The house is actually a lighthouse in more than one sense. It is a green lighthouse of CO2-neutral buildings up to the UN Climate Conference (COP15); It is a lighthouse of efficient public-private cooperation; and last, but not least, it is a lighthouse for the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen, which will see its student services consolidated under one roof.
The parties involved in the project are the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the University of Copenhagen, the City of Copenhagen and the window producers VELUX and VELFAC.
Green sense
Green Lighthouse will be used by students at the Faculty of Science. In student services they will be able to get information concerning everything from career guidance to exams and subjects. Furthermore, a faculty club for scientists, and others affiliated with the faculty, will be housed in Green Lighthouse.
Pro-vice chancellor at the University of Copenhagen and chairman of the Green Lighthouse steering committee, Lykke Friis states:
- With Green Lighthouse we have proven that it is not rocket science, but primary common sense to construct carbon neutral buildings. The design concept of the house alone contributes to an energy use reduction of 3/4. The unique design involves the optimal use of daylight, an automatic ventilation system and an automatic cooling and heating system. The orientation of the building, with regards to the sun, means that we can take full advantage of solar energy. With Green Lighthouse we kill two birds with one stone; we combine futuristic carbon neutral construction with a modern study and research environment.
A Green Lighthouse
Green Lighthouse was constructed in less than a year. The innovative and climate friendly energy concept of the house will bring attention to Danish competencies regarding sustainable building and public-private partnerships when the UN Climate Conference is held in Copenhagen in December.
Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Helge Sander states;
- Everyone who has had a share in the Green Lighthouse project has every reason to be proud today. It is a stylish, exemplary, climate-friendly construction, which will help focus the attention on Danish know-how during the forthcoming climate summit. At the same time, the building can serve as inspiration to other universities and builders, while also contributing to the construction industry's knowledge base of sustainable building solutions. Let me also congratulate the students and staff of the University of Copenhagen, whom I am convinced will take both pleasure and pride in this great new building.
Top quality indoor climate
Green Lighthouse’s pivotal point and primary energy source is the sun. The house is 950 m2 and is constructed according to the active house principle, meaning that it generates energy. It has its own energy supply containing a combination of solar energy, heating pumps and a district heating never seen before. Green Lighthouse is an energy-efficient building of high architectural quality, allowing a great amount of daylight to enter. The natural ventilation assures plenty of fresh air and a healthy indoor climate.
Through energy design and visionary architecture, the building’s energy consumption is reduced by around 3/4 compared to present building standards. This means that the building is categorised as a class 1, low energy building according to Danish building regulations (BR 08).
Strategic partner, VELUX Group A/S, CEO, Jørgen Tang-Jensen states:
- Green Lighthouse is an excellent example of the standard we can achieve in future buildings. The house demonstrates that we can construct buildings that are climate friendly and functional at the same time. We have built a climate friendly house that offers fresh air and good daylight conditions. It is possible to build a climate friendly house with the standard building components that we already use today.
A green city
The CO2-neutral Green Lighthouse uses architecture, building components and energy consumption in new and innovative ways. Using this combination, the parties involved have created a lighthouse for CO2-neutral building projects, and the unique partnership between public and private in this endeavour will exemplify future sustainable projects in the public sector.
Lord Mayor, Ritt Bjerregaard, City of Copenhagen, states:
- With Green Lighthouse we have demonstrated that it is also possible to build CO2-neutral structures when it comes to office buildings. Green Lighthouse is a perfect example of reaching great heights through new partnerships. In the City of Copenhagen, we are proud to show future building owners how they can contribute to making the city CO2-neutral.
Green Lighthouse is located on Tagensvej 16 in Copenhagen.
For further information, please contact; Charlotte Brix Andersen, Rector’s Office, chba@adm.ku.dk, +45 28 75 41 04 or Jacob Sølling, jacs@adm.ku.dk, +45 2875 2630 www.greenlighthouse.ku.dk
High resolution photos from the opening of Green Lighthouse can be downloaded from; www.greenlighthouse.ku.dk.