Pysall Architekten

The Museum Lotnictwa received the Award for the Best Ecological Building in 2010 from the Polish Green Building Council. The concept of: “Sustainability through simplicity and reduction” convinced the jury.

Different temperature zones, natural ventilation and intensive use of daylight minimize the need of energy at its source- the use of natural and well patinating and ageing materials reduces the impact of the environment and future maintenance costs.

The concept is based on natural ventilation in all three wings. Only the cinema and the auditorium will get supply air and exhaust air by means of a heat exchanger with air supply from an earth channel. This allows for warm supply air in winter and cool air in summer. The wings are heated differently, depending on their use: 20° C the offices, 18° C the Education Wing and 15° C the Main Exhibition Wing. Compared to an all-around 20° C room temperature, 40 % of the energy is conserved for heating these 10 m in high and up to 10,250 m³ volume. The big storage capacity of the concrete walls and natural ventilation provide, cooling during the night in the summer.

Directed to the north and with a 200 m² big door, the exhibition is always throughout naturally ventilated during the summer and of no need for air conditioning.

Besides the generous use of daylight through the facade and big skylights; an energy-efficient light system is realized throughout the building. This includes light directing commutator sections and the use of energy saving lamps in combination with motion detectors. Arup International in Cracow planned the M&E and as well the structural services for the project.