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VELUX makes new inroad into Central Europe with opening of RenovActive house in Slovakia

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 19:12:32 +0200

The VELUX Group officially opened a model house in Sala today, which is renovated according to seven principles that form the basis for the RenovActive concept. An online guide is also launched, explaining how to make healthy, energy-efficient and sustainable living environments out of houses similar to this in the region.

A new phase for RenovActive with great potential

This model renovation of a typical square house from the 1970s is expected to inspire people in Slovakia and other countries nearby about how to renovate their homes in a financially optimal way, while achieving a healthier and more energy-efficient home to live in.

Energy savings, more space and healthier living

Due to the renovation, the total energy savings in the RenovActive house in Salo are up to 80 percent and the living area is increased to 115 m²from 75 m², by building rooms in the attic. The house is also healthier to live in with more daylight and fresh air than previously.

During the next two years, the living conditions for the Hučkos’ family (of two adults and two children) will be monitored according to key parameters and in co-operation with the Department of Building Services of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.

About unhealthy living environments and renovation in Slovakia

Half of the Slovak population live in detached or terrace houses. In most cases their inhabitants are also their owners. The condition of the house and its possible renovation is thus the responsibility of the owner. Most of the buildings in Slovakia had been built by the end of the 1970s. These buildings are far from meeting present-day criteria concerning energy consumption and indoor environment quality.According to the Healthy Homes Barometer, an independent annual report based on pan-European data investigating the link between homes and health, which VELUX has been publishing for five years, every sixth Slovak is not satisfied with their quality of living and 21 percent of Slovakian families report energy poverty as an issue.

VELUX opens RenovActive

Wed, 18 May 2016 13:28:00 +0200

Following a seven-month renovation project, the VELUX Group today officially opens its latest demo building – the RenovActive house – in Brussels, Belgium. The aim is to demonstrate that climate renovation based around the Active House principles of energy efficiency and indoor comfort can be affordable.

RenovActive, an innovative answer to the challenges of renovation in Europe
Almost half of Europe’s buildings were built between 1945 and 1980, and it is estimated that 90% of residential buildings today will still be in use in 2050. It is therefore essential to renovate the aging European housing stock.

RenovActive offers a simple, innovative and affordable solution to this challenge. Using existing techniques and materials, the RenovActive concept offers an example of how to transform European housing into healthy and sustainable living space, and provides a renovation concept that can be replicated on a large scale.

Origins of the concept
Between 2009 and 2011, the VELUX group invested in the construction of six experimental demo homes across Europe, as part of the Model Home 2020 project. This project provided an understanding of what was possible in terms of meeting future needs of sustainable accommodation, using current techniques and materials. The RenovActive project takes advantage of the many lessons learned from this experience in order to meet current renovation challenges.

To implement RenovActive, VELUX joined forces with "Le Foyer Anderlechtois", a social housing association which owns 3,740 housing units in Brussels. An 80m² semi-detached house built in the 1920s and in an advanced state of disrepair has been completely renovated, to offer its new inhabitants high-quality accommodation. The renovation has been carried out within the budgetary framework of Brussels Social Housing. Between now and 2018, le Foyer Anderlechtois plans to renovate 86 houses based on the RenovActive concept.

Renovation + Active House = RenovActive
The RenovActive concept is based on the Active House principles, designed to balance comfort (through a healthy indoor climate with a maximum amount of natural light[1] and optimal ventilation[2]), energy efficiency and respect for the environment.

The RenovActive concept comprises seven replicable renovation elements:

Installation of windows on the front of the house and the roof in order to provide maximum daylight.
Positioning of a stairwell lit by two skylights in the centre of the house to provide natural light on every floor as well as "stack effect" ventilation.
Installation of a hybrid ventilation system, combining natural and mechanical ventilation.
Installation of exterior solar protection for optimal thermal comfort.
Creation of an effective thermal envelope by insulating the exterior, with new roofing and vertical windows.
Installation of a simple and comfortable heating system, comprising underfloor heating on the ground floor and radiators for the upper floors.
Construction of an extension to gain floor space on the ground floor.

