Sabadell plus
AAIMM

Sabadell Plus

AAIMM Architecture Office as Architects

The first of all the questions involved in constructing a hole new building should be: is it necessary? Do we need a new building?. Followed by How do we do it?. Rather than the study of a new type of hig-rise building, this project aims to explore the techniques, possibilities and results of a high efficiency rehabilitation of an existing tall building which is in a central position within the city.


Spain is goingthrough a stong crisis, mostly because the real state bubble and, in fact, theres almost four apartments per citizen. Building has already stopped and new working methods and ideas are starting to come along, among which theres a strong interest in re-doing what’s been done in the past with low efficiency and low standards.


This project explores one of these methods: the use of the greenhouse’s technology and concept to create a microclimate, a cushion between the exterior and the interior, and intermediate space of appropiation for the owners to asign a use. This intermediate space develops as a balcony of prefabricated materials and means such as KLH wood panels, steel, and polycarbonate plaques, all of them are also recyclabe. This cushion of air will improve considerably the efficiency of the thermal envelope of the building resulting in less consume of energy for heating and cooling, by the passive capacity of the greenhouse to accumulate air which can be recirculated to the interior of the house or disipated depending on the needs.


The balconies are also a way of casting shadow to the hole façade, which is why a building completely exposed, with no balconies, was choosed. The shadow not olny helps to refresh the interior preventing the concrete to overheat, but also allows ventilation and disipation. The constructive system, with the materials choosen, was considered to be fast, water free and efficient (light).


The upgrade of the building will take no more than six months since the beginning of the construction works and very few machines will be needed due to the lightness and prefab pieces. In conclusion, with the creation of balconies, the appropiation-cushion space, the building is renewed with a lot less energy than the required for a demolition and a new construction. By working this way, not only the energy will become more livable, but incredibely more sustainable. The useful life of the building expands and it is possible to consider the regeneration of the natural resources used in the past construction, closing cycles.

Project Spotlight
Product Spotlight
News
Detail: sliding panels of natural pine protect a residential complex from the Mallorcan sun
29 Mar 2024 Detail
Detail: sliding panels of natural pine protect a residential complex from the Mallorcan sun

Spanish architecture firm OHLAB has recently completed Paseo de Mallorca 15, a residential complex o... More

Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo
28 Mar 2024 News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo

Global transdisciplinary architecture and design practice Snøhetta has designed a new entranc... More

10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete
27 Mar 2024 Specification
10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete

Precast concrete is made by casting concrete in a reusable mold. These molds are made of various mat... More

Sameep Padora and Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India
26 Mar 2024 News
Sameep Padora & Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India

Mumbai-based Sameep Padora & Associates (sP+a) has completed Hampi Art Labs in Toranagallu, a vi... More

Introducing Partner Thermory AS
26 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Thermory AS

Thermory AS offers a diverse product range that includes durable exterior cladding, decking, interio... More

Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality
25 Mar 2024 News
Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality

Brooklyn Tower, standing an impressive ninety-three stories tall with a unique neo-deco crown, is al... More

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury
25 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright have been announced as Archello Awards 202... More

Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon
22 Mar 2024 News
Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon

The Eugénie Brazier school project in Lyon, France, undertaken by regional architecture studi... More