BMW Welt is an energy-efficient production plant

Since it is very important these days for you to be extremely green and eco-friendly, BMW took one huge stride further than the rest by building an energy-efficient production plant in Munich, Germany. The plans started in 2003 when BMW set out a design competition for a new building and distribution center. The new center, BMW Welt, designed by architects Coop Himmelb[l]au, has come out as something much more than satisfactory. It features sinuous curves and a gleaming façade and efficient solar heating and natural ventilation systems. It has five thematic blocks: Hall, Premiere, Forum, Tower, and Double Cone, where areas have been reserved for car production, exhibition space, restaurants, shops, and even a business center.

The multifunctional hall was designed as a solar-heated, naturally ventilated sub-climatic area, removing the normal requirements for building heating and ventilation. A natural air supply is generated by thermal currents, wind pressure and turbulences when air accumulates in the area of the façade and roof projection. Air intake and outflow take place through automatically controlled and strategically placed vents providing the Hall with all the air it needs. The center’s Premier section has a system that is fine-tuned to adjust the volume of air intake and outflow and to extract the exhaust fumes directly and pump in fresh air. The Forum, Tower and Double Cone are public spaces with specially incorporated air systems to meet the comfort needs using natural ventilation.



[Inhabitat]