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Administrative Building of Regional Water Company Prishtina The project concerns the conceptual design of a new administrative building for the Regional Water Company “KUR Prishtina”, conceived to operate entirely through renewable energy sources and designed in accordance with advanced energy-efficiency principles. The objective is to create a zero-emission or net-zero energy building in which architectural design, technical systems, and functional organization work together to minimize energy demand and ensure sustainable long-term operation. Located near the company’s existing premises in Prishtina, Kosovo, the proposed building is designed as a four-storey structure with a basement and a total effective area of approximately 5,806 m². Its functional layout includes administrative offices, customer support areas, meeting rooms, common spaces, an amphitheatre, technical rooms, archives, IT facilities, recreation areas, storage spaces, and basement parking for management and guests. The building is planned to accommodate approximately 250 users per day and is conceived as an open, accessible, and welcoming facility for staff, customers, and visitors. The architectural concept is based on a U-shaped layout organized around a central courtyard and landscaped garden. The building’s orientation and form are directly shaped by energy-efficiency and climatic design principles. The northern side is closed and well insulated to protect the building from winter winds and reduce heat loss, while the southern façade is more open and transparent to maximize the controlled use of solar energy and natural daylight. Solar-protection measures are incorporated to prevent overheating during warmer periods. Internal circulation, entrances, and functional zones are carefully organized to ensure efficient movement of users and flexibility in office arrangements. The atrium, green areas, water features, and visual connection with the amphitheatre contribute to the public and interactive character of the building. At the same time, these elements support natural ventilation, daylight penetration, and the creation of a comfortable internal microclimate, thereby reducing the need for mechanical cooling, ventilation, and artificial lighting. The building’s energy supply is based on renewable energy systems. Photovoltaic panels are integrated into the roof structure and south-oriented surfaces to generate electricity, while geothermal energy is used to support the building’s heating and cooling requirements. These systems are combined with high-performance thermal insulation, an optimized building envelope, natural ventilation, solar protection, green roof areas, and efficient façade treatment to reduce overall energy consumption. Rainwater collected from the roof garden is reused for toilet flushing, pavement maintenance, and irrigation of landscaped areas. This contributes to the efficient use of water resources and complements the building’s overall sustainability concept. Through the integration of renewable energy generation and comprehensive energy-efficiency measures, the building is designed to reduce its operational energy demand and environmental impact while maintaining full functionality, high indoor comfort, and an accessible and efficient working environment for approximately 250 daily users. |
