Houses with power
128 flats with the highest energy standards
The new construction project on Newtonstraße is the first of its kind for rental housing in Berlin. Laborgh, project developer based in Berlin, is building 128 flats for the “Powerhouse“ energy-plus project. The flats comply with the highest energy standards and are labelled as “efficiency-plus homes” by the German Federal Environment Ministry. Managing Director Florian Lanz explains what energy-plus homes mean and how sustainable construction can function on a social level.
Adlershof Special: within the scope of “Wohnen am Campus”, Laborgh is building five blocks of flats that are designed as energy-plus homes. What does that mean exactly?
Florian Lanz: An energy-plus home generates more energy than it needs. In order for the Federal Environment Ministry to issue this title, negative primary and end-use energy consumption is required. Most of the time, the homes function autonomously. They are able to cover their energy consumption themselves and rarely have to resort to conventional supplies.
How do you intend to achieve the negative balance? How and where is energy generated?
Lanz: The buildings’ energy consumption was calculated in advance with the help of an energy advisor. The systems are designed to cover more than this calculated consumption. The homes have an excellent insulated building envelope and a highly efficient heat recovery ventilation system. Solar thermal panels are installed on the homes to generate electricity with heat and photovoltaic elements. Both flow into the building’s technology and supply individual flats. Surplus amounts that are likely to be generated over the summer months are fed into the city’s district heating system and power supply. Consequently, the “powerhouse” functions like a power station.
How do tenants benefit?
Lanz: The homes are not only environmentally friendly, but are also great news for tenants’ budgets. As electricity and heat are generated from their own roofs, tenants can save considerable amounts on utility bills. The monthly operating costs of flats are around 40 cents per square metre. The average for Berlin is 1.08 euros, which is more than twice as high.
When will the flats be ready? Have you already found an owner?
Lanz: We’ve been building since March 2016 and celebrated its topping out ceremony in August. Keys to the flats are due to be handed over by 2018. One of the biggest municipal housing associations, HOWOGE, has bought the homes and will rent them out.
www.laborgh.com