Terrassa Haus: multi-family Passivhaus Classic

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

Praxis cabecera proyectos

Description

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. The building achieved Passivhaus Classic certification.  

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 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:

PepiPHA

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

Mirador de Gràcia: Passivhaus Nursing home

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 Nursing home

Passivhaus and nZEB

Praxis cabecera proyectos

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 consultancy, thermodynamic simulation, daylighting analysis, M & E consultancy, Blower Door testing

ICONIC: High performance sports centre, Andorra 

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

Praxis cabecera proyectos

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

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

Praxis cabecera proyectos

Description

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. 

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:

PepiPHA

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

El Refugi: Passivhaus Classic Single Family Home

Developed by Rotllada Immobiliaris, designed by architect Rossend Prat Ribera, with site supervision by Technical Architect Àlex Vidal, Praxis has carried out Passivhaus Design

El Refugi: Passivhaus Classic Single Family Home

Passivhaus Consultancy

Praxis cabecera proyectos

Description

Developed by Rotllada Immobiliaris, designed by architect Rossend Prat Ribera, with site supervision by Technical Architect Àlex Vidal, Praxis has carried out Passivhaus Design, Blower Door tests, thermal bridge calculations and HVAC system design for this single-family home that has achieved Passivhaus Classic certification.

With a treated floor area of 104 m², the walls and roof of the home are built with a lightweight timber frame structure, 140 and 220 mm thick respectively, with mineral wool between studs and beams. The exterior walls have a ventilated façade system.

The windows consist of PVC frames, with triple low-e argon filled glazing and exterior blinds. Heating and cooling are supplied by an air-to-water heat pump, DeDietrich Strateo, with ducted indoor fan coil units. Domestic hot water is produced with the same heat pump. Balanced whole-house mechanical ventilation is provided by a Siber sensible heat recovery unit.

Links:

PEP (Spanish Passivhaus Association) 
iPHa (International Passivhaus Projects Database)

  • Year: 2023
  • Location: Sant Vicenç de Torelló, Catalunya, Spain
  • Architecture: Rosend Prat Ribera Arquitecte
  • Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus Consultancy, building physics, thermal bridge calculations, Blower Door airtightness testing
  • Passivhaus Certification Class: Passivhaus Classic
  • Climate zone: Warm-Temperate
  • Floor area: 104 m2
  • Thermal envelope area: 443 m2
  • Blower Door Result: 0,6 n50
  • Heating Demand: 15 kWh/m2·a
  • Cooling Demand: 7 kWh/m2·a
  • Primary Energy Renewable consumption (EPR): 51 kWh/m2·a
  • Final Energy consumption: 44 kWh/m2·a
  • Renewable energy generation: 0 kWh/m2·a
  • CO2eq emissions: 23 kg/m2·a

Casa Este, Rupia: Low energy home

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

Praxis cabecera proyectos

Description

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. 

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 rendered or finished with rammed earth blocks.  

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:

PepiPHA

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

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.

Ca Na Lola: Mediterranean Passive House

Passivhaus

Praxis cabecera proyectos

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

San José: 3 Passivhaus Classic Homes, Ibiza 

Description Passivhaus design and consultancy for 3 detached single-family certified Passive Houses in San Josep de Sa Talaia, Ibiza, designed by Mixis Arquitectos and executed by Avante. Project Management and construction management was undertaken by Martínez-Gil. Each home has a treated floor area of 270 m2, over 2 floors with a heated basement, achieving Passivhaus …

3 single-family Passive Houses in Ibiza

Passivhaus

Praxis cabecera proyectos

Description

Passivhaus design and consultancy for 3 detached single-family certified Passive Houses in San Josep de Sa Talaia, Ibiza, designed by Mixis Arquitectos and executed by Avante. Project Management and construction management was undertaken by Martínez-Gil. Each home has a treated floor area of 270 m2, over 2 floors with a heated basement, achieving Passivhaus Classic certification

Praxis did the Passivhaus design and energy modelling with PHPP, design of the thermal and airtight envelope, advice on low environmental impact materials, optimization of construction details and calculation of thermal bridges. 

