HiLo NEST Switzerland

HiLo is pursuing the principle of "High Performance – Low Emissions“ and demonstrates a lightweight design, with its innovative construction and a self-learning building technology. The HiLo building unit on the roof of the university ETH Zurich’s NEST research building in Dübendorf, Switzerland has a distinctive characteristic such as a delicate, curved concrete roof and highly developed building technology. The two-storey building module was planned and built with the latest design and manufacturing methods.  

Significant elements of the construction principle in the HiLo unit are, in addition to the conservation of material, the reduction of emissions and energy requirement. This is achieved through a combination of different measures, among which is the use of innovative components of the building technology which efficiently regulate the indoor climate. These include an adaptive solar facade developed especially for the HiLo unit, made from photovoltaic modules. 

Electrochromic glazing by SageGlass, which regulates the brightness in the building and serves as solar and heat protection at the same time, were installed. Where fire protection was required due to the proximity to other buildings, fire-resistant glazing with thermal insulating glass units in the form of CONTRAFLAM 30 Climatop triple glazing was used, to provide a high degree of comfort and safety with minimal energy consumption.