Local renovation - Energy rehabilitation
at the Aura Foundation
STATUS: Completed
Comprehensive renovation and energy efficiency upgrade of the new Aura Foundation headquarters in Barcelona. The project transforms a former bank office into an inclusive, bright, and flexible space using double membranes that improve thermal, acoustic, and lighting comfort, significantly reducing energy demand and consumption.
DESCRIPTION
AURA is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities through social and employment inclusion. At its headquarters, training and support services are provided, and programs for collective self-management of social and domestic life are implemented.
The new headquarters has been built in a ground-floor space with 63 linear meters of facade facing three directions, which was formerly a bank office. The original facade is primarily made of glass. While it provides a significant source of natural light, it also acts as a membrane, facilitating unwanted heat loss and gain, as well as noise pollution.
We have interpreted the site conditions, with a large area of exchange between the interior and exterior, as an opportunity to develop an intervention focused on energy rehabilitation that solves functional needs, achieving the greatest possible environmental comfort with the least energy consumption.
The project strategy has consisted of resolving all these issues with a single project decision: the construction of two new membranes that manage light, climate and acoustic conditioning and organize the program.
The first membrane, adjacent to the original facade, acts as a thermal regulator, providing solar protection and heat dissipation during the warmer months and a greenhouse effect during the colder months. This layer also incorporates a heat storage system and is primarily responsible for reducing heating demand by 56% compared to the original conditions.
The second membrane separates the workspaces from the common areas. This second skin ensures natural light and views to the outside from the interior common areas and regulates air circulation throughout the premises. It is constructed using a modular system that allows it to adapt over time as storage needs change.
The entire structure, with the exception of the transverse partitions between rooms, is built using three materials: plywood panels, glass, and cellular polycarbonate. We have also incorporated a wool felt lining on some of the existing walls to improve sound absorption.
Climate behavior
The project has been developed in close collaboration with Societat Orgánica and Vidal Ingenieros, in order to integrate and control through simulation the effects of passive and active measures on reducing energy consumption and improving environmental comfort.
The passive measures implemented are:
-Incorporation of thermal insulation into the original facade.
-Construction of a gallery that acts as a thermal cushion, generating a greenhouse effect in winter and solar protection and ventilation – dissipation in summer.
-Incorporation of sun protection adapted to different orientations.
-Use of common areas as primary air return plenums, so they are tempered without the need for air conditioning.
-Improvement of the watertightness of the exterior enclosure with the creation of the double glass facade.
-Transparent or translucent treatment of the two new membranes to maximize the use of natural light.
The active measures implemented are:
-Installation of a high-efficiency air conditioning system with independent units for each room and a home automation control system with occupancy detection for each space. This system has been sized according to the demands determined by simulations throughout the year, taking into account working hours and the expected number of occupants in each space.
The solution used has allowed us to reduce energy demand by 56% and energy consumption by 64%, but it has also helped us to achieve very high levels of comfort.
CREDITS
New headquarters of Aura Foundation
Promoter: Aura Foundation
Architects: Miba architects (Laia Isern and Toni Montes)
Location: Ronda General Mitre, 174, Barcelona
Built area: 345 m2
Contributors: Joel Pera, Oriol Vives
Energy and sustainability consulting: Societat Orgánica
Facilities Engineering: Vidal Engineers Consultants
Construction company: Oak2000
Carpentry (manufacturing and design collaboration): NODO, Els Nois
Industrial sponsors: Panasonic (air conditioning), Reiter (movable partitions), Lamp (lighting)
Photographs: Adrià Goula
