Candidate – Poland
Submission by: MARECKIE INWESTYCJE MIEJSKIE SP. Z O.O.
Project name: MARECKIE CENTRUM EDUKACYJNO-REKREACYJNE (MCER), green swamp roofs and public green space in the educational and recreation center in Marki
Short description
The MCER complex is the only eco-friendly public building in Poland with the highest standard of thermal insulation solutions. In the MCER we can find a primary school for 1,200 students and space for sports and culture: a swimming pool with spa, an entertainment hall, a multifunctional sports hall, a public library, a football stadium with outdoor multifunctional playgrounds.
In the MCER the most modern technologies available were used to support the protection of the natural environment. Many of these technologies were used in Poland for the first time!
Characteristic for the buildings are the roofs: a green extensive roof and a green swamp- type roof. That’s why The MCER is a phenomenon on a national scale.
The facility not only meets strict environmental requirements, but also offers students and users an ideal environment to learn and develop their passion.
Social cohesion
The MCER complex was not only built for school students. Most of all, it was built for Marcowians of any age; It is an ecological and beautiful educational, recreational and cultural institution. The complex includes a public swimming pool with spa, an entertainment hall, a public library, a football stadium, a complex with outdoor sports fields and green areas, a playground for children and a road traffic town.
Our main goal is to provide a unique space for creating and strengthening connection between the local community by developing their passions and physical activities.
From the very beginning, this pioneering project (awarded in 2012) assumed the use of the most efficient technological, ecological and environmental solutions, taking into account future pro-ecological education and setting the standard in promoting respect for the natural environment . This, not only in the city and commune of Marki, but throughout Poland as it is becoming a showcase of good, sustainable and green construction.
Biodiversity
MCER complex present unique green and ecological solutions:
- green extensive roofs (30% roofs), swamp roofs (70% of all roof space) which store and retain rainwater, reducing “the heat island” negative effects, clean the air and suppress noise. They have become a habitat for many types of fauna and flora.
- flower meadows around create a greater thickness of the vegetation layer, which provides better conditions for the development of plants and creates a habitat for insects and small animals (it consists of grasses, herbs, perennials, mosses and sedum).
- the nature of the complex area remains as “forest” with the existing old tree species and irregular plantings.
- in the courtyard, green spaces have been separated from the surfaces and the buildings with the ground covering perennials. This results in a naturalistic composition of architectural forms.
- granite blocks crossing these surfaces constitute the border between the species and varieties of perennials and meadow vegetation with plantings of single trees.
Economic factors
The complex is “zero-energy. It consumes as much energy as it produces thanks to the use of a renewable energy system: photovoltaic panels, heat pumps, advanced heat recovery systems and equipment to turn gas into electricity.
The building uses a cogeneration unit that produces electricity. The photovoltaics installation on the roof, with a capacity of 60 kW, produces green energy, which is consumed by the building .
The building also has thermal insulation properties thanks to the described green and swamp roofs, water-saving solutions and retention storages. Therefore, the assumed economic goal, i.e. maximizing energy efficiency and ecological i.e. minimizing the impact on the environment – is achieved. The MCER investment has a significant impact. The number of workplaces have increased and the value of real estate in the city of Marki also has increased through the development of urban infrastructure and an increased attractiveness of the urban space.
Climate
Thanks to used solutions the maintenance of the so-called ecological effect consists of a reduction of the consumption of non-renewable primary energy by nearly 60% and reducing CO2 emissions.
The green and swamp roofs reduce the daily temperature, the impact of UV radiation and reduces environmental pollution. The building is equipped with a BMS system used to control and manage heat and electricity sources, the irrigation system of green areas and water levels in each roof section.
The facility was designed not only to consume electricity from the grid, but also to produce electricity itself. This goal can be achieved through the use of a renewable energy system, such as solar panels, heat pumps, advanced heat recovery and cogeneration systems.
The MCER building received many ecological awards and certificates, f.e. the BREEAM certificate, the GBS certificate etc. This is a confirmation of the highest standards of ecological, sustainable construction.
Wellbeing of visitors/users
MCER is the only public facility in the entire district. From the very first days, it was full of life. We offer many different extracurricular educational activities for students, cultural attractions and sports activities for residents of all ages. All spaces in the MCER complex allow the organization of various events, shows, concerts and theatre performances.
The complex has been equipped with elements conducive to the health and well-being of users: automatic regulation of the intensity of daylight in the classrooms, constant temperature, recuperation, and certified and safe construction materials are just some of the elements. The applied technologies contribute to effective environmental protection, comfort and building efficiency.
The MCER is a phenomenon on a national scale. The facility not only meets strict environmental requirements, but also offers students and users an ideal environment to learn and develop their passion.
The selection, origin and quality of used products and materials (greenery and constructing materials)
The buildings have been designed on the basis of eco-friendly materials, which are efficiently used in the production process.
