The aquifer contains both hot and cold water at different levels, and the underfloor system is connected via a network of manifolds to the school’s mono-well, which draws hot or cold water to pass through a plate heat exchanger.
There were two major phases: 12 000 m2 for the school and 2600 m2 for the library. For some parts of the system the Velta Contec core pipes were placed in pre-cast concrete sections. For other parts, they were located in concrete slabs cast in situ.
The system has a high degree of self regulation and operates successfully without individual room thermostats.
Geradl Kemp, Velta’s managing director in the UK says, I have visited this project and was impressed not only by the simplicity of the pumped ground water system but also by the project’s active solar-shading panels and feature acoustic panels.
‘I think it could be a great reference project for similar schemes in the UK. The environment within the school in summer was very pleasant, and the weather in Holland has a similar profile to that of the UK.’
