Page 47 - AGC_EN_iBook

47
ThE DESIGN INTENTIONS
This book proves that building in Belgium in the year 2013 has become a highly complex matter, in which the expertise of dif- ferent specialists plays an increasingly important role. Ensuring the continued coherence of the design (the synthesis) from the rst sketch to the nal signing-off of the completed building is the heavy responsibility of the chief designer.
The need to comply with the list of requirements drawn up by the building’s owner, the legislative stipulations of different authorities (local, regional, federal and even European) and the stringent cri- teria of the organizations responsible for sustainability and energy performance means that a coherent project can only be success- fully realized if all the necessary prerequisites are included in the design intentions from the very beginning.This is only possible on the basis of a thorough knowledge of the material, suf cient expe- rience and a building philosophy that goes beyond mere tectonics or the creation of architecturally ‘interesting’ spaces.
You might be inclined to think that it is impossible to summarize all the different aspects of the project in a few short sentences. But this is exactly what the design intentions must do.The rst essen- tial design principles are the guidelines that in uence all other decisions.
The AGC Glass Building is a construction in which people are cen- tral. It respects the culture (in the broadest sense of the word) and the history of the place and its surroundings. It has been designed to make it as acceptable and as comfortable as possible for both staff and visitors.
The AGC Glass Building is a low, compact building with a limited impact on the site.The fact that it is built on columns allows the landscape to ow, virtually untouched, under the structure which, as a result, almost seems to be oating.
In a rational ground plan with a compact layout, all the differ-
ent spaces enjoy natural lighting and views of the surroundings. The building materials all have a favourable environmental rat- ing (according to the environmental classi cation system of the NIBE, the Dutch Institute for Building Biology and Ecology).The method of construction (the right choice of materials and suf cient attention to detail, with proper insulation and excellent airtight- ness), combined with the correct integration of the right technical options, helps reduce annual energy use to almost zero.
The control and use of natural light is one of the most impor-
tant aspects of this project. A speci c and suitable design for the exterior facades is necessary to keep the building energy-neutral. The biggest challenge is to deal with the contradiction inherent in allowing maximal natural light into the building through its glass outer walls, while at the same time keeping the solar intensity of the building as a whole within required limits, but without affect- ing the quality and quantity of the interior light.
The concept for the facades of the AGC Glass Building integrates these contradictory situations in a single solution: movable panes of layered glass, partially nished in white, follow the movement
1. Solar diagram
2. exposure to the sun
mean annual harvest of solar energy in Belgium (51°N) dependent on a surface’s orientation and inclination.the white radiuses show the orientation, while the white circles show the horizontal inclination, whereby the centre corresponds to a 0° inclination (exactly horizontal) and the
outer circle to a 90° inclination (exactly vertical).
the coloured curves show a harvest ranging from 1,100 kWh/m2/year (100%: red)
to 385 kWh/m2/year (35%: violet).
the black curved grid shows the sun’s trajec- tory during daylight hours and the months of the year.the upper line shows the sun’s tra- jectory on 21 June (summer solstice), while the bottom line shows it on 21 December (winter solstice).the middle line shows the trajectory on 21 September (autumn equinox) and 21 march (spring equinox).
3. Natural lighting
Clear-sky illumination of a horizon- tal surface (central diagram) or a vertical surface (side diagrams) in relation to the four cardinal points, in Belgium (51°N).
the coloured curves represent the hours of the day while the calibra- ted grid shows the amount of light (in lux) dependent on the month.
4. Wind