Team:General Contractor: Allreal Generalunternehmung AG, ZürichArchitect: GLASSX AG Architektur & Projekte, ZürichBuilding services: Amstein & Walthert AG, Zürich
The Eulachhof is the first rental flat complex with zero (external) energy use, otherwise known as a passive house, in Switzerland. It consists of two five-storey structures and four two-storey side structures. This results in 136 rented apartments. To achieve the zero energy use special solar crystal and photovoltaics were installed. In addition, further structural measures for efficient energy use were used. The facade is made opaque crystal elements. These multilayer solar crystals (GLASSXcrystal) have the effect of isolation during wintertime and airconditioning in summer. Together with efficient structural measures it was possible to achieve the zero energy goal.The electricity for the building is provided by photovoltaic cells. Therefore the Eulachhof residents do not need to pay extra for any external energy source. Only the personal electricity use (TV, computer, etc.) is externally supplied.
In Switzerland the majority is living in rental appartements. The owners of the appartements can shift the operating cost (heating, electricity, etc.) to the lodger but not the cost of construction. Therefore, it is not attractive for investores to pay higher costs of construction with the aim of lower energy costs during the utilization.With the Eulachpark the investor group Allreal will show that even for investors it is worth to invest in sustainable energy use; e.g. to grade up the attractivity of the location and lower cost for the lodger.
individuals:Attractive appartements with high living comfort and very low energy costs.society:Because of the high percentage of lodger in Switzerland, the society can hope for the announcement effect of this project.economy:Higher costs of investment can be compensated at long term within sustainable savings at the costs of operating. Appartements at commercialy available hire prices.environment: Less fossil fuels, beter energy efficiency, improvement of the carbondioxid balance
The effect of this project for Switzerland can be enormous because of the market for rentals in Switzerland (see explanations above)
Individual:No additional energy is used except the electricity for personal use (TV, Computer, etc.), the total energy use is about two third of an avarage similar building. Lower energy costs for the lodger.Economy:The appartements are rented for an avarage price (approx. 1900 SFr. for a four room appartement). This example shows the economy and investors that it is possible to construct and rent passive buildings at usual market pricesEnvironment:Low carbondioxid emission (almost neutral) and use of sustainable ressources.
Social: Appartements at normal hiring conditions with low energy use are attractive for the habitants.Economical: Independency of uncertain fossil fuel costs trend; Appartements which are suitable for future needs.Ecological: No use of fossil fuels; low overall energy consumption
The market for renting appartements in Switzerland is huge. So far only for business buildings or detached houses, so called passive houses, were erected. The Eulachhof is important, not because it shows the feasibility of a zero energy builiding (that?s already done long time ago) but because it shows its profitabillity.