life

magazine sept /2011

Hotel Air.
The World a Guest at TROX.
Contents Viewpoint
life
magazine sept /2011

Air Changes ...

Project report
Sustainable Climate. The Emporio In Hamburg. ... This year’s ISH cast us in a positive light. Growth in our sector is on the rise – in
Page 004
Hotel Air.
The World a Guest at TROX. 2010, TROX generated global revenues of € 351.2 million – the third best result in
the history of the company. Building activity is once again gathering in momentum,
Science & Technology and we are particularly pleased that TROX air handling units were so well received
Hotel Climate. Innovative Solutions In Demand. at the trade fair.
Page 010

Highlights
Hotels. Hotels. Hotels.
I f, like myself, you travel a great deal and you too tasted hotel air for an entire week
during the ISH, then you can appreciate the benefits of a good climate of wellbeing.
A Guest In The Best Hotels. We have dedicated this copy to the interesting and amusing topic of hotels. Special
Page 018 attention has – along with many other entertaining stories – been paid to the three most
important aspects in the technical equipment of a hotel: wellbeing, energy efficiency and
Forum & Economy sustainability. It goes without saying that a good climate plays a crucial role in the well-
Construction Boom Gathers Momentum. being factor of a hotel, but haven’t we all at some point witnessed the negative qualities
Page 022 of hotels: noise, stale air, rooms that are too warm?

Reportage For this reason, we at TROX are investing a lot of time and effort into noticeably
At Hotel Mount Olympus. increasing the quality of life in hotels – with ventilation and air conditioning solutions that
Page 024 work quietly, efficiently, safely and in such a way that they are hardly even noticeable,
thus ensuring an optimum climate in hotels.
Interview
Prisoner Of Comfort. Our cover story outlines one of the most exemplary hotel projects in terms of sustain-
Page 028 ability. Here, our active chilled beams will ensure optimum air quality in the future.
We have also compiled many other small and exciting stories on the topic of hotels that
Lifestyle we hope will amuse and entertain you.
In Climate Veritas.
Page 032 We at TROX are, of course, delighted that TROX products can be found in the world’s
best establishments. This validates our efforts to continuously create optimum condi-
TROX news tions for “people in their surroundings”.
Computational Fluid Dynamics.
Page 034 Have fun on your trip across the five continents of the world, and enjoy the unusual
insights into hotel life.
TROX internal
Room Air Conditioning Re-defined. X-CUBE From TROX.
TROX Well Equipped For The Future.
Page 036

Apostil
Vision: Hotel In The Year 2021.
Page 038 Lutz Reuter
Chairman of the Board of Management of TROX GmbH

TROX life magazine – viewpoint 3

 Project report

Sustainable
Climate. .

Hamburg to be home
to a new role model
Just a stone’s throw from the Hamburg Gänse-
markt farmer’s market, the spring of 2012
will see a new top hotel open in the heart of
building complex. Hamburg: the Scandic Hamburg EMPORIO.

4 TROX life magazine – Project report TROX life magazine – Project report 5
 Project report

The hotel foyer: Along with 325 hotel rooms,

the Scandic Hamburg Emporio has a 700 m²
conference area with eight conference rooms on
the 7th floor, a restaurant, a bar and a spacious
health spa boasting a fitness room, sauna and
relaxation area.

F or more than 40 years, the former Unilever tower

on Dammtorwall has formed the cityscape of the
lighting can be tailored to individual office requirements
and windows can also be opened. The reduced energy
Hanseatic city. Visible from afar, the landmark has been consumption, state-of-the-art building services and the
preserved as a historical monument since 2001 and is natural indoor climate of the EMPORIO are a win for both
now undergoing a spectacular revival. Nestled beside the the occupants of the building and the environment. The
tower is another wing-like complex with offices, apart- sustainable climate and energy concept reduces opera-
ments and a hotel. Together, they form the EMPORIO, a ting costs by up to 64% and the environment is spared
building complex set to become one of Hamburg’s most almost 1,700 t of CO2 emissions a year. This makes the Scandic Hamburg Emporio Hotel
prominent addresses. EMPORIO one of the most sustainable building complexes
Owner: Union Investment Real Estate GmbH
in the Hanseatic city – and a role model. The German Architects: MRLV Markovic Ronai Voss Architects
Pioneering climate and energy concept. Sustainable Building Council (DGNB – Deutsche General contractor: HOCHTIEF Solutions AG
BSE planning: HSG+P – Heinze, Stockfisch, Grabis & Partner GmbH
The refurbishment of the tower and the Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen e.V.) Plant construction: KBV – Klima-Bau Volk GmbH & Co. KG
new construction of the hotel and apart- for the first time awarded four hotels
ment complex places the most with the sustainability certificate;
demanding requirements on mate- the Scandic Hamburg Emporio Building services engineering details at a glance.

rial and energy efficiency. For this received the preliminary silver New hotel construction with:
reason, only certified ecological certificate. This award is clear – 325 single and double rooms
– approx. 440 m² restaurant and kitchen
products are used and sunlight testament to the integral quality – approx. 300 m² lobby and bar
is utilised as a source of natural of the building – with respect to – approx. 700 m² conference area with lounge
– approx. 170 m² fitness area
energy. Heating, ventilation and cost effectiveness, energy effi-
ciency and user comfort. Ventilation and cooling technology:
– Total air volume of ventilation and partial air conditioning systems:
approx. 100,000 m³/h
– Zonal air conditioning systems with frequency converter for load-sensitive
supply
– Air volume of TROX DID-E hotel room active chilled beam depending on
thermal load: 70–160 m³/h (sometimes two units)
– Fire protection technology: 360 FKRS-EU fire dampers
– Diffuser in restaurant: TROX ADLR ceiling diffusers
– Total cooling: approx. 1,000 kW
– Specific cooling load: 33 W/m² (specific heating load: 22 W/m²)
– Cooling via two air-cooled compressor refrigerating machines, each
with eight compressors for load-dependent operating modes

A large passageway to the inner courtyard opens the

building up to the public. This is also the entrance to
the hotel.

6 TROX life magazine – Project report TROX life magazine – Project report 7
 Project report

Energy-efficient room air conditioning from TROX in

the EMPORIO, Hamburg.

