Concept
The new logistic center of the Eine Welt Handel AG in Niklasdorf, Austria, is the pilot project for the eco²building system. The Eine Welt Handel AG imports and distributes fair trade baskets and handicraft from all over the world, with the aim to support small craft producers in developing countries and to contribute to humane working conditions.
 
The new building has three storage spaces on two storeys with together 2.200m² floor area and 600m² of office-, exhibition- and multi-purpose space. The customer enters the building through a large exhibition space at ground floor level. A representative stair leads from there up to the multi-purpose area and the offices on the first floor. 90% of the goods are delivered by train and enter the two storey high storage hall in the east part of the building. In the west there is a second entrance for staff, situated close to offices and functional areas. The close proximity of both truck ramps of the commissioning area to the offices for incoming goods and dispatch ensures a smooth workflow.

The structure of the eco²building demonstration object building consists of the load bearing system out of columns and beams, with wall- and roof elements mounted to them. The façade consists of back-ventilated cladding made from larch groove and tongue boarding.

The construction has 24 cm thermal insulation in the exterior wall- and 28 cm in the roof elements, triple glazed windows in the office spaces, double glazing in the heated storage halls and the optimized joints and details of the building system. This construction achieves, together with the efficient service installations, an energy demand for heating of just 15 kWh/(m²a). This is even about 10 % of the heating demand of a conventional building!

Services
The pilot building employs the biomass variant for heating, which yields almost zero net CO₂-emissions. The very low heating energy is distributed via highly comfortable radiation systems. A demand driven ventilation systems in the office, seminar room, and hall, respectively, guarantees the highest comfort level. All artificial lighting and office equipment is highly efficient, this reduces the cooling load and opens a chance to satisfy the complete demand of electrical energy by photo-voltaic arrays at the roof.

Summary of key features 

• Passive-house timber construction with 2.200m² storage and 600m² office space
• Use of structural and constructional elements of the eco²building system with high thermal insulation and attractive larch façade cladding
• Energy demand for heating only 15 kWh/(m²a)
• Start on site Apr. 2008, completion Jan. 2009

Construction progress
At October 05, 2007 the ground breaking ceremony for the eco²building demo-object took place. More than 150 participants came to Niklasdorf, to get a firsthand account of eco²building development and implementation. Deputies from Austrian and regional government emphasized positively the example regarding energy efficiency the eco²building demo-object is setting.

The construction of eco²building demo-object started in Apr. 2008 with excavation and foundation of the building. In Jun. 2008 the timber construction has been erected. Windows and doors has been installed in Aug./Sep. and gates and building services  during Oct. until Dec. 2008.

Please visit our photo gallery to get more impressions of the construction progress >>


Settlement
Finally in Jan. 2009 the Eine Welt Handel AG moved into the new company building.

The Austrian television documented the moving in and broadcasted the report in the telecast “Steiermark heute” at February  3, 2009.
Please find the broadcast here >>

Opening Ceremony
At April 24, 2009 the opening ceremony of  the eco²building demo-object took place. Subsequently to the opening ceremony in an expert conference ways to industrial sustainable buildings of tomorrow have been discussed.
Please find more information here >>

Building documentation
On the occasion of the opening ceremony a brochure about the eco²building demo-object has been created which provides pictures and overall information about the completed building.
Please find the brochure here >>