'inHaus2' project, Duisburg – Large innovation centre

The purpose of the flexible development centre 'inHaus2', which is scheduled to be completed by mid-2008, is to test 'intelligent' technical systems for hotels, hospitals and nursing homes as well as to investigate to what extent office buildings can be adapted to varying types of use and quite different occupants. 'inHaus2' has an effective area of 3,500 m².

KRANTZ KOMPONENTEN, who have an excellent reputation as manufacturers of customized HVAC systems and products, are involved in this research & development project. KRANTZ KOMPONENTEN are focussing here on decentralized air conditioning.

Decentralized ventilation units convey the outside air and the exhaust air directly through the building facade. In recent years, such units have come into use in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as alternatives to centralized HVAC systems.

On the inHaus2 project, room-high ventilation units are to be integrated into elements of the building facade. The unit design was made in consultation with Josef Gartner GmbH, the manufacturer of the facade elements.

At the core of our development work is the use of PCM (Phase Change Material) intended to store cold energy at night in connection with free cooling.

KRANTZ KOMPONENTEN will also apply the air ionisation system named Leitfähige Luft®. The Leitfähige Luft® system enables a fully ozone-free ionisation of air. Enriching the indoor air with high concentrations of ions – as are found in nature – improves the thermal comfort in the spaces concerned.

The research & development work will take several years; the technical systems will be tested in the course of time and optimized where necessary.

For further information on the inHaus2 project, visit www.inhaus-zentrum.de.