Pien Niehe
Europe Press Office,Amsterdam
The Dutch Green Building Council (DGBC) has certified the design for the new Energy Academy Europe building with the highest score possible for sustainability performance: BREEAM classification 'Outstanding'.
The new Energy Academy Europe (EAE) building scored the highest number of points in the ‘energy-saving measures’ category. This energy-conscious design fits in perfectly with the ambitions of the future occupants of the building, in which industry, education and academia will join forces to work on the transition to renewable energy.
BREEAM rates buildings on nine different sustainability aspects: management processes, health & wellbeing, energy use, transport, water use, materials, waste, land use & ecology and pollution. Buildings can score points for each of these aspects. The design of the new EAE building focused heavily on energy-saving measures, on the one hand by keeping the demand for energy to a minimum, and on the other hand by making maximum use of natural energy sources, such as sun, earth, air and water. The total score for these aspects was 89.62%. The threshold for a BREEAM Outstanding classification is 85%.
Broekbakema and pvb architects designed the building in collaboration with Arup. We signed up for the building services, which include geothermal energy sources, concrete core activation, an underground labyrinth for ventilation, rainwater storage and a special energy roof. This not only keeps energy consumption to a minimum, but also ensures that the building generates more power than it needs for climate control. This smart design integrates architecture, technical systems, sustainability and a healthy indoor climate to the highest possible level. The design process also involved ensuring that the building would be able to withstand earthquakes. The guidelines drawn up for BREEAM on this aspect received an innovation credit.
The ‘Outstanding’ design certificate means that the EAE is set to become the most sustainable teaching building in the Netherlands. Certification of the design will be followed by another BREEAM evaluation once the building has been completed.
After completion of the building the University of Groningen, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the Energy Academy Europe, Energy Valley and the Energy Delta Institute will take place in the building to work together and with partners on the transition to a sustainable energy future.