A Visit To A Sustainable Building

Architects: César Ruiz-Larrea And AssociatesCésar Ruiz-Larrea is

vice president of ASA (Architecture and Sustainability Association)

The building won many awards in 2010:

• First prize. Sustainable Construction Prizes in Castilla y León (Valladolid, 2010)

• First prize ENDESA awards 2010• COAM award 2010

• First prize ASPRIMA-SIMA awards 2010 as the best technological and

sustainable initiative in buildings

Location:Móstoles

Móstoles is a city in the south of Madrid, as our own town Getafe. It took us a few minutes to get there by a modern and ecologic transport: the Metro-Sur underground.

The architects showed us the features that make this building an example of sustainable architecture:•Design: takes advantage of the solar radiation.•Technology: it uses geothermal heating and cooling as well as solar power.•Social use: 92 flats of protected renting for young people. Social spaces.

Solar Semicycle Curved DesignThe south facade is completely exposed to the solar radiation to heat the building in winter.

A canopy and the Venetian blinds protect them from the sun in summer.

Different holes allow the air draughts.

3D

Solar Semicycle Curved Design

The North facade is protected from the wind with coloured panels.There are corridors used as bioclimatic cushions.In summer nigths the air draught refreshes the building.

Bioclimatic Technology

A horizontal geothermal system uses constant temperature of the ground at 7 m deep for heating the air in winter or cooling it in summer.

Bioclimatic TechnologyThere are solar panels on the terrace that supply the energy to make the air flow.

Plants will help to correct the lack of humidity in Madrid.

Social useThe building belongs to the municipality consisting of 92 flats for rent, mainly for young people.

There are public areas to host recreational activities.