Timeline of the project
RenovActive opens its doors on 18 May 2016 and is available for visits for a period of one year. In spring 2017, a family with three children will occupy the house for two years. During this period, energy, heat and water consumption, as well as the interaction of the family with the house, will be monitored and analysed.

About RenovActive partners
The architectural design of the house was entrusted to the architects ONO Architectuur. The implementation and monitoring of works was undertaken by the Troubleyn company.

VELUX joined forces with various commercial partners, who provided products for the renovation of the house. The Saint-Gobain group, Renson, Grundfos, Somfy and Wienerberger enthusiastically supported the RenovActive project[3].

With regard to furnishing the home, Kvik and De Kringwinkel partnered with RenovActive for the kitchens and some of the interior furnishings, respectively.

[1] For more information about natural light within the RenovActive please look under the downloads at Natural light is invited in the RenovActive house (in French)

[2] For more information about ventilation within the RenovActive please look under the downloads at Healthy living starts with a quality habitat demonstrated by the RenovActive home (in French)

[3] For more information about The RenoveActive house partners:

https://renovactive.velux.be/en/the-house/partners/

VELUX on COP21: A step in the right direction

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 14:13:00 +0100

For the first time, the Paris conference saw buildings on the agenda of COP negotiations. As they account for some 40 per cent of European energy consumption and CO2 emissions, it makes eminently good sense to incorporate buildings in the efforts to reduce both.

90 per cent of the existing building stock in Europe will still be in use in 2050. And 75 per cent of those buildings are energy inefficient. The VELUX Group has constructed a series of experimental buildings throughout Europe to show that the tools needed for environment-friendly construction are already available. Next April, the Group will complete an example of energy renovation in a social housing estate in Belgium.

The VELUX Group’s core business areas are Western Europe and the USA. But is sees significant potential in former Eastern Europe, where the need for home renovation is much greater than in Denmark and other countries in Western Europe. Less than 5 per cent of the company’s sales are made in Denmark.

Green Solution House is Building of the Year

Fri, 11 Dec 2015 15:46:26 +0100

Over the last three months, the panel of judges has reviewed the 15 projects nominated with a number of specific criteria in mind, such as architecture, choice of materials and special solutions. The excitement reached its climax when it was announced that Green Solution House, which is inspired by the Active House principles, won the award of Commercial Building of the Year in Denmark.

Combining various sustainable building solutions, it explores circular sustainability that is rooted in three sustainability strategies, with constant respect for local conditions and efficient use of resources. The building is certified to the standards of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). The building design is based on the criteria of the Active House vision and inspired by the Cradle-to-Cradle life cycle concept.

In explaining their decision, the panel of nine were particularly impressed by the fact that Green Solution House serves several purposes. They mentioned the sustainable solutions and environment-friendly features with the same interest as the ambition to attract more out-of-season tourists to the island with a spectacular building that will appeal to conference arrangers.

The award and the words of praise were received with delight by a proud Trine Richter, Director of Green Solution House.

The VELUX Group has brought to the project its vision for sustainable buildings, based on the competence and broad experience gained from its demonstration house programme Model Home 2020 and the creation of Active House principles.

About Commecial Building pf the Year
Commercial Building of the Year is awarded by the building industry through the trade publications BygTek, Magasinet Byggeri and Mester&Svend. The formal presentation will be made at a special event at Green Solution House in Rønne on Thursday afternoon.

Green Solution House
Green Solution House is a sustainable hotel and conference centre in Rønne, the largest town on island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. It is a world-leading building that focuses on issues such as energy optimisation, recycling and ecology. It also serves as a demo building for sustainable and sophisticated technological solutions for the building sector. Green Solution House was created as a renovation and extension project of the former Hotel Ryttergården. It is also part of Bornholm’s branding project Bright Green Island, whose purpose is to make ”the sunshine island” self-sufficient in energy by 2025 at the latest.

The VELUX Group shares its knowledge and experience with green-energy building at Danish export promotion in Germany

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0100

The objective is to exchange knowledge between countries on sustainable building, and will include a presentation of German developments and support schemes for sustainable buildings, as well as on activities with healthy buildings. Danish experience with the development of ways of meeting the requirement for future Nearly Zero Energy buildings will be presented by a team that includes members from Aalborg University and the Danish Energy Agency.

