El Niu: multi-residential Passivhaus Plus

ideadmin on 3 April 2024

El Niu, Plurifamiliar Passivhaus - Exterior

El Niu, meaning the “Nest” in Catalan, is Andorra’s first multi-residential Passivhaus Plus certified building, and was certified by Oliver Style of Praxis Resilient Buildings, developed by Lluis Lopez Castro of Propietats y Gestió, and designed by Antoni Martí.

El Niu: multi-residential Passivhaus Plus

Passivhaus Certification

El Niu, Plurifamiliar Passivhaus - Exterior detalle

Description

Nestled up at 1275 meters above sea level, El Niu houses 11 dwelling units with a total TFA of 1292 m2 over 4 floors.

Heating and hot water is provided by Pichler PKOM 4 compact heat pump units, providing heat recovery ventilation, heating, cooling, and hot water generation.

The façade consists of two different steel frame systems: the Passivhaus certified Passivhaus External Wall System by Knauf Insulation, and the Archisol and Promisol systems by Arcelor Mittal.

A 37,7 kWp solar PV array is projected to generate 91 % what the building consumes, turning it into a nearly net-zero energy powerhouse that uses approximately 71% less than pre-2010 buildings en Andorra, while emitting only 5976 kg of CO2eq per annum.

Links:

PEP (Spanish Passivhaus Platform)

iPHa (International Passivhaus Projects Database)

Photos: Lluis Lopez Castro

Year: 2024
Location: Ordino, Andorra
Architecture: Despatx d’arquitectura Antoni Martí
Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus Certification, thermal bridge calculations
Passivhaus Certification Class: Passivhaus Plus
Floor area: 1.292 m2
Thermal envelope area: 2.677 m2
Blower Door result: 0,6 n50
Heating Demand: 20 kWh/m2·a
Cooling Demand: – kWh/m2·a
Primary Energy Renewable consumption EPR: 37 kWh/m2·a
Final Energy consumption: 31 kWh/m2·a
Renewable energy generation: 28 kWh/m2·a
CO2eq emissions: 11 kg/m2·a

Terrassa Haus: multi-family Passivhaus Classic

ideadmin on 27 March 2024

Terrassa Haus is the first multi-residential building to receive Passivhaus certification in the city of Terrasa, Catalonia, Spain. The project was developed by Cambolico and designed by architects Antoni Espona & Xavier Torcal. Oliver Style and Bega Clavero from Praxis Resilient Buildings carried out the Passivhaus consultancy, HVAC design and Blower Door testing.

Terrassa Haus

Passivhaus Consultancy

Consultoría Passivhaus - Terrassa Haus. Terraza

Consultoría Passivhaus - Terrassa Haus. Salón

Consultoría Passivhaus - Terrassa Haus. Habitación

Consultoría Passivhaus - Terrassa Haus. Oficina

Consultoría Passivhaus - Terrassa Haus. Exterior edificio

Description

The ground floor offers 2 commercial spaces, with a further three floors with apartments ranging from 76 m2 to 154 m2. The building has a total floor area of 1142m2 and includes a communal co-working space, bike room, gym, and communal pool.

With an existing concrete structure that had been abandoned during the economic crisis of 2007, an external thermal insulation system with EPS insulation was applied over ceramic brick and rendered, with a further 5cm of Knauf Insulation mineral wool inside in the service void. The roof is insulated with XPS insulation. Rehau PVC windows frames with argon-filled low-e coated glazing make up the openings, with Swisspacer insulated glazing spacers. The window frames are installed with Iso-Top Winframer high density EPS pre-frames, to further reduce heat loss.

Heating, cooling and hot water is provided by individual Hitachi all-in-one heat pumps in each apartment. Similarly, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is provided by individual Soler & Palau Passivhaus certified ventilation units, with intake air drawn in from the façade walls and stale air extracted to the roof with shared extract ducts.

