Biomedical Research Center CRBS, Strasbourg, France

Biomedical Research Center CRBS

The design teams’ cooperation resulted in the architectural design combined with the energetic optimization of the building. The teams’ approaches were developed into the following multifunctional solutions: The atrium, which serves as a natural skylight, creates a pleasant and bright atmosphere in the heart of the building and reduces the need for artificial lighting in the rooms in the center of the building, and removes the warm air from the building during night ventilation.
The metallic shell of the building is derived from a "pixelated" antique fresco and has movable external sun protection, which is ideal for summer comfort.
To reduce the energy consumption of the laboratory building as much as possible, further technical optimizations additionally increase the energy efficiency of the building. Simple, compact systems with decentralized ventilation units handle the air exchange, which reduces the need for fans. Waste heat from refrigerators and freezers is dissipated directly, so that this heat does not spread within the rooms. In winter, highly efficient systems recover about 80% of the heat of the exhaust air.
For the animal facility, a multi-functional adiabatic system supports the cooling, eliminating the need for a chiller, eliminating the need for an air cooler on the roof, and covering the heating needs of this area. The remaining need for air conditioning of buildings is covered by passive solutions and renewable energy such as geothermal, solar thermal and additional night ventilation.