A Stuttgart research project with GEIGER

With its self-learning building automation, "B10" is the first fully functional active house in the world. As part of the "LivingLab BWe mobil" project network, the building designed by the Stuttgart architect and construction engineer Werner Sobek provides insights on how to achieve a stronger connection in the future between energy efficiency, electric mobility and sustainable energy generation in the urban district. "B10" fulfils all the requirements demanded by the Triple Zero concept developed by Sobek: the building generates more energy than it needs itself, does not produce any emissions whatsoever and can be recycled without leaving behind any residual waste. Right from the start, the sun protection – operated by GEIGER quality motors – is involved in the planning and organization of the energy concept.

The research project named “B10“ , abbreviated from the address Bruckmannweg 10, is located in the heart of Stuttgart’s famous Weißenhof Estate. In fact, Werner Sobek and the builder, E-Lab Project GmbH, a subsidiary of the Stuttgart Institute of Sustainability Foundation, could not wish for a better location for the small, fine research pavilion as "B10" has a similar mission as once its famous neighbours. While in 1927 world-renowned architects designed models of future building and living, “B10“ shows today how innovative materials, constructions and technologies can sustainably improve our built environment.

From the outset, the architecture also includes aluminium Venetian blinds from Warema which are operated by the high-performance sun protection motors GJ56 from GEIGER. Developed and manufactured in Germany the electric drives GJ56 .. with a mechanical end stop have proven themselves millions of times over in daily use. They are characterized by reliable components, safe and fast installation in all standard head rails and optimum torque adjustment.

"B10" is designed as a modular building and consists of components prefabricated in the factory. Within a day, the building was delivered to the construction site and closed with a glazed frontage. The modules for functions such as kitchen, washroom, electrical system and technical building equipment have been produced independently of the rest of the building. Exemplary for these "technology racks" is the automotive industry where individual elements are produced independently of the actual production process to increase the efficiency and are subsequently inserted as a whole into the automobile.

The building is made of a highly insulated timber panel construction and completely closed on three sides. On the north-west side, a newly developed vacuum insulating glazing provides for high transparency with very good thermal insulation properties. Maximum passive solar gains are ensured in the winter season. The terrace in front of the building is attached to a steel supporting structure and can be hydraulically folded upwards. It allows then a complete closing of the glass side of the building so that the heat-insulating properties are further improved.

Moreover, the external Venetian blinds from Warema, which are reliably operated by the GEIGER motors GJ56 .., make a significant contribution to the reduction of cooling loads and energy requirements.In the hot summer months they prevent indoor spaces from heating up and thus provide a comfortable room climate. In winter, the short-wave solar radiation is absorbed through the glazing and converted into heat. The air cushion between the window and the closed sun protection prevents the transfer of heat back to the outside.