A row house complex as energy producer

Planning:
Arch. DI Erwin Kaltenegger,
nonprofit residential association ELIN GmbH

The row house complex in Weiz (Styria, Austria) consists of 22 residential units with different two floor plans; the orientation of the buildings is optimized for the position of the sun.

The core of the PlusEnergy residential complex is its photovoltaic plant. A 90 m² unit has a 40 m² share of photovoltaic elements. Heating is with air-air heat pumps and geothermal collectors that are within the house. The produced heat not only serves heating purposes but also provides energy for hot water.

A photovoltaic system and heat pumps provide on average 1100 kilowatt stunden hours more energy annually than the row house complex requires.

As insulation material, cellulose was blown into the modular system of the outside walls, while the roofs were insulated with rock wool.  The high degree of prefabrication of the structural system reduced construction time. Insulation under the foundation plate consists of glass foam gravel; like foam glass, it is manufactured from recycling glass and has good insulation values coupled with high compression strength and durability. For reasons regarding energy and costs, no cellars were built.