F resh air and a climate that can be individually

adjusted are a matter of course today in hotel rooms.
General Manager Folke Sievers: „For this reason, special
attention was paid to the indoor air concept.“ The impor-
tance of good hotel air is ultimately reflected in the cata-
logue of criteria of the German classification system. It
may only be an optional criterion, but it is worth a great
deal of points when being rated.

Kai Grabis, Managing Director and shareholder of

HSG+P, the BSE (building services engineering) design
office responsible for the EMPORIO, briefly summarised Specially developed so that guests are not disturbed whilst sleeping: the DID-E. The mixed flow air distribution
ensures a pleasantly quiet climate of wellbeing for guests.
the central elements of the ventilation concept for us:
„The central air handling units for the hotel rooms are
located in the roof and supply the hotel rooms and
access corridors via shafts. The supply air is distributed All hotel rooms have individual temperature control. In the Scandic Hamburg EMPORIO, 360 FKRS-EU fire­
via a duct network to the vertical room shafts, which are For energy-saving reasons, when the hotel rooms are not dampers from TROX ensure that, in the event of a fire
sealed off on a floor-by-floor basis for fire protection in use the rooms are only ventilated, and in the winter occurring in the hotel, it does not spread to other parts
reasons. The air is supplied to the DID-E active chilled they are just heated enough to prevent them from getting of the building. Huge emphasis is placed on fire protec-
beam installed in the ceiling void in the entrance lobby. cold.“ tion at TROX. This has allowed the market leader to set
The supply air is introduced to the room through louvred the pace in this field for decades. In the International
grilles and removed again from the bathroom via disc Also an investment in safety. Center Fire Protection (ICB) in Neukirchen-Vluyn, the
valves. The recirculated air is taken in via a grille in the Fire protection is particularly important in a hotel. most advanced facility of its kind, fire protection compo-
entrance lobby. Statistically speaking, most hotel fires originate in guest nents undergo extensive testing, thus ensuring maximum
rooms. A guest nodding off while smoking in bed, a safety, e.g for people in hotels.
cigarette that has not been completely extinguished, and
electrical defects are frequent causes of fire.

According to estimates from the Federal Association

for Fire Protection Technology, one in ten of Germany’s
roughly 14,000 hotels will experience a fire at some
point or other over the course of its operating life.

In the entrance lobbies of the rooms, active chilled

beams are installed in the ceiling void. The supply
The TROX FKRS-EU fire damper
air is introduced to the room through louvred
grilles and removed again from the bathroom via
disc valves.

8 TROX life magazine – Project report TROX life magazine – Project report 9
 Science & technology A hotel is a complex building with many different
areas of usable space. And the main priority is
the wellbeing of guests. Regardless of whether
we are in a hotel room, seminar room or confer-
ence room, or whether we are relaxing in a
restaurant, bar or spa – without sufficient fresh
air from a well designed ventilation and air condi-
tioning system, wellbeing is difficult to come by.

Hotel Climate.
Innovative Solutions
Are In Demand.

10 T R O X l i f e m a g a z i n e – S c i e n c e & Te c h n o l o g y T R O X l i f e m a g a z i n e – S c i e n c e & Te c h n o l o g y 11
 Science & Technology

In addition to office buildings, con- bed, minibar and flat screen TV are Lastly, the quality of the outside air If you take outside air with a normal level of pollu­
ference centres, theatres and not the only factors that play a role in must also be taken into consideration tants and a building low in harmful substances, Floor area per person Category I Category II Category III
and calculate the fresh air flow rates required,
schools, also in hotels a thermally determining a guest‘s level of com- on the basis of the loading of SO2, O3, the following fresh air flow rates are derived for Hotel room 10 m² 72 m³/h 50 m³/h 39 m³/h
pleasant indoor climate and good fort; the air conditioning is also of NO2 and fine dust. To this end, the typical hotel rooms: Conference room 2 m² 43 m³/h 30 m³/h 17 m³/h
air quality play an extremely impor- the utmost importance. For this DIN EN 13779 stipulates the mini- Restaurant 1,5 m² 43 m³/h 30 m³/h 17 m³/h
tant role. The ventilation system reason, controlled, mechanical venti- mum quality and the combinations of
should be quiet and draught-free in lation are standard for any higher air filters that must be used to clean
order to ensure a good night‘s rest class hotel – even if it hasn‘t been an the outside air taken into the air
By way of contrast, if you define a hotel room as
for hotel guests. The system must essential criterion up until now in the handling unit, thus ensuring an in- a bedroom, the fresh air flow rates derived are Floor area per person Category I Category II Category III
supply the room with 40 m³/h of star rating system for hotels. door air quality of Category I, II or III. slightly lower according to DIN EN 15251:
Hotel room 10 m² 50 m³/h 36 m³/h 22 m³/h
well-filtered outside air per person, Depending on the load, air filters of
and the air must have a pleasant Air is not always the same. classes F5 to F9 are used, and the- * See also EN 15251, “Indoor environmental input parameters for design and assessment of energy
performance of buildings addressing indoor air quality, thermal environment, lighting and acoustics”,
temperature. It also has to gua- In buildings like hotels, the se must be supplemented with acti- and VDI 6022, “Hygiene requirements of room air conditioning systems”.
rantee the highest level of hygiene.* demands placed on the ventilation vated carbon filters or chemical fil-
and air-conditioning technology are ters when there are very high

W e have all experienced it at

least once in our lives: you get back
manifold and challenging. The more
varied the rooms and use, the more
flexible the designer must be in tailo-
concentrations of harmful gases.

to your hotel room late at night, the ring individual solutions to meet the
air smells stale, prompting you to requirements of particular locations.
look for the air conditioning switch. We tried to decode the „air complex“
The system starts up and fresh air hotel in order to highlight efficient
soon flows into the room. At the and ideal-typical alternatives in room
same time, however, loud air flow air conditioning.
noise resounds from the air conditio-
ning system, effectively dispelling any Air calculations.
hopes you had of getting a peaceful The indoor air quality in a hotel is
night’s rest. The only other option is directly related to the quantity of
to open the window, but the noise fresh air supplied to the room and
from the street is worse than the the level of pollutants and odorous
noise from the air conditioning substances in the room.
system. Frustrated now, you wonder In cooperation with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bjarne
Olesen, Director of the International Centre
to yourself how on earth you’re going The fresh air flow rate is then for Indoor Environment and Energy at the
to get through this night! based on how many people are in Technical University of Denmark in Lyngby.
He is regarded as one of the world’s leading
the room and how many odorous experts for thermal comfort and indoor air
Unfortunately, this is a situation substances are emitted by devices quality.

