The Ostrava Black Cube will be ready for extreme weather as well

Ostrava – The building of the Black Cube – Center for Digitalization, Science, and Innovation, which is being constructed in Ostrava near the regional office, will be prepared for extreme weather after its completion. During similar summer heatwaves that currently plague the Czech Republic, it should be protected from surrounding temperature extremes thanks to several technologies and materials used. This was stated today by the project spokesperson, Květa Geršlová.

The nine-story building with two underground floors is one of the largest investments of the Moravian-Silesian Region and is financed with the help of the Just Transition program. It will house the Moravian-Silesian Research Library. The construction is expected to cost 2.6 billion crowns. The technologies are designed to ensure that there is enough natural light in the building, while also providing comfort for reading, working, or resting.

"The black color of the facade is the first thing that catches attention on the Black Cube. Although dark surfaces naturally attract the sun, it won't be hot inside the building. It hides a sophisticated system for maintaining a pleasant temperature," Geršlová said.

The facade of the building will feature so-called "porous screens" around the entire perimeter, which are special metal structures that act as sun shades. They will not only block heat but also prevent harsh light from shining into people's eyes or creating glare on computer monitors. In addition to the external shading screen, there will be three glass panels separated by air gaps forming another barrier. Thus, in summer, they should keep the heat out, and in winter, they should keep the warmth in.

"Moreover, the glass is not the same all around the perimeter. Each side of the building faces a different amount of sunlight throughout the day. Therefore, the northern facade received a different type of glazing than the southern one, which is exposed to a much greater thermal load," the spokesperson explained.

To ensure a pleasant climate, there will also be underground technologies – 68 wells up to 140 meters deep. A typical family house usually has one or maybe two such wells. The system works as a natural accumulator. In summer, it removes excess heat from the building and stores it in the ground. Conversely, it draws natural coolness from the ground to cool the air flowing into the building. In winter, the process is reversed. The system will take heat accumulated in the summer from the underground storage and use it for heating. A water feature in the vicinity of the building is also expected to help with a better climate.

Thanks to sensors, the building can also evaluate its environment in real-time and respond to external weather conditions and internal activities. For example, in the chilly morning hours, ventilation flaps will automatically open on the facade to draw in air and ventilate the building. A system is also being developed that will use cameras and artificial intelligence to track where the most people are at any given moment. Based on this data, the computer will automatically adjust the temperature, ventilation, or lighting.

"All measures and smart technologies serve the purpose of ensuring that visitors feel comfortable with us. The Black Cube is supposed to be a place where there is always enough fresh air and where you won’t be bothered by heat, cold, or harsh sunlight. In short, it is a space where you can focus calmly on what you come for, whether you want to create, seek new information, work on your project without interruption, or just relax with a good book," said the director of the Black Cube, Andrej Harmečko. The construction of the Black Cube is expected to be completed next year.