Sharing knowledge and experience with sustainability

The VELUX Group will be represented by VELUX Germany's General Manager Dr Sebastian Dresse, who will share the VELUX Group's lengthy experience and knowledge in the fields of sustainable and green living.

Buildings that optimise health and well-being

With its 21 demonstration buildings to date, the VELUX Group has made a continuous contribution and shared its own experience and knowledge of healthier, greener and more sustainable living environments. The Group has repeatedly proved that the buildings of tomorrow can actually be built today − buildings that optimise human health and well-being through improved indoor climate and yet minimise environmental impact and energy demand.

Setting the green agenda

The VELUX Group's demonstration buildings are based on the Active House principles, an attractive solution that responds to the Nearly Zero Energy Building requirement that the Group has helped define with its input and knowledge of sustainable living in buildings.

VELUX Group opens the first Active House in Russia

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0200

The First Active House in Russia was designed to set a new standard for residential house construction in Russia. The design is based on the Active House principle of reaching a balance between energy saving, healthy indoor climate and care for the environment, all of which add to the architectural quality and well-being of the residents.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark participated in the official opening of the house and together with the partners behind the project, he cut the ribbon.

Active House is a pilot project, a prototype of an individual house construction. Its main purpose is to demonstrate that it is possible to build an energy-efficient house in Russia − with the right combination of architectural design, engineering and materials. An Active House creates healthier and more comfortable indoor conditions for occupants and ensures a generous supply of daylight and fresh air.

"The Active House concept is the way forward. An Active House is designed to work in harmony with nature, to use the energy of the sun and wind intelligently and to encourage a sustainable lifestyle. And we must make sure that architecture and good indoor climate get just as high a priority as energy saving," says Jørgen Tang-Jensen, CEO of the VELUX Group.
"As a private company, we regard it as part of our corporate responsibility to share our knowledge of daylight and indoor climate as an active contribution to meeting the challenge of reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions," says Jørgen Tang-Jensen.

The house is energy efficient and easy to operate. To reduce CO2 emissions and optimise energy performance, the building must be considered as a whole, not just as the sum of its components. The house exploits a variety of energy sources, all of which are integrated into the overall design; its prime energy source is the free energy of the sun.
Calculations show that the house uses almost 5 times less energy than specified in current building regulations, and 7-8 times less than an average house in Russia. The total energy consumption is calculated to be about 110 kWh/ m2 a year.

"Innovation, energy efficiency and environment are hot topics for Russia. We are pleased to see the growing interest in buildings that combine health and comfort with the efficient use of energy. We hope the Active House Project will contribute to the development of domestic construction and energy industries," says Mick Schou Rasmussen, General Manager of VELUX Russia.

The project was planned and coordinated by one of the leading property developers in the Moscow region, the Zagorodny Proekt Company, in cooperation with the VELUX Group. The VELUX Group is working hard today on the solutions of tomorrow by promoting architecture that enhances our quality of life and the sustainable development of society.The Active House in Russia was designed by the Russian architecture firm Polygon Lab. The house is situated in the outskirts of Moscow in Zapadnaya Dolina, a new residential community currently under construction and with plans for more Active Houses to come.

About the VELUX Group
The VELUX Group creates better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the roof. The VELUX product programme contains a wide range of roof windows and skylights, along with solutions for flat roofs. The Group also supplies many types of decoration and sun screening, roller shutters, installation products, products for remote control and thermal solar panels for installation in roofs. The VELUX Group, which has manufacturing companies in 11 countries and sales companies in just under 40 countries, represents one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector and its products are sold in most parts of the world. The VELUX Group has about 10,000 employees and is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family. For more details, visit www.velux.com.

Start of first Active House construction in Russia

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0200

The project is organized by one of the leading developing companies in Moscow region "Zagorodny Proekt" company and world leading roof window manufacturer VELUX company. "Aktivny Dom" project is designed to set a new standard for residential house construction in Russia which is based on the balance between energy savings, healthy indoor climate and care for environment.

The pile foundation was laid as the basis for "Aktivny Dom", which ideally corresponds to the geological features of the location. The framework produced by "NLK Domostroenie" company is being actively assembled at the moment. The framework made from softwood is assembled directly on the location as the project has individual design. But using the project as the base for typical construction in the future will further decrease the time for assembling as the panels can be prefabricated at the factory.