that is all too familiar for guests in and equipment in the room.
many hotels, and generally speaking
no one is immune – regardless of The DIN EN 15251 standard,
whether you stay in a three, four or „Indoor environmental input parame-
five-star hotel or whether you spend ters for design and assessment
€ 100 or € 300 per night. Here, the of energy performance of buildings
expectations of the guest are simple: addressing indoor air quality, thermal
comfort, comfort and more comfort. environment, lighting and acoustics“,
It starts with checking in, extends to distinguishes between three further
the use of all hotel facilities and ends room categories: Category I for high
with the guest bedroom. In the indoor air quality, Category II for nor-
bedroom, cleanliness, a comfortable mal indoor air quality and Category III
for moderate indoor air quality.

12 T R O X l i f e m a g a z i n e – S c i e n c e & Te c h n o l o g y T R O X l i f e m a g a z i n e – S c i e n c e & Te c h n o l o g y 13
 Science & technology

V irtually no other building fea-

tures so many room air conditioning
substances, heat and humidity,
mechanical ventilation and cooling
With gas-fired hot plates, the gas
supply is also interrupted. 100 %
variations than a hotel complex. are a must in these rooms. free cross section is equivalent to
100% safety!
Lobby. The requirements of DIN EN
Ventilation and air conditioning 15251, indoor air class II, „Indoor Hotel rooms.
takes place in the lobby mainly in the environmental input parameters for Small rooms – big demands on
form of a mixed flow air distribution. design and assessment of energy room air conditioning.
Fresh supply air that has been filte- performance of buildings addressing 1. Integrated into the architecture
red and subjected to temperature indoor air quality, thermal environ- so that it is non-visible
control in a central air handling unit ment, lighting and acoustics“: 2. Highly efficient, thereby saving
1
flows from swirl diffusers in the cei- operating costs
ling into the lobby, where it ensures Temperatures: 20 °C in winter and 3. Can be individually controlled by
optimum air distribution for guests maximum 26 °C in summer. the guest
checking into the hotel. Outside air requirements: roughly 4. Quiet and draught-free
3,000 m³/h for a 200 m² confe- 5. Stand-by mode can be controlled
3
Conference rooms and rence room with 100 occupants. centrally with minimum air volu-
2
restaurants. Supply air temperature: 14 °C to mes for the removal of olfactory
3 4
11
3 A great deal more important: a dissipate the heat and humidity emit- substances
6
2
good climate in the seminar and con- ted by people and equipment
7
3 4 ference zones. Due to the high den- (approx. 1.2 kW) from the confe- Further information is provided in
11 sity of people, (one person per 2 m² rence room. the next pages.
2 of floor area) and the resulting
increased emission of CO2, odorous For modern mixed flow systems, TROX components and systems.
11 where the supply air flows from high-
ly efficient ceiling swirl diffusers and 1 Air handling unit
2
mixes very quickly with the room air
(induction), this is not a problem. 2 Active chilled beam
11
8

Kitchen. 3 Fan coil units

2
Along with hygiene and good venti-
lation, safety is the main priority in 4 Decentralised ventilation unit – vertical
The TROX DID-E active chilled beam. the kitchen. This is because the risk
5 Control panel
5 of fire is greater in kitchens, a place
13
where open fire, hot grease and oils
6 Circular silencer
are handled. In commercial kitchens,
13 TROX has set new standards for fire
7 Fire damper
protection with the KA-EU shut-off
12 unit for kitchen extract air. The shut-
8 Volume flow controller
9 off unit is compact in size and, with a
12 100% free cross section, has no ad-
9 Slot diffuser
12 The TROX KA-EU shut-off unit for
ditional pressure loss. In the shut-off
12
kitchen extract air. area, there are no components to 10 Extract grille
12
12 which the grease particles can
attach. This reduces the need for 11 Disc valve (extract air)
cleaning and saves operating costs.
If the operating temperature ex- 12 Swirl diffuser
12
12 ceeds 72 °C in the extract air duct,
10
the unit closes after the fan has swit- 13 Shut-off device for kitchen extract air
ched off when there is no power.
10
14 T R O X l i f e m a g a z i n e – S c i e n c e & Te c h n o l o g y 12 T R O X l i f e m a g a z i n e – S c i e n c e & Te c h n o l o g y 15
 Science & Technology

Alternative indoor air solutions DID-E active chilled beam, an Similarly to a fan coil unit, the DID-E The infinitely variable EC fans used
for hotel rooms. air-water system. is installed in a suspended ceiling in in the decentralised units of the
The fresh air flow of roughly such a way that it is non-visible, but TROX type FSL are extremely quiet.

A relatively small room but

with the most demanding require-
40 m³/h per person (smoking room
approx. 80 m³/h per person) re­
quired for a fresh air supply is filte-
the DID-E has one distinct advan-
tage: a very quiet air conditioning
system that works without a fan and
Thanks to sophisticated insulation
and sound attenuation measures,
noise from the street remains out-
ments. Non-visible, quiet, draught- red and pre-conditioned in a central meets the most demanding require- side. With a heating capacity
free: TROX life explains the alter- air handling unit. The primary air ments in terms of acoustics. The of up to 4 kW and a total cooling
native indoor air concepts. flow is then fed to the DID-E, where it type DID-E is available in six sizes for capacity of up to 1.2 kW, the
is discharged via a primary air duct air flow rates of between 36 and devices have sufficient capacity to
Fan coil units with nozzles. As a result, room air is 300 m³/h and with a heating/ ensure comfortable temperatures
Frequently encountered internatio- taken into the unit from below cooling capacity of up to roughly and clean fresh air in rooms.
nally: so-called fan coil units are (induced), it then passes through a 1.7 kW – i.e. suitable for the effi­
generally installed in the suspended water coil where it is heated cient air conditioning of both smaller
ceiling in the entrance lobby of the or cooled. In the mixing chamber of single rooms and larger suites.
room. Fan coil units generally the DID-E, the temperature-con-
work well, but frequently give rise to trolled secondary air is mixed with Decentralised systems
air-regenerated noise levels that can primary air and supplied to the room Decentralised systems are hidden
be considered as an annoyance. via grilles. The hotel guest can simply in the façade or sill in such a way
set his/her desired temperature on that they cannot be seen or they can
Along with fan coils, which are in the control panel. be installed beside windows. The
particularly highly in demand in compact decentralised units usually
southern countries, TROX has deve- take in up to 120 m³/h of outside air.
loped two new alternative systems It is filtered and then discharges –
for the virtually silent and optimum depending on the requirements of
air conditio­ning and ventilation of the customer – into the room as
hotel rooms. heated or cooled supply air.