Links:

Pep – iPHA

Photos: Terrassa Haus

Year: 2023
Location: Terrassa, Barcelona, España
Architecture: Antoni Espona & Xavier Torcal
Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus Consultancy, thermal bridge calculations, building physics, heating-cooling-DHW-ventilation system design, Blower Door airtightness tests
Passivhaus Certification Class: Passivhaus Classic
Floor area: 1.142 m2
Thermal envelope area: 1.500 m2
Blower Door result: 0,6 n50
Heating Demand: 10 kWh/m2·a
Cooling Demand: 15 kWh/m2·a
Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 60 kWh/m2·a
Final Energy consumption: 50 kWh/m2·a
Renewable energy generation: 0 kWh/m2·a
CO2eq emissions: 18 kg/m2·a

ICONIC: High performance sports centre, Andorra

praxisadmin on 10 January 2023

Cramea: centro deportivo de alto rendimiento

Description Passivhaus design and consultancy for a high-performance sports centre located at 2600 metres above sea level in El Pas de la Casa, Andorra. This 9000 m2 building, designed by Engitec, is in the process of Passivhaus Classic certification. Praxis has done the PHPP energy modelling, design of the thermal envelope and airtight layer, advice …

Cramea, High performance sports centre

Passivhaus

Description

Passivhaus design and consultancy for a high-performance sports centre located at 2600 metres above sea level in El Pas de la Casa, Andorra. This 9000 m2 building, designed by Engitec, is in the process of Passivhaus Classic certification.

Praxis has done the PHPP energy modelling, design of the thermal envelope and airtight layer, advice on low-impact materials, and analysis and optimisation of thermal bridges and construction details.

We’ve undertaken thermodynamic analysis of the building, using Design Builder (EnergyPlus), to assess thermal comfort and analyse the risk of summer overheating in critical zones in the building.

We have also consulted on mechanical and electrical system design, with proposals for improvements and compliance with the Passivhaus standard, to ensure efficient operation and low maintenance costs. Finally, we have provided with on-site Passivhaus supervision and quality control.

Year: 2022

Location: El Pas de la Casa, Andorra

Services Passivhaus design & consultancy, thermodynamic simulation, M & E consultancy, and site supervision

Casa Oeste, Rupia: Low energy home

ideadmin on 27 March 2024

Single family home in Rupia, Girona, Catalonia, designed by the Nordest Arquitectura and built by Evowall. Oliver Style and Bega Clavero of Praxis Resilient Buildings were Passivhaus consultants for the project. The building has been certified as a PHI Low Energy Building.

Casa Oeste, Rupia

Passivhaus Consultancy

Consultoría Passivhaus - Casa Oeste. Interior

Consultoría Passivhaus - Casa Oeste. Vista aérea

Consultoría Passivhaus - Casa Oeste. Exterior

Description

The home is built with the Evowall steel-frame prefabricated construction system, consisting of a proprietary low-conductivity mortar, EPS and PIR insulation, with the outer walls either rendered or finished with rammed earth blocks.

Timber window frames and low-e argon filled solar control glazing make up the openings.

Ventilation is provided with a Zehnder balanced mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery.

Heating and cooling are with an air-to-air mini VRF Panasonic heat pump with five ducted indoor split units. Domestic Hot Water is supplied by a Panasonic air-to-water heat pump. A roof-mounted 8,1 kWp solar PV generator generates a projected 124% of the home’s total energy consumption.

Links:

Pep – iPHA

Photos: Evowall

Year: 2023
Location: Rupia, Girona, España
Architecture: Nordest Arquitectura SLP
Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus Consultancy, thermal bridge calculations, building physics, heating-cooling-DHW-ventilation system design, Blower Door airtightness tests
Passivhaus Certification Class: PHI Low Energy Building
Floor area: 173 m2
Thermal envelope area: 778 m2
Blower Door result: 1 n50
Heating Demand: 30 kWh/m2·a
Cooling Demand: 10 kWh/m2·a
Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 41 kWh/m2·a
Final Energy consumption: 45 kWh/m2·a
Renewable energy generation: 48 kWh/m2·a
CO2eq emissions: 18 kg/m2·a

Casa Este, Rupia: Low energy home

ideadmin on 27 March 2024

Single family home in Rupia, Girona, Catalonia, designed by the Nordest Arquitectura and built by Evowall. The building was designed to meet PHI Low Energy Building standard, with Oliver Style and Bega Clavero of Praxis Resilient Buildings as Passivhaus consultants.

Casa Este, Rupia: Low energy home

Passivhaus Consultancy

Consultoría Passivhaus - Casa Este. Entrada

Consultoría Passivhaus - Casa Este. Interior

Consultoría Passivhaus - Casa Este. Interior detalle

Consultoría Passivhaus - Casa Este. Exterior lateral

Consultoría Passivhaus - Casa Este. Vista aérea

Description

Timber window frames and low-e argon filled solar control glazing make up the openings.

Ventilation is with a Zehnder balanced mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery.

Heating and cooling are with an air-to-air mini VRF Panasonic heat pump with five ducted indoor split units. Domestic Hot Water is supplied by a Panasonic air-to-water heat pump.