Wooden framework construction was chosen not only because it is an ecological solution but also because it helps to ensure energy savings as multiple layers of wall construction minimizes cold bridges. The insulation of the house will start in the near future. For the insulation the products of "Saint-Gobain Construction Products RUS" have been chosen as they established a reputation not only in energy saving houses but also in real life.

The project "Aktivny Dom" is designed to become the first project to be certified by developed Russian green ratings standard. The design of the project is developed by the architects of experimental laboratory "Polygon". The project is supported by the Russian Union of Architects, Green construction council, Passive House Institute, EcoStandard group, Wood Housing Association, Construction Physics Scientific and Research Institute, Russian State Construction University in Saint-Petersburg.

The general manager of VELUX Russia Mick Schou Rasmussen said: "We are happy to see that the project that has recently been only on the paper started to turn into the real house so quickly. International VELUX experience shows that realizing such integrated projects with different partners involved is a very complicated and unpredictable process. That is why we very much appreciate the partners of "Aktivny Dom" for their professional attitude that helps the project to develop so fast".

Andrey Vasiliev, the general manager of "Zagorodny Proekt" company: ""Aktivny Dom" project will help to set a new trend in individual house construction in Russia based on sustainable development principles, comfort of living and economic reasonability. One of the tasks of the project is to test the combination of architectural and technological solutions for low-storey construction specifically in Russia, to build the house from the products available on the market today at the reasonable price with the possibility to be multiplied in future".

Test family moves into the LichtAktiv Haus

Sun, 02 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The two-year test phase will be monitored by specialists and will provide new insights into how we should build and live in our homes in the future.

Until just a few weeks ago, the VELUX LichtAktiv Haus was open to the public for events and visits. But now it is time to move into the second phase of the experiment in the search for the building and living standards of the future. Christian Oldendorf (39) and his wife Irina (37) are moving into the LichtAktiv Haus in Hamburg's Wilhelmsburg with their sons Lasse (8) and Finn (5). The German contribution to the pan-European VELUX experiment Model Home 2020, under the aegis of the Hamburg International Building Exhibition (IBA), demonstrates how innovative living can be achieved today in an existing building by making use of large quantities of natural light. Following a multi-stage application procedure, the family, from Hamburg Ottensen, were chosen from many candidates and are now all set to move in. For the next two years, they will put the modern, light-filled, zero-energy converted settler's house to the test.

"This test phase is central to the project. We want to subject our vision of lots of daylight, fresh air and open views to a practical test – and who better to judge the house's merits than a family who can really put the home of the future through its paces?" said Dr Sebastian Dresse, CEO of VELUX Deutschland GmbH at the official handing over of the keys. He also presented the family with the traditional German house-warming gift of bread and salt.

Uli Hellweg, CEO of the Hamburg International Building Exhibition (IBA) welcomed the test family to their new home and presented the official IBA trophy plate for the LichtAktiv Haus. "The VELUX LichtAktiv Haus meets its energy requirements in full using renewable sources and is carbon neutral when inhabited," explained Hellweg. "That means that this semi-detached house, which has been modernised in a truly innovative way, makes a major contribution to the Wilhelmsburg climate action concept as a project of the IBA Hamburg International Building Exhibition."

In the next two years, TU Braunschweig will work with HafenCity University Hamburg to provide continuous monitoring and documentation of the house's energy consumption and indoor temperature. The well-being and living experience of the family themselves will be recorded and evaluated. To this end, TU Darmstadt and Humboldt University Berlin will conduct regular evaluations and organise group interviews with the Oldendorfs. The findings of these measures will be compared with the quantitative measurements taken by TU Braunschweig. Furthermore, the test family will document their experiences and provide the academic institutions involved with regular reports about their life in the LichtAktiv Haus. "The two-year test phase is going to completely change our lives," said Irina Oldendorf. "We're leaving our small, gloomy home behind us and heading for adventure in the zero-energy house.'' Christian Oldendorf added, "The LichtAktiv Haus grabbed our attention from the start – especially the light rooms flooded with daylight and the juxtaposition of the traditional and the contemporary. We were hooked from the word go. It's really impressive to see what you can do with a house from the 1950s and we're all really looking forward to trying out the living standards of the future."

