Services

ARQUITECTURE PROJECTS

SUSTAINABILITY

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

ARQUITECTURE PROJECTS

REHABILITATION

REHABILITATION

We look for the best solution to rehabilitate old buildings, always respecting the essence of the construction. The materials and the environment in which it is located guide us to renovate the spaces.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Starting from a blank canvas, create buildings adapted to the environment, using natural and low-impact local materials (km0). Accompanied by the best professionals in the sector.

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PASSIVE DESIGN · nZEB- nearly zero energy buildings

Passive design has been used as a strategy since the earliest human structures. There is no valid universal solution for a passive building: every case will be specific for climate, microclimate, geographic context and culture.

Yet, the approach to be followed, holistic and innovative is universal. Passive design techniques can be applied most easily to new buildings, but existing buildings can be adapted.

The aim is to use design strategies which optimise comfort levels while reducing to a minimum heating/cooling costs and carbon emissions.

 

In passive building design, building elements such as windows, walls, roofs and floors are made to collect, store, reflect, and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and shade in the summer. This is called passive design because, unlike active heating systems, it does not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices.

The key to designing a passive building is to understand the local climate and perform an accurate site analysis. Aspects to be considered include orientation, building form, window placement, size and glazing type, thermal insulationthermal mass, natural ventilation and shading. Active renewable sources are the perfect complement where energy, heat and/or cooling generation is required.

Some passive design strategies used are:

 

Direct and indirect solar gain through glazing for space heating.

Strategic window design, conservatories, trombe wall.

Shading systems; verandahs, canopies, pergolas, screens, blinds, shutters.

Solar water heating systems using a thermo siphon.

Use of thermal mass to reduce temperature swings.

Extensive insulation of walls, ground floor and roof.

Elimination of cold bridges through careful detailing.

Enhanced natural ventilation; cross ventilation, solar chimney.

Earth sheltering and use of vegetation on building facades and roofs.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

For many clients, getting to grips with the administration involved in buying and developing a property can be daunting. After many years of living and working in the región, we are uniquely placed to assist and advise at all the stages of a Project, big or small. Our involvement can be tailored to the needs of the client, depending on how hands on, or off, they want to be.

Project management is absolutely the key to keeping a building project on budget and on time. Experience, knowledge, contacts and communication are basic requirements to make sure the process runs smoothly and all the parts are coordinated.

As building promotor or developer, the client’s main task is decisión making. Investing in a Project manager allows you to stay focussed on this task and to have the support you need to evaluate, organize and asses all the different options on offer. Too often the day to day leg work distracts from the ultimate goals of the Project, and allows inconsistency to creep in, lowering the quality of the final result and creating unproductive stress.

Our advice is completely independent. We do not receive comisión from third parties and our choices of colaborators are based on the quality of their work and understanding of our clients goals.

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