In the previous article, we mentioned the Agency for the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GSA), which is based in Prague's Holešovice and where we supplied a heating-cooling ceiling to the main meeting room. The meeting room is a pivotal place for scientists, as it is a place of important meetings, conferences or international transmissions. In this article, we will therefore focus more on the technical specifications that the project involved.

And how did it all start? Architects and authors of the modernization of the building for GSA Milan Rejchl, Josef Pospíšil and Martin Perlík originally planned to deliver classic heating and cooling systems, such as air conditioning units, to the room. Demands have been made for high performance, both heating and cooling, as well as for perfect acoustics, as it is a lecture hall. When it came to construction work, it was found that under the ceiling there is a complete infrastructure for the whole house and there is simply no room for air conditioning units. In the ceilings there was existing air conditioning, heating and cooling. And then we came to design the system. 

As we indicated in the previous article, the functionality and advantage of the system lies primarily in the radiant effect, which brings noticeable savings in operating costs. However, it is important that the very environment in which scientists work every day is comfortable. Our heating-cooling system guarantees a free environment and is a positive benefit for workers, who can operate carelessly in the premises every day without being forced to work in conditions that do not meet health standards.

It turned out that we had 3 cm of space left in the ceiling for our element, which we should have delivered to the meeting room. A three-centimeter element that must be heated, cooled and at the same time understand the acoustic requirements. At first it seemed an impossible task, so we started to look at it more and finally managed to design, provide and implement the element. It seemed to be won, but as it happens, there was another problem, namely that while we designed and manufactured the element, the layout of the room changed and we had another nut to crack. It should be mentioned that the panels are made to measure and were ordered, of course, before they were assembled. We had to measure the structures to fit the existing wall and columns and imagine what the system would look like when it was done. It should be noted that we focused in relatively difficult conditions, when the room was almost in a dissolute state.
What exactly was it about? In the final stage of the modifications, one wall of the room had to move 10 cm closer, and according to the architect's instructions, the originally designed spacing between the cassettes had to be observed for visual effect. In the end, however, this was solved thanks to our experienced technicians and we have another successful project behind us.

Are you interested in space technology and navigation systems? That's certainly how you know Galileo, the GNSS navigation system, which is similar to America's widely used GPS. And if you do not know, you should definitely know that Prague has been the seat of the Agency for the European Satellite System for 5 years. Since 2012, when the Agency for the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GSA) moved its headquarters to Prague, the direct contribution to the Czech economy has reached CZK 800 million. The Czech Republic mainly benefits from cooperation on projects for the development of satellite navigation applications.

Do you think the impact of such a system is negligible for an ordinary mortal? You're wrong. Navigation systems affect our daily lives more than you think. Smartphones, which are the main segment using services based on their own location, are the dominant position. Other devices include, for example, car navigation. However, GNSS applications in fields such as transport, agriculture or infrastructure are numerous. In agriculture, satellite data allows agricultural machinery to be used to make food production as efficient and cheaper as possible. The benefits will then be reflected, for example, by reducing fuel costs.

The Agency for the European Satellite System is located in a building in Prague's Holešovice, where we supplied the researchers with a cassette heating-cooling ceiling to the main meeting room. It serves primarily as a place for important conferences, international broadcasts and long-distance discussions. Demands have been made for high performance, both heating and cooling, as well as perfect acoustics. And what is such a ceiling for in a meeting room? The functionality and advantage of the system lies primarily in the radiant effect, which brings noticeable savings in operating costs. 

What we consider, but very important, is the very environment in which scientists work every day. The comfortable, airless environment guaranteed by our heating-cooling system is a positive benefit for workers, who can operate carelessly in the premises every day without being forced to work in conditions that do not meet health standards. By this we mean especially classic air conditioning units, which, especially in the summer period, are unpleasant with characteristic drafts and noise. We are happy to help projects that we consider important and prove that such projects belong to the Czech Republic in this way!