Page 56 - Norman Foster Foundation Re-materializing Housing Workshop

2021 Re-materializing Housing Workshop
Contents Report
Acciona Ombú Construction Site
Friday, 19 November 2021
Located within a historic industrial building built in 1905 by Luis de Landecho, Acciona Ombú is the office building of a Spanish company that deals with sustainable infrastructure and energy. The project creates a sustainable exemplar for building reuse and breathes new life into the surrounding area. With over 10,000 square metres of new office space, the project will unify a unique mix of private and public land with green landscaping that extends to the Méndez Álvaro station.
Originally built as a natural gas plant that supplied energy to the surrounding areas, the building had fallen into disuse until Acciona acquired it in 2017. The new proposals will conserve over 10,000 tonnes of brick, rehabilitating the building envelope and the interior volume. The introduction of a series of stepped floors creates terraces sheltered under the historic roof. Made from timber sustainably sourced from local forests, the lightweight structure allows for spatial flexibility while also integrating lighting, ventilation and other services from within. The timber structure will save more than 1,000 tonnes of CO2 and is recyclable and demountable. A central skylight brings natural light to the interior, reducing the need for energy-consuming artificial light while also incorporating silicon plates that generate electricity. The choice of natural and recycled materials such as timber is not only sustainable, but contributes to a biophilic environment as well. Recent studies have shown that the use of natural materials in working environments improves wellbeing and productivity.
Taking advantage of Madrid’s temperate climate, where people can comfortably be outdoors for nine months of the year, the project includes a new courtyard which holds a new ground floor space and garden roof. Local species have been carefully selected to reduce water consumption, which will come from recycled sources.
Previously an old natural gas plant, the building is being renovated to serve as an Acciona office building
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