This bank branch in Germany demonstrates how bioclimatic design and a low-tech climate control approach can combine comfort, energy efficiency and a positive annual energy balance in an office building.
Filiale Kirchheimbolanden is a commercial building developed for Alzey-Worms Volksbank in the German town of Kirchheimbolanden. Built on a 600 m² site and with a total usable floor area of 1,800 m², the project combines a bank branch with consultation spaces for customers and staff. Its sustainability strategy is based on a design approach focused on environmental comfort and reducing energy demand. To achieve this, the design team used dynamic simulations and local climate data to ensure comfortable indoor temperatures in both summer and winter, as well as adequate air quality, sufficient daylight, and acoustic control.
The project places particular emphasis on the building’s orientation and on architectural decisions as fundamental elements of its environmental performance. Thermal conditioning is achieved through a low-tech climate control system combined with locally generated renewable energy, enabling the building to achieve a positive annual energy balance. Concrete core activation provides heating and cooling, while ventilation is mainly achieved through opening windows.
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Source of the picture: World Green Building Council (Credit not specified)
