Eidos

he building was conceived with the objective of minimising the energy consumption with full respect for the environment.
For this reason, the use of geothermic air-conditioning has been opted for, since it is more efficient than the traditional systems because it exploits the warmth which already exists underground.
The annual energy saving is equivalent to 46%.
The terrain contains an inexhaustible source of heat: the average temperature of the terrain at about the depth of 100 mt is of about 12°C throughout all the year. The consistency of the underground temperature involves a double beneficial effect: during winter the terrain has temperatures which are warmer than the air, while in summer the terrain has a cooler temperature.
To exploit the availability of this source at consistent temperature, the use of devices called heating pump is resorted to. These absorb the heat from the terrain, raise the temperature thereof and convey it to the environment to be heated. In summer, the cycle is reversible: they absorb heat by cooling the environment and they transfer it to the terrain.
This takes place by using electrical energy but it is important to note that the energy consumed is by far less with respect to the energy which is recuperated from the terrain under the form of heat. The efficiency of these devices is very high: 1 KW of electric energy can be transformed in about 4-5 kW of thermal energy.
The heat in the terrain is used by transporting it to the surface by means of 30 geothermic probes, in appropriate tubes inserted in the ground at a depth of 100m. Two large cryoscopic tanks contain special accumulators, to store the heat or the cold produced during the night. The accumulation system enables the reduction the cost of the system by 50% (heat pumps and geothermic probes). Half of the energy can be produced and accumulated during the night and then used during the day. One hopes that even in Italy the cost of electric energy during the night can be reasonably reduced when compared to the day cost.
With regards to the air-conditioning of the rooms, there is an Air Treatment Unit which diffuses the air in all the building by means of cold beams and ceiling fan convectors. The cold beams are new types of convectors where the air is made to circulate in the environment by using the Venturi effect of the primary air rather than through a motorised fan: the former are silent and not subject to breakdowns.
The air is made to circulate by collecting a certain amount of fresh air from outside. A special intercooler allows for the recovery of thermal energy from the air which comes out in a way to pre-heat the incoming new air.




Lightened Slabs
The objective was that of eliminating the concrete from the floor where, statically, it develops its least useful effect, optimizing both the thickness of the floor and the quantity of the material used. For this reason a decision has been taken to realize the floors by using the Cobiax boards: through the use of reinforcement grids containing the lightening bodies made up of high density polythene spheres, a modular constructive system is obtained for the realization of plate reinforced concrete slabs cast on site on the shuttering.


Ventilated facade
The facades of the building are characterised by an interstice between the coating and the wall support which allows therefor.


Low-Emission glasses
The glasses which cover the remaining facades are solar controlled low-emission glasses, which, thanks to their very high thermal rendering filter the rays of the sun but not the light.


Green roof
The building’s roof is covered with soil and equipped as a roof garden, a natural insulation and a green space to be used by all.




An integral building automation system has been installed so as to automate the maximum number of operations.