Due to the BREEAM certification, all wood used at the construction stage has FSC certificates confirming the legality of timber harvesting. In addition, all wooden materials (e.g. used on the facade) also have FSC certificates and documents confirming conscious and reasonable sourcing.
For the purposes of BREEAM certification, at least 5 products with independently verified EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) certificates were used in the school building. These were, among others, silicate facade paint or suspended ceilings.
Acoustic ceilings with 70% recycled glass wool. Another environmentally friendly material used for interior finishing is Marmoleum elastic floor covering, which consist of 97% of natural resources, 43% of recyclates, and it is fully biodegradable.
Most of the facades were designed in light-wet technology and finished with plaster, which allows easy renovation of the facade by painting, as well as the subsequent addition of additional finishing elements that can be mechanically attached to the existing external walls.
Internal walls in the MCER building are painted, not plastered and painted first – ceramic paint with enhanced effect.
The overall design (landscape and optional associated buildings)
The MCER investment was finished in November 2019. The construction of this facility with an area of almost 15,000 m2 lasted less than two years.
Building A – the school building, was designed in a comb layout. From the eastern side, the building opens onto sports and recreational areas. Four wings protrude from the main shaft, creating intimate recreational spaces between them, smoothly merging with the sports grounds.
A very important element of this place is the external sports infrastructure: a full-size football pitch, an athletics stadium, a multi-purpose pitch, a street workout playground, a playground for children and a town road traffic.
The entire hardened area around the building is a pedestrian and bicycle path with bicycle racks for over 250 bicycles. Next to the entrance to building A, there are 8 parking places for a “car sharing” system and 4 places for charging electric cars.
Building B – a recreational and sports building is dedicated to school students and external users.
The existing nature of the MCER area remains as a forest. Existing old tree species and irregular plantings are preserved. In the courtyard, green spaces have been separated in the surfaces and the buildings with ground cover perennials, resulting in a naturalistic composition closed in simple architectural forms.
Granite blocks crossing these surfaces constitute a border between the different species and varieties and the flower meadows around. In this space, there are also plantings of single trees. The plants were chosen so as to intertwine different shades of green with a carpets of flowers in cold tones during springtime. The green extensive roofs and swamp roofs are unique. Innovation solutions are used for the very first time in Poland on a public building.
The impact on the environment (holistic, circular approach)
In the MCER complex we used the most modern technologies and solutions available to support the protection of the natural environment. Many of them were used in Poland for the first time.
From the very beginning, this pioneering project assumed the use of the most efficient technological, ecological and environmental solutions. Due to the purpose of the building, great emphasis was placed on the comfort of users, taking into account future pro-ecological education and setting the highest standard in promoting respect for the natural environment. This, not only for the city and commune of Marki, but throughout Poland – becoming a showcase of good, sustainable and green construction.
As part of GBS certification, an action plan was developed to maintain the energy standard of the building. Additionally, thanks to the QR information boards placed in strategic places, the school has gained a convenient and effective tool for educating young people. After scanning the code, the student is redirected to a website with important information about the facility and its use, such as information about the obligation to separate waste along with instructions on how to properly do it.
As part of educational activities on rational waste management, workshops for children on waste sorting, rational use of various raw materials in everyday life and shaping of a pro-ecological attitude are conducted.
A holistic approach for the design is used which takes into account the MCER complex modern design and ecological aspects. It combines the needs of the students, users and customers with responsibility for the environment.
The innovation value of the project
The MCER complex is the first educational facility in Poland assuming the highest environmental standards: water-saving devices, marsh roofs and storage reservoirs.
Many of these materials were used in Poland for the first time. The facility was designed to consume electricity from the grid and to produce electricity itself. This goal was achieved through the use of a renewable energy system with solar panels, heat pumps, advanced heat recovery and cogeneration systems. In addition, the building has thermal insulation properties at the highest level and a ventilation system which works automatically.
In the MCER building a control system to optimize energy consumption in individual places of the complex was installed.It manages heat and electricity sources, controls the irrigation system of green areas and indoor lighting.
Photovoltaic panels also play an important role. The installation located on the roof produces 67.2 kW at its peak. It consists of 224 panels with a total area of 843 m2, enabling efficient use of solar energy to cover the facility’s own needs. Additionally, the cogeneration unit assumes the production of energy with nearly 300 kW.
When it comes to the retention of small support mechanisms, the MCER complex is a model example. It uses rainwater for economic purposes. A characteristic element of the building – a green swamp roof suppresses noise, stores rainwater, relieves the sewage system, and cools the building and its surroundings. It alsocreates a unique microclimate around the building.
The MCER buildings have been designed on the basis of eco-friendly materials, which are efficiently used in the production process. In the last 2 years, the MCER building has been awarded for ecological solutions and used building materials. It shows its uniqueness and innovative qualities.
