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ATP architects engineers has won 1st prize in the competition for a new operational facility for Energie Kreuzlingen in the Swiss canton of Thurgau. The particularly sustainable and functional concept “Venedig” was unanimously chosen by the jury from the 16 entries.

Energie Kreuzlingen has reliably supplied the residents of the town of Kreuzlingen with electricity, natural gas, and drinking water for over 115 years. In order to be able to continue meeting the high ‘security of supply’ requirements, while offering their more than 50 employees an up-to-date workplace, the service provider requires a new operational facility. In addition to a vehicle hall, this should also contain logistics space and an office wing. ATP architects engineers, Zurich, was victorious in the single-stage, open, and anonymous competition.

Architecturally valuable
The winning project convinced the jury with its “well-thought-out basic layout that leads to a well-functioning, expandable, and economic overall complex.”  The focus of the concept was the functionality of the building: “Before we start design work, we address the core process of the building – its complex internal processes – in detail. This understanding also flowed into this project”, says Andrea Bianchi, Head of Design at ATP Zurich, describing the design process that proved its worth.
The concept skillfully positions the operational facility on the site between an industrial zone, a residential neighborhood, and a leisure area on the banks of Lake Constance. By optimizing the layout of the volume, the courtyard for the company’s vehicles was both maximized in size and hidden from the surrounding buildings. The compact and clear volume ensures an excellent ecological footprint, while offering flexible spaces for later expansion and repurposing.

Fit for the future
As a local energy supplier, Energie Kreuzlingen is keen to do justice to its function as a role model. Thanks to the particularly environmentally-friendly building concept from ATP architects engineers – which is fully in line with ATP’s Green Deal – it is even a step ahead of current standards. For example, the high ecological quality is achieved due to the compact building volume with its high level of airtightness and components that are realized to passive house standard (Minergie A ECO). In addition to this, the highly efficient building services include heat pumps that make use of renewable energy. The strict thermal separation of the various working areas (non-conditioned parking places, air-conditioned storage hall, and heated office areas) reduces energy consumption. Additional electricity is generated by the roof-mounted PV plant.

Socio-economic sustainability
Thanks to its compactness, flexibility, and transparency, the architectural concept creates an environment that favors a positive working climate and teamwork. Offices and social and client areas are located on the north side of the building. This position offers them both a direct view of Lake Constance and natural protection against overheating in summer. The dynamic layout of the offices facilitates the “rotation of spaces”: This means that the client area can be shifted to the ground floor or the office areas can be flexibly transformed from individual to open-plan spaces.