Ventilation and geothermal energy
From the cylindrical air intakes located in the exterior, the outside air passes through the serpentine ducts located underneath the building. Here, the outside air exchanges thermal energy with the building’s main thermal storage mass whose temperature is naturally maintained at a constant 15ºC throughout the year. During the summer months, this naturally-cooled air is introduced via one set of ventilation ducts (blue system) to ‘recharge’ the thermal storage material (gravel) within the walls. Another set of ventilation ducts (green system) introduces the naturally treated air into the building spaces at a comfortable temperature all year round.
