LUV8: Extraordinary architecture. Intelligent automation.
From the very beginning, it was clear to architect Torsten Michelmann that his latest project would be fully automated with Loxone technology. Making the LUV8 yet another example of Loxone’s versatility.
With its stunning design, the LUV8 isn’t just an eye-catcher, it’s an architectural masterpiece. It’s one of the most modern office buildings in the whole of Germany. So we’re very pleased our newest office is based within this magnificent building. However, it isn’t just the Loxone office that is automated with Loxone – the whole of the LUV8 is! Seven Miniservers have been used to ensure that this 3,350 m2 building is completely automated.
Facts at a glance
Location
North Germany
Size
3,350 m2
Loxone Partner
prodoing GmbH
What’s included?
3 Miniservers in a client/gateway grouping + 4 Miniservers for the companies occupying the building
Temperature management through control of the heat pump and Loxone Valve Actuators
Control of the central ventilation system via the Loxone Damper Tree and negative pressure monitoring
Temperature monitoring of car park with a 1-Wire Temperature Probe
Energy Management including production monitoring
Lighting with: LED Spot RGBW Tree, LED Pendulum Slim Tree, LED Ceiling Light Tree, LED Ceiling Spot WW Tree, DALI Extension, RGBW 24V Dimmer Tree, Relay Extension
Building Monitoring via Nano DI Tree, Motion Sensor
And much more…
(c) Michelmann-Architekt GmbH
Through Loxone, we found a Partner who understood our vision and ensured that everything worked just as we imagined it.
Miniserver in a client-gateway grouping
The LUV8 has an underground carpark, restaurant and five offices spread over four floors. To control and monitor the building as a whole, Loxone Partner Wolfgang Schnepel used a client-gateway grouping of the Miniservers. Allowing the owner of the LUV8 to rest easy knowing that his investment is safe, while also giving individual control to each office.
As a long-term Loxone Partner, I have already completed a number of projects – many in the commercial sector. The bigger a project is, the more complex it usually becomes. That’s why I rely on Loxone because I’m able to keep the system flexible. If a customer has a special request, I can take advantage of how versatile Loxone is as a solution. For the LUV8, for example, we have automated an underfloor heating system. With other systems, you can reach limitations here.
Sustainability
It wasn’t just aesthetics that were important on this project, energy-efficiency and sustainability were also very important to the owner and also the local council. To help achieve this the following hardware was used in the LUV8:
- Heat pump including ground probes
- A centralised ventilation system
- Solar panels with battery storage
Thanks to the Loxone Partner, these components (along with the building’s shading) are intelligently working together in one ecosystem.
For this, he used the Climate Controller Function Block within Loxone Config, which controls the heat pump. The building can automatically switch between heating and cooling mode to efficiently regulate the temperature. To make things even more complex, the building actually has two heating and cooling systems working together. The central system plus an additional underfloor heating/cooling system. However, thanks too Loxone they work together in perfect harmony.
The fresh air supply is completely automated via a combination of the ventilation system and mechanical openings within the window frames. For cooling in the summer months, Wolfgang and his team configured a ‘night-purge’ ventilation system. This essentially involves keeping windows closed during the day but then opening them at night to flush warm air out of the building – which is an extremely energy-efficient solution. This is done by controlling the skylights using a Nano 2 Relay Tree.
Certain areas of the building are supplied with ‘in-house’ electricity from the solar panels. Energy from the panels is stored within a battery then distributed accordingly based on the demand – a great example of Loxone’s intelligent energy management capabilities.
Other Loxone Features in the LUV8
Underfloor heating of the car park
In order to prevent the entrance of the underground car park from freezing, a monitoring system has been put in place using 1-Wire Temperature Probes. If the temperature, drops below a predefined value, the underfloor heating is activated through a combination of a heat exchanger and water-glycol.
Access with NFC
Access to any large building is a security issue. It’s important that only the right people can enter and that people only have access to areas which are relevant to them. The NFC Code Touch and NFC Key Fobs provide an easy access control solution for the LUV8. Access through the main entrance, underground car park and to particular rooms is managed in this way. Guests can simply ring the respective company through the Loxone Intercom XL.
Security
With the Alarm Siren, Door & Window Contacts and Motion Sensors, the building is armed to detect and deter any potential intruders. Smoke detectors and Water Sensors provide protection from fire and water by immediately notifying the relevant parties in the event of an emergency.
More pictures from the LUV8 and Loxone Office:
(c) Michelmann-Architekt GmbH
– Special Tip –
Create Automation
The Loxone Miniserver is the perfect tool for intelligent automating projects of all kinds. From smart homes, commercial premises and custom applications.
Learn more about Loxone being used in a commercial environment.