- Sun Portal
- Solar Community Nuremberg
- Solar Settlement Cologne-Ostheim
- Solar Community Königsfeld
- Solar Gondola Schauinsland
Sun Portal
Freiburg’s citizen built and financed the Münster church – generations have benefitted from it. At the center of the city stands this holy edifice with the ‘prettiest tower in Christianity.’ A landmark still today, which has shown how local identity can be created and renown worldwide.
Now Rolf Disch Solar Architecture suggests building a new visionary sign for the citizens of Freiburg. The entrance into the city should become a symbol. Here it would be well understood, in a place like Freiburg, where our society is headed. We can build the bridges in a solar era. The basic idea is simple and functional: the train station bridge will be roofed and the roofing will be the largest solar power plant for the city.
Such a symbol must fulfill the highest aesthetic demands. The design, form follows function: a filigree support structure carries a transparent-floating arc made from photovoltaic units. A Bridge and solar roof span East and West, over North and South axes of the train station and railways. The city and the Deutsche Bahn (German Rail Co.) together can set the signal for sustainability and initiative – with the Sun Portal.
The concept was meant as a model, which can be implemented in train stations across Germany and abroad. The fundamental situation for pedestrians and public and individual transportation to cross train tracks located in the middle of the city is typical in Europe. More practical and aesthetic forms are the best solution. On top of that one can thereby gain energy, with citizens’ investments, which will yield a solar income return.
Mobility and Climate Protection
In the heart of the city where the main regional and local trafficcross, a large futuristic photovoltaic roof design should be built to show the ecological and economical, aesthetic and functional potential of solar energy in the right place at the right time.
It is the right time, in so far as politics and the economy have recognized the necessity of climate protection; and the right place because Freiburg and the Deutsche Bahn stand each in their own way for sustainable and environmentally aware transportation and thus also climate protection politics. The city train bridge at the main rail station is Freiburg’s most important connection stop: the cutting site between public local and regional transportation and with the mobility-center “Mobile” also a junction for bikers and pedestrians.
The project location offers splendid architectural, aesthetic and symbolic possibilities. Located between the recently built train station with the Solar Tower and the concert house would be a strong symbol of solar innovation: a sheltering roof that is a power plant at the same time.
The Sun Portal would be the binding bridge between sustainable and future-driven regional and national transportation, between an environmental city and environmental companies.
Solar Architecture
The construction obeys bionic principles: ten „trees,“ two per departure platform, conveyed through a network of limbs that branch out into the roof structure: an aerial sun-forest of functionality. The supporting strains can be made from either steal or textile-reinforced condensed forming woods, a new and novel timber construction technology, that Prof. Peer Haller of the Institute of Steal and Wood Building at the University of Dresden developed.
The roof is made from half-transparent solar modules, letting the light penetrate onto the platforms and at the same time fixing integrated solar technology in the right light: with 100 meters long, an area of about 4,000 m2 and an output of 500 kilowatts – the largest photovoltaic installation in Freiburg.
Retrospect and Prospect
In the late middle ages the Freiburgers bestowed their belief in god and the future of their city with the Münster cathedral and its angelic expression. In the 19th century the train stations served as the "cathedrals" of the industrial world. The 21st Century breaks off from the times of coal, oil and nuclear and arrives in a solar era. Today let’s set a collective symbol for climate protection and for supporting renewable energy!
P.S.: Do you love soccer?
... then you know like every sports fanatic in all of Germany, that solar energy is generated on the roof of the stadium in Freiburg. It is indeed the buzz, that we have the only soccer coach who is solar energy powered…
The idea of the Sun Portal is in principle the same as with Freiburg’s Dreisam Soccer Stadium: we used the existing built area, in order to make energy gains; a prominent area, an area with higher symbolical power. Such a structure would be congenially perceived and creates a trendsetting image. The Deutsche Bahn (German Rail Co.) can also have part in the Freiburg Sun Portal.