The findings gained through the LichtAktiv Haus experiment should provide an insight into how an environmentally-friendly housing solution should be designed to offer its inhabitants a healthy indoor climate and superior living conditions, whilst simultaneously minimising their carbon footprint. The LichtAktiv Haus is therefore very relevant in practical terms, as it fulfils the requirements of a building of the future, and it is a perfect example of how, in real life, superior living conditions can be combined with energy self-sufficiency.

Photo caption
The Oldendorfs and their new home - Christian (39), Irina (36), Lasse (8) and Finn (5) have just moved into the VELUX LichtAktiv Haus where they will put the home of the future through its paces over the next two years.Photo: VELUX A7S

About the LichtAktiv Haus
The LichtAktiv Haus is Germany's contribution to the pan-European VELUX Model Home 2020 project. As part of the experiment, daylight experts will carry out research into the way we will build and live in our homes in the future. The modernisation of a 1950s semi-detached house in the Wilhelmsburg district of Hamburg will illustrate the innovative combination of high standards of liveability and optimum energy efficiency. The goal is to create a carbon-neutral home that offers its occupants a healthy indoor climate with lots of natural light and fresh air. The LichtAktiv Haus is a project of the IBA Hamburg international building exhibition and part of the Renewable Wilhelmsburg climate action concept.

The house was developed by:
Design planning: TU Darmstadt F Gee, Prof. Manfred Hegger; Design: Katharina Fey (TU Darmstadt); Architects: Ostermann Architekten; Energy concept: HL Technik, Prof. Klaus Daniels; Lighting design: Prof. Peter Andres PLDA; Structural: TSB-Ingenieure, Prof. Karsten Tichelmann; VKR Group partners: Sonnenkraft, Velfac, WindowMaster;Cooperation partners: Eternit, Gira, Grohe, Keramag, Knauf, Knauf Insulation, Metten, Nolte Küchen, Somfy.

Read more about LichtAktiv Haus at: http://www.velux.com/sustainable_living/model_home_2020/lichtaktiv_haus

About Model Home 2020
Model Home 2020 is an experiment launched by the VELUX Group as part of our strategy to take an active part in developing sustainable buildings for the future. It is our vision of how future buildings can be both climate-neutral and comfortable and attractive places to live in through daylight and fresh air. The project is in full accordance with the next generation of design principles frequently referred to as 'active house' (www.activehouse.org). The objective is to achieve a balance between energy efficiency and optimal indoor climate with a building that dynamically adjusts to its surroundings and yet is climate-neutral.

Model Home 2020 comprises six demonstration projects. The two experiments in Denmark were built in a partnership between the VELUX Group and VELFAC. Each of the Model Home projects was implemented in close cooperation with local and regional partners, suppliers, architects, engineers and researchers.

In the VELUX Group, we believe that one experiment is better than a thousand expert views. Each building must reflect and respond to the different climatic, cultural and architectural conditions of the countries in which they are built. The houses will be open to the public for 6-12 months after completion and then sold. Each house will be monitored during occupancy to learn how the experiments turn out in real-life conditions. The houses in Denmark – Home for Life in Aarhus and Green Lighthouse in Copenhagen – have been in use for two years, those in Germany and Austria opened in 2010 and those in UK and France opened in 2011. The Newsmarket

Designing roofs for well-being and energy efficiency

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0200

VELUX MODEL HOME 2020, France: Maison Air et Lumière is a new generation of active house designed with the residents' quality of life.

Maison Air et Lumière is a new generation of active house designed with the residents' quality of life at the heart of its environmental approach. Thanks to the ingenious use of its pitched roof, the house provides both a pleasant living environment and energy efficiency. The key to its architectural design is the different roof pitches that boost the building's potential to capture solar energy, turning it into a home with a positive energy balance. Air and daylight infuse the entire space, creating a healthy indoor environment.

The house, which is being built at Verrières-le-Buisson, a green oasis close to Paris, is part of the Europe-wide VELUX Model Home 2020 project. Once completed, its occupants will give feedback on their experiences of living in the house, and energy performance data will be collected as a basis for European research into the sociological and scientific aspects of sustainable living.

