ChromoGenics Begins First Phase at Waldorf School in Frankenthal
ChromoGenics has been selected to supply dynamic glass for a comprehensive window renovation at the Waldorf School in Frankenthal. Following a successful trial installation in collaboration with the German planning firm S2 Architektur, the project begins with a first phase with ConverLight®.
Built in the 1980s, the property is currently undergoing a comprehensive energy system upgrade. Optimising energy performance required reducing both heat loss in winter and solar heat gain in summer, prompting the need to replace the ageing windows. However, the school’s non-rectangular window architecture made traditional shading or blinds impractical, prompting founder and CEO Ingo Schaar at S2 Architektur in Birkenau to seek alternative solutions.
“I have never seen a German school where all mechanical blinds actually function in the long term. ConverLight® provides a sustainable solution with clear views that can also accommodate the school’s complex window geometries. The greatest benefit for the Waldorf School is that we achieve significantly better learning environments with reduced summer heat, without having to sit in the dark or switch on artificial lighting”, Ingo explains.
Focus on Building Biology and Natural Daylight
S2 Architektur specialises in developing direct partnerships between manufacturers and clients, where indoor climate and building biology align closely with the principles of Waldorf pedagogy. Through this model, they have delivered numerous projects for Waldorf schools and municipal buildings, meeting exceptionally high technical and building biology standards while keeping costs well below conventional market levels.
For this project, strict requirements were established for both light quality and indoor wellness. ConverLight® was selected for its autonomous operation, which avoids the need for complex wiring or wireless radiation. This initial phase follows a successful pilot installation in the kindergarten section of the building.
“Due to solar radiant heat, the children couldn’t sit by the windows to eat breakfast during the summer half of the year. Since installing ConverLight®, that is no longer an issue. The installation was also smoother than we initially feared, and the autonomous control has worked exceptionally well“, Ingo continues.
Installation Scheduled for Autumn
Production and lamination of the electrochromic film is already well underway at ChromoGenics’ facility in Uppsala, with installation scheduled for this autumn. The insulating glass units are manufactured by German window specialist Bildau in partnership with NSG Pilkington.
“Combining energy efficiency with an optimised indoor climate is one of the most pressing issues for European educational real estate today. The Frankenthal project demonstrates how ConverLight® can resolve complex architectural challenges whilst simultaneously reducing long-term operational and maintenance costs“, says Anders Pettersson, Strategic Project Manager at ChromoGenics.