- Genk
T2 Campus Genk
On the historic Thor Park site in Genk, a multifunctional nearly zero-energy training centre was built around technology and engineering. The centre welcomes students, employees, entrepreneurs and job seekers alike.
- Execution period. 2014-2018
- Client. Atelier Kempe Thill
- Project type. Construction of a multifunctional Nearly Zero Energy training centre
- Architect. Atelier Kempe Thill
- Studies delivered.
- Engineering
- EPB
- Location. Genk
This training campus of VDAB, Syntra and the municipal education system features a relatively new technique for the climate control of the atrium. This system consists of a ventilation unit with chaotic airflow. This creates a comfort level comparable to radiant heating but with a fast-responding air heating system.
The classrooms and office spaces are further equipped with top cooling via an adiabatic cooling unit, given that the campus is also used in July and August. This reference illustrates that every Client has their own take on comfort, particularly during the summer period. This project features a high airtightness requirement of 3 vol/h. Solar control glass with a low g-value is also applied in combination with fixed horizontal solar shading (low maintenance cost) to limit the heat load in summer.
In terms of insulation, thicknesses and lambda values were chosen that scored on average 10 to 15% better than the imposed limits of the VEA. The compactness of the building was a well-considered choice of the concept in consultation with the Client, architect and engineering/sustainability engineer.
To create a pleasant climate in the classrooms and offices, and with the absolute wish of one of the partners not to provide active cooling, thorough thermodynamic studies were carried out, after which it became clear that only the heavily thermally loaded south-facing rooms needed to be provided with top cooling via an adiabatic cooling unit with an EER of 6. The adiabat was further fed with rainwater.
For the heating installations, waste heat from the training laboratories is used in the first instance, and gas-fired condensing boilers with modulating burners in the second instance. The choice to use gas boilers for heating here is mainly related to the contradiction between the current gas price and the electricity price, and the wish to use fossil-free fuel.
The flexibility of the heating system and top cooling is of great importance and also allows rooms to be adapted, enlarged and changed in function. This is in fact already being implemented during construction for some rooms at the Client's request.
Furthermore, ventilation with heat recovery and CO2 control was chosen, which also has a very significant impact on energy consumption. Regarding the new technique in regulation and climate control, a BAOPT control system on the atrium was chosen in order to achieve the comfort of underfloor heating via an air heating system. This system is based on chaotic airflow at very low speed.
The electrical installation is supplemented with PV panels with an east-west orientation to spread the yield over a full day for maximum self-consumption. For lighting, the BREEAM requirements are followed with occupancy detection per room. The lighting consists of LED lighting.