Category: Architecture Alicante

The International Style, also called Rationalism, was the predominant architectural trend between 1925 and 1965 and was responsible for the homogenization of various cities around the world.

How did international contemporary architecture emerge?

After the First World War, the West energetically oriented itself towards industrialization and mechanization, and architecture was not a discipline alien to these processes. This is how trends emerged that relied on new technologies to obtain cheaper, faster-to-produce materials and, ultimately, more utilitarian projects. In Europe, this movement would be called Functionalism and it is the germ of what would later be known as the “International Style”.

Despite everything, the true rise of the International Style was due to the fact that after the Second World War, many cities were devastated by the war. That is when the International Style hatched as a quick and cheap option to return life to cities. Because of all this, its popularity spread throughout the world, becoming the “unofficial” national architecture of all of North America during the 50s and 60s of the last century.

Precisely its enormous success precipitated its fall from grace throughout the 70s, since becoming such a popular style made one city indistinguishable from another. The International Style was accused of eliminating the personality of communities and locking individuals in glass boxes. At the end of the decade, the International Style was replaced by postmodernism.

What does international contemporary architecture consist of?

The International Style emphasized above all the volume of space but allowing the passage of natural light through windows that created a blurred line between the exterior and interior of the building.

As we have already commented, one of the basic pillars of international architecture consisted of the use of cheap and functional materials, so concrete, steel and glass were the most predominant in this architectural style.
Similarly, geometry, right angles and uniformity became the norm, dispensing with decorations to focus on simple, generally monochromatic facades in natural colors or white.

The environment became another extension of the buildings, in which the structural elements of straight lines contrasted against the curvilinear forms of nature, as Le Corbusier commented: “Space, light and order. These are things that men need as much as bread or a place to sleep.”

What are the most famous buildings of the International Style?

Notre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, this chapel located in France is considered one of the most significant examples of International Style architecture. This building, in which Catholic worship is still carried out today, perfectly fulfills the five points for the new Architecture of Le Corbusier:

• Pilotis
• Free design of the ground plan
• Free design of the facade
• The horizontal window
• Roof gardens

The German Pavilion. Designed by Mies Van der Rohe to represent Germany at the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona, it became an icon of international architecture. Conceived to host the reception for the exposition authorities, it was built using classic modernist materials such as steel and glass combined with different types of marble.

Fallingwater. This house, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1939, is situated above a waterfall on the Bear Run river. Its construction created a new paradigm in which the relationship between architecture and nature was reconsidered.
Characterized by its structure of three horizontally superimposed levels, it stands out for its symbiosis with the surrounding natural environment.

As many of you already know, the architecture of Arquifach Arquitectos is committed to efficient and ecological design and construction, with windows playing a major role. We want to do our bit to halt the climate catastrophe, always striving to maintain maximum comfort. The recent war conflict between Russia and Ukraine, among other factors, has disproportionately increased gas, electricity, and fuel bills. More than ever, we need to design and build trying to ensure consumption is fair and necessary, making energy saving our ally and leading us to more efficient and intelligent consumption.

The Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) estimates that the energy consumption of our homes equals one-fifth of the consumption of all Spain. This same body calculates that, of all the energy our home consumes, heating occupies one of the highest percentages in our bill, specifically 47% of it. That is why this winter we want to offer you a series of changes and renovations that can help you reduce your expenses and, furthermore, improve the environment.

How to design and build contributing to energy saving?

There are many key factors that influence energy saving. The most important are the following:

• Guarantee airtightness against outside air, minimizing the so common infiltrations.
• Eliminate thermal bridges where thermal transmittance is higher, resulting in considerable energy loss.
• Use optimal and quality windows.
• Efficient thermal insulation for conditioning a home.
• Mechanical or intelligent ventilation that forces air extraction to renew it and thus guarantee indoor air quality.

