The Greenest Chamber

The project has two closely related, complementary and interdependent Chapters. Energy infrastructure of the House of Economy was modernised in a way that the technological solutions have been demonstrated via visual installations and at the same time energy teaching labs have been created. By using active communication tools and colourful program elements we involved corporate decision-makers, the public and the students to the details of implementation in order that the acquired knowledge would help them understand and make them supporters of environmentally sustainable solutions. 25,000 participants of the 80 events implemented with 20 communication program elements demonstrated that the communities of different ages and of different knowledge on the environment, energy efficiency and sustainable development understand the project goals and want to do for them in the future.

The fact that the construction entrepreneur completing the pilot project was actively involved in the demonstration training activities is also special and considered to be unique. At the elaboration of construction schedule the entrepreneur gave consideration to the manual containing our planned programs and events. Based on the schedule the investment and communication were split to ten Phases. In each construction phase we invited the representatives of apartment houses, corporate and institutional leaders to a site visit, during which we provided consultation. Likewise, ten events were provided to the students and the media to disseminate knowledge on environment-friendly workmanship interactively. Separate themed and awareness-raising films were shot for adults and pupils which describe and explain  methods and importance of using grey water and rainwater, application of photovoltaic solar panels for producing electricity and calculation of return on energy-saving light bulbs. Our experience is that although people are familiar with the various concepts such as solar cells or solar collectors, they have less knowledge about the specific operation. Precisely for this reason we installed solar panels for hot water production within the framework of the project  based on EU funding and on a subsequent decision the in-house photovoltaic system fully financed by us. 

We designed and used unique programme elements in the communication programme, which motivated the different target groups to take actions. Examples are students participating in the dual vocational training designed and constructed home models, where the realized architectural, engineering and technical solutions were presented and modeled. These models have become favourites of the students as they helped them understand the operation of renewable energy generation assets. We challenged the high school students to consider and propose energy-saving actions or rational use of waste at school and act accordingly. Strategic plans they developed can be exemplary for others. The evaluation combined with professional consultation took place before wide media publicity. We proposed to the pupils to become “green guards” of the environment which proposal was received with enthusiasm and earnestness. The 600 related drawings produced for the sustainability of the Earth carries a serious message. The models, maquettes, drawings and a number of demonstration assets were exhibited in the energy model house and can be viewed.

The building's energy consumption is presented on an LCD screen for visitors very impressively, which displays data of instantaneous consumption, actual and historical generation and savings of electricity, natural gas and water and of the ventilation system.

In project implementation both the construction and communication activities were designed to offer construction related experience and  knowledge to those living with disabilities. Special Braille publications about energy efficiency were published for the blind and visually impaired people.

We perceive the biggest success that via accessing tens of thousands of people consciously addressed and invited to the House of Economy we promoted the creation of new communities. During the project implementation we provided environmental awareness mind-set program on each fourth day which reached 25 thousand people through 80 different events. The 140 hours of training, the 200-minute film on sustainability and 800-minute YouTube video guarantee that not just direct visitors of the House of Economy experienced the importance of environmental awareness and received knowledge but access of tens of thousands is provided.  A proof of this is the up to now more than 100 thousand visitors of  the project's website and Facebook page  (www.gazdasaghaza.hu, www.facebook.com/gazdasaghaza). All these combined with the more than 80 media presence assist the awareness-raising specified in the project plan.