1. Sweden’s sustainability standards are evident in the European invest-
ment bank in Luxembourg. An outstanding feature of this building is the
use of natural and centrally monitored climatic control zones. Large
artriums and winter gardens act as the buildings lungs and are situ-
ated under the buildings tubular glass shell. This protects against
adverse weather conditions. The winter gardens are neither heated nor
cooled. The carefully selected insulated glass maintains the winter
gardens at the higher temperatures than outside in colder months. In
hot summer months a natural ventilation system creates airflow from
the gardens lower areas to upper vents.
The energy concept of the European investment bank is based on three
key principles aimed at ensuring temperature control and reducing
energy consumption to a minimum:
1. winter gardens and atrium acting as thermal buffers
2. thermal activation of the buildings structure
3. powerful natural ventilation
A system of thermal activation: cold water pipes are set into the con-
crete slabs. The water chilled to 18/19 circulating in the pipes cools
the concrete structure
helix designs inc. - sustainability research 11