In this article, we are going to review the requirements and characteristics that windows must have to be optimal and efficient. Why windows? Because they are one of the key pieces to guarantee several of the previous points. Using quality windows guarantees insulation and airtightness. They also guarantee very low thermal transmittance, great acoustic insulation, and reflection or maintenance of energy in the different seasons.

Another reason to focus on windows is the way they influence our mental health. Why? Natural light directly influences our health and mood. At an immunological level, it helps eliminate bacteria typical of dark and humid scenarios. The best way to generate natural light is through windows in ceilings and walls, as well as a correct selection of color and/or materials that reflect it.

Before talking about windows, we must consider their components to make a good choice:

The glass: According to the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), glass occupies three-quarters of the opening, so it is the part most exposed to thermal exchange with the outside. There are two types:

• Low-emissivity glass, which loses less energy than conventional ones.
• Selective glass: designed for areas where both energy losses in winter and gains in summer need to be controlled.

Double glazing, known as IGU (Insulated Glass Unit). These include an air chamber capable of providing insulation between the inside and outside.

The frame is also very important. The best insulators are wood and PVC, especially when it has a hollow profile with six chambers (this is also the most expensive option). It is not advisable to opt for metal frames, as this material is a good thermal conductor and does not work well as an insulator. If choosing frames of this type, it is important to ensure they have a thermal break.

What is PVC and why is it a good material for windows?

PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. It is a material obtained from the chemical mixture of carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine. One of its advantages is its lightness and the low environmental impact of its manufacture.

Advantages of PVC windows

• Resistance: for interiors and exteriors, resisting the passage of time and extreme weather conditions.
• Acoustic insulation: important for mental health.
• Functionality: you will find a variety of windows with different types of openings, which add different functionalities and presentations.
• Thermal insulation: a good indicator of its effectiveness as an insulator is the energy label indicated by its manufacturer.

Smart windows

If we are seeking perfection on an energy level, we can complement the installation of good windows with smart devices that help us maintain control depending on the temperature. They work like blinds or with glass that changes opacity depending on the time of day. This way they regulate the amount of light and heat entering through the window. There are three different modes of use:

• Summer mode: the window lets all light through and blocks heat (allows you to do without electric light).
• Siesta mode: prevents both light and heat from entering.
• Winter mode: lets light and heat through and helps heat the house.

Arquifach Arquitectos Calpe

Contact Arquifach, Calpe architecture studio, without obligation. We study the viability of your project and offer advice on the renovation of new single-family homes or tourist apartment buildings. Count on the support of a team specialized in the Costa Blanca. Arquifach handles the entire renovation process and planning, adapting it to the client’s needs and complying with municipal regulations.

As some of you already know, Passivhaus architecture aims to save up to 90% of energy consumption and carbon emissions derived from construction without sacrificing maximum comfort. The Passivhaus standard is the most demanding in terms of energy efficiency in the world and guarantees that the performance of the constructed building corresponds to the theoretical design values. Unlike other responsible construction methods, Passivhaus does not seek to achieve energy self-sufficiency, but rather to consume the minimum necessary energy.

As we saw in previous articles, the standards for Passivhaus buildings are 5: (1) Ventilation with heat recovery, (2) Thermal insulation, (3) Airtightness, (4) Thermal bridge-free design, (5) Optimal windows.

Passivhaus is a voluntary energy certification standard for new build or renovation projects. To accredit compliance with these criteria, there are two types of certificates:

Passivhaus Certificate, for new construction. Its standards are:

1. The heating energy demand (Qh) must be less than or equal to 15 kWh/m²a.
2. The cooling energy demand must be less than or equal to 15 kWh/m²a.
3. The primary energy consumption for heating, cooling, domestic hot water (DHW) and electricity must be less than or equal to the result of the following formula: 120 kWh/m2a + [(Qh – 15 kWh/m2a) × 1.2].
4. The external envelope of the building must have an airtightness n50 ≤ 0.6/h.

