Among the strategies carried out to achieve minimum environmental impact are the installation of solar panels, the use of aerothermy for air conditioning, and the systematic use of recyclable materials. The structure of cross-laminated timber panels or CLT has an excellent performance as acoustic and thermal insulator, in addition to a low level of maintenance.
The studio is also working on other sustainable projects in association with the developer Impacto Cero, specialised in this type of development, with whom it will carry out a new construction with the same characteristics in the Madrid district of Tetuan.
Project description
The developer Impacto Cero presents the first residential building in Madrid built entirely with a structure of contralaminated wood. The project is located on Calle Buenavista 15, in the Lavapiés neighborhood and has become a benchmark in the development of sustainable residential buildings. Impacto Cero has had the experience and confidence of the b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos studio to carry out the project.
It is a residential building between medians in the historic center of Madrid. With five floors high, its structure and enclosures are entirely built with contralaminated wood.
All the materials and systems in its construction have been chosen to minimize the environmental impact. The building, which has a negative hint of footprint, has obtained the first Breeam Excellent seal from Spain for a residential building. The sustainability certification obtained guarantees the high environmental quality of the project.
With regard to the future inhabitants of the property, this translates into a huge benefit, since it implies a reduction in the maintenance costs of your home, also improving your levels of well-being and comfort, as well as the environmental footprint. A certified home can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 56% and 35% in water consumption.
Strategies to achieve the minimum environmental impact
The main objective of the project has been to get as close as possible to what would be a “zero impact” building; that is, with a low environmental impact and the highest possible energy self-sufficiency.
For this, they have been used from low-energy elevators with “Stand By” system and Led lighting, through the installation of solar panels, installation of fast battery chargers for vehicles and electric bicycles, high efficiency lighting and air conditioning systems energy, air conditioning for air conditioning, to the systematic use of recyclable materials.
The structure of the building, made of wood panels against laminate or CLT, allows to reach high parameters of comfort in the houses, derived from the excellent behavior as acoustic and thermal insulation of the wood. The user benefits from the low level of maintenance required by the CLT due to its durability, a safe and highly advanced system in construction technology, which arises from the desire to achieve the minimum environmental impact.
Sustainability, a complicated objective
The excessive regulation of the real estate sector causes approaches such as Zero Impact to meet administrative deadlines, urban planning regulations, and taxation that greatly penalizes the promotion of sustainable buildings, reducing their profitability and thereby, the possibility of their development.
In this way the fight against climate change is penalized and it is impeded to comply with the international agreements signed in the sustainable development goals, 2030 agenda.
The supply of this type of housing is increasingly demanded, especially by the youngest sector of society, more aware of the fight for climate change. It is necessary to facilitate the rapid processing of authorizations, reduce the deadlines for promotions and modify the taxation of sustainable buildings, making it similar to that of the European countries in our environment, so that the profitability of these, more expensive to build, is similar to those of traditional construction.
A new project underway: Hierbabuena
The construction of another building with the same type of structure is currently being prepared in the district of Tetuán, on Hierbabuena street. Impacto Cero and b720 will work together again on this project, which will have innovative solutions designed to reduce the environmental impacts of the building during its construction and subsequent use.