A roof-mounted 8,1 kWp solar PV generator generates a projected 92% of the home’s total energy consumption.

Links:

Pep – iPHA

Photos: Evowall

Year: 2023
Location: Rupia, Girona, España
Architecture: Nordest Arquitectura SLP
Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus Consultancy, thermal bridge calculations, building physics, heating-cooling-DHW-ventilation system design, Blower Door airtightness tests
Passivhaus Certification Class
Floor area: 179 m2
Thermal envelope area: 769 m2
Blower Door result: 2,4 n50
Heating Demand: 30 kWh/m2·a
Cooling Demand: 8 kWh/m2·a
Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 46 kWh/m2·a
Final Energy consumption: 59 kWh/m2·a
Renewable energy generation: 49 kWh/m2·a
CO2eq emissions: 18 kg/m2·a

Ca Na Lola: Passivhaus Plus home, Mallorca

ideadmin on 20 July 2023

Ca Na Lola: Mediterranean Passive House

Passivhaus

Description

Ca Na Lola is a single-family home located in Campos, Mallorca, which has achieved Passivhaus Plus certification. The home has a very low level of air infiltration, with a Blower Door test result of 0.38 ach at 50 Pa. A solar photovoltaic generator installed in the garden generates approximately twice as much energy as the house consumes in an average year.

Ca Na Lola has a timber structure with wood fibre insulation and a mineral mortar render as an exterior finish. The windows are shaded with external blinds and a pergola adds further shading on the south façade.

Mechanical ventilation with heat and moisture recovery is taken care of by a Zehnder Comfoair Q350 ERV unit with Passivhaus component certification for hot climates, recovering both heat and moisture.

A Mitsubishi air-to-water heat pump produces domestic hot water. A second Mitsubishi VRV heat pump delivers underfloor heating and cooling through ducted split units.

Links:

Spanish Passivhaus Platform (PEP) project database

International Passivhaus Projects database

Year: 2022

Location: Campos, Palma de Mallorca, Islas Baleares

Services:
Passivhaus Consultancy

Mirador de Gràcia: Passivhaus Nursing home

ideadmin on 5 February 2021

Consultoría Passivhaus para una residencia geriátrica asistida ubicada en Barcelona capital, diseñada por el despacho de arquitectura Genars y promovido por FIATC Seguros a través de FIATC Residencias (Inverfiatc).

Mirador de Gràcia: Passivhaus Care home

Passivhaus

¡Las residencias Masies de Mollet & Mirador de Gracia logran n50=0,6 ren/h en sus ensayos finales de Blower Door!

Description

Passivhaus consultancy for an elderly people residence located in Barcelona capital, designed by Genars architecture studio and developed by FIATC Seguros through FIATC Residencias (Inverfiatc). This 6575 m2 building is in the process of Passivhaus Classic certification.

Praxis has delivered the PHPP modelling, design of the thermal envelope and airtight layer, advice on low-impact materials, and analysis and optimisation of thermal bridges and construction details.

We’ve also undertaken a thermodynamic and daylighting study of the building, using DesignBuilder (EnergyPlus & Radiance), to assess natural light levels and analyse the risk of summer overheating.

Our work has also included an audit of the mechanical and electrical systems, with proposals for improvements and compliance with the Passivhaus standard, to ensure efficient operation and low maintenance costs. Praxis has also undertaken the Blower Door testing and on-site Passivhaus supervision and quality control.

Year: 2024

Location: Barcelona

Services:
Passivhaus design & consultancy, thermodynamic simulation, daylighting analysis, HVAC consultancy, Blower Door testing, site supervision

Cabrera de Mar: Passivhaus Plus home

ideadmin on 27 March 2024

Single-family home in Cabrera de Mar, Barcelona, certified Passivhaus Plus by Oliver Style of Praxis Resilient Buildings and designed by the architect Víctor Blanco of the VBTArquitecte office, with Alfred Núñez Aparicio as Passivhaus Designer.

Passivhaus Plus home in Cabrera de Mar

Passivhaus Certification

Description

The house has a ground floor, first floor and basement with a floor area of 249 m2. The Izodom construction system, with Passivhaus component certification, has 50mm BASF Neopor insulation on the inside and 150mm on the outside, which surrounds the reinforced concrete structure and eliminates thermal bridges. The roof is insulated with 160mm of XPS insulation, with 150mm on the floors. Passivhaus certified WERU Afino One PVC frames, together with low emissivity triple glazing with argon gas and external blinds, make up the high-performance windows.

