nova_akademija

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nova_akademija (The New Academy) is an initiative of the teachers and students of the Department of Visual Communications Design (Arts Academy). We would like to emphasise that the Arts Academy's programme for the competition for the drafting of plans for urban and architectural solutions, gives the message that the projecting of plans for the building of the Art Academy complies with the principles of sustainable architecture.

nova_akademija would be a low-energy building that would consume much less energy than an ordinary building of the same size. With built-in appliances for the use of renewable sources of energy such as photovoltaic systems, thermal solar systems and wind generators, its electricity and heat energy needs would be produced, and any ensuing surplus could be sent into the grid.

Countries with far fewer hours of sunshine and more modest possibilities for the use of renewable energy sources have for a long time recognised their ecological and economical advantages. The use of renewable sources of energy lessens the emissions of harmful substances, increases energy independence, lessens the burden on the energy systems and opens up new jobs.

Up to today Croatia has installed about 0,068 MW of photovoltaic systems for turning sunlight into electric energy, whilst in countries with considerably lesser numbers of hours of sunlight this number has increased more. By comparison, Germany has today already installed more than 4500 MW. The power of all power plants in the Republic of Croatia is about 4500 MW. Austria today has more than 1.2 million square metres of thermal collectors for the production of hot water, whilst that number in Croatia is about 30,000 square metres.

Sustainable development that is based on the effective use of energy from existing resources, as well as the encouragement of the uses of renewable sources of energy, are important parts of the national energetic strategy that we are now discussing.

Croatia encourages sustainable development and subsidises the production of electric energy produced by photovoltaic systems. These systems, with subsidies, can be written off in ten years. Buildings that are constructed with the help of the state budget should be examples of the carrying out of an energy policy that is based on the principles of thrift and the use of renewable sources. The academy community is the most competent to begin practicing this in universities, especially university campuses with the most hours of sunshine.

Along with the ecological and economical, as well as social uses mentioned above, the future academy building could be the first experimental low-energy multi-story construction in Croatia, where it would be possible to learn and gain experience for future construction.

The design evidently has a distinctly social and responsible function. This initiative is in accordance with the activities of the Department, in a wide social context, and has the aim of integrating design into society. It satisfies not only the physical, cognitive and practical needs of the individuals, but wider social, emotional and cultural needs - to enable a better and more satisfactory life. This is indeed one of the most important roles of design. The initiative is based both on the principles of user centred design (UCD) and also on participatory design. This design process puts the user in the centre of the design process.

Students of the course for sustainable design and illustrations have begun to sketch, that is to say, visualise, their new academy. Their work can be seen on this page. We invite other students of the academy, as well as lecturers, to send us their contributions about the new academy. All techniques and mediums are welcome. We plan to present all papers at an exhibition in the spring of 2009.

A description of your perception, as well as sketches, can be sent using the provided A3 format, which can be downloaded here. You can also get it at the Department of Visual Communications Design.