Furthermore, there is a subclassification within the Passivhaus certification: Classic, Plus and Premium. The Classic certification is for buildings that do not generate renewable energy. On the other hand, for the Plus certification, at least enough renewable energy must be generated to compensate for the building’s consumption. To obtain the Premium classification, it is necessary to generate between 4 and 5 times more than what the building consumes.

EnerPhit Certificate, for renovation projects.

1. Heating energy demand cannot exceed 16 kWh/m²a.
2. Cooling energy demand shall not exceed 25 kWh/m²a.
3. The frequency of overheating (25ºC) shall be less than 10%.
4. The thermal transmittance (U) of the construction elements must meet the following standards:

• • For opaque elements in contact with outside air (except the roof), it must be less than or equal to 0.15 W/m2K.
  • For the roof, it must not exceed 0.13 W/m2K (for terraces, 0.15 W/m2K).
  • For opaque elements in contact with the ground and in unheated basements, it must comply with the following formula: f × U ≤ 0.15 W/m2K (where f is the ground reduction factor on the Ground sheet of the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) calculation tool).
  • For windows, the thermal transmittance must be less than or equal to 0.85 W/m2K.
  • When controlled ventilation is carried out, the efficiency must be greater than or equal to 75% and the electrical efficiency of the ventilation system equal to or less than ≤ 0.45 Wh/m3.
  • The limit value for air tightness must be n50 ≤ 1.0 h-1 and the target value, n50 ≤ 0.60 h-1.

Certification and Audit

The only entity authorized to certify is the Passivhaus Institute. The process begins with the audit from the design phase through to the construction phase. The certifier must confirm that the work is being executed as planned and designed in the initial phases, reflecting correct modeling in the PHPP (a tool developed by the Passive House Institute).

For the audit, a series of documentation must be submitted, including architectural project documents, photographic resources showing how the requirements were executed, the final certificate of the Blower Door test, the results of the ventilation system commissioning, and a letter signed by the technician responsible for the Site Management indicating that the work has been executed in accordance with the project.

Arquifach: Architecture Studio Alicante

If you are thinking of building a custom home that respects the environment while maintaining maximum quality and comfort, contact Arquifach, Alicante architecture studio. Benefit from no-obligation advice from a great team with over 40 years of experience.

 

 

Those of you who follow the blog of Arquifach, architects on the Costa Blanca, know that responsible architecture is one of the pillars supporting our projects. Why? From our experience, we can say that we are at a point of no return and that environmental responsibility in architecture has never been so important. Our way of life affects our environment, and architecture is one of the keys to mitigating the effects and being able to live in harmony with nature. We have the opportunity to design and build while fighting against climate change. Our commitment must even precede the legislation that is already being imposed, to guarantee the reduction of emissions caused by the building sectors (which exceed 39% worldwide). To ensure that the design and construction of houses and buildings have the least possible impact, they must be built according to Passivhaus criteria. Therefore, in this article, we will review the most important points of Passivhaus architecture.

Definition of Passivhaus Architecture

Passivhaus architecture aims to save up to 90% of energy consumption and carbon emissions derived from construction without sacrificing maximum comfort. The Passivhaus standard is the most demanding in terms of energy efficiency in the world. It was developed in Germany in 1988 and proposes a series of procedures in the development and execution of architectural projects. It guarantees that the performance of the constructed building corresponds to the theoretical design values.

Basic Passivhaus Principles

The Passivhaus principles are 5 and are focused, as we have said, on guaranteeing the reduction of the impact of construction. It affects all aspects of the project, from design to construction, to ensure that the final performance is as optimal as possible. They are as follows:

Ventilation with heat recovery:

In this case, Passivhaus architecture advocates for mechanical or intelligent ventilation. It works with a ventilation unit that forces air extraction to renew it and thus guarantee indoor air quality. Within this group, we can find double-flow mechanical ventilation, which is the ideal solution for single-family homes. Unlike conventional mechanical systems, it does not emit cold air, but rather renews the air, which also arrives filtered. This system achieves good air circulation, eliminating stale air from rooms. Although the cooling effect, compared to traditional air conditioning equipment, is not as great, with a correct installation, it will not be necessary to cool the air.