Our work focused on implementing passive design strategies to reduce summer overheating.

Year: 2021

Location: Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, Balearic Islands

Services: Passivhaus consultancy  

LILU´s House: bio-based Passivhaus Plus

Passivhaus design and consultancy, for this single-family house in Abrera, Barcelona, designed by architecture firm OMB Arquitectura and built by House Habitat.

LILU´s house: bio-based Passivhaus

Passivhaus, Blower Door

Praxis cabecera proyectos

Description

Passivhaus design and consultancy, for this single-family house in Abrera, Barcelona, designed by architecture firm OMB Arquitectura and built by House Habitat.

The home has 143 m2 distributed over 2 floors, it will be the headquarters of the company House Habitat and a research unit for companies and universities. It is in the process of Passivhaus Plus certification.

Praxis has delivered the PHPP modelling, design of the thermal envelope and airtight layer, advice on low-impact materials, analysis and optimization of thermal bridges and construction details, and dynamic hygrothermal analysis of risk from moisture damage with the WUFI tool.

Praxis has also undertaken the Blower Door testing and on-site Passivhaus supervision and quality control.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ3Fx_TfkE0

https://passivehouse-database.org/index.php#d_7032

https://www.plataforma-pep.org/ejemplos-ph/lilus-house/

Year: 2022

Location: Abrera, Barcelona

Services:
Blower Door, Passivhaus

Sa Vinya: Passivhaus Plus home

Sa Vinya is a passive house nestled between the almond trees of the Pla de Corona valley, Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza. Designed by Jaime Romano of Romano Arquitectos, the architect took his inspiration from Josep Maria Sert.

Sa Vinya: Passivhaus Plus home

Passivhaus Consultancy

Praxis cabecera proyectos

Description

Sa Vinya is a passive house nestled between the almond trees of the Pla de Corona valley, Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza. Designed by Jaime Romano of Romano Arquitectos, the architect took his inspiration from Josep Maria Sert.

The house is totally disconnected from the grid and has an on-site 15.3 kWp photovoltaic array with lithium batteries. Sa Vinya is certified as Passivhaus Plus certification, generating, annually, 89% more energy than it consumes.

The construction system consists of a beam and block suspended floor slab with 20 cm of XPS insulation. The outer walls are load bearing, with 24 cm thick cellular concrete blocks, with an interior service void with 6 cm of mineral wool insulation. The roof is lightweight, with a wooden structure and 20cm of XPS insulation. The windows have 74mm timber frames with double low-e glazing and argon gas.

An excellent result of n50 = 0.42 ren/h was achieved in the Blower Door test.

Mechanical ventilation is taken care of with two Passivhaus certified Zehnder Paul Climos F200 enthalpy heat and moisture recovery units.

Space heating is by underfloor heating, powered by a VRV heat pump and hydro-kit. The same heat pump produces domestic hot water. In summer, cooling is done with wall and ducted split units.

Praxis carried out the Passivhaus design and consultancy, including energy modelling with DesignPH & PHPP, the design of the airtight layer, design of thermal bridge free construction details and thermal bridge calculations, and management of the entire Passivhaus certification process.

Links:

PepiPHA

Photos: Lluis Lopez Castro

  • Year: 2020
  • Location: Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain
  • Architecture: Romano Arquitectos
  • Services provided by Praxis: Passivhaus Consultancy, building physics, thermal bridge calculations, design of airtight layer
  • Passivhaus Certification Class: Passivhaus Plus
  • Floor area: 214 m2
  • Thermal envelope area: 914 m2
  • Blower Door result: 0,42 n50
  • Heating Demand: 11 kWh/m2·a
  • Cooling Demand: 18 kWh/m2·a
  • Primary Energy Renewable consumption EPR: 53 kWh/m2·a
  • Final Energy consumption: 37 kWh/m2·a
  • Renewable energy generation: 70 kWh/m2·a
  • CO2eq emissions: 20 kg/m2·a