The building design follows sustainable principles. The more daylight enters the offices spaces, the less energy is used for artificial lighting. At the same time, solar radiation heats up the building. The use of exterior blinds compromises sight lines and reduces daylight impact. They will often not be lowered, leading to higher cooling requirements and operation costs. A simulation illustrates how a deep facade reduces direct solar radiation on the windows in summer. Internal glare protection might even be sufficient in winter. The solar gain can then help to heat the building in the cold period. In some areas, external blinds are still required. They can reflect daylight to the ceilings, creating a good balance of shading and daylight gain.
In combination with this shading facade a smart cooling solution minimizes energy consumption. At night time, the building is ventilated naturally. Fresh air cools the thermal mass of the concrete construction. During the day the cool ceiling chills the spaces. In peak periods the slabs are additionally chilled with tab water.
