state ornithological station as a model for innovative construction

lucia puttrich, minister of environment, reopened the ornithological station, together with the project partners from the saarland and rhineland-palatinate. it has taken one and a half year to modernize the institution. “the amount of 1.3 million euros, the state office of hessen-forst had invested, has paid off,” the minister said and added: “the ornithological station now has a modern service-oriented institution. not only the visitors but also the employees feel comfortable here.”

dr. klaus richarz, head of the ornithological station, recalled in his welcoming speech the fact that the building was erected in the district fechenheim shortly after the second world war with then limited available building materials, so today it no longer meets modern requirements in terms of energy consumption and office equipment. michael gerst, director of the state office hessen-forst, who has had the station rebuilt, acknowledged the planning and construction work of the architectural firm of anja thede from darmstadt. the modernization was consistently implemented from the point of exemplary climate protection. “we laid great emphasis on the idea of sustainability to become the focus of the renovations”, said gerst. therefore, the new construction of the middle section was built of wood and insulated with wood fibre boards. wood pellets from the region can be used as an energy source for economical heating. minister of environment puttrich thinks that the realization of the project, in addition to the successful architecture, is particularly worthy of emulation, because “the heating costs are cut in half with the conversion, and the co2 balance of the building is exemplary.” also species protection did not come off badly on planning.

architect anja thede explained that the facade of a part of the building will completely be planted, so that living and nesting habitats may emerge. the concept also implied that the large windows should not only provide charming, bright rooms, but are also equipped with a protection against bird strikes. special glass and coatings make the windows visible to birds, recognizable as an obstacle. the representatives of those in charge agreed with the attendees: with the inauguration of the newly designed ornithological station, ideal conditions were created for the future managing of bird protection.