Fan coil units are mainly used Active chilled beams specially Energy-efficient air-water
for the ventilation and air condi- developed for the room situation systems are installed in the façade
tioning of hotel rooms. in hotels ensure virtually silent or sill in such a way that they cannot
and optimum air conditioning. be seen.

16 T R O X l i f e m a g a z i n e – S c i e n c e & Te c h n o l o g y T R O X l i f e m a g a z i n e – S c i e n c e & Te c h n o l o g y 17
 The world’s highest hotels.
Swim in a pool at almost 500 m above sea level and enjoy cocktails above helicopter altitude (250 m
Highlights The world’s first hotel ... in Hong Kong) in the open air. The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong offers the highest level of luxury in floors
102–122 of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) – at 484 m above sea level, it is the fourth
..., the “Grand Hotel”, is said to have been opened
highest building in the world. A whole eight metres higher is the World Financial Center in Shanghai.
on 25th January 1774 in London by barber David
However, as hotel guests of the Park Hyatt Shanghai „only“ stay in floors 79 to 93 of the 101 floors

Hotels.
Low in Covent Garden. Up until then, there were
only furnished rooms or inns offering board and in total, the hotel air is not quite as thin as the air in the Hong Kong Ritz. At third place is the Grand
lodging; such establishments were not known as
hotels. The Belle Epoque saw the emergence of
Hyatt Shanghai in the 420 m high Jin Mao Tower. Its highest room, however, is six floors lower
the hotel as we know it today. The construction than the highest room of its sister hotel. Source: emporis.com
boom during the period that came to be known

Hotels.
as the “founder era” (“Gründerzeit”) led to the
appearance of show­piece
architecture among the
business middle class in
European cities as well
as monumental castle-like

Hotels.
resort hotels in remote
regions.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

They are everywhere: hotels. Officially, however, 1. Ritz-Carlton

Hong Kong International

they have only existed under this name since Commerce Center 4. Rose Rayhaan
Height: 484.00 m 2. Park Hyatt by Rotana
Rooms: 312 Shanghai World Rose Tower, Dubai

the 18th century. TROX life has gathered a few

Financial Center 3. Grand Hyatt Height: 333.50 m 5. Burj al Arab
Height: 492.00 m Shanghai Rooms: 482 Burj al Arab, Dubai
Rooms: 173 Jin Mao Tower Height: 321.00 m

interesting and record-breaking facts on this

Height: 420.50 m Rooms: 202
Rooms: 555
6. Jumeirah Emirates 8. Park Hyatt Tokyo

topic for you. Towers, Emirates Shinjuku Park Tower

Tower Two, Dubai Height: 235.00 m
Height: 309.00 m Rooms: 278 10. Nagoya Marriott
Rooms: 400 Associa
Nagoya/Japan
7. Bayoke Sky Hotel Height: 226.00 m
Bayoke Tower 2 Rooms: 760
Height: 304.00 m 9. Swissotel
Rooms: 658 The Stamford
The oldest hotels. Raffles City Tower,
Singapore
The hotel website www.fineartofliving.de/2011/04/03/die-altesten-hotels-der-welt provides information on Height: 226.00 m
Rooms: 1,263
where to find the world‘s oldest hotels. However, most of these were not even called „hotels“ when they were built.

A Japanese family has been running the world‘s oldest hotel for about 1,300 years: the Hoshi Ryokan in the Japa-
nese town of Komatsu. The hotel, which has 100 rooms and opened in the year 718, has been in the ownership of The world’s smallest hotel.
the family for 46 generations. Guests of the hotel are welcomed with a Japanese tea ceremony and are offered a The highest hotel.
According to information from the muni­­ci­pal
variety of relaxation options, e.g. a walk through the Japanese garden or bathing in one of the hot springs.
office in Amberg, this is home to the world’s
smallest hotel, the Eh’häusl. This narrow From here, you can see the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest.
building in the old town can accommodate The Hotel Everest View in Nepal is situated 3,880 m above sea level and is
In hotel years, the NH Porta Rossa in Florence is one of the oldest lodging establishments in Italy – for over 800 located in the Sagarmatha National Park. However, the hotel can only be
just one couple and has been doing so for
years, it has offered guests accommodation and refined gastronomy. Decorated with more than 280 years. reached by helicopter. More on this on page 24.

wonderful frescos, the hotel‘s rooms as well as its exclusive location set the hotel apart
Back then, Prince-elector Karl Albrecht had declared
from any other – it is only a stone‘s throw from important Florentine sights such as the that citizens who did not possess property could not
cathedral Santa Maria del Fiori, the Ponte Vecchio or the Piazza della Signoria. just simply marry one another. In 1728 a resourceful
Amberg merchant took advantage of this situation and
built this narrow house in a gap on Seminargasse just
The oldest hotel in Germany is the Pilgrimhaus in Soest, founded in 1304. It is also the 2.50 m wide. He thereafter “sold” it to newly-married
couples for one night respectively, thereby offering
second oldest hotel in the world. Source: reisen/t-online.de couples that wanted to marry the proof of property
possession required.

