NEST-Empa ETH Zurich

Switzerland’s NEST High Rise is a Modular Test Bed for the Future of Green Building Technology

09/24/2013

NEST-Empa ETH Zurich

Sourcing data and information on <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/green-building" target="_blank">green building</a> systems and technologies is a bit harder than running computer simulations and analyzing test tubes. To get good data, you have to build it and test it under real-world conditions - which is why researchers in Switzerland are creating a modular plug and play building to test out sustainable systems, materials, and technologies. <a href="http://www.empa.ch/plugin/template/empa/1320/*/---/l=2" target="_blank">NEST</a> will be a dynamic demonstration platform where researchers can insert and test various components building modules, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/renewable-energy" target="_blank">renewable energy systems</a> and much more. Construction on the backbone of the project is set to begin soon, and the Swiss researchers hope to begin testing out their theories by 2015.

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NEST-Empa ETH Zurich

NEST is a collective research project by the <a href="http://www.ethz.ch/about/organisation/ethdomain/index_EN">ETH Domain</a> that is supported by <a href="http://www.empa.ch/" target="_blank">Empa</a>, Eawag, <a href="http://www.zwarts.jansma.nl/" target="_blank">ZJA Zwarts & Jansma Architects</a>, <a href="http://supermanoeuvre.com/" target="_blank">Supermanoeuvre</a> <a href="http://www.block.arch.ethz.ch" target="_blank">ETH Zurich</a>, and <a href="http://www.epfl.ch/">EPF Lausanne</a>.NEST is a collective research project of the ETH Domain and supported by <a href="http://www.empa.ch/" target="_blank">Empa</a>, Eawag, <a href="http://www.zwarts.jansma.nl/" target="_blank">ZJA Zwarts & Jansma Architects</a>, <a href="http://supermanoeuvre.com/" target="_blank">Supermanoeuvre</a> <a href="http://www.block.arch.ethz.ch" target="_blank">ETH Zurich</a>, EPF Lausanne.

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NEST-Empa ETH Zurich

The project consists of a central backbone and a basic grid that can accommodate about 50 living and office <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/modular-housing/" target="_blank">modules</a> that can be periodically changed out.

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NEST-Empa ETH Zurich

The multi-story project will be built out of lightweight and efficient materials to reduce resource consumption while maximizing building potential and strength.

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NEST-Empa ETH Zurich

The plug and play capabilities will allow novel materials, new components and innovative systems to be tested out under real-world conditions.

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NEST-Empa ETH Zurich

Researchers can analyze the systems while tweaking settings to improve efficiency and then build brand new modules when systems are optimized.

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NEST-Empa ETH Zurich

The building will also have the ability to support <a href="http://inhabitat.com/energy/">renewable energy</a> systems to generate power for the project and validate efficiencies.

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NEST-Empa ETH Zurich

When the infrastructure is completed in 2015, the project will be used for studies as well as to provide residences for visiting researchers and other important guests.

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NEST-Empa ETH Zurich

Capabilities of the NEST modular building research center.

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Sourcing data and information on green building systems and technologies is a bit harder than running computer simulations and analyzing test tubes. To get good data, you have to build it and test it under real-world conditions - which is why researchers in Switzerland are creating a modular plug and play building to test out sustainable systems, materials, and technologies. NEST will be a dynamic demonstration platform where researchers can insert and test various components building modules, renewable energy systems and much more. Construction on the backbone of the project is set to begin soon, and the Swiss researchers hope to begin testing out their theories by 2015.

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