The Sun Portal for Freiburg – and all train stations in Germany
Now Rolf Disch Solar Architecture suggests building a new visionary sign for the citizens of Freiburg. The entrance into the city should become a symbol. Here it would be well understood, in a place like Freiburg, where our society is headed. We can build the bridges in a solar era. The basic idea is simple and functional: the train station bridge will be roofed and the roofing will be the largest solar power plant for the city.
Such a symbol must fulfill the highest aesthetic demands. The design, form follows function: a filigree support structure carries a transparent-floating arc made from photovoltaic units. A Bridge and solar roof span East and West, over North and South axes of the train station and railways. The city and the Deutsche Bahn (German Rail Co.) together can set the signal for sustainability and initiative – with the Sun Portal.
The Sun Portal for Freiburg
The concept was meant as a model, which can be implemented in train stations across Germany and abroad. The fundamental situation for pedestrians and public and individual transportation to cross train tracks located in the middle of the city is typical in Europe. More practical and aesthetic forms are the best solution. On top of that one can thereby gain energy, with citizens’ investments, which will yield a solar income return.
Mobility and Climate Protection
In the heart of the city where the main regional and local trafficcross, a large futuristic photovoltaic roof design should be built to show the ecological and economical, aesthetic and functional potential of solar energy in the right place at the right time.
It is the right time, in so far as politics and the economy have recognized the necessity of climate protection; and the right place because Freiburg and the Deutsche Bahn stand each in their own way for sustainable and environmentally aware transportation and thus also climate protection politics. The city train bridge at the main rail station is Freiburg’s most important connection stop: the cutting site between public local and regional transportation and with the mobility-center “Mobile” also a junction for bikers and pedestrians.
The project location offers splendid architectural, aesthetic and symbolic possibilities. Located between the recently built train station with the Solar Tower and the concert house would be a strong symbol of solar innovation: a sheltering roof that is a power plant at the same time.
The Sun Portal would be the binding bridge between sustainable and future-driven regional and national transportation, between an environmental city and environmental companies.
Solar Architecture
The construction obeys bionic principles: ten „trees,“ two per departure platform, conveyed through a network of limbs that branch out into the roof structure: an aerial sun-forest of functionality. The supporting strains can be made from either steal or textile-reinforced condensed forming woods, a new and novel timber construction technology, that Prof. Peer Haller of the Institute of Steal and Wood Building at the University of Dresden developed.
The roof is made from half-transparent solar modules, letting the light penetrate onto the platforms and at the same time fixing integrated solar technology in the right light: with 100 meters long, an area of about 4,000 m2 and an output of 500 kilowatts – the largest photovoltaic installation in Freiburg.
Retrospect and Prospect
In the late middle ages the Freiburgers bestowed their belief in god and the future of their city with the Münster cathedral and its angelic expression. In the 19th century the train stations served as the "cathedrals" of the industrial world. The 21st Century breaks off from the times of coal, oil and nuclear and arrives in a solar era. Today let’s set a collective symbol for climate protection and for supporting renewable energy!
P.S.: Do you love soccer?
... then you know like every sports fanatic in all of Germany, that solar energy is generated on the roof of the stadium in Freiburg. It is indeed the buzz, that we have the only soccer coach who is solar energy powered…
The idea of the Sun Portal is in principle the same as with Freiburg’s Dreisam Soccer Stadium: we used the existing built area, in order to make energy gains; a prominent area, an area with higher symbolical power. Such a structure would be congenially perceived and creates a trendsetting image. The Deutsche Bahn (German Rail Co.) can also have part in the Freiburg Sun Portal.
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► www.plusenergiehaus.de
Solar Community Nuremberg
On the middle lot on Löwensteinstraße in Nuremberg-Langwasser Rolf Disch Solar Architecture plans a town home development with PlusEnergy houses in contract with the WBG Nuremberg group. Depending on the house type, between 20 and 28 town homes will be built. For both parcels a variety of building types were developed, which differentiate through their width so depending on each row, either one house more or less could be added. Thereby each of the homes differentiates between 108 m2 and 178 m2 in size.
