Near zero-energy hall

A near zero-energy hall for retail space and commercial premises built by Ruukki Construction.

The purpose of the construction project was to show that a hall exceeding today's strict energy-efficiency requirements by 30 percent can be built for profit. The new structure was designed and realised to enable economic use of the building and optimisation of construction solutions. Optimisation means selecting solutions based on investment outlays, additional usage costs and future savings. In other words, choosing energy savings or yields that generate the best financial revenue during the lifespan of the building.

In Ruukki's concept, buildings must be designed and realised as complete entities – not split up into subareas. This approach is almost contrary to present-day construction, in which design and realisation are distributed to several operators without the complete entity being fully managed.

On the roof of the hall's technical area, a total of 24 Ruukki Classic® solar collectors have been installed. The Classic® solar system integrates with the roof. Ruukki Construction energy piles have been incorporated in the foundation to use renewable energy to heat the building. Solar collectors accumulate thermal energy from the sun during the summer and transfer it to the soil through the energy piles. The soil acts as a seasonal thermal reserve, much like a battery.

Solar power is also used in the outer walls of the building. Ruukki® on-wall solar panels, which generate electricity from the light of the sun for the building's network, were installed on its southern facade.

The sizes and directionality of the building's windows have been optimised for energy efficiency. The large windows are facing south and west. The need for artificial lighting is reduced thanks to the orientation and surface area of windows. The glass windows facing south have been replaced by cell windows made of polycarbonate. These "daylight" windows isolate heat well – the warm rays of the sun during the summer do not heat the premises.

The outer walls of the building have been fitted with Ruukki's energy panel system, with airtight panels and seals between the panels, plinth and roof. The energy panels reduce heating expenses, which in turn reduce building lifetime costs and carbon dioxide emissions.

New types of radiation-based heating and cooling profiles developed by Ruukki Construction have been installed in the building. The profiles have been affixed to the underside of the ceiling. Their generated radiation either cools or heats the interiors, depending on the season and the desired indoor temperature of the building. A new type of indoor heating and cooling system reduces energy consumption caused by ventilation.

Instruments and sensors have been installed in the building structures to measure the functioning of the building's structures as well as the mechanical and electrical solutions, and to verify its energy efficiency.

More information about the building and the project can be found at Ruukki Construction's site.