Campus of the German Sport University, Cologne

As part of the climate-neutral state administration (KNLV) by 2030, the BLB Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW (building and real estate management North Rhine-Westphaliaha) commissioned a real estate energy concept for the entire campus of the German Sport University Cologne. Our team has developed a comprehensive energy concept (heating, cooling and electricity) and, in parallel, a renovation study for the existing buildings. The aim was to reduce primary energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. At the same time, our concept ensures long-term supply and economic efficiency, considering comfort standards.

LowEx system as a planning tool to reduce CO₂ emissions

We have submitted a plan to the BLB that will gradually make the campus independent of fossil fuels. We are relying on particularly effective renovation measures for the approximately 35 individual buildings, such as insulation measures for the building envelopes, covering the swimming pools at night and modernising the ventilation and air-conditioning systems. At the same time, we have initiated a so-called LowEx system that provides the required energy in an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient manner.

One challenge was that the existing buildings – from the sports hall to the laboratory building – are of different ages and are used in different ways. The degree of technical equipment in the individual buildings also varies. We therefore developed a customised modernisation concept for each of the buildings that meets the different usage requirements.

Environmentally friendly approach to historical buildings

In the historically protected core area of the campus, which is characterised by extensive park facilities and visible clinker brickwork, we have focused on renovation measures that preserve the external appearance of the listed buildings. We suggested insulating the sports halls from the inside and, where possible, preserving the original window frames and only replacing the glazing.

Despite the careful treatment of the building fabric, a significant reduction in the required flow temperatures is made possible. This means that the listed buildings can also be heated efficiently with heat pumps. With the pioneering transformation plan we have developed, the campus's CO₂ emissions from final energy consumption can be reduced by around 70% in the future.

Images: © Atelier Loidl, Berlin | © German Sport University, Cologne