This versatile testing tool will be dedicated to test diverse building envelope components:
- opaque and transparent elements;
- building envelope components integrated with HVAC or photovoltaic systems,
- light-weight and massive facades;
- different thickness and height partitions (from 10 to 60 cm and up to 8 m).
The roof, with a 75 m2 surface, will be used to evaluate innovative systems for renewable energy production or innovative horizontal envelope system (green roof, cool-roof, zenithal openings, skydomes, etc).
The building is composed by testing cells which can be modified in order to have different geometries of the indoor environment. Thanks to the versatile structure, it is possible to perform test in one test cell (9 m2) or in a unique open space (50 m2 for each floor). The height of the indoor environment can be modified between 2.70 m to 3.30 m.
The indoor air temperature is precisely controlled (± 0.5 °C) in each test cell with a heat pump system which is connected to fan coil. A specific humidity control can be implemented for a specific project if required.