Ventilation and daylight at the heart of comfortable living
By clever use of the space under the roof, the architect has created a habitable area of 130 m² over two levels with an intermediate level between the garden level and the upper floor. The home has been designed to capture natural light from all directions: southern light, northern light and top light. Creating balanced light throughout the house, this makes for a pleasant and healthy living environment.

The architectural design greatly facilitates natural ventilation, which, when the season and the weather require, can be enhanced by double-flow mechanical ventilation. In the summer months, an intelligent control system opens windows and deploys sun screens to regulate the indoor temperature and ensure optimum comfort.

The roof – the fifth active facade
The pitched roof is part and parcel of France's cultural heritage, its slope varying according to region and climate. Thanks to the modular design of Maison Air et Lumière, the pitched roof of each individual variant can be adapted to location, orientation and use. The steepness of the roof can be varied according to how much solar energy and daylight is required. It also allows for a wide range of interior volumes to suit occupants' requirements in terms of use, dimensions and layout of the living space.

Maison Air et Lumière is one example of this concept. Comprising three volumes fitted into one another, it provides quality living space in a wide variety of interior designs.

The south-facing roof of the central volume comes in two gradients, enabling the thermal and photovoltaic solar panels to harvest optimum amounts of energy from the sun. The pitched roof is not simply a protective barrier, but the fifth active facade of the house and a key component in optimising its energy efficiency and overall architectural aesthetics.

Energy efficiency
The energy efficiency derives from the maximum insulation of the house combined with the optimised capture of sunlight through the windows, reducing heating demand to a minimum. The energy concept of the house is based on the maximum use of renewable resources: solar energy, natural light and fresh air.

Heat and domestic hot water are provided by a heat pump connected to thermal solar panels and a low-temperature underfloor heating system. All residual energy consumption is provided by the photovoltaic panels integrated into the roof, resulting in a positive energy balance.

An accessible, adaptable house with variable layout
The architecture of Maison Air et Lumière is adapted harmoniously to its site. The slope of the site is used to organise the floor levels, creating an additional level between the garden level and the upper floor.

The modular architectural concept of the house allows adaptation to suit other contexts, for example terraced houses or town houses. Whether the house is large or small, in an urban or rural environment, the concept's flexibility allows Maison Air et Lumière's principles of comfortable living, energy performance and environmental quality to be used in a wide variety of contexts.

Project managementArchitects: Nomade ArchitectesEngineering consultants (thermal engineering): Cardonnel Ingénierie Engineering consultants (structural engineering): E.T.H.A.

VKR Group partners

Industry partnersGroupe Saint-Gobain, represented by its companies Saint-Gobain Isover, Saint-Gobain Solar Systems, Saint-Gobain Glass Solutions and PlacoplatreAldesUmicore (VMZINC)

Topping out ceremony for LichtAktiv Haus

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0200

"Our topping out ceremony marks the end of an important phase in the LichtAktiv Haus experiment," said VELUX Germany CEO Dr Sebastian Dresse in his welcoming speech to the 70 or so guests. He thanked all those involved in the project for their successful work, and highlighted the significance of the modernisation project for the construction industry. Those present were able to take a look around the site and form an impression of the latest advances in construction.
Construction work at the LichtAktiv Haus has been going on since early summer. The modernisation project is Germany's contribution to the Europe-wide VELUX Model Home 2020 project. As part of the project, future-oriented modes of construction and living have been used to create six model homes. The semi-detached house in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg has been given a complete make-over as part of the modernisation model. The finished house should demonstrate how the highest level of liveability and optimal energy efficiency can be combined with a future-oriented focus as part of an ambitious modernisation project.
You can follow construction at the LichtAktiv Haus online. More information, images and videos are available in the press area of velux.de, at www.velux.de/velux/presse/modelhome

President Medvedev to build Green Lighthouse in Russia

Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 +0200

During his official state visit to Denmark, President of the Russian Federation, Dimitry Medvedev, visited Green Lighthouse, Denmark's first public carbon-neutral building. He showed great interest in it and, the next day, announced the decision to build a Green Lighthouse in Russia.