Thermal insulation:

The thermal insulation of buildings is one of the key pieces in conditioning a home. It is estimated that around 70% of a home’s energy is lost through its facades and roofs, which is why it is important to create a well-insulated, airtight box. The goal of Passivhaus thermal insulation is to achieve an envelope with very low thermal transmittance. For this, insulation is essential in walls, floors, and ceilings. The insulation must be sustainable, and to do so, it must be: healthy, durable, biodegradable, and efficient.

Airtightness

Most energy in a building is lost through convection (movement of fluids, in this case air) and not through conduction (heat transfer through one or several materials). Therefore, Passivhaus architecture guarantees airtightness against outside air, minimizing the so common infiltrations. To achieve this airtight envelope, it must be studied during the project and verified during construction that there is a continuous air barrier in the facades, roof, and floor that guarantees airtightness.

Thermal bridge-free design

Thermal bridges are points on the envelope where thermal transmittance is higher, resulting in considerable energy loss. The most common cause is a discontinuity in the insulation, generating cold spots inside that can cause dampness, damage to materials, or loss of interior comfort.

Optimal windows

This principle builds on the previous ones, as Passivhaus architectural projects must use high-quality windows and doors that guarantee insulation and airtightness. Two or even three panels are used, with the outer ones being low-emissivity with a cavity filled with inert gas. This guarantees very low thermal transmittance, great acoustic insulation, and reflection or maintenance of energy in different seasons.

Arquifach: Architecture Studio Alicante

If you are thinking of building a custom home that respects the environment while maintaining maximum quality and comfort, contact Arquifach, Alicante architecture studio. Benefit from no-obligation advice from a great team with over 40 years of experience.

In the last 50 years, technology has advanced so much that its evolution has been both vertical and horizontal, invading all disciplines, such as architecture, and causing them to evolve exponentially as well. That is why in this article we are going to talk about artificial intelligence and how it is applied in the field of architecture. Let’s start at the beginning: What is artificial intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Definition

Artificial intelligence (AI), through the creation of expert systems, seeks to enable machines to think and behave in a way similar to a human being. We can see this in games of chance, natural language processing, voice recognition, vision systems, intelligent robots, smartphones, among others. It is becoming a basic element of all business software, whether users are aware of it or not. Often, AI and machine learning capabilities are integrated within applications. They provide users with functions such as automation or predictive capabilities.

Artificial intelligence revolutionized society with its appearance. Why has it evolved so quickly? Among other reasons, due to programs like Open AI, which makes free and open projects developed over these years available to users. Open AI is a research laboratory located in San Francisco, California, whose mission is the development of artificial intelligence for the benefit of the entire community. It is a non-profit organization founded by Elon Musk (co-founder of PayPal and Tesla Motors), Sam Altman, Peter Thiel (co-founder of PayPal), and Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn).

The goal of Open AI is to work jointly with other institutions, which since 2012 have been witnessing advances in the area, so much so that entities like Microsoft have signed agreements and contributed large sums of money to promote and develop emotional intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence and Architecture: How do they complement each other?

The process of designing, creating, and constructing infrastructure has evolved exponentially. Time generates changes in many areas. The advancement of technology offers possibilities that increase efficiency in processes and the costs of any project. That is why constant professional updating is vital in the field of architecture. In recent years, architecture has begun to digitize through artificial intelligence and other associated technologies that make it increasingly possible to adapt design to digital media and workflows.

