Ecological and economic lighthouse project in Denmark
Economically sustainable architecture is one of the main problems of our time. However, the issues of sustainability, energy efficiency, fusion with the territory, circular economy, comfort and social integration often go against economic directives. Lars Gitz Architects and BaseCamp Student have succeeded in bringing these complex requirements together in a spectacular, award-winning student housing complex. Modular series construction, economical and recyclable materials for the facades, renewable energies as well as an ecological greening of the building and the infiltration surfaces were the key elements for success. One of the leading Scandinavian companies in the glass processing sector, Glaseksperten A / S, made a valuable contribution to the realization of the ambitious building project of the BaseCampin Lyngby: with an automated production of insulating glass panels, the glass structure arranged according to the cardinal points and the use of the Super Spacer warm edge spacer system® T-Spacer ™ Premium Plus.
In probably record times, sustainable and economical
The running track on the roof of the new Google Europe headquarters in London cannot be used for 3 or 4 years, while the tenants of the Lyngby BaseCamp built on an area of 41.000 m2 started wearing running shoes as early as August 2020: on the green roof of the spacious student housing complex north of Copenhagen, a park with biodiverse plants, urban gardening surfaces and an 800m track that can be used has been created for walking or jogging. From a flat area, the path winds its way up to the sixth floor above the organically shaped building until it returns to the starting point, surrounding welcoming internal courtyards and the circular housing complex. The vertically paneled façades in oak in three different shades as well as the walls of windows are reminiscent of tall trees and woods, and together with the entire building they blend harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. The developer of the BaseCamp Student Nordics project, part of the BaseCamp Group operating in Europe, has consciously chosen to support the Lyngby area and initiate a dialogue on social and ecological issues. Therefore the roof is accessible to the public, in order to create meeting spaces.
Given the order of magnitude, the lead time for this project is impressive. In two and a half years, 786 apartments were built in the vicinity of Lyngby Technical University, including 639 for junior students and 48 for seniors. The building was designed to be spectacular, however one aspect in particular distinguishes Lyngby's BaseCamp from other large projects: the architectural concept is influenced in equal measure by ecology and economy.
Modules at the basis of architectural aesthetics
In order to meet the expected construction costs of around 75 million euros, the Danish studio Lars Gitz Architects built a trapezoidal module which, rotated several times by 180 ° and made in different heights, gives life to the circular structure. The exterior surface is also an economically efficient building model. The façade installed with rear ventilation is insulated with rock wool and clad with Rockpanel pressed volcanic basalt plates. With its 8,4 kg per m2, this material is extremely light and can be cut to size on site and simply attached to the substructure.
The façade panels with a natural wood look are made almost exclusively of natural volcanic stone and recycled stone wool and can be part of the recycling process every time. The facade therefore represents one of the pillars of the concept of sustainability and has received the BREEAM Very Good certificate (corresponds to the DGNB silver certificate). The energy-saving green roof with photovoltaic modules serves as thermal insulation, energy supplier and natural air conditioner. Rainwater is collected and through evaporation is reintroduced into the natural water cycle, which benefits the wastewater system and reduces the ambient temperature.
Energy efficient windows with warm edge spacers
Aluminum triple-glazed windows are also part of the overall concept. As is often the case in Scandinavian architecture, the studios and common areas of the BaseCamp feature floor-level glazing, so that the rooms receive as much sunlight as possible even in winter. According to a painstakingly elaborated logistics plan, Danish insulating glass manufacturer Glaseksperten supplied 4.000 insulating glass panels up to 4,011 x 1,127 meters in size at the site. Due to the organic shape of the building, the glass structures change according to the cardinal point. Depending on the heat input and the incidence of light, solar protection glass, thermally insulating glass or transparent glass with different coatings and thicknesses were installed. Glaseksperten has chosen Spacer as the warm edge spacer system® T-Spacer ™ Premium Plus in different widths. Sales manager Jesper Hønning explains: “More and more our customers want to install energy-efficient windows. Consequently, we choose low-emission thermally insulating glass, solar protection glass and metal-free warm edge spacers in order to avoid thermal bridges and improve the thermal transmission coefficient. " For the production of insulating glass at the company headquarters in Hjørring there is a very modern automatic double-glazing line, capable of processing glass with dimensions up to 3,2 x 6 meters. “For Glaseksperten Super Spacer it is fundamental in order to supply quality products, which make us leaders in economic and ecological terms,” continues Jesper Hønning, “the fully automatic and continuous application of the roll profile saves time and money, guaranteeing first-class product quality. " Joachim Stoss, managing director of EDGETECH EUROPE GmbH and Vice President International Sales at Quanex: “The countries of Northern Europe are forerunners worldwide in terms of environmental protection and therefore represent one of the emerging markets for hot edges. We are of course proud that our Super Spacer warm edge spacer system has been installed in a new Scandinavian lighthouse project. "
EDGETECH EUROPE GmbH
Super Spacer flexible silicone foam spacer systems® by Edgetech act as an energy-efficient warm edge in insulating glass windows. They significantly reduce heat loss to the outside, practically prevent condensation from forming and help extend the life of the window. Worldwide, more than 300 million meters per year are sold on average in over 100 countries.
EDGETECH EUROPE GmbH based in Heinsberg is wholly owned by Quanex Building Products Corporation. Quanex is a leading manufacturer of components sold to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the construction products industry. Quanex designs and manufactures energy-efficient window products, as well as kitchen and bathroom furniture components based in Houston, Texas. On a turnover basis, Edgetech / Quanex is the world's leading manufacturer of spacers. Edgetech Europe GmbH serves the markets of continental Europe and is one of Edgetech's three production sites with 450 employees and 16 extruders. For more information on Super Spacer Spacer Systems® and on the hot edge profile technology of EDGETECH EUROPE GmbH, to consult: www.superspacer.com.
