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Sustainable Design
F I L I P D E S C A M P S - P. M E E S [ D A I D A L O S ]
__ INTRODUCTION __ GENIUS LOCI flows cause noise and dust pollution. Noise pollu-
tion from braking trains, from passing (high speed)
When designing a building the client and design Naturally the location and the accessibility of the trains and from the station intercom system make
team start from a schedule of requirements and building determine the energy consumption due the opening of windows, especially on the side of
gradually translate this schedule into plans and to the commuter traffic of the users and visitors. A the railway lines problematic. Dust pollution forms
specifications. When establishing the design location immediately next to the bus and railway a hindrance for bringing in fresh air at the railway
choices the design team follows a strict method in station creates an excellent starting point for this. level: air filtering is technically possible, but the
which each solution is assessed on its intrinsic qual- For the design team however the location-bound energy and maintenance implications are too
ities, its financial feasibility and its interaction with design topics rather relate to climate issues. We heavy. The fresh air intake for the office floors thus
other design aspects. Indeed, design choices are will consider the following design issues in more takes place over the roof. For the restaurant
made within a strict framework: costs, legal and detail: the fresh air intake is on the park level along the
functional requirements, technical possibilities and - Can the building be designed and oriented in ring road. The opportunity is used here for a
safety requirements, urban planning requirements such a way that sunlight and daylight can be opti- passive preconditioning of the ventilation air
and sustainability aspects. These compel the mally used or kept off? through a concrete ground pipe under the lowest
design team to work out creative solutions. - Do the environmental conditions allow the car park level.
supply of unpolluted fresh air to the building
The design team implements a multidisciplinary without excessive filtering or noise pollution? The car park has an open connection to outside air
design approach in this decision-making process - Is it possible to create a comfortable microclimate via broad banded openings both along the railway
which integrates different aspects of sustainable and the ring road. The restrictive town planning
design construction: around the building? requirements mean that the car park is situated on
- functional sustainability; - Are there possibilities to use renewable energy level -3 and level -2. This means that natural venti-
- minimal and ecological use of materials; sources on the site? lation through the side openings is not always suffi-
- rational use of water; cient for adequate discharge of exhaust fumes and
- maintenance-friendliness; SUN AND LIGHT The site is a long and narrow ter- smoke (in the event of fire). Natural ventilation of
- rational use of energy and use of renewable rain with the longitudinal façades oriented east and the car park is therefore supplemented with
energy sources. west. The low sun height for these façades ensures mechanical ventilation jet-fans.
a solar flux that is approximately a quarter higher
In this text we will consider the ’energy’ design than that for a southerly oriented façade. In addi- MICROCLIMATE A double row of trees and a
aspect in more detail. We will indicate what consid- tion the low sun height requires an adjustable and hedge are planted between the ring road and the
erations and design interventions contributed to mobile sun and light control system to prevent building to create a pleasant microclimate along
giving the design shape. We will consider three blinding when operating VDU’s. Individually the footpath and cycle path. A wind-proof and
aspects: location, thermal comfort and energy per- adjustable solar blinds are important to resolve the well-shaded route is created that extends the
formance. variable user requirements and weather conditions. green belt along the Tiensevest to the
Martelarenplein. During the summer the leaves
FRESH AIR The site is enclosed between broad ensure good sun protection for the west façade.
railway lines and the city ring road. Both traffic