Pouponnière "Brettachtal"- Bâtiment Zero Energie, Bretzfeld, Allemagne

The new two-story building is a solid structure with wood attachment shells and wood facades. The climate- and energy concept focuses on high energy efficiency and low use of technology. It ensures low maintenance costs and uses renewable and local resources.

In addition to openable windows for shock ventilation, the concept incorporates the necessary air exchange and includes energy-efficient basic ventilation: In this continuous ventilation based on the cascade principle, the supply air is introduced into the group rooms and then flows into the recreation room and then into the bedroom. There, the air is extracted and discharged via heat recovery.
Normally, heat exchangers recover sensible heat to a large extent. But they do not take into account the necessary humidity for the supply air and the considerable energy spent on it, the so-called latent heat. This project, however, uses a special heat exchanger, an enthalpy wheel. The device, also called a rotary heat exchanger with sorption technology, recovers heat and moisture simultaneously from the exhaust air and transfers them to the supply air. By considering the humidity of the air, the enthalpy wheel also utilizes the latent heat energy bound in it. The system thus ensures energy efficiency and fresh air and also uncomplicated and cost-effective humidity in the supply air, which is important for the well-being in the interior. Underfloor heating warms the rooms in winter and can cool them in summer. Night ventilation via the very efficient ventilation system is also possible.
Because daylight is very beneficial for the overall human well-being, the group rooms on the upper floor are supplied with daylight from the façade and the specially developed air and light chimneys. On the exposed facades, the externally mounted sun protection with daylight deflection prevents from too much light inside.

Heating or cooling is supplied by a reversible heat pump. Through energy efficiency in combination with local renewable power generation through photovoltaics on the roof, the goal lies in sight: At least a zero-energy standard, i.e. that the building generates as much energy in the annual balance as it needs, or even more, which is to be proven. Exact figures will be provided by monitoring.
Precise data will be provided by continuous monitoring.

The Kinderhaus comfortably accommodates growing generations and serves as a sustainable example- not only for the children.