Concrete Core Activation

[Margaret and Rijk Rietveld]

We are going to try concrete core activation on the INHolland University project, in combination with a bubble deck floor system. The concrete floor has radiant heating and cooling pipes in it, so the ventilation ducts are cut in half, because you don't need to heat or cool the air. The air duct system is just to provide fresh air. The concrete floor will provide heating and cooling. With this system, there is no suspended ceiling, so, the extra cost of the concrete floor is offset by the cost saving in the ceiling.

We have used radiant ceilings as well as variable volume recirculation units, with a reduced air system, but never the concrete core activation system. We love to learn new green applications.

[Margaret and Rijk Rietveld]

Bubble Deck floor:

[Margaret and Rijk Rietveld]

Diagram:

[ardbuijsen]

The best thing about this is, architecturally of course, that you get rid of these fugly suspended ceilings. What probably needs more attention is the installations. These might come in sight so you have to take them into account during design I think. I have once seen a great example of this in Bern (CH). All the services were laid out by the architect very precisely, like Swiss clock works. Amazing. I sadly don't have a picture of this.

[Margaret and Rijk Rietveld]

We keep the suspended ceilings in the central area, just the last 7.2m to the facade has no ceiling.

The supply air ducts can be integrated in the bubble floor, as well as the sprinkler and other stuff that normally is spread around in the suspended ceiling.

Radiators are not necessary, because the floor becomes the radiator.

Data (and the flexibility thereof) and sound absorption are areas of special attention