The Urban Outlook. Zero Energy Office Space

architecture | culture and education | office, commerce and health

The project is about a multi-storey office complex with shops on the ground floor. The design is based on the requirements of a modern metropolitan city and it has elements of bioclimatic architecture.

The main element of the design is the inner patio, which on the ground floor functions as a public pathway, thus enhancing the urban space. On the upper floors the atrium is used to provide adequate lighting in all areas of the complex. Above the atrium there are outdoor areas, gardens with trees and plants, as well as bridges, that consist a space for gathering and communication between the employees.

As for the façade system, the large continuous glass panels provide abundant natural light in the interior of the offices, minimizing the need for artificial lighting and thus saving energy. Outside the glass panels there is a second façade system, made of vertical metal elements, that have a double purpose. First, with appropriate distance and thickness these elements work as blinders, blocking the harsh light during the summer months, eliminating the usage of air conditioning. There as used also as structural elements that support vertical gardens. These gardens work as a buffer zone between the building and the atmosphere, maintaining a cool temperature inside. Furthermore, on the one façade the replacement of the glass panels with transparent solar panels is foreseen, with the aim of producing electricity for the needs of the offices and therefore the energy efficiency of the complex.

Finally, the roof is planted with herbaceous and shrubby plants, enhancing the bioclimatic character of the building and maintaining the city’s fauna. All the above make the office building a green oasis and a necessary addition to the city as well as a prime workplace, with respect for the environment and its protection.

Enjoy our videos: