It uses less energy than it produces. Green building in Mysłowice

It is unique. The eco-friendly building was constructed in Mysłowice in just four months. This was possible thanks to the use of modules. Prefabricated rooms arrived at the construction site and were then assembled on the subsequent floors. The innovative construction is the result of cooperation between the National Centre for Research and Development, DMDmodular and the Cracow University of Technology.

Modular construction is most often associated with the use of containers, which, when put together, allow larger structures to be created. This time it is different. The engineers have succeeded in developing a structure that at first glance is no different from developer housing developments. The building has a simple and modern form. Its white façade is broken by wooden window frames, a black balcony structure and photovoltaic panels. Everything we expect from a modern building. However, the building will not be able to house everyone.

It is a municipal building and will operate like all municipal buildings in the city. Its manager is the Municipal Management Board, so the flats will not be sold,” said Dariusz Wójtowicz, the Mayor of Mysłowice.

The building was constructed as a social multi-family building. It is distinguished by its unique construction, which is based on the use of modules and pro-ecological technological solutions that will reduce electricity consumption and allow residents to save on their bills. The investment was carried out jointly with the Municipal Management Board of Municipal Utilities in Mysłowice, which will expand its stock by 29 finished flats.

The building is located on Karola Miarki Street in Mysłowice. It was created using a total of 56 modules, built in-house. DMDmodular ‘s engineers designed the individual rooms, from the lowest floor to the ceiling. The use of modules influenced the speed of the work. A building designed in this way saves 30-50 per cent of construction time, compared to traditional building construction methods. Construction work in Mysłowice took just four months.

The DMDmodular factory produced finished and equipped modules, which arrived at the construction site already equipped with door and window joinery, internal installations, finished floors, ceilings and fitted bathrooms and kitchens. The future tenants will only need to bring their personal belongings and they can start living. The units available here range from 48.73sqm to 68.21sqm. Two flats have been designed to accommodate wheelchair users.

The project was carried out by the National Centre for Research and Development as part of the ‘Energy- and process-efficient construction’ project, with financial support from the European Funds under the Intelligent Development Programme. Work on this project started as early as 2020, with the main aim of developing green technologies for the construction of residential buildings that are quick to build and cheap to maintain. This is especially important in an era of insufficient housing available on the market and rising prices. The new building in Mysłowice is therefore a model example that can contribute to solving housing problems in Poland.

The building on Karola Miarki Street is powered by renewable energy sources through a ground source heat pump, solar collectors and photovoltaic panels. The latter are on the roof, the south wall and will soon also appear in the form of canopies for parking spaces. In addition, the building is equipped with wastewater treatment and grey water recovery facilities, as well as rainwater utilisation facilities. The water thus collected will be used to water the greenery around the building. In addition, the building is equipped with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, a heating and cooling system and a thermal comfort control system. It is interesting to note that the new building was constructed using recycled building materials. Recycled building materials account for as much as 32.65 per cent of the entire development.

Developed using innovative 3D module technology, the building will produce more energy from renewable sources than it consumes for all the inhabitants’ needs,” says Wojciech Racięcki, director of the NCRD’s Innovative Programme Management Development Department.

How do pro-ecological assumptions translate into practice? The cost of constructing a building in developer condition is PLN 8 800 gross per square metre. With finishing, this amount is PLN 12 650 gross per square metre. Assuming serial construction in the future, the estimated amounts are similar. Photovoltaic panels have been selected throughout the project so that the building generates more energy than it consumes. The energy produced is stored in energy storage.

The Energy and Process Efficient Building project has three iterations. Three building categories were designed as part of the task, covering the social, senior and single-family streams. A single-family building was constructed in Włocławek and a community building in Mysłowice. They are all intended to be exemplary models of environmentally friendly construction that responds to the problems of the modern world.

The undertaking ‘Energy and process-efficient construction’ is being implemented under the non-competition project entitled ‘Raising the level of innovation in the economy through the implementation of research projects through innovative public procurement to support the implementation of the European Green Deal strategy’ under sub-measure 4.1.3 Innovative methods of research management of the Intelligent Development Programme. The project is financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund.

source: NCRD

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