18 TROX life magazine – Highlights TROX life magazine – Highlights 19

 Highlights

Holmenkollen Park Hotel Rica, Norway

A Guest In The
Best Hotels.
Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, India

Marmara Taksim Hotel, Turkey

Hotel Sofitel, Austria

TROX Technology.
A climate of wellbeing is one of the most important
aspects for hotel guests. Optimum wellbeing is achieved
when you cannot see, feel or hear the air conditioning Hotel Burj Al Arab, Dubai
system. For this reason, the TROX indoor climate specialists
are in demand across the globe when it comes to ensur-
ing good air and effective fire protection in hotels. Bodegas Marqués de Riscal, Spain

The iPad Hotel App.

For the 15th anniversary of the

internationally renowned travel
magazine HIDEAWAYS, publisher
Klocke is launching its very first
HIDEAWAYS App featuring the Hotel Mendoza-Camara Aerea, Argentina
best hotels for € 4.95. Like the
magazine of the same name,
the App impresses its users
with more than 200 fascinating,
large-format photos produced
exclusively for HIDEAWAYS.

Oyster Box Hotel, South Africa

20 TROX life magazine – Highlights TROX life magazine – Highlights 21

 50
45 43
50
39 38
40 45 43
39 38 34
35 40
34
28 35

Forum & Economy

30 28
30
25 25 21 21
20 20 16 16 14 14
15
15

Construction
10
10New Non-Residential market (19 Euroconstruct countries): 2010 
5
5 0
0

Percentage according to building type in non-residential construction

Boom Gathers
50
 
45 43
39 38
40
34
 

Momentum.
35
30 28
25 21
20 16
14
15
10 Arrage Growth Rates, by country
5
0
According to the Euroconstruct Conference, European building activity in 2011 is on
the rise despite the debt crisis. Fukushima and increasing oil prices are in no way
Arrage Growth Rates, by country 30 %
dampening the bright expectations. However, forecasts for 2012 have been revised
DK
25 %
downwards slightly due to increasing energy prices. Development in European non-
20 %   residential construction will stabilise in 2012 and economic researchers predict
POL mode­rate growth once again for 2013. The percentage of non-residential building in
Growth rate by country: 2007–2010 and 2010–2013
15 %
NOR
SWE
FIN 10 % relation to total building activity came to 33% in 2010 at € 425 billion. New construc-
SLO
tion accounts for 55% of total building activity, while refurbishment accounts for 45%.
AUT
30 %
FR 5% SWZ
NED
2007–2010 GER
ITA

T
0 %25 %
CZR - 30 % BEL
- 70 % - 60 % - 50 % - 40 % - 20 % -10 % 0% 10 % 20 %
DK UK
-5%
HUN
20 %
Arrage Growth Rates, by country -10 %
he Big 5 – Germany, Italy, the UK, France and Spain – continue to dominate con-
NOR -15 %
15 % POL struction and account for almost 68% of activity. At 28%, the smaller Western Euro-
SWE
FIN - 20 %10 %
pean countries together account for more than a quarter of non-residential building in
IRE
ESP AUT PORT

- 25 %
SLO 2010, while Central and Eastern Europe account for 7%. The highest increase is being
FR 5%
NED 2010 –2013
SWZ
registered in Northern Europe and in the Eastern European countries, while debt-ridden
2007–2010 GER
countries such as Ireland are still suffering through the effects of depression. The busi-
ITA 30 %
0%
CZR - 30 % BEL
- 70 % - 60 % - 50 % - 40 % - 20 % -10 % 0% 10 % 20 %

DK
25 %
UK
-5%
ness climate in Germany is also positive. The current business situation and perspectives
HUN
20 % in the main German construction trades continue to be as optimistic as ever according
-10 %
NOR
15 % POL to the Ifo Institute.
SWE
FIN -15 %
10 %
AUT
- 20 %
5%
SLO
Green hotels become more and more popular.
FR NED SWZ
IRE
2007–2010 New non-residential construction
ESP ITA
PORT GER According to the Deloitte study „Hospitality 2015“, growth is expected to continue in
0%
- 70 % - 60 % - 50 % - 40 % CZR - 30 % - 20 %
BEL
-10 %
- 25 %
0% 10 % 20 % the tourism sector. Demographic change is giving rise to new target groups – pensio-
UK 2010 –2013
-5%
HUN
ners are shaping established markets, while in emerging countries a well-funded middle
Share of non-residential construction by country
-10 %
Sources: class is yielding new market power. Different customer requirements and continued
-15 % Euroconstruct Conference, market saturation require focused, efficient brand profiling.
20 %
 
Helsinki, June 2011
IRE
- 20 %
Ifo Institute for Economic Research
Focus on new target groups.
ESP PORT

- 25 %
15 %
  Source:
Nordic
2010 –2013
Deloitte study “Hospitality 2015“ Demand in the established markets such as the UK or the US is being shaped by the
baby boomers from the period between the 1940s and 1960s – their share of US natio-
10 %
 
East nal wealth will increase to 60 percent by 2015. People in this target group – approaching
Forecast 2010 -2013

pension age – are well-off and like to travel. In emerging countries like China and India, on
New non-residential construction
Smaller
5%
 
the other hand, the middle class is defining the nature of the market as a result of the
huge growth in disposable income. India expects 50 million travellers in 2015.
0%
 
25 % -20 % -15 % -10 % -5 % 0  %
-5 %
 
Promote sustainability, reduce uncertainty.
New non-residential construction Sustainability is becoming a competitive factor. High space, energy and water
Big 5 -10 %
  consumption means that the hotel industry is particularly affected. In addition, „green
Statistics 2007–2010 20 %
  hotels“ are becoming more and more popular.
 

22 TROX life magazine – Forum & Economy 15 %

  TROX life magazine – Forum & Economy 23
Nordic 20 %
 
 Reportage

At Hotel Mount
Olympus.
Taking a step closer
to the gods.

When someone takes a trip, he has a story to

tell. This is a fact! Our trip around the globe may
only be of the virtual kind, but we still have lots to
report. We have stories that are highly unusual,
unique and even bizarre. Who would have thought
that there would be so many facets to spending
the night somewhere. Immerse yourself in the
most unusual beds of the world, in floating over-
night capsules or in beds at record-breaking
altitudes.*
Majestic view: The world’s highest mountain, as seen from a base camp, where the
prayer flags of the Sherpas blow in the wind.

