List of conversation topics

Ideological Transformation

Net ZEB

Green roofs

Read Interview Create the context We’re a team that likes to chew things over: concepts, questions and concerns that we see around us, or that we ourselves have. And we’re always thinking these things through, so that when the question finally arises in a given project we’re able to channel all these ideas we’ve pondered. In many cases, this constant ruminating, creates a context for a new project or a specific commission. The basis is being reconsidered Nowadays the basis of our development, the basis of our social and economic evolution is being reconsidered. We need to completely rethink our way of developing, amongst other things because the energy we use to develop is obtained by burning fossil fuels, and those fossil fuels release CO2 into the atmosphere, which in turn creates major environmental problems. Ideological transformation Constructing and occupying buildings in developed countries represents 40% of our energy consumption. So the new model of sustainable development must involve a radical transformation of the way we construct and occupy buildings. In this sense, architecture is fundamental; architects, engineers, developers, the building sector play a key role in this. We have a commitment, an obligation that falls to all of us who’re living in the present moment. So we’re not talking about a question of style, or a question of appearance, or a little fine tuning. We’re talking about a profound, radical change, that begins with an ideological transformation, and all that follows after that. Small changes Nowadays our buildings, on average, functioning buildings in Spain are on average using twice the amount of energy, that they should be. Just by investing a little energy reductions would be significant. Demand little energy A building in itself should demand little energy to produce comfort. So decisions related to the shape of the building, the building envelope, the structural systems, the position, these are aspects worth investing in. They’re also the ones related to the appearance of the building. Once the building demands very little energy, the facilities and machines you put inside, also have to be energy-efficient. But it’s useless having energy- efficient machines if the building itself requires a lot of energy.

Net ZEB The challenge now, for the next ten years, is to create zero energy buildings, the “Net ZEB” concept. That means, over a period of a year, buildings should produce the same amount of energy that they consume. So the overall energy balance is zero. Grenn roofs With a green roof system, planting gardens on the roofs of buildings helps dispel excess temperature. With organic material, the heat doesn’t reflect off the surface. And at the same time the evaporation of water from the plants, helps to temper the heat. Buildings that aren’t exposed to the sun’s glare, because they have a landscaped roof avoid problems with overheating in the sun. What do you expect from the near future? I myself, as an architect, need to stop seeing myself as someone who simply creates projects for others to build. In other words, folders filled with documents to obtain a permit so that someone can build what I’ve created. Instead, I have to try to plan for the finished, fully-functioning building. I think the same thing goes for the building industry. Manufacturers of materials need to collaborate more with other industry players to deliver operative, efficient buildings. ...and from Danosa? need to get more involved in helping to build with a specific end result. need to collaborate more (with other building agents) to deliver finished buildings with.