New build to near-zero-energy standard — construction of laboratory and office space at the Vienna University of Technology.
The laboratory and the offices of USTEM (the university service facility for transmission electron microscopy) were newly built. In constructing the near-zero-energy building for USTEM, part of TU Wien, future-proof technology and ecological efficiency were the top priority. Because of their high spatial resolution, today’s microscopes need rooms that are especially free of vibration and very stably climate-controlled, so planning and construction paid particular attention to these aspects.
The building is independent of fossil fuels — two small, redundant heat pumps heat and cool the rooms. A photovoltaic system covering around 520 m² was installed and meets the entire energy demand in the summer half of the year. Automated passive night ventilation, highly efficient building services equipment and economical LED lighting complete the energy concept.