of the slotted wall, from a depth of 27 meters carry water to the piping on the ceilings and walls allowing a good air, without resorting to conventional devices.

The interior works as a fusion of art and architecture that although extremely different in materiality and composition by mixing and combination of diffused natural light and neutral palette of materials create a coherent union, a museum of contemporary art where neither art nor architecture overshadow each other.