Younic Dübendorf Residential Complex
The project entailed the construction of a new residential building in Dübendorf, Switzerland. Spanning across 17,000 square meters and comprising six floors, the building does not incorporate district heating or cooling systems.
The Project
The project entailed the construction of a new residential building in Dübendorf, Switzerland. Spanning across 17,000 square meters and comprising six floors, the building does not incorporate district heating or cooling systems. In summer 2022, the UBS Property Fund Swiss Mixed Sima funded the ‚Younic’ residential development in Dübendorf. This project includs two building complexes with a total of 228 flats and a car park with 150 parking spaces.
The construction used exclusively sustainable concrete (Zirkulit), with bored piles serving as energy storage, and heat will be recovered from wastewater. According to UBS, the property, set to be certified with the SNBS Gold Standard, is currently under construction. Excavation work has been completed, and the shell construction and insertion work are in progress. The shell of the building is expected to be finished by summer 2024, followed by interior work. Consequently, the flats are projected to be ready for tenants by spring 2025.
The Hydronic Challenge
This project serves as a reference case for sustainable construction practices. Zirkulit, a highly sustainable form of concrete, utilised extensively in the construction process. The foundation incorporated bored piles, which not only offer structural support but also serve as a thermal energy storage system. Furthermore, a heat recovery system was implemented to capture waste heat from the wastewater stream, contributing to a significant reduction in the building’s environmental footprint.
The Solution
Our system solution aimed to achieve exceptional energy efficiency, meet stringent sustainability standards, and maximise potential financial benefits for the customer. The project adhered to various standards and certifications, including Minergie, Minergie-ECO, SIA Energy Efficiency Path, 2000-Watt Site, and SNBS Gold Standard Certification (Swiss Sustainable Building Standard). Notably, price considerations were not a focal point in this project.
Regarding energy savings, the construction project incorporated an innovative system that extracted heat from wastewater containing human waste. This captured thermal energy was then redirected to fulfill the building’s heating requirements, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. Additionally, this strategy contributed to a sustainable waste management approach. The general challenge was that the system transformed part of its heat from wastewater, so expansion vessels were not necessary in this context.
IMI was chosen as a supplier because of the very good collaboration and their strong connection with the customer. The planners/designers who used the products primarily focused on pressure maintenance and valves, mainly from competitors, although they were able to also use a few TA-Compact and -Modulator units. They selected our products based on our recommendations and the significant level of trust established. Our provision of comprehensive support and expert advice also influenced their decision. They valued not only the support but also the high-quality service we provided, which represented a considerable added value and ultimately convinced them of our offerings.