Istanbul Technical University

When natural ventilation contributes to learning success

The MED-C building at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) is a pioneering teaching and research facility that sets new standards for sustainable educational architecture. Spanning around 12,000 m², the building brings together modern lecture theatres and staff offices under one roof. Right from the early planning phase in 2020, the project team, working alongside the renowned architectural firm ULAŞ ARCHITECTURE, aimed to combine optimised learning conditions with maximum energy efficiency.

D+H’s long-standing partner Esbau developed a hybrid system for this purpose: The skylights in the central atrium handle the extraction of stale air, whilst windows on the ground floor and in the classrooms provide a supply of fresh air. Additional openings above the classroom doors promote air circulation inside the building. The window control system is based on temperature, air humidity and CO₂ levels, the latter serving as a key indicator of actual room usage.

Depending on demand and room occupancy, the drives control the skylights in the atrium across several opening stages: the more classrooms in use, the wider the opening. The concept is complemented by automatic responses to weather conditions. For example, the windows close automatically when it rains, open in the morning on a timer for around 15 minutes, and respond to temperature, air humidity and CO₂ levels throughout the day.

The VCD series chain drives were used in their totality, comprising over 70 particularly quiet and compact models, which are ideally suited for daily ventilation modes. The atrium skylights were each fitted with two powerful ZA rack and pinion drives operating in synchronisation. Sensors in all 31 classrooms provide the necessary environmental data.

Instead of a conventional air-conditioning system, the project team opted for a fully natural, demand-controlled ventilation concept featuring automated window drives, combined with an integrated smoke vent and heat extraction system (SHEV). This makes the MED-C building one of the first educational buildings in Turkey in which natural ventilation and smoke venting have been implemented as a holistic, integrated system.

The MED-C building has become a showcase project that impressively demonstrates the potential of intelligently controlled, natural ventilation systems for educational buildings. In 2026, the project was awarded ‘Platinum’ – the highest honour of the D+H Atmosphere Awards – for its pioneering, fully autonomous system for natural ventilation and cooling.