* The most curious bed stories can also be found in Bettina Kowalewski’s “Crazy Hotels”
or Kurt Jaworski’s “Die verrücktesten Hotels” (The Craziest Hotels”).

24 TROX life magazine – Reportage TROX life magazine – Reportage 25

 Reportage

The Capsule Hotel, The Hague.

T hese orange-coloured capsules were originally rescue

boats for the workers of the Norwegian drilling rig, the
“Ekofisk” – today, visitors to The Hague can spend the
night inside these capsules in what can only be described
as very unusual surroundings. Dutchman Denis Oudendijk Underwater: Poseidon Undersea Resorts, Fiji.
saved the capsules from the scrap yard and
converted them into floating hostels.
Incidentally, Barbara Bach and
Roger Moore can be seen
H ave you ever seen a ray while breakfasting? This
unusual view can be enjoyed at the luxurious Poseidon
lounging about in such a cap- Undersea Resorts on Fiji. Underwater rooms give the
sule in the James Bond film guests a unique insight into the Kingdom of Poseidon.
“The Spy Who Loved Me”.

Next best thing to flying. Spend the night like Diogenes.

Rooms in thin air. Hotel-plane in Woodlyn Park.

T he adventure of landing on an undulating path carved

S leep in a barrel, or rather in a sewage pipe, with
only the basic necessities in terms of interior fittings. In
out by nature itself, the mile-long footpath from the air- Bottrop, standard sewage pipes with an inner diameter
strip to the hotel that will steal your breath for a full of 2 m and a length of 2.60 m are considered to be an
45 minutes while taking you to a dizzying height of extravagant place to sleep. dasparkhotel_bernepark, the
13,000 feet, and above all the view that will greet you second of its kind, opened in May. Equipped with an elec-
upon your arrival: the world’s highest hotel, the Everest tronic access system, the sewage pipes offer a
View, on top of the world next to the Tibetan border in retreat without having to shut yourself away
Nepal certainly deserves its name. The highest mountain from the action, or so we are told by the
on Earth and other eight-thousand peaks seem to be operator of this unusual hostel. „Pay as you
within arm‘s reach, but yet for most they remain inacces- wish“ is its philosophy, with guests only
sible. To get to the base camp of Everest alone takes paying what they feel is appropriate or by
seven days in air that is wafer thin. Thanks to the World whatever means they would like to support
Wide Web, communication with the hotel at the foot
of Mount Everest was surprisingly not a problem for the
TROX life editorial team. We would like to thank the
T wo holiday apartments are located in the massive
aircraft that rests on the centre of a green hill in the
this idea. Bookings are taken over the
Internet.

Sherpa hotel team for their extraordinarily fast response Woodlyn Park in the north of New Zealand. There is a
and the great picture story. Great distance and immense kitchen and a shower and the bed offers a direct view
altitude posed no obstacle at all – in contrast to closer of the cockpit in which pilots sat
locations in Germany, from which we are still awaiting in the 1940s while flying
a response. freight around the world.

26 TROX life magazine – Reportage TROX life magazine – Reportage 27

 Interview

Life Behind
Bars.
Staying at Mark McSorley means “life behind bars”. He is the new man in charge
of one of England’s most ancient buildings. Today, Malmaison Oxford Castle is a
luxurious boutique hotel, but its blood-thirsty history dates back almost 1,000
years, in which it has served time as a jail and starred as a film set.

B uilt in 1071, just after the Norman Conquest, Oxford Castle is believed
to have been used as a jail from as early as 1230. Across the centuries, many
prisoners repaid their debt to society in its walls, and a number never regained their
freedom. The last public execution took place in 1863, but hangings continued
behind closed doors, within C Wing, until 1950.

In modern times, when Her Majesty’s Prison Oxford was deemed too expensive to
run, it was closed down and sold for a mere £9,000. With all the cells still intact,
the site became popular as a film set. TV programmes such as Inspector Morse, Bad
Girls, Porridge and The Bill were filmed here, as well as movies like 102 Dalmatians
and Mean Machine.

In 2003, the Malmaison hotel chain stepped in – a company which by its own
admission “dares to be different”. An ambitious two-year refurbishment took place to
bring the site back to life. The hotel we see today is as luxurious as it is atmospheric,
and worth a cool £30 million. Still retaining its architectural features, but refitted
to offer the very best in comfort and fine dining, it attracts visitors from all over
the world.

In the following interview Mark McSorley talks to TROX Life about his most
challenging post to date.

28 TROX life magazin – Interview TROX life magazin – Interview 29

 Interview

Mr McSorley, how does the Malmaison Oxford Castle compare with other hotels Have you seen any ghostly activity yourself?
in which you’ve worked? They’ve shown themselves to me in other places I’ve worked. Hotels are notorious
The age of the building and its history make it an entirely new experience for me. for hauntings, but I’ve not seen anything here. I’m not scared of ghosts. If I see one I’ll
A modern building with insulation and double-glazing is very different to Malmaison probably say welcome and offer it a drink.
Oxford Castle, where you have stone walls several feet thick and bars across the windows.
Have your guests experienced any ghostly happenings?
A prison doesn’t immediately sound like the ideal place for relaxation and leisure. I think quite a few of our guests would love to experience something like that. They
Do your guests get the feeling they are being taken into custody? are fascinated when they hear that 58 skeletons were discovered when we were rede-
Our guests particularly love the converted cell rooms in A Wing, which still have the veloping the area which is now rooms 401-415. The theory is that corpses of executed
original prison doors and barred windows. It’s the idea of being ‘locked up’ for the night murderers were used illegally by trainee doctors in the nearby university for medical
which really appeals. When we are very busy, we sometimes find that guests are research and then buried in the prison grounds. That might explain why these 58 were
dis­appointed if they are in our New Road rooms. The rooms are beautiful, but they’re not resting in peace in the nearby graveyard.
not cells!
In reality though, as much as they enjoy the ghost stories and legends, our guests are
So your company really does ‘dare to be different’. more likely to get a good night’s sleep than a fright in the night.
Absolutely, the company slogan runs right through the organisation. This is more than
just a place to stay, it is an unforgettable experience. All of the Malmaison hotels are Mr McSorley, thank you for speaking to us.
quirky and different. Many of our guests travel around the country specifically to visit
different Malmaison hotels.

