Building project for sustainable stables

New construction of a future-oriented and sustainable animal husbandry facility for pigs with environmentally friendly electricity production

The challenge in planning the new type of pig fattening barn was especially to develop an appealing architecture for the multiple uses. It is important to adapt the overall facility on the property to the prevailing slope and still ensure that the complex integrates into the already existing farm image.

For the sustainability of the project, the planned photovoltaic system also had to be accommodated, which also affected the orientation of the fattening house. In addition, the total number of animals was to be divided into four housing units. However, these barn units need spatial connections for housing and unhousing.

Straw management requires that a storage facility be created. Furthermore, the straw is to be mechanised and transported to the individual stables via conveyor belts and straw robots. Therefore, in addition to the four stables, a fifth complex in the same style is being built here - the straw storage hall.

In order to ensure that other required ancillary rooms do not appear separately as buildings , the hall was supplemented with the ancillary rooms for fodder storage as well as the changing rooms, sanitary facilities and recreation rooms for the staff.

Of course, this modern way of keeping stables also requires technology. A lot of technology. And this building technology, especially ventilation and air filter technology, should of course be as invisible as possible in its entirety through the architectural implementation.

In order to finally implement the sustainable utilisation of the manure produced, a 99kW biogas plant is being built in the form of a farm power plant. This plant is operated exclusively with liquid manure and dung, which in turn produces electricity and waste heat. 

Some of the electricity generated is then later stored in a high-voltage storage unit and used for ongoing operations. The resulting substrate from the biogas plant is spread again on the farmland as valuable fertiliser.

Follow our building project from start to finish

2019
October '19
First talks
An idea arises

Initial discussions on the idea of the project have taken place.

2020
March '20
Stable planning begins
Let's get started - the project

After project presentations and talks with partners such as Bröring, the concrete planning for the stable construction begins.

April '20
First plans for biogas and PV plant
Ready to go - biogas and PV

We start planning the construction of the biogas plant and the PV system. In addition, first ideas for electricity storage are collected.

2021
21.02.2021
The building application
Submission of the building application to the district of Diepholz

After a long preparation, we submit the building application. Now we have to wait.

September '21 - Novmber '21
It becomes concrete
Archaeological propection / excavations
2022
09.02.2022
The building permit
Granting of the building permit

We are delighted to learn that the building application has been approved. The ground-breaking ceremony is planned.

17.02.2022
The groundbreaking
First earthworks begin
We get started straight away. Creating a construction road and removing the topsoil are the first tasks. 
First half of March '22
Measurements and excavation begin
Measuring of the stable buildings and the central aisle, excavations begin

The measurements of the barn buildings and the central corridor are in progress. In the course of March, excavations for tanks and filter buildings will be carried out. 

Second half of March '22
Construction cranes and the beginning of the construction of the biogas plant
The construction cranes are up - it can start

On 30 March, the construction of the biogas plant begins. At the same time, the material is delivered on time.

05.04.22
Start of the first concrete works
Concrete is needed for the first container

The first container, the final storage facility for the biogas plant, is built. 

27.04.22
First work begins

Construction company Anton EIken starts with the first works.

09.05.22
The sand foundation for the barn has been created, the construction crane is in place and the first concrete works have been carried out.
01.06.22
The tightness test of the bottom by experts was performed.
04.07.22
First masonry work on the stable building begins
30.07.22
The biogas plant takes shape
August - September '22
More base slabs at the barn were concreted, and masonry work also continued.
19.09.2022
Access roads are created.

Start of access roads and main driveways were provisionally prepared, assembly works on the biogas plant were also continued.

04.10.2022
Delivery of the CHP units
05.10.2022
Connection to the public network.

From now on, the TRAFO is supplied with its own line and is thus connected to the grid. The construction site is now supplied with its own electricity.

10.10.2022
Delivery of switch cabinets and controls biogas plant
26.10.2022
The first stables are scaffolded.

The first stables of the total of four were scaffolded, the work safety plays a very important and decisive role

03.11.2022
The first timber reaches the construction site, the nail trusses of the first two roof trusses are there.
November - December '22
Further and partially remaining concreting and masonry work is underway.
December '22
Remaining work 2022

Residual works on the biogas plant, such as the assembly of the supporting air roofs or installation of the pump station and pipelines were carried out.

23.12.2022 - 08.01.2023
Merry Christmas!

Now it's "Merry Christmas" - even a break must be sometimes, the construction rested during this time.

2023
09.01.2023
Exterior work on the biogas plant continues.
23.01.2023 - 30.01.2023
The roofs of the four stables are covered.
01.02.2023
The works on the external facade of the stable buildings begin.
05.02.2023
First materials for the barn equipment are delivered.
06.02.2023
The company Big Dutchman begins with the assembly of the barn direction.
13.02.2023
The construction of the exhaust air scrubber has begun.
24.02.2023
Sewer construction begins, first pipelines are laid in the ground.
27.02.2023
Topping out ceremony!

The time has finally come and the topping-out ceremony is solemnly performed. In the best weather, the building has received a traditional topping-out wreath.

March '23
The biogas plant and the CHP will be completed with the remaining work to be done.
20.03.2023
The first electrical work begins, many many cables and lines must now be laid and connected.
27.03.2023
The facade gets a fine polish.
30.03.2023
Delivery of the filter modules of the exhaust air scrubber.
02.04.2023
Earthworks and construction of the straw storage hall have begun.
April '23
Assembly work in full swing.

The assembly work on the exhaust air scrubber is in full swing, but the assembly work in the buildings is also in full swing. 

At the end of April, the connecting pipes will be laid - it resembled a pile of spaghetti 🙂 

10.04.2023
Start of the installation of the PV system on the roofs of the stables.
08.05.2023
Road construction begins.

Road construction begins, pipes and sewer lines are buried in the ground. Now the finishing touches are being made for the road construction.

15.05.2023
The biogas plant begins the process and its work.
19.05.2023
The hot water tank is installed.
May '23
The exterior part 1.

The exterior will be spruced up a bit, and the earthen wall around the site will also be created.

May '23
The exterior part 2.

The exterior will be spruced up a bit, and the earthen wall around the site will also be created.

20.05.2023
Feed kitchen and water supply.

The assembly work on the interior of the four stables is completed, now the feed kitchen and water supply and distribution are installed and assembled.

End of May '23
The straw storage shed is erected

The straw storage hall is erected, in parallel the premises on the 1st floor for conveying the straw to the compartments and conveying equipment are installed.

05.06.2023
The feed silos are set up.
June '23
A turbulent June.

June was turbulent. Among other things, the bale shredder was placed in the straw hall. In addition, preparations for road construction and exterior work went into the finishing touches. Topsoil was applied and minor beauty work was done. 

 

Inside, the electricians and façade builders had to go all out again, and it was like being in a pigeon loft.

July '23
The latest work.

The final work is in full swing and the opening is imminent. Among other things, the outdoor areas are being asphalted and paved.

08.07.2023
The grand opening

The big day has come, the opening of the facilities! After a total of almost 5 years of planning and construction, we can now proudly put the new facility into operation. The construction project was inaugurated with many guests from politics, administration and companies as well as neighbors, friends and employees.

14.07.2023
The first animals are housed.

The project is now officially up and running, and you can find all further information in the "Pig fattening" and media library sections or on Instagram or Facebook.