Some of the most important advances from the combination of AI and architecture have been:

• Fewer risks: Identifying potential safety risk factors through software that allows more efficient visualization of any remaining hazards in the workplace.
• Virtual reality: Allows visualizing the project outcome in advance. Experiencing a construction environment through images, sounds, and even manipulating objects through VR lenses.
• Augmented reality: While virtual reality is more limited to digital entertainment, augmented reality has found applications in architecture by overlaying digital information onto real elements. It involves combining 3D cameras at the construction site and transmitting 360º videos, solving problems in real-time, even including aerial images using drones.
• Home automation: Homes will be smart or they won’t be at all, but what is a smart home? It is one that is controlled through automated systems and home automation. Home automation is an integrated technological system applied to a home to achieve intelligent control and automation. This implies efficient management of energy consumption, home security and accessibility, and a multitude of advantages that increase the well-being and comfort of the home. Some of its advantages include the ability to automate thermostats, blinds, irrigation systems, etc.; improvement of security systems; energy efficiency that minimizes consumption without sacrificing comfort…

• Responsible architecture: The Construction sector has advanced and is innovating to offer intelligent solutions focused on smart cities, using various systems such as Big Data as a management tool for household or city savings, employing new materials and technologies that will guide construction towards generating smarter and more sustainable results.

 

Arquifach’s 50 years of experience and the evolution of trends and technology have taught us that there are a series of essential requirements for custom home design to be effective and human. Below we will list a series of essential points to improve people’s lives in their homes through architecture, construction, or interior design:

Environmental Awareness in Architecture

It is well known that the construction sector is responsible for a large part of CO2 emissions, some studies even establishing that it accounts for between 30% and 50% of the total. What is the role of architecture in all this? An architect’s responsibility is significant, since the decisions that minimize the pollution resulting from our way of life are made by them. Many of you may be wondering if that role is really so important, and we can assure you that good planning, design, and execution of homes can neutralize CO², absorb it, and even reduce it.

Sustainability is one of the main social commitments of our time. It is evident that governments and administrations offer various aids or financial facilities for both new buildings and the renovation of old ones to adapt them to lower energy demand and waste consumption, greater comfort and healthiness, etc. In this context, a design cannot be planned without considering aspects such as the thermal insulation of walls, floors and ceilings, the choice of more efficient joinery, the application of natural paints, installation of water-saving solutions, integration of renewable energies in the home…

Multifunctional Spaces

If you are regular readers of the Arquifach architecture blog, you will already know that the open concept design is here to stay. To understand this new trend, we must talk about the versatility of spaces. Planning this type of room can be quite a challenge, as partitions must be replaced with other elements that maintain light and views. Walls can be removed, but other elements used to change the use of spaces as convenient. Through sliding doors, we can open or close spaces as needed. The ideal is to ensure that light is not lost, so that the concept continues to make sense.

Kitchens open to the living room, living-dining rooms… are just a few ideas that help generate a greater sense of spaciousness and allow us to provide greater versatility to those areas of our home that are less used.

Acoustic Comfort

The well-being of our home involves finding a space where the environment is conducive to relaxation. Acoustic insulation is essential to contribute to that interior well-being. Lack of concentration and sleep, physical discomfort, stress… are some of the consequences of not having a well-insulated space, and that is why it is essential to design a good acoustic insulation system, which will also be one of the main characteristics of a good thermal insulation system. It must not be forgotten that in houses with large spaces, it is also important to control the reverberation of sound inside them. For this, sound-absorbing elements are used to reduce noise levels and echo in interior spaces, improving communication and general well-being.

Arquifach, Alicante Architecture Studio, designs your custom home

We hope this article has been useful for you to learn about the essentials in custom home design. For any questions, do not hesitate to contact Arquifach, Alicante architecture studio, without obligation. We study the viability of your project and offer advice on the construction of new single-family homes or tourist apartment buildings. Count on the support of a team specialized in the Costa Blanca that adapts to the social changes of the moment and constantly updates, leaving behind the deficiencies that hinder its development.