Due to the complexities of Bioclimatic Architecture, various standardisation norms have been developed over the past two decades to quantify sustainability indices in building design.
These standards encompass all aspects of sustainability and are far more comprehensive than existing regulations.
As time has progressed, several tools have emerged to assess the sustainability of a project or building, known as environmental rating and certification systems.
Numerous organisations and associations develop these environmental assessment tools for construction.
One notable example is BREEAM, the British equivalent that is widely recognised across the European Union.
Environmental certifications quantify the environmental impact throughout the six life stages of a building:
Urban Planning: This stage quantifies the environmental impacts generated by urban planning decisions (e.g., infrastructure).
Product: This assesses the environmental impacts arising from the production process of construction materials.
Transport of Materials: This stage quantifies the environmental impacts associated with transporting construction materials to the site.
Construction: This evaluates the environmental impacts generated during the construction phase.
Building Use: This quantifies the environmental impacts during the building’s operational phase, with energy consumption and maintenance being critical factors.
End of Life: This assesses the environmental impacts related to the demolition and reuse of the building (or parts thereof).
Sustainability criteria are assigned to each stage, linking various aspects of building design to their environmental impacts.
Another significant standard we work with is Passivhaus.
The Passivhaus standard has over twenty years of continuous development and more than twenty thousand units constructed. It is internationally recognised and serves as a foundational framework for nearly zero-energy buildings mandated by the European Union.
Its focus on controlling heating and cooling demand is particularly important for architects, as it aims to achieve energy control through passive architectural components, complemented by energy-efficient active systems.
Over time, the Passivhaus Institute has refined the standard for warmer climates, leading to the construction of Passivhaus buildings in several southern European countries, many designed by our architecture firm.
The appeal of the Passivhaus standard lies in its ability to significantly simplify active heating and cooling systems, as these buildings require very little energy to maintain excellent indoor climate comfort conditions.
If you would like to view some of our projects with environmental certification, please click on the following links:
Pilot Project PASSIVE HOUSE in Quercus – Real de la Quinta
