The Lofthouse 2-story cottage with area of 240 m2 was created in the loft style and has completely self-contained energy consumption (Net Zero Energy). Created by BKVV Architekten architectural bureau, the house is focused on simplicity and functionality.
The cottage was built in just 7 weeks using fast construction technology. The house stands on a slab foundation with steel frame, while the building envelope is made of 100 mm thick Ruukki Energy sandwich panels with PIR core with Design Tokyo S18 design profiles cladding. Such a solution allowed to obtain better air-tightness and achieve more expressive building appearance. The soft sinusoid shape of the facades and roof provides effective color play with sky reflection , and the large panoramic windows give a fantastic view to the meadows.
In winter the sun serves as a passive source of heat through the windows with triple-pane glazing on the western and eastern facades. The thermal resistance of insulated hollow-section floor slabs R = 4.5 m2K/W, walls and roof – 6.39 m2K/W, and glazing – 1.24 m2K/W.
Due to such a high insulation degree and air tightness (Qv = 0.2 m3/h*m2), combined with modern technical equipment, the building became maximally energy-efficient and comfortable. The high air-tightness of the building envelope and the ventilation system with heat recovery (95% efficiency) allow to save energy resources and keep the optimal microclimate inside the premises. With building dimensions of 18х8 m and internal volume of 860 m3, heat losses at the temperature of -10°C comprise only 5 kW.
The cottage interior is implemented using visible building structures: steel frame, prefabricated reinforced concrete slabs and sandwich panels, creating a modern style. The visible surfaces of sandwich panels are stylishly matched with painted walls and glass structures.
The cottage has a heat pump installed for heating and hot water supply, operating according to the “water-water” principle. The main advantage of a heat pump is the possibility of passive cooling of the building in summer. The ” heat-insulated floor” system with frequent pipe location enables using a heat transfer agent with very low temperature. During the first heating season, the temperature of incoming transfer agent did not exceed 26°C, while in the premises the system managed to achieve the room temperature of at least 20°C. The reinforced concrete partition walls are used as heat accumulator, allowing to preserve heat for up to 24 hours, thus creating a possibility to heat premises during peak energy generation.
The shower water supply system for the envisages a heat exchanger, which pre-heats the supplied cold water from the shower drainage, thus allowing to save approximately 45% of hot water.
Electric power is generated by 20 photoelectric panels on the roof of the utility building, generating about 5 kWh.
With annual energy consumption of 4,912 kWh, the systems of the house generate 6,200 kWh, ensuring the surplus of 1,288 kWh. The energy surplus is stored in the accumulators for further useage in the household.
The water in the area of the construction is very hard, thus most residents use a water softening system. The design of the building envisages filtration of rainwater coming from the house and the utility building, collecting it into the 7,500 l tank. This is enough for approximately 5 weeks consumption. All water taps including the shower, toilet bowl and washing machine are connected to this tank, except for the kitchen potable water tank.
Due to the high sustainability indices, the Lofthouse cottage gained the title of the most sustainable house in the Netherlands in 2020 in the category of houses with area of over 175 m2.
International European University presented a VR room
Virtual reality starts evolving in education while an increasing number of universities is adopting this technology.
The analysis of global experience indicates the efficiency and potential of sensor nets and advanced technologies. International European University is always in tune with the times and improves its educational programs, helping students learn chosen disciplines using cutting-edge technological solutions.
Therefore, the university has introduced the VR room allowing students to explore places of destination worldwide without leaving a classroom. The multi-award-winning program platform encourages faster learning and teaching of medical sciences and anatomy on desktop, mobile and virtual devices.
Virtual reality technologies enhance the efficiency of study, making classes more exciting, which results in better educational motivation and students’ activity.
According to Nataliia Litvinova, Director of European Medical School, the implementation of different VR-based educational programs sparks greater interest of students in this form of classes and increases their enthusiasm while preparing for each class, learning theoretical materials that will be elaborated in the virtual environment.
“It is the best model among the existing ones. This VR headset is equipped with a manipulator that enables working without a computer, as it has its own device inside. Actually, this headset is used for games, fitness and other activities, but we apply it in education. Each license allows holding classes in a group consisting of 10 and more people, as well as conducting questioning, excluding a possibility to peep a correct answer and manipulate. Due to another license, we will be able to train 200 students at the same time and learn anatomy using any device. I’m so glad that in autumn, during license update, we could see the process on computer tomography, X-ray, ultrasound investigation. We can use it in clinical subjects and show students certain organs in virtual reality,” Nataliia Litvinova says.
Besides, educational programs based on virtual reality technologies are multi-purpose (similar programs for different subject areas require almost the same firmware kit) and easily integrated into the conventional teaching process. They allow replacing real objects with their simulating models and interactive simulators so that students can model different situations and find the best possible solutions.
