Tor zur Welt

Environmentally-friendly and resource-efficient construction are current buzzwords. Through the International Building Exhibition, the City of Hamburg is showing how the construction practices of tomorrow will look by providing an insight that exceeds current standards.

Troldtekt acoustic panels contribute with points to a DGNB certification and thus Troldtekt is making a significant contribution to environmental and health protection at Europe's largest climate protection building site.

Special attention to the subject of climate protection is being paid at the IBA. Within the framework of the "Renewable Wilhelmsburg Climate Protection Concept", the 30 km² IBA area has gradually been converted to benefit from a CO₂-neutral and renewable energy supply. All new buildings constructed as part of the IBA project meet at least the "EnEV 2007 minus 50 percent" standard. Many others have also been built to meet the even more demanding Passive House standard or even the superior Passive House Plus buildings standard.

In making this commitment to implement the public building projects, particular attention was paid to environmentally-friendly construction methods. Accordingly, the planning for the new "Gateway to the World" education centre – the flagship project of the "Elbe Islands Educational Offensive" IBA programme – is underpinned by energy-efficient architecture. This innovative new building, designed by the Hamburg-based bof-Architekten architectural office, links a primary school, grammar school and remedial language school.

Gateway to the World - DGNB certified
The DGNB-certified building complex, built to Passive House standard, offers a number of energy efficient highlights. The basis of the energy concept comprises optimised window surfaces (minimising room cooling), solid ceilings (storing volume for warmth and cold), a heating installation for renewable fuels (wood pellets), solar thermal energy and photovoltaics. The various components are coordinated in a "glass energy centre" which demonstrates the energy production process to the pupils and guests of the education centre.