Team:Architect of Record: Stephan Tanner, AIA, LLC; Minneapolis, MNMechanical Concept: Rene Sigg &Petra Benkhoff, PE, INTEP, GmbH, Münich, ZürichSustainability: Thomas Rühle, PE; INTEP, GmbH Münich, Zürich
?Waldsee BioHaus,? a new environmental living center at Concordia Language Villages, is the first building in North America to be certified as a ?Passive House,? one of the world?s toughest energy standards, by Germany?s Passivhaus Institute. Waldsee BioHaus significantly exceeds platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) energy criteria ? the U.S. Green Building Council?s highest building ranking.
Waldsee BioHaus serves as a living and learning facility where students and visitors are immersed in the German language, culture and the study of sciences through world-class design. It brings to life the Concordia Language Villages?mission ? ?to prepare young people for responsible citizenship in our global community.?As the first certified Passivhaus in North America, Waldsee BioHaus? cutting-edge design facilitates environmental living and learning. The building showcases new approaches to energy conservation and innovations in sustainable building design, including:? Energy-standard-based design using the German Passivhaus (Passive-house) standard, the world?s premier test of energy efficiency? Use of alternative and renewable energy resources? Extensive green roof? Low impact and healthy building materials? Simple building design and technology? Low-energy-use mechanical equipment and appliancesWaldsee BioHaus is the first Passivhaus built in such a cold winter climate.
individuals: As part of Waldsee, America?s German Language Village, Waldsee BioHaus serves as a living and learning facility where students and visitors are immersed in the German language, culture and the study of sciences through world-class sustainable design. Waldsee BioHaus was created to spark debate on environmental issues, offer young people a one-of-a-kind experience and to showcase German innovation and industry-leading environmental practices.society:Thes passive house standard is the world?s leading criteria in energy efficient construction. Waldsee BioHaus, designed by Stephan Tanner, INTEP, LLC, will use 85 percent less energy than comparable U.S. buildings by using innovative and broadly applicable, insulation, heat recovery, air exchange systems and high-quality windows and doors with low-e glazing.s.economy:The passive house standard is in long term use economical because of the lower cost of operation.environment: Waldsee BioHaus was created to spark debate on environmental issues, offer young people a one-of-a-kind experience and to showcase German innovation and industry-leading environmental practices.
?Waldsee BioHaus is an innovative means to convey aspects of German and European environmental protection to young Americans. It will forge a transatlantic green bridge between the two continents,? said Dr. Fritz Brickwedde, DBU Secretary General. ?Waldsee BioHaus is a world-class platform for environmental and cross-cultural education connecting new generations of Europeans and Americans about our common future.?
A highly-efficient building design (beyond that of the U.S. LEED standard) which improves quality of life inside the building while using 85% less energy than comparable U.S. structures.
Social:Teaching young people in an environmental buildingEconomical:Lower maintenance costs.Ecological: No use of fossil fuels; low overall energy consumption
?Waldsee BioHaus is a remarkable accomplishment, a singular learning opportunity, and a tangible example of the Passivhaus? highly efficient use of energy,? said Franz-Georg Elpers, press secretary of the Passivhaus Institute in Germany. ?Considering the environmental impact of our lifestyle choices, our generation has a responsibility for pushing the limits to achieve affordable sustainable building designs that assure a comfortable living environment.?