UMEG

1. Client
UMEG, Gesellschaft fĂĽr Umweltmessungen und Umwelterhebungen (society for environmental measurements and collections)

2. Project data
Scope of work: Stage of performance 1-9
Underground garage for 50 cars
Buildingcosts: 7,2 million EUR
Volume: 32.000 m³
Period of time: 1996-1998
Representative: Dr. Obländer (president)
Tel. +49 (0)721/7505-161

3. Description of work
The new building for the „Gesellschaft für Umweltmessungen und Umwelterhebungen“ actually consists of 2 structures, a laboratory building (northern wing) and an office building (southern wing.

Favoured by the elongated site cut (150 m in length and 43 m in width), it was possible to arrange the two buildings side by side and connect them by an transitional space, the hall. Since laboratory and office usage have been completed seperated, it was realized to maximize the various functions and activities, thus creating an extremely economical building complex.

In the ground floor of the northern wing you will find gehe measuring network head officd, the test-benches for products, the work- and repair shops and the equipment construction hall.

In the southern wing you will find general spaces such as the reception, library, registry and the cafeteria.

The space in between, the transitional hallspace is about 50 metres in length and 6.75 metres in width. It serves apart from ist function as a base for traffic and communication also as space for exhibitions, information and events.

The upper levels of lab and office areas are connected via bridges.

The physical and chemical laboratories are located in the 1st and 2nd upper floor.

Between the labs and the exterior (facade) wall there are workstations seperated by glass walls. Here the lab staff can complete their work at their desk or computer station in an environment of natural climate and daylight. Since this zone up to the stairway is connected by doors, it can also be used as the 2nd escape route in case of emergency of fire.

The technical central is located on the roof of the northern wing. It is linked to the labs below in a short and direct way by 16 vertical shafts. They supply the labs with all installations. The shafts are fireresistant, but they can easily be reopened for subsequent installation.

The central gas supply systems are located in lockable „cabinets“ outside of the building. The doors are equipped with perforated plates to support ventilation.

The following details will characterize both, the office and the labs: - Window sill made of (beech)wood - Window sill channel which includes separation of high and low voltage electrical systems - White painted walls - No ceiling panels - All nonload bearing walls are metal stud constructions panelled with plasterboards - Windows with a skylight wing for ventilation option independent from weather conditions

At the basement level underneath the laboratory building there is an open garage for 46 cars. Storage rooms are located underneath the office bulding.

In between the two wings an air tunnel is located which was constructed as a large storage capacity. This supplies the hall exclusive via convection in the summer with fresh, cool air.

The „research lab for fireprevention technology“, which is a department of the university of Karlsruhe, was commissioned to conduct a fire prevention study fir conditions in the hall space. In case of a fire, smoke outlets with an area of 50 m² make sure that the smoke-level never sinks under the top edge of the windows in the 2nd floor. This and the installation of a fire alarm system in the whole house made it possible, that a sprinkler system was not demanded in the building permission.

In summer lamellar windows with an area of 50 m² for supply air and also 50 m² for exit air make sure that there is a very comfortable climate in the hall and in the adjoining rooms.

In winter the deep position of the sun allows passive save of sun energy in the hall.

By choosing appropriate materials (the external wall is a construction of lightweight bricks) and by activation of a maximum of storage mass (no covering of walls and ceilings), balanced climate conditions were created inside the building. There is no need for air conditioning in the office building and in the northern wind, except in the labs.

The hall connects the two buildings almost in the whole length and height and the smaller total covering surface provides an advantageous energy account.