The »Bauhaus Energy Hub« boasts numerous innovative and inspiring solutions for buildings of the future. They rely on sustainably sourced materials for their constructions, including larch and spruce wood. The structural elements were connected using customised, very stable wood nails, meaning that no metal was needed for the interior of the building. The insulation is made of hemp, which can be sustainably grown in the region and is a traditional building material that is being used more and more often. The building relies heavily on energy supplied by photovoltaic and solar thermal sources. Installing and positioning these sources was no easy task as the inner courtyard at the Coudraystraße campus does not always receive the optimal amount of sunlight – it receives none at all during some periods of the year. This, however, is compensated for by precisely aligning the panels in calculated simulations.

In order to come up with appropriate solutions for the challenges posed, the students visited construction trade fairs and engaged in in-depth discussions with photovoltaic, solar thermal and wall heating/cooling manufacturers, which provided students with exciting insight into the professional world.

The chosen solutions have been installed and will be tested under living lab conditions in the »Bauhaus Energy Hub«. The building’s use is a deciding factor; foreseeable set-ups include an exhibition venue and a site for presentations or meetings. The data collected during operation will be compared with earlier simulations so that practical insights can be used in the future.