We are excited to have won the competition for the new Frankfurt Conservation Center (FCC) on the site of Frankfurt Zoo, together with haascookzemmrich STUDIO2050 and merz kley partner.
Transsolar developed the energy and climate concept, based on a robust low‑tech strategy that emphasizes natural ventilation, night-time cooling, efficient external shading, and thermally active materials such as clay ceilings for moisture balance and thermal mass.
The proposed energy concept envisions a smart mix of heat pumps, on-site photovoltaics, and waste heat recovery (e.g. from server cooling), with options to integrate geothermal, wastewater, and zoo-related heat sources. District heating is intended to cover peak loads only.
A semi-conditioned winter garden is conceived as a climate buffer and informal workspace, extending interior spaces while supporting passive conditioning strategies.
The result is a holistic and resilient concept design that aligns climate performance, energy efficiency, and biodiversity — fully in line with the FCC’s conservation mission.