Sustainability Report
Embodied carbon
The Nembro Sports Hall was designed to meet the nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) standard after the European Union's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and is fully aligned with Italy's Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM). The project's embodied carbon strategies are focused on material selection and a circular economy approach:
-
Timber Construction: The structural assemblies for the walls, floors, and roof are made from prefabricated X-lam timber panels, which are a renewable and low-embodied-carbon material.
-
Recycled Content: Around 37% of the building’s mass is derived from recycled or recovered content, with nearly 40% in non-structural components.
-
Dry Systems: Internal partitions use dry plasterboard systems on metal frames, which minimizes the use of adhesives.
Operational Emissions / Energy
The sports hall was designed to be a highly energy-efficient nearly zero-energy building (NZEB):
-
Renewable Energy Integration: A 37.7 kWp photovoltaic array and high-efficiency hydronic heat pumps provide a large share of the building's energy needs.
-
High-Performance Envelope: The envelope has a global thermal transmittance of 0.22 W/m²K, which is significantly lower than regulatory thresholds.
-
Passive Design: Bioclimatic principles are used to balance insulation and daylighting. The design includes external shading on south-facing glazing to ensure visual comfort and energy efficiency.
-
Natural Ventilation: The building utilizes natural ventilation strategies, which supports optimal performance and reduces the need for mechanical cooling.
-
Water Management: Rainwater harvesting is used to reduce water consumption.
Service and maintenance emissions
The project's design considers its long-term service and maintenance to minimize future emissions:
-
Dismantlability: The building was designed with disassembly in mind, with an End-of-Life Plan that anticipates the recovery of over 70% of materials through selective demolition. This approach reduces waste and prolongs the life of the materials.
-
Dry Systems: The use of dry plasterboard systems on metal frames for internal partitions allows for easy dismantling in the future.
Afterlife
Adaptive reuse was a core consideration in the Nembro Sports Hall project. It was designed as a versatile facility that can serve both students and local sports associations, with a layout that allows the main hall to be subdivided for different activities. This adaptability ensures the building can accommodate future program changes and extends its functional life far beyond its initial purpose.
Building elements are designed for easy disassembly and can enter the circular economy. The project's End-of-Life Plan formalizes these strategies, anticipating the recovery of over 70% of its materials through selective demolition. For example, internal partitions are made with dry plasterboard systems on metal frames, which minimizes adhesives and allows for future dismantling and material recovery. The main structural assemblies are also made from prefabricated X-lam timber panels, which are easier to disassemble and reuse than traditional concrete or steel.
Key products in low carbon design
