House in Enns

The builder, a gallery curator, wanted a modern new building, which was to open out onto the surrounding nature and, at the same time, guarantee the necessary privacy. The architects met this requirement by constructing a glasshouse with a protective concrete panel towards the street. So as to attain a low-energy standard using passive house technology, even at a critical ratio of outer surface-to-building volume, an energy planner was brought on board. Using thermodynamic simulations, he optimised the balance between solar gain, retention capacity and possible overheating in summer. Both two panel and three panel glazing options were analysed and a special ‘weather file’ was developed.