What sorts of improvements were needed to turn an old prison into a comfortable
boutique hotel?
Air conditioning was crucial of course, but it was important that the equipment could
blend in. The ceilings in the cells are coved, so the TROX chilled beams are special
customised designs that provide high levels of comfort for guests whilst still retaining
the building’s character. As you can imagine, we’ve also had to control the acoustics
in the large echoing halls.

The area that used to be the hanging cell for the prison has been converted and
is now a staff area. Do your employees get nervous about working there?
The kitchens are where the hanging cell used to be, but that’s not the area that
people find scary, funnily enough.

30 TROX life magazin – Interview TROX life magazin – Interview 31

 Lifestyle

In Climate
Veritas.
The truth about the right wine temperature is generally in the middle. Perfect
climate conditions are not only an important quality factor for wine-growing, but
temperature control is also extremely important in the storage of wine. Above all,
wines should not be exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations and there must
be sufficient air humidity to ensure that natural corks do not become too dry. Many
traditionally manufactured quality wines do not develop their flavour until post-
ripening, a process that takes place during storage of the bottles. Top wines only
reach their optimum maturity after 15-20 years. And the higher the quality of the
wine, the better the storage conditions have to be.

Storage temperature
10 to 13 °C. Essential for old and very old wines. A higher temperature of 13 to 15 °C
accelerates the maturing process of the wines. Gastronomers use this effect to shorten
the storage time of Grand Cru wines.

Temperature fluctuations
The perfect storage room should be kept at a constant temperature if possible.
Continuously changing between heating and cooling, e.g. between night and day, redu-
ces the quality of the wine. The wine changes its volume, and this leads to increased gas
exchange through the cork. The more the bottles are exposed to such fluctuations, the
more oxygen is available for the oxidation of the wine and this results in accelerated
maturing. The air relative humidity should be at least 60 % so that natural corks do not
dry out.

Serving temperature
The general rule is at low temperatures, the acidity in the wine emerges, bitterness
is hardly noticeable and the wine becomes pleasantly sweet. At high temperatures, on
Drinking temperature: the other hand, the acidity recedes, the wine tastes bitter and the sweetness becomes
coarse and sticky. The simplified temperature rule is as follows: serve white wine not
Full red wines, e.g. a good Bordeaux 16 – 18°C
too cold and red wine not too warm. White wine loses its aroma under 6 °C and tastes
Light red wines low in tannin 14 – 16°C
sour in the mouth. Above 20 °C, red wine tastes very alcoholic and coarse.
Top white wines, Beaujolais 12 – 14°C
Full, aromatic white wines, ports,
It is a popular saying to serve red wine at „room temperature“. This would be the right
Sweet wines, Banyuls, sherry 10 – 12°C
thing to do if the temperature in the room was 18 °C. Nowadays, people prefer to be
Light, fresh white wines 8 –10°C
warmer, so room temperatures of between 20 and 22 °C are the norm. These tempe-
ratures are far too high for red wine! For this reason, red wines should also be stored
Here, it is important to know that the temperature of wine
in a place that is slightly cooler.
will have increased by 1°C to 2°C by the time it has been
poured into the glass.

32 TROX life magazine – Lifestyle TROX life magazine – Lifestyle 33

 TROX news

Computational Fluid Dynamics.

Computer-aided development of
plastic diffusers.
Velocity and pressure distribution between the blades of the Representation of streamlines in the discharge behaviour of the new
AIRNAMIC diffuser AIRNAMIC diffuser

TROX AIRNAMIC and XARTO swirl To this end, the geometry of the After the initial calculations, the the design. In this way, TROX has de-
diffusers are the result of extensive diffuser is reproduced with the aid first prototype is generated on the veloped innovative plastic diffusers
development work on the basis of a three-dimensional grid. basis of the three-dimensional geo- that meet the highest aerodynamic
of new materials. For this new metric model by means of a rapid and acoustic requirements.
product, scientists at the RWTH In the example of the new prototyping process and this is then
Aachen together with a develop- AIRNAMIC diffuser, approx. four subjected to rigorous testing. *Rapid Prototyping is an umbrella
ment team headed by Dr. Thomas million grid points are required to term for different processes for
Sefker carried out highly complex allow the calculation of small turbu- The results are compared with the rapid production of sample compo­
simulation calculations in order to lent structures with high accuracy. CFD analysis and are used to carry nents on the basis of design data,
achieve the highest level of efficiency. Turbulence, reverse flow and flow out further optimisation. without first constructing a tool or
separation over edges increase mould.

U sing Computational
Dynamics (CFD), powerful compu-
Fluid
pressure loss and generate noise
and must therefore be kept to
a minimum.
Catalogue data is then compiled in
accordance with standard procedu-
res for the type geometry of the new
Prof. Dr. Ing. Dirk Müller,
Director of the Institute for Energy
Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate
at RWTH Aachen University
ters can calculate and visualise diffuser and these are then given to Dr. Thomas Sefker,
the three-dimensional flow field in On the basis of velocity and pres- the planner to serve as the basis for Head of Research & Development,
TROX GmbH
a diffuser in detail, even before a sure distribution, the blade geome-
prototype exists. try is now being optimised in the first
design stage.

Here, the benefits of the plastic

material over sheet steel are cleverly
utilised in the design.

The new TROX Xarto and Airnamic diffusers.

Thanks to high-value ABS plastic, innovative air control blades can achieve extremely quiet
air discharge with optimum swirl generation. The most demanding comfort standards
can thus be fulfilled, even in the event of very high volume flow rates.

34 T R O X l i f e m a g a z i n e – Tr o x n e w s T R O X l i f e m a g a z i n e – Tr o x n e w s 35
 TROX internal

Room Air Conditioning Re-defined. TROX well equipped for the future.
X-CUBE from TROX.

