Amt für Umwelt und Energie

Administration building in Basel built with WICONA’s closed cavity system

Energy-efficient, ecological, aesthetic: With the new Office for Environment and Energy (German: Amt für Umwelt und Energie (AUE)), a showcase project for sustainable construction has been created in the center of Basel. In addition to the innovative wood-concrete hybrid construction and the holistic energy concept, the WICONA closed cavity system made of recycled end-of-life aluminium integrated into the façade also contributes to the high environmental quality and compliance with the Minergie-A-ECO standard.

Energy efficiency, construction ecology and architecture combined

Since the existing AUE building no longer met current needs, the decision was made to construct a new building in the historic city center of Basel. It was important that the new building for the authority enforcing energy-efficient construction projects in the canton of Basel-Stadt also served as a role model in terms of energy efficiency, construction ecology and architecture. The architectural firm jessenvollenweider architektur ag (Basel) planned an administrative building that meets all the requirements of future-orientated construction, while fitting into the listed context.

The eight-storey building was developed as a filigree skeleton construction with a timber frame. In combination with its concrete ceilings, this achieves a high heat storage capacity, which supports night cooling in summer. This principle of consistent room ventilation is just as much a part of the comprehensive energy concept as the high level of heat recovery, use of district heating, use of rainwater, high level of energy recovery via the façade and highly thermally insulated building envelope with the closed cavity system and associated optimal use of daylight. However, that’s not all, as architect Sven Kowalewsky pointed out.

Inside, the almost 80 employees find a friendly environment with modern furnishings. Open-plan offices with island workstations are complemented by flexible open-space areas. A conference room, a utility room and an archive room are located on five of the eight floors. There is a cafeteria with a small terrace on the top floor, and a visitor zone, among other things, on the ground floor next to the reception area.

WICONA systems used

Façades WICTEC MODUL AIR