The buildings were designed as all town homes with heat insulation of about 30 cm. The windows are triple-paned heat absorption windows with insulated frames and have a U-value of 0.8-watts/ m²K. The buildings are connected to the pre-existing
local heat network. With a heating requirement of about 15 kWh/m²a and a large-bodied PV module on the roofs, we achieve a formidable energy surplus, with the primary energy as well as the end energy. Every house is hence its own power plant that feeds its surplus into the power network.
With this project the Power-Box is to be used: the entire energy and other house technology, all the installations, kitchen, bathroom, technical room indexing will be integrated into one pre-made module that is delivered complete to the building site. The Power-Box can be located in the north side of the home, so that all the bedrooms are on the south side and exposed to the sun. Alternatively additional bedrooms can be added on the north side.
Solar Community Nuremberg
Elevation and Floor Plan
The buildings were designed as all town homes with heat insulation of about 30 cm. The windows are triple-paned heat absorption windows with insulated frames and have a U-value of 0.8-watts/ m²K. The buildings are connected to the pre-existing
Housing Groups Nuremberg - Layout
With this project the Power-Box is to be used: the entire energy and other house technology, all the installations, kitchen, bathroom, technical room indexing will be integrated into one pre-made module that is delivered complete to the building site. The Power-Box can be located in the north side of the home, so that all the bedrooms are on the south side and exposed to the sun. Alternatively additional bedrooms can be added on the north side.
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Solar Settlement Cologne-Ostheim
2,500 residents should inhabit the newly planned Waldbad quarter in Cologne-Ostheim. Rolf Disch Solar Architecture did a case study for the residential building society projecting a solar community, which can considerably improve the PlusEnergy standard again.
The community area borders a swimming lake in the forest – and the water area will expand into the community – a central body of water around which the multistory buildings are grouped. Around this the town homes will stand, while flanked along the access road leading to the community are single stand-alone homes. A wellness-center can be built on the lake, which would enrich the area even more.
The concept contains not only a garden for every row of homes and every single home as well as tenant gardens for the larger residential buildings, rather also generously sized green and play spaces. Next to the swimming lake and forest, traffic is clamed and parking spaces are reduced in the living area for a higher living quality. Naturally the community is nevertheless well connected – for walkers and cyclists with a network of pathways and within walking distance to subway and tram connections, but also by car. The community city center has a kindergarten, playground and market square, which functions as the energy and mobility core with car-sharing center.
The entire community is oriented to the south, in order to guarantee the highest possible solar energy generation with passive design and also with PV systems. In addition a cogeneration heat and power (CHP) unit produces the modest remaining energy necessity – from refined Biogas. That’s how not only the highest energy efficiency but simultaneously how the complete supply of regenerative energy sources is guaranteed. Here is affordable living space that is ecologically superior and comfortable at the same time: the energy surplus of the entire community will mark a new worldwide optimum.
Solar Settlement Cologne-Ostheim
Green concept for Cologne-Ostheim
The community area borders a swimming lake in the forest – and the water area will expand into the community – a central body of water around which the multistory buildings are grouped. Around this the town homes will stand, while flanked along the access road leading to the community are single stand-alone homes. A wellness-center can be built on the lake, which would enrich the area even more.
Sectional diagram of Cologne-Ostheim
The entire community is oriented to the south, in order to guarantee the highest possible solar energy generation with passive design and also with PV systems. In addition a cogeneration heat and power (CHP) unit produces the modest remaining energy necessity – from refined Biogas. That’s how not only the highest energy efficiency but simultaneously how the complete supply of regenerative energy sources is guaranteed. Here is affordable living space that is ecologically superior and comfortable at the same time: the energy surplus of the entire community will mark a new worldwide optimum.
Layout of the Cologne-Ostheim Solar Community
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Solar Community Königsfeld
The municipality Königsfeld is planning the development of a five hectare parcel: a new, exemplary urban district will be built, which is to be especially attractive for young families but also where multigenerational living or living and working in the same area should be offered. High merit is given to sustainability built communities in new neighborhoods. From the get-go citizens will partake in the planning process.
