Urban Design & Energy Efficiency

The most important decisions on the energy demand for heating and air conditioning are made during the urban design process.

Relevant parameters include:

  • microclimate
  • location of access roads
  • building types
  • orientation and shape of buildings

Erlangen West and Berlin Woltmannweg are examples how energy saving for space heating was prepared by a green urban design.

Green master plan 1

Green master plan 2

Urban Design in Erlangen West

Green Master Plan Erlangen - West

The aim of this project was to improve the existing concept for a master plan with regards to energy saving options without losing flexibility for the later design stages.

  • Up to 25% free energy savings in subdivisions by applying of passive solar design principles
    (sun orientated , reduces shading in winter)
  • New simple design rule to enable the use of solar energy for all buildings
  • Landscaping to Improved microclimate ( cooling in summer, moderate in winter )
  • Building design prepared for later installation of solar collectors
  • Plans open for later installation of natural gas pipe work and central heating

The green master plan was developed in collaboration with a planning team from the local council, town planners and engineers.

Urban Design in Berlin Woltmannweg

Berlin Woltmannweg

The urban design was prepared for 850 units in three to four story apartment buildings. Energy saving options were developed by our team on several design levels

  • Urban design
  • Open space planning
  • Landscaping to Improved microclimate ( cooling in summer, moderate in winter )
  • Energy supply for heating and hot water
  • Energy distribution and controlling

Urban design and open space planning

Urban design and open space planning

The urban design was prepared for 850 units in three to four story apartment buildings. Energy saving options were developed by our team 2) on several design levels

  • landscape design to avoid high wind speed zones caused by the high rise existing buildings
  • urban design modified to avoid long winter periods of shaded outdoor areas

Energy supply for heating and hot water supply

Energy supply for heating and hot water supply

Using ‘waste heat’ from an existing power plant (nearby) was the most economic and energy efficient solution compared with smaller cogeneration plants and different types of heat pumps. The pay back period for the upfront investment was calculated with approximately three years

Building Design, Construction and Heating Control

Building Design, Construction and Heating Control

  • For a representative apartment we compared initial building costs, energy savings and total costs. The most energy effective solution (additional insulation of the building envelop) reduced the energy demand by 20%
  • A Individual control system for space heating was tested in a limited number of units, which saved the inhabitants more than 25% energy