Description

Praxis Resilient Buildings conducted a detailed thermodynamic simulation study to assess and optimise the thermal behaviour of a new sports hall in Vila-seca, Tarragona. Designed by architect Pere Buil of Vora Arquitectes, the building follows a mixed-mode, non-conditioned design approach relying on passive strategies for year-round comfort.

Using the IWEC II climate file for nearby Reus Airport and the EnergyPlus simulation engine, we analysed key envelope components and operational strategies. Natural ventilation, solar control glazing, roof surface properties, daylighting control, and slab insulation were all assessed under typical winter and summer conditions.

Key outcomes included:

• Cross-ventilation and stack effect strategies delivering >20,000 m³/h airflow without mechanical assistance.
• Passive cooling success: Indoor temperatures remained below outdoor peaks in summer.
• Unexpected impact of slab insulation: Reduced beneficial subsoil heat transfer in winter.
• Daylight-responsive lighting control reduced electricity demand by up to 90%.

Recommendations included skipping under-slab insulation, optimising solar protection with external shading (especially on northwest façades), maintaining 30 cm of roof insulation, and implementing a sensor-based Building Management System (BMS) for smart window operation.

The result is a set of passive design strategies that allow the Vilaseca sports hall to perform comfortably and efficiently without active cooling or heating — a reference model for resilient educational sports infrastructure in Catalonia.