The Königsfeld Solar Community should be an exemlary flagship project, which possesses regional and nationwide attraction and vibrancy. For the optimal solar utilization all of the buildings in this project, they are all oriented to the south. With the possibility to exceed the general standards of energy saving and passive building and leap into the PlusEnergy world. The Plusenergiehaus® exhibits a positive energy balance and thus earns return income instead of ancillary energy costs and most of all it offers energy autonomy and energy price security. There are different methods to generate the minimal remaining energy needs as well.
In the western section of the parcel, groups of duplexes and town homes should be built. Also in the eastern section freestanding one and two family homes are to be erected. Designed for a second construction phase along the south boundary, bordering a golf course, were vacation homes and a hotel to boost tourism. The size and level plan for the buildings remains as variable as possible, in order to give investors and family residents lots of flexibility and individuality.
An existing stream will be incorporated to the design as an attractive open green area that flows from the north to the south, fed from the surface water of the community. This is not only how an appealing free space is created but also how ecologically expedient rainwater management is reached. The existing trees will be left to enrich the greenery of the solar community.
For the development many previously existing structures will be used: the existing forest road in the west and north will become the development’s main road and will lead from there to cul-de-sacs. The hairpin bend at the end will be developed as a community courtyard. The inactive and flowing traffic should encroach as little as possible on the living quality, communication and playing opportunities. An attractive network of pathways was made with consideration to the existing structures. Through new walking and biking paths the Königsfeld solar community can reach the city center with ease.
Landscape, paths and areas with lots of play options offers a paradise for the young and old. Each projected duplex, town home and single home have more than enough gardens and free space. It remains “air” for later possible development. The building area allows different home sizes for living and working as well as sustainable multi-generational living. The attractive development will cater to owners as well as the investor and tenants. It produces no emissions and preserves the climatic spa of Königsfeld with healthy air.
Because the ancillary costs for the resident stay long-lastingly low and the solar homes indeed generate return income through energy gains, right now this real estate is also economically interesting: these are remarkably enduring and collection-ready capital invesetments and regional based capital means community business development.
Solar Community Königsfeld
Solar Community Königsfeld (Design Model)
The Königsfeld Solar Community should be an exemlary flagship project, which possesses regional and nationwide attraction and vibrancy. For the optimal solar utilization all of the buildings in this project, they are all oriented to the south. With the possibility to exceed the general standards of energy saving and passive building and leap into the PlusEnergy world. The Plusenergiehaus® exhibits a positive energy balance and thus earns return income instead of ancillary energy costs and most of all it offers energy autonomy and energy price security. There are different methods to generate the minimal remaining energy needs as well.
In the western section of the parcel, groups of duplexes and town homes should be built. Also in the eastern section freestanding one and two family homes are to be erected. Designed for a second construction phase along the south boundary, bordering a golf course, were vacation homes and a hotel to boost tourism. The size and level plan for the buildings remains as variable as possible, in order to give investors and family residents lots of flexibility and individuality.
An existing stream will be incorporated to the design as an attractive open green area that flows from the north to the south, fed from the surface water of the community. This is not only how an appealing free space is created but also how ecologically expedient rainwater management is reached. The existing trees will be left to enrich the greenery of the solar community.
For the development many previously existing structures will be used: the existing forest road in the west and north will become the development’s main road and will lead from there to cul-de-sacs. The hairpin bend at the end will be developed as a community courtyard. The inactive and flowing traffic should encroach as little as possible on the living quality, communication and playing opportunities. An attractive network of pathways was made with consideration to the existing structures. Through new walking and biking paths the Königsfeld solar community can reach the city center with ease.
Landscape, paths and areas with lots of play options offers a paradise for the young and old. Each projected duplex, town home and single home have more than enough gardens and free space. It remains “air” for later possible development. The building area allows different home sizes for living and working as well as sustainable multi-generational living. The attractive development will cater to owners as well as the investor and tenants. It produces no emissions and preserves the climatic spa of Königsfeld with healthy air.
