Giving Back to the Environment

Answers:

1. The site is within what was formerly the largest industrial region in Europe, including coal mines, steel works, and coke processing plants. Acid rain dumped several million tons of sulfur dioxide each year on the soil, some of it already contaminated by coal sludge and other industrial waste. Even though the Sodingen mine was closed in 1978, shafts still lie below. Methane gas continues to seep from the mine vents at a rate of 36 million cubic feet per year.

2. Many of the former factories in the area are now galleries, concert halls, and museums. The outdoor areas are used for exhibition spaces, cafes, and restaurants. Mont-Cenis, the hill on which the complex stands, consists of gravel and other material taken from the mine shafts and was converted into a park. The methane gas from the mines is used to power cogeneration plants.

3. The clear-glass greenhouse creates a mild microclimate more in line with the south of France than northern Germany. This resulted in lower construction costs for the buildings within the shell and less energy use. In winter, the greenhouse collects solar energy and acts as a thermal buffer. In summer, louvered openings in the lower quadrants of the glass structure bring in cool air, while warm air is expelled through roof vents. This mild climate allows the occupants to gather in the atrium, reducing the need for larger indoor spaces.

4. Fresh air pulled through concrete-lined tunnels 10 feet below ground is naturally heated or cooled, depending on the season, before it is released into the glass envelope. There is no air-conditioning. Instead, a computer system monitors internal and external temperatures and adjusts openings in the envelope accordingly. Rainwater is collected on the roof, filtered, and stored. It is used to clean the roof, flush the toilets, and water the lawns. A photovoltaic array on the roof and the south and west facades provides plenty of electrical power. Surplus power is stored and used at night and during periods of low light. The rest of the surplus energy is channeled into the public power supply. Trees shade the facade in summer.

5. This innovative complex proves that daring design can be generated by ecological solutions. The lessons are that real change comes from economic or political forces and that most ecological architecture is just good sense. These lessons will aid architects in the next millennium who will increasingly design buildings for nonvirgin sites. They will also be renovating old buildings and working to reclaim natural resources and generate power in ways that do not harm the environment.