One of the first concrete results of the official Russian state visit last week is that President Medvedev is to build a Green Lighthouse in Russia. Green Lighthouse is Denmark's first official carbon-neutral building. With its innovative and climate-friendly energy concept, the building has once again man-aged to draw attention to Danish expertise in sustainable building and to an award-winning demon-stration of public-private teamwork.

Green Lighthouse is the green beacon of Copenhagen University. Here students of the Faculty of Natu-ral Sciences receive guidance about their courses and researchers gather to swap experience and ideas.

"We are both proud and delighted that Green Lighthouse is now to be built in Russia. Copenhagen University has set itself the objective to become one of the greenest campuses in Europe. And Green Lighthouse is making an enormous contribution. The building is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together at the same pace," proclaims Rector Ralf Hemmingsen.

Climate and Energy Minister Lykke Friis says:
"I am thrilled about the Russian interest in the concept. It confirms that Denmark has a strong position when it comes to building energy-efficient housing. Homes account for 40 per cent of all Danish energy consumption, so the knowledge we possess will be a huge asset in the years to come, when we have to cut our energy consumption on a continual basis. Green Lighthouse shows that it is possible to construct the energy-friendly buildings of tomorrow with the technology of today."

Building of the future
"As one of the largest building owners in the country, it is important for the Ministry of Science, Tech-nology and Innovation to focus on and encourage energy-efficient building. It is fantastic that a sus-tainable building such as Green Lighthouse, which has been a source of inspiration to the building sector in Denmark, has also inspired such a great nation as Russia to build green," comments Minister of Science Charlotte Sahl-Madsen.

"It was incredibly exciting to speak with the President of Russia about the green challenge. Naturally, we are delighted to be able to contribute with our knowledge and experience in this field. Green Light-house is a clear demonstration that we can construct climate-friendly buildings with a good indoor climate and masses of daylight and fresh air with the knowledge and the products we already have today," says Jørgen Tang-Jensen, CEO of the VELUX Group.

Mayor of Copenhagen Frank Jensen is also enthusiastic about the Russian interest in Green Lighthouse:
"Copenhagen must be known for its use of cutting-edge, green technology, developed as a result of inter-disciplinary teamwork. The Russian interest in Green Lighthouse is a signal to Copenhagen that we are among the world leaders. That is an excellent point of departure from which to attract invest-ment and alliance partners from home and abroad to take part in visionary and green urban develop-ment projects. "

Sidebar:
Green Lighthouse – a beacon for the climate issueGreen Lighthouse is Denmark's first official carbon-neutral building. It was built in a strategic partnership between the University of Copenhagen, the VELUX Group, VELFAC, the Danish University and Property Agency and the Municipality of Copenhagen. The building shows that it is possible to build the carbon-neutral buildings of the future, with masses of daylight benefiting user health and well-being, without compromising on design, comfort, indoor climate. Green Lighthouse has the sun at its focal point and primary source of energy. The 950-m2 building has its own energy supply consisting of a unique combination of solar energy, heat pumps and district heating.

Its energy concept and visionary architecture have resulted in a 75 per cent saving in energy com-pared to the building standards of today. The building was designed by Christensen og Co Arkitekter A/S, with COWI as consulting engineers, and built by Hellerup Byg.

President Medvedev will replicate Green Lighthouse energy design in Russia

Mon, 03 May 2010 00:00:00 +0200

As one of the first concrete results for Danish trade and industry of the two-day official Russian state visit this week, President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, has decided to build his own Green Lighthouse in Russia. The decision was made the day after the President visited Green Light-house, a student service centre at the University of Copenhagen. At a meeting of the Commission on Modernisation and Technology Development of the Russian Economy, President Medvedev announced the decision to build the first CO2-neutral building in Russia based on Green Lighthouse in Copenhagen.

At his visit to Green Lighthouse on Wednesday, President Medvedev was given a guided tour of the building by University Rector Ralf Hemmingsen, Minister for Climate and Energy Lykke Friis, the CEO of the VELUX Group, Jørgen Tang-Jensen, and the CEO of COWI, Lars-Peter Søbye. President Medvedev showed great interest in the visionary design concept underlying the building and the entire visit was seen as a great success.

