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ATMOSPHERIC storeys

Improving indoor air and light with a system at Kiel Science Park

Science Park, office spaces with state-of-the-art building technology were created. A KNX-based building automation system with intelligent light and ventilation control with ESYLUX presence detectors improves quality of life and energy efficiency. Employees also benefit from the flicker-free human centric lighting – provided by CELINE recessed lights with plug-and-play installation.

From beach volleyball to a boules court and shower facilities, a healthy work-life balance is a key element of the Kiel Science Park, a community of some 100 companies with over 1600 employees. The park is right beside the University of Kiel and offers the businesses located there the opportunity to exchange scientific knowledge, to take part in cross-topic and cross-organisational learning, and to experience a culture of innovation. This site is where knowledge work, skills and quality of life intersect. There is also a daycare centre and restaurants for employees.

Red brick on the outside, state-of-the-art building technology on the inside

The names of the buildings themselves pay homage to the particular role of technology in the Science Park. These include the Hermann-Kobold-Haus, named after the German astronomer, or the Konrad-Zuse-Haus, which is dedicated to the inventor of the first computer. Many of the buildings date from the mid-20th century and were fitted out with state-of-the-art building technology after being gutted – to also help the companies based on the site to recruit new specialist staff.

The latest example is the "Einsteineins" building, where a full and mezzanine floor were added to the three storeys of the Science Park. The architects designed the resulting spaces with around 1200 m2 of floor space using drywall based on the open-space concept. Zones with team working spaces alternate with meeting rooms, quiet work zones and telephone cubicles. Glass partitions support the open-space geometry and ensure eye contact at all times. A KNX building automation system provides the ultimate in comfort coupled with energy efficiency.

When the projector is switched on in the presentation room, a presentation mode automatically switches off the light near to the screen and lowers the blinds.

Multi-sensor presence detector for intelligent room automation

ATMO presence detectors from ESYLUX act as compact intelligent control units for this system. Unlike usual presence detectors, they have temperature, humidity and air quality sensors built into a single device along with presence and light sensors. "Customers are often amazed that they don't necessarily need multiple individual sensors in the room", explains electrical engineer Jan-Phillipp Wriedt, Head of Building Technology at dc Services GmbH, which specialises in planning, installing, programming and commissioning intelligent building control systems in the commercial sector. "You should therefore specify the synergies of the ATMO right from the planning stage".

The multisensory presence detector makes optimum use of the multi­disciplinary principle of the KNX bus. On the basis of its temperature measurement, it controls the underfloor heating system. It uses an actuator to open the skylights in the roof automatically where necessary thanks to its air quality measurement based on volatile organic compounds. In the telephone cubicles, it activates the ventilation when fresh air is required and activates the air conditioning in the meeting rooms on the mezzanine floor. "And using switchable sockets", adds Wriedt, "air purification appliances can also be integrated easily".

Presence signal helps energy efficiency

The presence detection from the detector provides another important benefit in operation. It automatically switches on all the devices, but also reliably switches them off to save energy if the rooms are no longer occupied. If a room is empty, it automatically lowers the blinds in summer to prevent the sun overheating the room – which the air conditioning would then have to cool down again later, consuming power in the process.

The DALI controller for the LED lighting in the rooms, which is integrated into the KNX system via a gateway, also switches the ATMO presence detector depending on presence. Using its light sensors, the detector ensures daylight-based constant lighting control where people are present, thus ensuring the right level of illuminance in the workplace. Experience shows that users often forget to switch off appliances, so it does this auto­matically while also optimally exploiting the long service life of the LEDs.

Human Centric Lighting provides lighting sequences similar to daylight in all areas. Implemented with CELINE recessed lights, it is installed quickly and easily using plug-and-play.

Human centric lighting with scene override

For the lighting itself, dc Services opted for human centric lighting, the state-of-the-art variant: lighting sequences similar to daylight that dynamically and automatically change the brightness and light colour. This increases vitality and well-being, stimulates concentration, and improves health too as you get a better night's sleep. "You're not as tired after work", confirms Alexander von Dewitz, site manager of the IT service provider REWE Systems, who, along with his team, benefits from the innovative lighting.
 
The human centric lighting uses recessed lights in the CELINE series from ESYLUX with Tunable White. "The decisive factors in this respect were the superb LED quality, the very low flicker factor and effective glare suppression", explains Wriedt. Users can override the automation in their zone at any time by pressing a button and can select three predefined scenes: An inspiration mode activates dimmed warm white light, a concentration mode bright, cold white light, and a presentation mode automatically switches off the light near to the screen and lowers the blinds when the projector is switched on in the presentation room.

Telephone cubicles offer employees a retreat at any time.

In sanitary facilities too, the ATMO presence detector improves air quality.

On the mezzanine floor, a roof terrace and kitchenette provide a place to relax during breaks.

Time-saving plug-and-play installation

One special feature of the connectors had previously substantially accelerated the installation process: The variants of the CELINE recessed lights used here come with RJ45 sockets. The system could therefore be wired almost completely using plug-and-play thanks to compatible driver sets with RJ45 plugs on one side and WINSTA connectors from WAGO on the other – a compelling argument at a time when electrical installers have to contend with high workloads.

"It's only a matter of time before pluggable solutions are in widespread use in the German market", says Jan-Phillipp Wriedt with certainty. He adds that this practice is already common in other European countries such as France, the Netherlands or Scandinavia, due not least to the growing shortage of trained personnel. Thanks to plug-and-play, Wriedt claims that anyone could wire up the lights without any electrical engineering knowledge. "At our company, it was the drywall specialists", says Wriedt.
"They installed the ceiling panels and recessed lights into the acoustic ceiling and at the same time plugged in the connections according to our wiring diagram. That was it".