The sustainable energy industry journal, august 2003

Questions for text:

1. What can you say about zero energy concepts?

2. How may energy production be achieved?

3. What is the basis for 21 ^st century architecture?

4. What role does the zero energy concept create for the roof?

5. Comment on the idea of the “fifth facade”

 

The future for roofing

By Ronald Rovers – Novem

 

Time will tell if we ever reach the stage where roof tiles are just a reminder of the past. But hermetically sealing out the elements will definitely come to an end.

For centuries, man only used roofs and facades as a way to shut out the elements. Only occasionally was this train of thought broken, for example when glass was invented and used on a large scale. Glass enabled man to use the available daylight, and later on to let in solar heat. For other energy supplies from the out­side world, such as electricity and heat, man preferred using pipes and cables.

This development is illustrated by Figure 1. The lower left corner illustrates how house owners' needs are met through the so-called "regulated supply".

The line that is usually drawn in Figure 1 goes from the lower left to the upper right corner. However, it would be much more logical, e.g. more sustainable or ecological, to use the large energy supplies that are available in the free space around the roof: heat, light, radiation and air. Air is traditionally the only free source that man uses inside the house. It is more efficient to try and use as much of the free supply as possible to meet the demand from within the house. There are many applications for free supply, but we use them only sparsely: hot air provided through conservatories and power provided thorough small windmills alongside the house.

Technologies have been developed to utilise the free energy supply: rainwater collectors to provide water, solar collectors to provide hot water, solar cells to provide electricity. Collectors for hot air, such as conservatories or translucent insulating materials, can also be integrated into the house.

The roof itself will change: sloping with eaves to follow the sun optimally, to conduct rainwater and to enlarge the collecting surface. The appearance of roofs will become smoother, more blue and black in colour, with a different surface division. As for the details, new elements will be integrated, replacing the tradi­tional roofing materials.

This development will not only take place in the Netherlands. All over the world, the word "sheltering" will have a different meaning. It will no longer imply that the elements are completely excluded. Instead, it will emphasise the receiving element: the house as a safe haven, but also as a place to collect new energy.

Sustainable energy is becoming increasingly important. Instead of her­metically sealing out the elements, man will utilise them in the house. A new era is on its way, summarised in a Dutch campaign slogan: "The age of the sun starts in theyear 2000". It will be visible on the roofs.

FREE OFFER FREE EXHAUST

 

* Heat * Air

* Light * Heat

* Air * Radiation

* Water * Light

* Radiation * Noise

* Wind

DEMAND

* Heat

* Light

* Air

* Water

* Noise

BOND OFFER * Power BOUND EXHAUST

 

* Electricity * Water

* Gas

* Water

* Radiation

(cable TV etc)

THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY JOURNAL, September 2003

Questions for text:

1. How did man use roofs facades for centuries?

2. Comment on the illustration №1.

3. Tell about the roof itself.

4. How can you explain a Dutch campaign slogan?

 

Mirroring European Change

By Ronald Rovers – Novem

 

The design and visual appearance of roofs across Europe has always been the source of much variety - with every roof por­traying subtle details of its inhabitant's specific life-style and their immediate environment.

In Northern Europe and the Alps roofs are characterised by their slight incline - steep enough to guide rain downwards but not so steep as to discourage settling snow, which serves to insulate the building during severe cold.

Throughout the middle of Europe roofs get a great deal steeper, this is most true of densely populated city areas. In these scenarios steepness is due to space limitations and fiscal restrictions - a steep roof can provide vital extra living space in such an over-crowded environment. In contrast, the norm in undeveloped areas of Southern Europe is that of a flat roof. Such roofs are characteristic of warm climate buildings and the elevated flat space is well employed as a roof terrace.

At the moment a fascinating period of solar development lies before us, and the solar panel will be challenged to adapt and complement all these differing established roof-forms. It is yet to be fully observed how Europe's varied cultures will react to the introduction of new and exciting renewable roofing. However, it is certain that Europe is already mirroring the shape of the things to come and looking forward to a sustainable future.

 

 

New roof on an old school in Gothenburg with new built lanterns for natural ventilation and daylight (Thermie-96 projects. MEDUCA group)