With the construction of the conference center, not only a high architectural quality was realized. The building demonstrates exemplary possibilities of ecological construction and offers the ideal conditions for sustainable days. The energy consumption of only 28 kWh/m² per year sets standards (status: 2002). It is about 1/4 of the standard for new buildings and less than 12% of the average for German buildings.
Essential features of the conference center are
- Use of natural and recyclable building materials
- heavily insulated facade with high thermal and sound insulation qualities
- resource-saving energy supply concept with only 28 kWh/m² heating energy requirement per year
- Photovoltaic system for the generation of solar electricity
- solar thermal system for water heating
- Combined heat and power plant to supply the new building and the adjacent administration building with electricity and heat
- The electrical energy demand of the building is 18 kWh/m² per year
- Use of groundwater for air conditioning with more than 90% energy savings compared to conventional air conditioning
- translucent membrane roof for the greatest possible use of daylight
- large sun terrace with direct access to the historical park
- The rainwater from the roof of the building and from the parking lot is infiltrated on the site by a “trough-rigole system”. This strengthens the natural water cycle and contributes to preventive flood protection.
- Nesting aids for birds and bats are available on the building and in the neighboring park and are regularly maintained. Part of the historic park is left to natural development as a wild meadow.
All premises in the DBU Center for Environmental Communication are accessible to persons with reduced mobility, including wheelchair users, in accordance with the requirements of DIN 18040-2.