"We are very pleased to learn of the decision to replicate the carbon neutral energy design and its high standards of indoor climate and comfort in a similar project in Russia. As project manager of the Green Lighthouse steering group, the VELUX Group has offered to advise the Commission on Modernisation and Technology Development of the Russian Economy," says VELUX Group CEO Jørgen Tang-Jensen.

"This is a very fruitful outcome of what we felt was a successful presentation and it was an honour and delight to meet President Medvedev. Russia is facing a challenging transformation from fossil energy to the use of renewable energy sources and we would be pleased to share our knowledge about sus-tainable building with the Russian society," says Jørgen Tang-Jensen.

Green Lighthouse demonstrates that it is possible to construct buildings that are carbon-neutral while offering both fresh air and good daylight conditions. Furthermore, it shows that a climate-friendly building fulfilling the regulatory goals of 2020 can be built with the standard building components of today.

Green Lighthouse is the result of a public-private cooperation between the University of Copenhagen, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the City of Copenhagen, VELFAC and the VELUX Group. The partners entered a working partnership in order to construct a new sustainable office building with optimal balance between energy efficiency, architectural quality, healthy indoor climate and good daylight conditions. In 2009, the partnership was presented with the innovation award for cooperation by the Confederation of Danish Industry.

Ground breaking of Austria´s first carbon-neutral one-family house

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0200

The holistic concept of the house has already been awarded the Austrian State Prize for Environment and Energy Technology.

Taking an active part in developing sustainable buildings, the VELUX Group has launched the project Model Home 2020. Six full-scale experimental demo-houses are being built in five European countries from 2008 to 2011. Sunlighthouse, near Vienna, will be the third demo-house to realise the VELUX vision of carbon-neutral buildings that combine efficient energy design with a high degree of habitability and minimum climate impact. The Austrian house is designed to produce so much renewable energy with photovoltaics and solar heat that it will cancel out all CO2 emissions arising from its operation and construction – including production, transport and future disposal - within the next 30 years.

Numerous guests took part in the ceremony. Among them the Danish Ambassador to Austria, S.E. Hugo Østergaard-Andersen, who praised the exemplary project and emphasised the leading role of the VELUX Group in sustainable buildings. Together with Michael Walter, General Manager of VELUX Austria, Josef Schmidl-Haberleitner, mayor of Pressbaum, the architect Juri Troy and the General Managers of VELUX Hungary and VELUX Slovenia, Mads K. Rasmussen and Vojko Golmajer, he wielded the spade for the official ground breaking of Sunlighthouse. Furthermore, as a symbol of the ecological footprint of this unique building, the guests of honour left their individual footprints in a special concrete slab.

One experiment is better than a thousand expert views
More than half a century ago, VELUX founder Villum Kann Rasmussen made the statement that "one experiment is better than a thousand expert views". This principle is just as valid today and will be applied to the six houses of the Model Home 2020 project. The objective is to gain information and experience on how future buildings in different regions with different climates, cultures and architectural conditions, can be both climate-neutral and comfortable.

"For the Austrian project we have deliberately chosen a plot that is typical of the sometimes difficult conditions of mountainous regions," explains VELUX Austria General Manager Michael Walter. "The idea is to demonstrate that even under these challenging conditions it is possible to build sustainable constructions by balancing energy, environment and indoor climate with plenty of daylight and fresh air."

Exceptional levels of daylight
Thanks to the interdisciplinary cooperation between VELUX Austria, the Danube University Krems and the Austrian Institute for Building physics (IBO), a tailor-made, scientifically sound concept has been created together with the architect. Confronted with the high degree of shadow on this construction site, the architect Hein-Troy had to come up with some creative ideas for getting more daylight into the house. A very sophisticated window configuration - of the roof windows as well as the vertical elements – will provide the different levels of Sunlighthouse with plenty of daylight and ensure a positive effect on the health and well-being of the residents.

Completed in autumn 2010
Sunlighthouse is expected to be completed in the autumn of 2010 and will then be open to the public for several months, after which it will be sold. VELUX Austria will continue to monitor the experiment with the new residents in order to learn how the building performs in real-life conditions.