The Energy Transition requires that we substantially improve the energy efficiency of existing commercial structures, which up to this point have rarely been optimized in that regard. Climate-protection measures alone are not sufficient to give these buildings a viably sustainable future. An efficient management and use of materials and resources is just as relevant. The example of the modernization of the Administration- and Operations building at the Remscheid Waste Management Facility shows that renovation, as opposed to demolition and rebuilding, is not only ecologically advantageous, but also economical. Like many other operational structures from the 1960s, the municipal operations building was constructed as a steel-and-concrete skeleton with a concrete façade.

During the renovation process, various façade con-struction types of synthetics and glass were compared and examined for ecological suitability. The layered synthetic plates which were chosen proved to be ecologically advantageous in terms of raw materials production and processing. The new façade elements were positioned as a heat insulation shell, in prefabricated parts outside of the bearing structure.

A total reduction of 75 % in primary energy requirements could be achieved after the modernization, which underbids the EnEV (German Energy Saving Ordinance) Requirement Values for new construction and modernized older buildings. In comparison to a conventional renovation, savings in resources – independent of any modifications – with a factor of 5 were achieved, in comparison with a factor of 25 for a cladding of natural stone or metal.

Project Operation:
Remscheider Entsorgungsbetriebe
Nordstraße 48
42853 Remscheid
Telefon    +49 2191 16-2840
reb@str.de
www.reb-info.de 

Cooperation Partner:
Architektur Contor Müller Schlüter,
42103 Wuppertal

Bergische Universität Wuppertal,
FB Architektur, 42285 Wuppertal

mipsHAUS Institut gGmbH,
42103 Wuppertal

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