Poland's first office and service building with near-zero energy consumption has been built in Szczecin. During the construction of the Poseidon, which uses modern aluminum systems from Aluprof, unprecedented ecological solutions were applied, allowing it to independently generate the energy needed for heating and cooling and reduceCO2 emissions into the atmosphere by 76%.
Szczecin's Poseidon, which was built in 1928, served as a department store for decades. It was a well-known and well-liked place on the city map - a space of inspiration, a meeting point between the spheres of everyday life, culture and entertainment. However, this did not protect it from the effects of consumerist expansion, the growing role of shopping malls and the lack of an idea for attractive development of the space. For seven years the building stood closed until 2016. On the initiative of a new investor, the Porto company, construction of the building began, with the aim of revitalizing its historic part and adding a modern segment. Poseidon, designed by Federative Architectural Office from Szczecin, will be completed in the last quarter of 2019.
The building will house two Marriott chain hotels offering a total of 248 hotel rooms, a conference center capable of accommodating 1,000 people, a fitness room, and retail and office space of 3,000 and 20,000 sqm, respectively. Residents and users of the building have access to an interior patio and a SkyBar located on the top floor of the 11-story building, along with an observation deck with a total area of 500 sqm. A two-story underground garage hall with 301 parking spaces has been placed under the entire complex.
Zero-energy, or groundbreaking
Poseidon, is the largest low-energy building currently under construction in the country, the so-called NZEB - Nearly-Zero Emission Building. It was designed according to the latest European norms and standards. The building is environmentally friendly, as evidenced by its excellent rating of Exellent under the 2016 BREEAM International New Construction certificate. What's more, the building is likely to receive an Outstanding rating during a re-audit performed after it has already been put into operation. This is a great honor for all those involved in the development, especially since much of it is nearly 90 years old. The construction of the building sets new standards for the revitalization of iconic buildings. The example of the Poseidon shows that this can be done with respect for the historical context and with concern for the environment.
The building uses a passive geothermal energy harvesting system. This means that under the foundation slab there are 48 vertical heat exchangers located in 300-meter-long ground wells, connected to 900 inverter, or energy-efficient heat pumps. This is the first of its kind in Poland, an unprecedented example of the use of this type of system in an office and commercial building. Thanks to it, Poseidon will be able to independently generate the energy needed for its heating and cooling. In turn, the power for efficient operation of the entire system will be provided by photovoltaic panels mounted on the building's roof. However, this is not the end of the story. The investor went a step further in the use of renewable energy sources, using an installation for efficient rainwater management.
Impeccable aesthetics and functionality
The above solutions, combined with thermal insulation designed and constructed to the highest standards, will enable a 76% reduction inCO2 emissions into the atmosphere compared to the same building built using traditional technology. One of the key elements of thermal insulation is the MB-SR50N HI+ aluminum facade system. Particularly noteworthy is the thermal insulation zone of the system.
The creation of impressive, awe-inspiring and, above all, energy-efficient glass buildings is possible precisely thanks to aluminum systems. The MB-SR50N HI+ facade system uses special two-component insulators, based on an HPVC insulator or a set of insulators of the appropriate width, which allows screws to be screwed in with great accuracy during the installation process on the construction site. On both sides of the insulator, additional elements made of flexible material are attached, which improves thermal insulation and reduces airflow in the space separating the facade fillings. An insulator constructed in this way makes it possible to maintain the convenience and accuracy of the facade installation, while ensuring that very good thermal insulation parameters are achieved, says Zbigniew Poraj, Aluprof's object sales director.
The construction of the facade created based on the MB-SR50N HI+ facade system allows the installation of various types of fillings, including large-size glazing and double-chambered glass units. Poseidon's historic facade was restored to its original pre-war appearance. The full elements of this part of the complex were dynamically composed with the glazed façade above. The form and finish of the whole were chosen to harmonize with the surrounding buildings.
Prominent among the glass panes on the facade are the MB-SR50N OW outward opening tilt and slide windows. To achieve the best possible thermal and acoustic insulation properties, the system uses the latest thermal separators and glazing gaskets. The structure also has an extremely effective ventilation and drainage system, which guarantees long-term and trouble-free operation of the window. The facility also uses the MB-86SI thermal barrier window and door system, which is a response to trends in sustainable construction. The system is recommended for energy-efficient construction due to its enhanced insulation properties. Thanks to the achieved parameters used in external architectural elements of the building improves the energy efficiency of the building.
Also noteworthy is the use of the MB-78EI thermal barrier fire window and door system from Aluprof, which is one of the most popular fire barrier and door systems on the Polish market.
Its profiles have 3 chambers, the middle one of which also serves as thermal insulation. The system gives the possibility to use two types of fireproof inserts, allowing to obtain fire resistance classes from EI15 up to EI90. The robust and flexible construction allows large glazing, as well as the installation of hardware, locks, door closers and other accessories. The MB-78EI aluminum system is characterized by a wide range of applications - it can be the basis of an interesting construction in the form of, for example, MB-78EI DPA automatic sliding doors in EI15 and EI30 classes," Zbigniew Poraj adds.
Thanks to innovative aluminum systems, it is possible to achieve impeccable aesthetics of the object, which is also synonymous with safety and functionality. It is the design of the profiles in combination with shiny sheets of glass dressed in a modern, thoughtful form that create a unique architectural effect.
Synergy of business and ecology
What sets Poseidon apart from similar office and service buildings is its skillful combination of broad business goals with ecology. A 15-meter-high vertical garden has been erected on the main patio, which will become a downtown plaza dedicated to residents, visitors and tourists. It is not the largest in Poland, created in a single plane living wall of 150 sqm. As many as 6,500 plants have been planted in the waterproof, flame-retardant structure, which ensures proper vegetation conditions. Both the investor and the authorities of Szczecin hope that the green wall will become one of the main attractions of Poseidon, as well as the city itself. The image of an environmentally friendly and user-friendly facility is complemented by a garage equipped with charging stations for electric cars and 100 spaces for bicycle parking. The investor has restored Poseidon's socializing and cultural function - creating a comprehensive space for conscious, energetic people, deciding the future of the environment in which they live.
Construction embedded in the ecological strategy of cities
The construction of buildings of this class is part of the environmental strategy pursued by the city and the region. Posejdon has been recognized for the pro-environmental solutions it has applied, as demonstrated by the 20 million zloty grant awarded by the West Pomeranian Voivodship Board. The subsidy received supported the creation of thermal insulation of the building reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The investment also enjoyed the recognition of the European Investment Bank, which had previously credited similar projects in Germany and Scandinavia, among others. The interest of such entities puts Szczecin's Poseidon on a par with exemplary investments from abroad. What's more, the facility meets in advance the stricter future energy consumption standards applicable to all buildings in Poland that will receive a building permit after January 1, 2021.
Poseidon's success paves the way for investors across Poland and helps dispel the myth of energy inefficient office buildings. It also raises awareness about carbon emissions at all stages of a building's life cycle, and highlights the role that green buildings play for sustainable development.