The Blower Door test, carried out by Oliver Style of Praxis Resilient Buildings, gave an excellent result of n50 = 0.4 ach, even with a cooker hood extracting to outside with a Naber Thermobox non-return valve.

A Passivhaus certified Zehnder Comfoair Q450 sensible heat recovery unit takes care of the controlled mechanical ventilation.

Heating and cooling are with Daikin RXM + FDX/FBA air-to-air heat pumps and ducted indoor units.

A separate Daikin ERWQ02AV3 heat pump provides domestic hot water. A 6.8 kWp photovoltaic generator will generate approximately 131% of the home’s annual energy consumption, making it a final energy net zero energy building.

Links:

Pep – iPHA

Photos: Alfred Núñez Aparicio

Year: 2023
Location: Cabrera de Mar, Barcelona
Architecture: Olga Garcia Gomez, Alfred Núñez Aparicio
Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus certification, thermal bridge calculations, Blower Door airtightness tests
Passivhaus Certification Class: Passivhaus Plus
Floor area: 249 m2
Thermal envelope area: 744 m2
Blower Door result: 0,4 n50
Heating Demand: 2 kWh/m2·a
Cooling Demand: 15 kWh/m2·a
Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 35 kWh/m2·a
Final Energy consumption: 26 kWh/m2·a
Renewable energy generation: 66 kWh/m2·a
CO2eq emissions: 14 kg/m2·a

Cabana GR4: Low energy home

ideadmin on 5 September 2023

PHI Low Energy Building certification for single family house with a treated floor area of 125.4 m², located in Castellcir, Barcelona.

Cabana GR4 Passivhaus

Passivhaus

Description

PHI Low Energy Building certification for single family house with a treated floor area of 125.4 m², located in Castellcir, Barcelona. Designed by Lluís Jubert of Taller d´Arquitectura, promoted by Núria Grau and Jaume Ribas and built by Albert Fargas of Farhaus.

The construction system is lightweight timber frame, using low-emission, bio-based materials with low environmental impact to reduce the building’s carbon footprint and provide a healthy indoor environment. The high level of insulation, minimised thermal bridges and triple low-e glazing with Farhaus timber frames, reduce heating energy demand in the winter. In the summer, external blinds reduce solar gains and overheating. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is provided by a Zehnder ComfoAir 180 HRV.

As part of the Passivhaus audit, Praxis revised the calculations and design documentation presented by the Passivhaus Consultant, which include architectural and M&E drawings and reports, the PHPP calculation, the Blower Door test report, ventilation commissioning documentation and photographs of the construction process and the completed building.

Links:

International Passivhaus Projects database

Spanish Passivhaus Platform (PEP) project database

Year: 2021

Location: Castellcir, Barcelona

Services:
Passivhaus certification

Casa #SgPi: Passivhaus Premium home

ideadmin on 19 July 2023

Praxis has carried out the Passivhaus Premium certification of this single-family home in Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona, designed by the architect and Passivhaus Designer Sergi Gargallo of SgARQ Passivhaus Architecture.

Casa #SgPi

Passivhaus

Description

The house has a useful floor area of 254 m2 over a ground floor and three upper floors. The project was developed by reusing an existing structure that remained unfinished, built more than 10 years ago on the same plot, thus reducing the environmental impact of the house.

Outer walls consist of a honeycomb brick with 10cm of high-performance EPS external thermal insulation. The roofs have between 10cm and 20cm of XPS insulation, and the window frames are Passivhaus certified WERU Afino One PVC with triple glazing and exterior shading devices.

An excellent result was achieved in the “Blower Door” air tightness test of n50 = 0.22 ach.

A solar photovoltaic array supplied by Prot Energia was installed on the roof, which generates 11,313 kWh/a of renewable energy. The owner also has an off-site solar photovoltaic installation that generates 10,609 kWh/a, totalling 21,922 kWh/a. The house is expected to consume a total of 6,864 kWh/a.

Through the Passivhaus certification process, Praxis audited all the calculation and design documents presented by the Passivhaus Designer, including the PHPP calculation, thermal bridge calculations, architectural and service drawings and reports, the Blower Door test report, the ventilation commissioning report, and photographic documentation of the entire construction process, to ensure that the building was built as designed and as calculated in the PHPP energy model.

PEP: https://www.plataforma-pep.org/ejemplos-ph/casa-sgpi/

iPHA: https://passivehouse-database.org/index.php?lang=en#d_7297

Photos: Joan Giribet

Year: 2023

Location: Sant Pere de Ribes, Catalonia

Services:
Passivhaus certification