Conference”BUILDING SUSTAINABLE HOUSING IN BARCELONA” Miquel Espinet / ESPINET UBACH

Our strategic partner architect Miquel Espinet the Spanish architectural firm Espinet Ubach in conjunction with the Colombian Society of Architects Regional Bolivar held a conference last May 8 in the floor & Events Tower Building Group Area in the city of Cartagena.
The main theme was ” BUILDING SUSTAINABLE HOUSING IN BARCELONA ” . Below is a summary of the topics covered :

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE HOUSING IN BARCELONA

In recent years it has promoted sustainability in all types of buildings to optimize materials, construction , facilities, etc. . That’s why the latest housing works in the office have been projected from the point of view of sustainability and level draft.
The buildings are presented social housing in two areas of Barcelona which seeks to reposition and re centralize .

 PROPERTIES CAN BATLLÓ ( 1st Prize tender architecture)

The building of 26 homes optimizes your organization plan to reduce variations in climate consumption heating and cooling energy. Facade materials have also been studied in the same direction together with the increased prefabrication for the minor maintenance .

SUSTAINABLE LAND

Occupation of the plot that keeps the current natural values is proposed , improving the quality of life of future users and causing the least possible impact on the territory .

Therefore, the proposal maintains the permeability of the existing plot by maximizing vegetation urbanization ensuring good drainage of the parcel once constructed buildings.

The development is designed for people and so the pedestrian and bicycle access is prioritized leaving vehicles outside the plot . No parking space for vehicles or inside the plot are anticipated.

The building footprint is minimized , increasing vegetated outer space compared to current planning . It protects existing habitat limiting action around the building.

Virtually the entire filter remains parcelase natural terrain. It captures rainwater and with the natural drainage of the land and the green roof is downstairs .

Light colors of the roofs of buildings added to the predominant landscaping minimize heat island effect of the building plot .

Nonpolluting exterior lighting designed to prevent light pollution into the sky and turn around is expected .

PROPERTY FOR VALLCARCA ( 1st prize architecture tender )

These 80 homes spread over several volumes. The volumetric study was very thorough for breaking the linearity of the block and fragment the different pieces to win greenery, views and basking . So all households have a few hours of direct light a day .

The actions for a green building able to get certified to environmental sustainability arguments of green building , leed , energy and class are: sustainable plot , optimization of energy , water cycle , materials and comfort and indoor environmental quality .

OPTIMIZATION OF ENERGY ( bioclimatic performance optimization )

In winter, increased isolation , minimizing thermal bridges and improvement of dwellings basking . In summer, substantially improving the natural comfort of homes with sun protection ( shutters booklet , woodland around ….) , exterior insulation , high thermal inertia and the possibility of natural night ventilation to prevent the installation of the HVAC system . Heating demand by 46 % and cooling by 87 % until it reduces unnecessary .

The system of centralized heating and hot water in the basement. Free spaces in housing for boilers and safety is improved. The overall performance of the system is increased and long-term maintenance is guaranteed. It also proposes to incorporate a system of micro -generation ( REE > 55 % ) supported with condensing boilers , making the promotion susceptible to obtain an energy rating A.

CHP INSTALLATION

In the preliminary phase have been studied alternative energy production. We performed a study of technical, economic and environmental viability .
Given the characteristics of the project, we evaluated the cogeneration of electricity and heat with gas engines .

The findings were:

  • The hours of operation of the equipment DACHS are appropriate to consider a cogeneration plant as invalid ( > 5000 hours / year) . Therefore, there is a sufficient and constant demand justifies cogeneration as an alternative heat subminister .
  • The architectural proposal Espinet / Ubach Architects, considered the need to provide sufficient common areas for centralized installation i HEATING ACS .
  • The need for a cogeneration facility investment is less than that required to provide building solar thermal system that demands the Barcelona Solar Ordinance .
  • There are two possible strategies for managing a cogeneration facility : working the maximum hours ( DACHS ) or working at peak ( ECOPOWER ) . In both cases, the operating margin is sufficient to guarantee the possibility of finding an energy manager interested in operating the facility .
  • Electricity production together with heat recovery for DHW HEATING i can justify a reduction in CO2 emissions compared AEB requirements.

BIOCLIMATIC BEHAVIOR

At the stage of basic design has been optimized bioclimatic building performance . We assessed the level of insulation required to secure a reduced demand for heating, have been studied to ensure the necessary conditions for summer comfort measures : ventilation thermal inertia , and sunscreen .

The findings were:
Insulation levels are critical to ensuring a reduced heating and cooling demands . The values of thermal transimtancia must meet the main enclosures are:

  • Facade – U = 0.26 W / m² k
  • Cover – U = 0.31 W / m² k
  • Window Uglobal ( approx ) = 2.10 W / m² k

The design , location and orientation of windows get some solar gains to suit the demands in winter and summer , as long as the windows incorporate sunscreens .

THE WATER CYCLE

It has worked the water cycle to minimize water needs and underselling water network. Water is a vital element and increasingly scarce especially in a Mediterranean climate like California . Not all water uses require the same water quality. In a promotion like this there needs potable water, gray water and irrigation water

For optimal water balance, we have incorporated the following strategies :

Reducing the demand for water by introduction of water saving faucets , showers and tanks and dual flush low volume . Use of gray water for flushing and irrigation. Despite increasing almost twice the landscaped area of the parcel , the design of landscaping with native species and xeriscape concepts based on water demand for irrigation and drip irrigation system and automatic decreases in plot

MATERIALS

An industrialized building system with thermal insulation system for outdoor reducing construction waste and the environmental impact of traditional building materials is proposed .

The design of the in situ plot will recover much of the earthworks required for construction of the underground parking. The maintenance of existing trees vegetables reduce construction waste .

In the final design phase of a life cycle analysis of materials will be conducted to evaluate alternative solutions to minimize resource consumption during construction and use of the building .

COMFORT AND INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

The comfort and health of users is a key element of sustainability. Therefore, the proposed power these aspects with three key strategies :

  • Natural cross ventilation is enhanced in all homes , providing them with at least two openings in opposite orientations .
  • All homes have private outdoor spaces and the intimacy and depth of view is enhanced .
  • The use of natural light as much of the interior spaces of the house as the Communal spaces are fully maximized.