"Hamilton 2.0" sets new standards in sustainable industrial construction

Dr. Carmelia Maissen, Head of the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Mobility, installed one of the two Minergie plaques in the reception area of the Hamilton complex in Domat/Ems “As a high-tech company, Hamilton impressively demonstrates with this building that environmental protection and innovation are not just theory but are also lived in practice and in company decisions.”

The second plaque was screwed to the wall by Dr. Gianina Viglino-Caviezel, President of Hamilton Services and CFO of the Hamilton companies. The consistent focus on a more sustainable future was a strategic decision, said Viglino-Caviezel. “Hamilton has stood for innovation since its foundation. This characterizes the sustainable orientation of our company worldwide. The global challenges are enormous, but at the same time, technology and innovation offer more potential than ever before to overcome precisely these challenges.” Viglino-Caviezel referred to the many modern technologies used at Hamilton 2.0.

Hamilton 2.0 – Sustainable and innovative

Modern and weatherproof PV systems that can withstand the most adverse conditions generate an impressive amount of electricity on the roof and various façades: “A total of 5,400 m² of photovoltaic panels were installed. The electricity production amounts to almost 1,100 MWp. Hamilton can cover around 15 percent of its own electricity requirements with this. For comparison: With this energy 556 electric cars could drive 10,000 kilometers each without emission”, explains Achim Sax, Director Facilities at Hamilton and project manager of Hamilton 2.0. The high-bay warehouse is deliberately oriented to the west to benefit from the valuable winter electricity when the sun is low in the sky. The intelligent glass façades are particularly innovative, as Sax explains: “These are made of electrochromic-coated glass that automatically darkens when the sun shines, which greatly reduces energy consumption”.

Collaboration is the key to success

Achieving the Minergie-P and Minergie-A standards for an industrial building of this size was a major challenge for everyone involved. Thomas Kuster, co-owner of the company “Kuster + Partner”, spoke about one of the biggest challenges of the last three years. He and his team supported Hamilton in the planning and implementation to achieve the Minergie standards. “The highest demands were placed on the quality of the building envelope, building technology and airtightness. It was particularly important to have a tight envelope that prevents heat loss and thus reduces energy costs.” Roman Pitsch, architect at Domenig Architekten, also emphasized the complexity of the building. According to him, it was crucial that the goal was already clearly defined in the vision and the initial discussions so that everyone involved had a good direction. “The biggest challenge was to stay on the chosen path and pursue it consistently.”

Government Councilor Dr. Carmelia Maissen put it in a nutshell: “For an industrial building to be certified with the Minergie-A and Minergie-P labels, many requirements must be met. Above all, it requires a far-sighted client, innovative planning and the will of all those involved to realize such a flagship project.”