Analysis of thermal demands and different schemes for the integration of a buried pipes system for the new headquarters of Schwartz Hautmont
The new Schwartz Hautmont headquarters was designed to be a multifunctional building, open to the outdoors and with the goal of being a nearly net zero-energy building (nZEB).
AIGUASOL was hired during the design process to conduct a detailed analysis of the energy demands of the various spaces according to the solutions originally designed by the team of architects. In light of the type and distribution of demand by space, we proposed a system of buried pipes. Once the available space was established, we analyzed the various options for using the air from the buried pipes: to condition the central atrium, to stabilize the temperature of the building’s dual skin in some of the most exposed façades or to be used directly as primary air in the air-conditioning units.
After it was built, the building confirmed its NZEB behavior, setting an example and bringing in visits by third parties due to the uniqueness of its architectural and HVAC systems.