To sum up, we can state that virtual reality is a perfect learning environment. Perception of a virtual model with high authenticity allows training future professionals in different specialties in a high-quality and quick manner. VR-based education allows teachers to give lectures, seminars and training sessions visually, show all aspects of real items or processes to students, which produces a great effect, improves the quality and speed of educational processes, as well as reduces their cost. Virtual reality technologies allow us to comprehensively use the fact that people obtain 80% of information from the world around by vision. Meanwhile, people remember 20% of what they see, 40% of what they see and hear, and 70% of what they see, hear and make. Thus, students are totally immersed into the educational process, receiving better motivation and succeeding in their study.
EDUCATION, IEU, INTERNATIONAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY, TECHNOLOGY, VIRTUAL REALITY, VR, НАВОЛОКІНА
Lack of adequate international financial support poses a threat to Ukraine’s achievement of the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 2030 to 35% of the 1990 level, Trade Representative of Ukraine, Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka said on Facebook.
According to him, otherwise, the level of emissions by 2030 may increase and amount to 37% to 42% of the 1990 level.
“Comparing the horizon of commitments (ten years) and the previous experience of Ukraine, which has been suffering from a number of macroeconomic and security crises since 2014, the level of greenhouse gas emissions in the period up to 2030 may increase and amount to 37% to 42% of greenhouse gas emissions from the 1990 level,” Kachka said.
He said the goal of Ukraine’s Second Nationally Determined Contribution to Paris Climate Accord is achievable in all spheres of the economy under the following conditions: maintaining and improving the access of key trading partners to foreign markets; pursuing a sustainable and predictable trade policy and the absence of restrictions and barriers from the parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (Appendix I) and other countries that may apply similar restrictions and barriers; availability of access to financing for climate modernization projects from the governments of developed countries, the private sector, international financial organizations and any other donors.
Today, on July 30, Deputy Economy Minister of Ukraine Iryna Novikova met with the founder of Welfare Investment Alliance consulting company, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Ukraine (2012-2019) Alisher Abdualiev.
The Deputy Minister of Economy expressed hope for the further strengthening of relations between the two countries and stressed that creating comfortable conditions for doing business and implementing new investment projects is an extremely important step for enhancing investment cooperation between the states.
“Today Ukraine is interested in attracting investments and therefore is actively introducing new legislative initiatives. We see a great demand from investors for industrial parks and a new mechanism to support investors in attracting investments, the so-called law on ‘investment nannies’,” Novikova said.
During the meeting, the participants discussed the prospects and possibilities of creating a simplified access to the markets of the countries, a favorable environment for the implementation of joint projects and attracting investments.
So, among the promising industries for cooperation between the two countries is the aviation industry, as well as the implementation of projects to create livestock complexes and silk production in Ukraine.
PwC team in Ukraine has been driving the AEO concept implementation since the beginning of its active development in Ukraine and has helped the first business in Ukraine to obtain the AEO status.
Having 15 years of experience and unique for Ukraine expertise PwC experts have developed a guide that contains comprehensive information about the status of AEO, companies that can get it, a detailed overview of the procedure and obstacles on this way, a comparative analysis of benefits and simplifications for business which provides this status.
The guide is available for download online in Ukrainian and English languages.
“It is my sincere hope that the Ukrainian business will have an opportunity to benefit from the AEO Programme and its special simplifications and this will enhance confidence in customs authorities.” – commented Vita Miroshnychenko, Head of Customs Regulations and International Trade practice, author of the guide on AEO programme, PwC Ukraine.
AVPA –Agency for the Valuation of Agricultural Products, is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, mainly composed of producers and taste enthusiast. The Association sets itself the objective of contributing to the best promotion of exceptional agricultural productions for the benefit of their producers. To do this, AVPA organizes 4 International Contest AVPA-Paris: “Teas of the World”, “Coffees roasted at Origin”, “Chocolates processed at Origin “, and ” World Edible Oils”.
This year AVPA organize its 4th international “Teas of the world” contest to encourage and support producers in this period of economic recovery.
AVPA contest helps tea producers
∙ in recognition of their exceptional quality in social and professional environment
∙ stand out from other producers, AVPA medals are the symbol of high quality and trust,
∙ to explore new markets around the globe, and more importantly in local geography.
The “Teas of the world” contest is organized in two very distinct parts:
I. Monovarietal teas (Camellia Sinensis). Jury President – Lydia Gautier
II. Infusions (infusion plants other than Camellia Sinensis), blends and flavoured teas, Jury President -Carine Baudry
The objective of the AVPA contest is to promote the recognition of exceptional producers by focusing primarily on organoleptic aspects. To learn more click here: Contest Rules.
Your organization has a great influence among tea producers in your country. To inform the tea producers in your country, we need your help and assistance. We are grateful for your time and consideration and request you to help spread this information to cooperatives and producers that are likely to be interested in this contest.
AVPA team and particularly Ksenia HLEAP (ksenia.hleap@avpa.fr) who is in charge of this project remain at your disposal for any question/queries you may have.
Philippe Juglar
President
www.avpa.fr
