GLASS FOR FACADE 2022

GLASS FOR FAÇADE - EDITION 2022 - 93 92 - GLASS FOR FAÇADE - EDITION 2022 RESEARCH BUILDING HILO CUSTOM-MADE FIRE PROTECTION FOR INNOVATIVE LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION A delicate, curved concrete roof and self-learning building technology are the distinctive characteristics of the HiLo building unit on the roof of the ETH Zürich’s NEST research building in the Swiss Dübendorf. The two-storey building module was planned and built with the latest design and manufacturing methods. HiLo stands for «High Performance –Low Emissions“. Vetrotech’s fire- resistance glazing CONTRAFLAM® 30 CLIMATOP® - which was custom-made for the curved façade in different geometrics and special forms - ensures the necessary fire protection in the lightweight construction. Furthermore, it provides security and climate comfort through the appropriate construction. Solar protection and security in an adaptive façade Significant elements of the construction principle in the HiLo unit are, in addition to the conservation of material, the reduction of emissions and energy requirement. This is achieved through a combination of different measures, among which is the use of innovative components of the building technology which efficiently regulate the indoor climate. These include an adaptive solar façade developed especially for the HiLo unit, made from photovoltaic modules. There is also electrochromic glazing by SageGlass which regulates the brightness in the building and serves as solar and heat protection at the same time. The individual glass was directly adapted to the curved roof shape, for which no mechanical solar protection would have been possible. Where fire protection was required due to the proximity to other buildings, fire-resistant glazing in the form of CONTRAFLAM® 30 CLIMATOP® triple glazing by Vetrotech was used. Self-learning technology for spatial comfort All of the solutions used in the HiLo building contribute to offering the inhabitants a high degree of comfort with minimal energy consumption. A holistic concept was thus developed so that HiLo functions as an intelligent and adaptive establishment. The modern heating, shading and ventilation systems learn with the aid of operating data, for example fromthe inhabitants’ preferred temperatures, lighting conditions and air quality. Location Zürich, CH Architects ROK Architekten /ETH Zürich’s Block Research Group Glass processor Vetrotech Saint-Gobain Photos ©Roman Keller The current challenges faced by the construction sector primarily concern how to provide the ever-growing global population with more living and working space. At the same time, the construction industry is responsible for a large proportion of the resource and energy consumption. The HiLo building on the roof of the NEST buildingof theETHZürich inDübendorf shows that this is not always the case: The lightweight design impresses with its innovative construction and a self- learning building technology. Custom- made, fire-resistant glazing ensures the necessary security.