54 Public Protection Homes

José Hevia

54 Public Protection homes in Inca, Balearic Islands

• Architects

The challenge was to build 54 public protection housing with the highest possible spatial quality, the highest possible comfort, being consistent with the objectives of reducing CO2 emissions and, at the same time, in the shortest possible time.

It is a building where we begin to study its environmental impact from a holistic point of view, a fact that allows us to be much more effective in its design. We manage to design an NZEB building, with a very low energy demand (0.65kW/m²/year).

On the other hand, by reducing the ecological footprint, we build from natural and usually local materials, helping to be socially and economically responsible. And finally, we design drainage systems that help us collect rainwater.

To achieve these values we use different strategies.

Bioclimatic strategies
1. Cross ventilation from opposite facades.
2. Solar protection wooden shutters.
3. Thermal inertia from concrete slabs and ceramic coatings.
4. Hygroscopic materials (ceramics, mineral paints and lime mortars).
5. Use of vegetation in the private and communal courtyards on the ground floor.
6. Combined active Aerothermia system for DHW, ventilation from a recuperator associated with an aerothermia team for every 18 homes and photovoltaic panels.

Strategies for reducing the ecological footprint
1. Rainwater collected on roofs and patios by cisterns.
2. The pavements of the exterior urbanization are 85% draining, which allows water to pass underground.
3. Materials of Km0.
4. Ceramics fired in a biomass oven.
5. Wood with sustainable exploitation certificate.
6. Facade finishes from projected cork and lime.