Because the ancillary costs for the resident stay long-lastingly low and the solar homes indeed generate return income through energy gains, right now this real estate is also economically interesting: these are remarkably enduring and collection-ready capital invesetments and regional based capital means community business development.
Solar Community Königsfeld (Layout)
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Solar Gondola Schauinsland
The Schauinsland is the “native mountain” of Freiburg, a nearby recreation area for summer and winter excursions. A spectacular and enjoyable gondola ride up and down belongs to the Schauinsland experience. The mountain station of the gondola is an interesting structure, built in the 1930’s. The most recent evaluation yields that the winter snow load on the building’s roof according to today’s standards possibly needs structural retrofitting. Rolf Disch Solar Architecture was commissioned for a case study that should consider two functions: a solution to the structural problem and the regenerative energy supply for the gondola.
The feasibility of a solar roof that would canopy over the entire building with an independent load carrying system was certified:
it covers an area of about 2,350 m². The load bearing frame is made from hot-tip galvanized steal with main binders and subcarriers. The roof pitch is oriented to the south, it about 7° and follows the natural land run. Virtually the entire roof area (2.325 m²) can be used for the photovoltaic installation. The installation is a monocrystaline semitransparent photovoltaic unit with a presumed output of 13%. The roof drainage will run off the southside.
That is how an ecological notion would further the positive effect of its environmental image on its operator VAG (Freiburg Transportation Inc.). “Solar Mountain World” could be the new name for Schauinsland, the native mountain of the solar city. The solar roof would be a further more significant building stone in
the city’s eco-portfolio. A visit to the Schauinsland peak with Germany’s first solar gondola and “solar dinner” at 1,200 m elevation could be the ‘cherry-on-top’ conclusion to a wonderful city tour.
For the solar roof two basic designs were looked at. The first with full snow load capacity (640 kg/m2) will carry the full load. The second variation with a reduced snow load capacity of 50 kg/m² will function to melt the snow. The surface level which is impacted by the snow will have a temperature of about +2° to +3° in order to melt it.
In order to warm the surface level of the solar module two solutions were suggested: either use a de-icing integrated power
inverter, which will melt the snow with solar power. Or it could be melted with “air hot springs,” by using an earth heat exchanger and an above-earth heat insulated hose or tube system to blow warm air under the module (about +7°). The system works alone without ventilation through thermodynamic uplift.
The structural problem would be elegantly solved and a stunning unity would be found between a landmarked mountain station from the 30’s and a contemporary architecture work, carefully embedded in an equally spectacular natural landscape. The total energy needs for the operation of the gondola could be carried out with renewable energy, and would sprout a future flagship project for the “Green City” of Freiburg.
Solar Gondola Schauinsland
Schauinsland gondola station's solar canopy
The feasibility of a solar roof that would canopy over the entire building with an independent load carrying system was certified:
Gondola valley station's solar canopy
That is how an ecological notion would further the positive effect of its environmental image on its operator VAG (Freiburg Transportation Inc.). “Solar Mountain World” could be the new name for Schauinsland, the native mountain of the solar city. The solar roof would be a further more significant building stone in
Mountain station solar canopy
For the solar roof two basic designs were looked at. The first with full snow load capacity (640 kg/m2) will carry the full load. The second variation with a reduced snow load capacity of 50 kg/m² will function to melt the snow. The surface level which is impacted by the snow will have a temperature of about +2° to +3° in order to melt it.
In order to warm the surface level of the solar module two solutions were suggested: either use a de-icing integrated power
Parking lot solar canopy for the gondola (valley station)
The structural problem would be elegantly solved and a stunning unity would be found between a landmarked mountain station from the 30’s and a contemporary architecture work, carefully embedded in an equally spectacular natural landscape. The total energy needs for the operation of the gondola could be carried out with renewable energy, and would sprout a future flagship project for the “Green City” of Freiburg.
