Sustainability Report
Embodied carbon
Several design decisions have the potential to reduce material-related impacts:
- Reduced material palette: The project deliberately uses a limited number of materials and construction solutions.
- Repetition across 40 apartments: Standardising finishes, systems and construction details reduces the number of different products and details required.
- Durability: Materials were selected partly for their ability to withstand intensive use in a tourist-apartment environment.
- Ease of maintenance and replacement: Rationalised construction solutions can make individual components easier to repair or replace rather than requiring extensive intervention.
- Products with environmental documentation: Several specified products have manufacturer-provided EPDs, allowing their impacts to be incorporated into a future whole-building LCA.
The most relevant documented products crucial in realizing a low-carbon design include Newker Qstone porcelain tiles, Cosentino Silestone, and Guardian Sun solar-control glazing.
Operational Emissions / Energy
The project combines passive design strategies, including cross ventilation in every apartment, solar protection provided by deep terraces, and an energy-efficient thermal envelope, reducing heating and cooling demand. These measures are complemented by efficient HVAC and domestic hot water systems and on-site renewable energy generation through photovoltaic panels.The project integrates passive environmental strategies directly into the architectural organisation:
Cross ventilation
All 40 apartments are oriented towards the sea and arranged to enable cross ventilation. This promotes natural airflow through the units and can reduce dependence on mechanical cooling during suitable climatic conditions.
Solar control through terraces
The terraces provide considerable façade depth and act as intermediate spaces between interior and exterior. They provide shading and reduce direct solar exposure to the apartments.
Ceramic/block screens
The screens filter solar radiation while maintaining airflow and privacy. This allows the façade to provide solar protection without completely eliminating natural ventilation.
Natural daylight
The orientation towards the Mediterranean and the large glazed openings provide access to daylight, potentially reducing the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours.
Solar-control glazing
Guardian Sun glazing is used together with the Cortizo 4200 sliding system. Guardian describes Guardian Sun as solar-control coated glass, and its European EPD for coated glass explicitly covers the Guardian Sun range.
Efficient mechanical systems
The passive measures are supplemented by high-efficiency air-conditioning systems and heat pumps for domestic hot water.
Photovoltaic generation
An on-site photovoltaic installation generates renewable electricity and therefore reduces the amount of electricity that needs to be supplied from the grid.
Service and maintenance emissions
Service and maintenance impacts were addressed primarily through durability, standardisation and ease of maintenance. A reduced palette of materials and repeated construction solutions across the 40 apartments simplifies maintenance and facilitates the repair or replacement of individual elements during the building's lifespan. Durable materials, rationalisation, standardisation, repairability and ease of maintenance are incorporated,
Afterlife
Design for disassembly and future material recovery were not explicit objectives of the project. However, the rationalisation and standardisation of construction solutions facilitate maintenance, repair and eventual replacement of individual components.