By developing Central Air Handling

Units TROX has made decisive
create an industrial, high-quality
impression. The structural design of
O n 13th October 2011, the
official opening of the production site
O n 5 July 2011, the Supervisory
Board of TROX GmbH appointed
steps towards being a complete the X-CUBE and the self-explanatory in Anholt will take place with 250 Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dirk Müller as Chief
system supplier in the air conditio- icons ensure simple assembly, main- guests attending from political and Technical Officer at TROX GmbH.
ning and ventilation technology, tenance and cleaning and help to business spheres. The 150 new Prof. Müller is responsible for
true to the maxim “One-stop- reduce costs. The field-bus-based TROX employees and the manage- Research & Development, Product
shopping”. X-CUBE provides many modular control system solution with ment are delighted that Day X is Management as well as International
advantages. The optimized coordi- significantly reduced wiring simplifies drawing closer. Type production of Production.
nation between the AHU and the the installation. the X-CUBE central air handling unit
system components results in high can then start in the beginning of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dirk Müller will conti-
energy efficiency and increased The configurable X-CUBE is avai- December so that the first units can nue to be active as a University
quality and at the same time less lable in flexible standard construc- be delivered before the end of 2011. Professor and Director of the Institu-
coordination and commissioning tions for supply or extract air and as te for Energy Efficient Buildings and
issues. TROX manufactures the a combination unit with the casings Indoor Climate at RWTH Aachen.
bulk of the components itself, arranged side by side or double-deck For some years now, he has been a
thereby putting into practice the or as a small compact unit close advisor of TROX and was
vast experience of the company. Technical data: a member of the TROX GmbH Super­
Modular, flexible frame construction
A special hygienic construction in visory Board until the end of June

T
Flow rate range:
accordance with the German RLT Up to 24,000 l/s, 86,000 m3/h From left: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dirk Müller (Chief Technical Officer), Lutz Reuter (Chief Executive Officer), 2011.
Udo Brinkmann (Chief Financial Officer) with Heinz Trox (Principal Shareholder of TROX GmbH)
he high-quality manufacture Guideline 01 and a weather-proof Dimensions:
and state-of-the-art design of the fle- construction for roof top installation h: 0.5–4 filter elements Within the newly structured Board
(305–2,440 mm)
xible frame construction, which is is complete the range of units. b:1–8 filter elements
of Management, Lutz Reuter has
completely covered externally by (610–4,880 mm) taken over the position as Chief
thermally insulated panels or doors, Executive Officer.

At the same time, Robert Baumeister,

Chairman of the Management Board
of the German Association of AHU
Manufacturers (Herstellerverband
Raumlufttechnische Geräte e.V.),
was appointed to the Supervisory
Board of TROX GmbH. He, too,
has worked with TROX in an advisory
capacity for the past few years.
TROX X-CUBE
Central air handling unit
for the supply and extract
ventilation of rooms and buildings,
The optimum harmonisation between the central
filtering, heating, cooling, heat
unit and the components in the X-Cube ensures
recovery, humidification and
high energy efficiency.
dehumidification. It can be
individually configured, so that
all project requirements
can be fulfilled.

36 T R O X l i f e m a g a z i n e – Tr o x i n t e r n a l T R O X l i f e m a g a z i n e – Tr o x i n t e r n a l 37
 Apostil

Vision:
Hotel In The Year 2021.

2 p.m. Check-in at my favourite

hotel in Berlin. It is April in the year
Breakfast was a surprising discovery.
And woe betide anyone who lost Imprint:

2021, and it is extremely mild for their room key! Publisher:

TROX GmbH
this time of year in the capital city. Heinrich-Trox-Platz
There is no one at reception to Oh how I miss the chat at the 47504 Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)2845/202-0
bother me. My ID inserted into the reception. And who knows, maybe I Fax: +49 (0)2845/202-265
registration slot at the counter is would encounter a new brand of E-Mail: [email protected]
www.trox.de
sufficient. The computer identifies beer in the minibar. And would it
my details and my thumb print will really be the end of the world if Realisation:
Schuster Thomsen Röhle Communication
now serve as a room key. I overslept in the morning?
Schiessstraße 61
40549 Düsseldorf
I arrive upstairs and the heating
Editorial team:
has set itself to my usual 22°C, the Dirk Trusheim, gb-report The room service Christine Roßkothen, TROX GmbH
screen comes on, ntv shows the robot of the future Klaus Müller

latest news. This is just how I set it Print:

during my first visit and the system DITO Digitale Dienstleistungs-GmbH
Hängebank 3
will repeat this procedure every time 45307 Essen
I visit the hotel.
Art Direction/Composing:
Jörg Kauschka
I already know that the minibar will
Photo editors:
have my favourite drink and the Jörg Kauschka
bathroom will have my favourite Klaus Müller

shower gel. I already know what I will Image sources:

have for breakfast in the morning Title: i-Stock
Page 4/5: Fotolia
and even the time of the alarm will Page 6/7: Union Investment Real Estate GmbH
be set to the same time as that of Page 8/9: TROX GmbH
Page 10/11: Fotolia, i-Stock
my last visit. Page 12: Fotolia
Page 14/15: rgm-design Düsseldorf,
TROX GmbH
Boredom pur. Page 16/17: TROX GmbH, i-Stock
How inconvenient, but how Page 18/19: Eh’Häusl, Amberg urban planning
Page 20/21: TROX GmbH
exciting it was a few years ago. The Page 22: i-Stock
tiresome filling out of forms in front Page 24/25: Fotolia
Seite 26/27: Hotel Everest View, Capsule Hotel
of an ill-mannered receptionist. The The Hague, Woodlyn Park NZ, Poseidon
room that was always either too Undersea Resorts Fiji, archipicture Linz
Page 28/30: Malmaison Hotel Oxford,
warm or too cold. The same applied TROX UK, Fotolia, Mark Bassett, UK (photographs)
to the beer. And the right channel Page 32: i-Stock
Page 34/35: TROX GmbH, RWTH Aachen
on the TV would take forever to Page 36/37: TROX GmbH
find – if you managed to find it at all. Page 39: Illustration Jan-Michael Richter
Page 40: TROX GmbH

Dirk Trusheim, gb-report

38 TROX life magazine – Apostil

TROX GmbH
Heinrich-Trox-Platz
47504 Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)2845/20 2-0
Fax: +49 (0)2845/20 2-265
[email protected]
www.trox.de