Learn all about bioclimatic architecture and its advantages

Jun is a municipality with fewer than 4,000 inhabitants located in the heart of the Vega de Granada. Its main activity is ceramics, with a long historical tradition, as well as using new technologies. In 2005, a development of 25 homes with a common characteristic was built here: They are an example of bioclimatic architecture.

"Las Caléndulas", as this development is called, is a benchmark in this type of construction that returns to ancient solutions with cutting-edge innovations to create efficient buildings that respect the environment where they are located.

What is bioclimatic architecture?

It is an architectural trend that takes into account issues such as the climate where the building is located and the available natural resources, as well as making optimum use of them to reduce the consumption of resources such as energy and water.

The aim is to design and construct buildings that adapt to the conditions in the surrounding area to minimise energy use while maintaining the comfort of their residents, attempting to ensure that the home is self-regulating and that its construction and operation have as little impact as possible on the Environment.

Since ancient times, numerous resources have been used to cool and heat homes: From whitewashing the walls in Andalusian villages to prevent them from overheating to south-facing houses in cold climates.

Characteristics of bioclimatic architecture

A number of aspects are currently taken into account when constructing new buildings. Bioclimatic architecture is based on the following features:

Location

This is the most important parameter when planning a bioclimatic project. Firstly, you should take into account the bioclimatic features of the local area, learn about the climate, temperatures, rainfall, hours of sunshine, relative humidity, winds, access to renewable energies, etc in order to be able to adapt your design to these features.

For example, it is important to establish the orientation of the building. In a cold climate, it is ideal for it to be south-facing, as well as using translucent materials that allow solar radiation to pass through so as to obtain light and heat in winter. To get the most out of the orientation, you need to include elements that enable insulation and the control of light, for example, blinds, awnings, vegetation, etc.

You can also make use of the sun by installing solar panels, but you should make a careful study of where best to locate them, which system will perform better, etc.

The floor is another variable to be considered, since the possibility of part of the house being underground can help insulate the house, as well as taking advantage of the heat generated in the ground itself. There is also the additional advantage of making use of renewable energies like geothermal energy.

Insulation

Another key feature of bioclimatic architecture is to understand that both the materials and the construction process should have the minimum environmental impact. The aim is for external temperature variations to affect the interior of the house as little as possible. This involves the use of traditional materials such as wood, stone, brick or concrete.

Cross Ventilation

This resource is used mainly for reasons of health and comfort, since it is essential to renew the air renewal in the home. It is also an advantage to cool the home without incurring electricity costs, as well as preventing the appearance of damp or mites in the house.

Evaporative Cooling

This is a very useful strategy in hot, dry climates as it is an economical and clean option to air conditioning. The aim is to use water to cool the ambient temperature. By strategically positioning the house and elements such as decorative plants or trees, it is possible to cool the house without incurring energy expenditure.

Water management

The efficient use of water resources is also important in a context in which water stress is already a common scenario in the Iberian Peninsula, whether it concerns water for human consumption, irrigation or sewage management. For example, a key tool is a building where water can be re-used by refilling the cistern with water from the shower or using waste water from the kitchen to water the plants, and that avoids waste or possible almost unnoticeable leaks.

Heat Dissipation and Preservation

Finding solutions to dissipate heat, such as vaults, bays, openings, is another challenge when designing the building, and vice versa where a cold climate is concerned. And it is also true for buildings that are located in places with extreme weather: Very hot in summer, very cold in winter.

Las Caléndulas, an example of bioclimatic architecture

The houses in Jun which we talked about at the beginning are a clear illustration all of the above points. They feature a series of elements that make them an example to follow as far as bioclimatic construction is concerned. Here are some of the key features:

• They have an ecological roof-top cistern: This not only insulates the houses against extreme temperatures, it makes the most of rainwater while decongesting the home's water evacuation systems that go to the sanitation network. This not only reduces costs, it is a way of decorating and landscaping the roofs of houses.
• The essential location of the patio: The location depends on the direction of the prevailing winds. It enables cross ventilation and gives sunlight access to all the rooms in the house, which means savings in energy consumption used for air conditioning and lighting.
• The use of sustainable materials: The houses were built using environmentally friendly materials, including thermo-clay blocks, which provide remarkable insulation which is superior to that from other more usual materials.
• A high level of renewable energy: Because of their characteristics, the energy obtained from these homes originates largely from renewable energies such as the sun or wind which reduces the environmental impact of their operation and lowers the costs of the residents' bills. These houses also have the highest energy rating. Compared to a standard house, they consume 70% less electricity and 35% less water.

More efficient housing is possible

The case of "Las Caléndulas" sets a precedent for future constructions in Spanish territory. With the volatility of the energy market and incipient concerns about the droughts that have affected much of the continent this year, bioclimatic architecture is a real solution and very easy to implement.

Endesa will help you make your home more efficient, with advice to help you understand what your home consumes and how to reduce it, as well as offering you solutions to start using clean energy and join the solar self-consumption movement.