21.02.2011

Vilhelm Lauritzen Arkitekter, Lejerbo and Orbicon have developed a new housing concept, the Energi-0 home, to be built in Kolding later in 2011. The project has been selected as part of the EU ‘Sustainable Energy Europe’ campaign.

‘Sustainable Energy Europe’ is dedicated to energy-efficient, sustainable energy solutions. It is an attempt to present an overall picture of European efforts in this field and to spread best practice in sustainable technologies, develop networks, and inspire new ideas and approaches. Some 450 projects and events are currently involved, and the Kolding project is the first housing association project in Denmark to be selected for the campaign.

“Obtaining this EU certification is most satisfying. It is the result of an extremely constructive development process with Vilhelm Lauritzen Arkitekter and Orbicon. We hope that this certification and our continued collaboration will generate even more interest in our Energi-0 concept and the potential it has to offer”, says Ulrik Steen Jensen from Lejerbo.

The Energi-0 Home
The concept has been developed as a series of zero-energy social housing units (this means energy consumption of < 1kWh/m2/year). Such low consumption is achieved by using solar arrays and traps, extra insulation, ventilation plant with heat recycling, and heat pumps. The units are built as prefabricated light constructions in recyclable materials such as timber, aluminium, galvanized steel and zinc.

What makes the Energi-0 Home special is that as well as its low energy consumption it is also affordable. This is vital if the enormous energy savings potential in the 500 000 housing association properties in Denmark is to be exploited.

The Kolding homes
The 39 units offer about 100 m2 of space on two floors. They are cube-shaped, airy and timeless in their architecture and divided into eight blocks sited in pairs on four sloping plateaus. Each unit has its own little garden leading onto the green public spaces, which are equipped with playgrounds. Completion is expected in 2012.

In addition to the Kolding units 600 m2 of six one-storey Energi-0 Homes suitable for the disabled are planned for Tåstrup, also to be built in 2011. More estates are expected to reach the planning state in the immediate future.

Links: Lejerbo (danish) + Sustainable Energy Europe

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