CONFERENCE
The Project aims at identifying the best outer envelope solution ( the outer shell of the building) for Latvia’s climate, mostly built from domestic materials and providing with indoor thermal comfort conditions to maintain the lowest energy performance.
„ RE&RE is highly motivated about the project - a sustainable and energy efficient construction is the right direction for the industry. RE&RE has achieved much, however, local access to raw materials and professional construction management should be considered as the key factor to maintain people and environment-friendly premises for life and work. Like nutritionists suggest eating locally grown vegetables and fruit, we suggest looking for solutions adapted to our climate, temperature fluctuations, and geographical characteristics. Testing of different building materials according to their characteristics will allow engineers, architects and builders to apply materials with optimal energy saving values and thus increase building sustainability, as well as raise people’s quality of life and build harmony with the environment,” says Didzis Putniņš, RE&RE general executive.
Within the Project 5 identically constructed built- stands will be made of disparate materials. The use of domestic raw materials and locally produced and/or popular materials will be prioritised. All the built-stands will have identical windows, doors, roofs and heating/cooling systems with the same air exchange rate. All the built- stands are to be placed outside, at the UL Botanical Garden premises under the same conditions.
„This is a long term project lasting for two years and introducing us with building solution issues. Thus we are able to prepare objective and evidence-based recommendations for building professionals, manufacturers and lawmakers of forthcoming normative documents of the Republic of Latvia, as well as to implement „almost” zero-energy building targets as set in the EU directives. Striving for welfare of man and the environment, as long term winners, lies behind all these terms and tests.” Andris Jakovičs, Associate Professor, Dr.Phys. and Project manager says speaking about the Project’s expected results.
Translated by students of the professional study programme Translator of the University of Latvia.
