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Projects Government and Health Care Homes Ciudad de Perros Sustainability

Sustainability Report

A modular and resilient animal shelter built for long-term use by SERRANO + BAQUERO Arquitectos

Embodied carbon

Efficient

The project reduces embodied carbon through a minimal material palette, prefabrication, and modular construction. Key strategies include:

  • Modular prefabricated concrete units produced off-site to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

  • Thin-section concrete elements (7 cm walls with minimal reinforcement) to reduce material quantity.

  • Limited and locally sourced components (custom steelwork and locally fabricated modules) to reduce transportation and avoid over-manufacturing.

  • Dry and reversible connections to allow future disassembly and reuse, reducing the need for new materials over time.

Operational Emissions / Energy

Low Carbon

Operational emissions are minimized by design through passive strategies and a low-energy program:

  • No HVAC systems; ventilation is naturally driven by the open structure and module design.

  • High thermal inertia from concrete modules to stabilize temperature fluctuations.

  • 100% outdoor operation, eliminating energy use for lighting and climate control.

  • Passive shading provided by newly planted trees.

Service and maintenance emissions

Efficient

Maintenance and service emissions are reduced through durability and hygienic design:

  • Durable materials (concrete and galvanised steel) require minimal maintenance.

  • Removable heated beds can be taken out for deep cleaning and disinfection, reducing the need for chemical or energy-intensive cleaning systems.

  • Simple ground surfaces (gravel and compacted earth) avoid complex, high-maintenance finishes.

  • Modular components and reversible connections allow replacement without demolition.

Afterlife

Adaptive Reuse and Flexible Design Considerations

Adaptability and reuse were central to the project concept:

  • The modular system can be rearranged, replicated, or expanded as needed.

  • Fencing systems, patios, and modules are designed for disassembly and reuse.

  • The entire facility could be dismantled, leaving the original soil largely intact.

  • Concrete modules have already been reused across different shelters, demonstrating true circular potential.

Disassemblable Elements for Circular Economy

The project uses dry and reversible connections, allowing modules, fences, and yards to be disassembled and reused. This design supports circular economy principles by enabling reconfiguration, relocation, and material recovery.