ZEB 2　Takashima City Hall
The Takashima City Hall project was completed in May 2019 and involved the renovation of the existing building and the construction of a new wing. It received the ZEB Ready status based on the sustainability rate achieved by introducing various technologies taking advantage of the local climate and natural features, such as well water, geothermal heat, and prevailing wind.
Situated only 2 km from Lake Biwa, the site enjoys an abundant supply of well water from the Ado River system to be stocked as service water and well water heat as renewable energy to be used in the City Hall. The Thermo Active Building System utilizes geothermal heat for an underfloor air-conditioning system , combined with ceiling fans to optimize its effect to maintain a comfortable indoor environment. Natural ventilation through vents over the stairwell contributes to energy conservation during spring and fall.
The materials with long service lives and smaller environmental footprint, such as polyethylene pipes and eco-cables, are used for easy maintenance and to reduce the buildings’ life cycle cost . The landscaping is designed to blend in with the local network of spring water channels, a distinctive feature of Takashima City, known as the city of water.