Publisher / Edita:
Institut Balear de l’Habitatge (IBAVI)
Manuel Azaña, 9, 07006 Palma
T (+34) 900 700 003
www.ibavi.caib.es
Design and layout / Diseño y maquetación:
Carles Oliver, Mª del Mar Amengual, Miquel Ramón, Nus, Joan Amer
Original text / Textos originales:
Carles Oliver, Antonio Martín, Joaquín Moyá
Translation and correction / Traducción y corrección:
Paraula, LCP Translatis
Printer / Impresión:
Esment Impremta
DL: PM 321-2018
Printed in Spain / Impreso en España
Palma 2018 It is our responsibility to respond to
the current and future needs of society and we must know how to face this
challenge, combining the promotion
of social housing based on its social
purpose and environmental awareness. When it comes to both social and
environmental sustainability, we think
and take action with social housing
developments that involve techniques
that generate, both in their construction and maintenance, lower amounts
of CO2
and waste, whilst at the same
time, working to promote the use of
sustainable power.
This book explains the origins and development of this flagship project to
address efficient construction in our
islands: LIFE+ 2012, an initiative recognised by the European Union and that
came to fruition through the construction of 14 social housing units in Sant
Ferran, Formentera.
This project has made it possible to
link our natural resources to the cultural tradition of Formentera. A good example is the use of dry Posidonia
oceanica as a construction material,
as was the traditional method. Harnessing a waste product that is plentiful and native to Formentera, using its
properties as thermal insulation and
thus avoiding having to use materials
that do not exist in our islands provides a new approach to both public
and private construction.
Enhancing our cultural tradition whilst
promoting greater energy efficiency
and the use of ecological technologies increases the competitiveness
of our production systems and helps
to maintain and care for our natural
resources. This is the path that we
should be taking.
I would like to publicly acknowledge
everybody who has worked both persistently and decidedly to convert the Balearic Islands into a reference point in
the Mediterranean in the field of bio architecture. Furthermore, I would like to
highlight the role of our partners in this
initiative who, with the utmost in professionalism, have catalysed an approach
that helps to ensure that public buildings are nearly zero-energy buildings.
Congratulations to everybody involved
in this project, which has been the result of a joint effort, full of hope, that is
truly innovative and pioneering.
Marc Pons i Pons
IBAVI President
Minister of Territory, Energy and Mobility
Government of the Balearic IslandsIn island regions like the Balearic Islands,
there are two important factors to con
-
sider in the fight against climate change:
in addition to the responsibility we share
with the rest of society for fighting this
global phenomenon from all corners,
we are also particularly vulnerable to cli
-
mate change, with the issue becoming a
question of our own survival. This, com
-
bined with the opportunities offered by
these regions as potential “laboratories”
make island territories the perfect place
to lead efforts to mitigate climate change
and adapt to its impacts.
As part of this mission, readdressing the
buildings we live, learn or work in is fun
-
damental, as it is in these buildings that
we consume approximately a third of all
energy. This project demonstrates that
the Mediterranean has the resources
and the climate needed to significant
-
ly reduce energy consumption, both
during the process of building houses
and during their subsequent use. This
makes it possible to reduce CO
2
and
other pollutant gases generated by
energy consumption in a significant way, in addition to tackling social, eco
-
nomic and environmental problems de
-
riving from the extraction, processing
and transportation of fossil fuels from
their place of origin.
What’s more, this also helps to overcome
another challenge: anchor renewable ge
-
neration in fragile and limited territories
like islands. The surface area covered by
solar panels or the number of wind tur
-
bines that have to be installed to supply
ourselves with clean energy is reduced by
building more efficient buildings.
Finally, there are three elements that
make this project a viable and reproduc
-
ible reality: quality, comfort and budget,
which is very similar to that of other so
-
cial housing and demonstrates that en
-
vironmental sustainability is not at odds
with the economy.
Joan Groizard Payeras
Director General of Energy
and Climate Change
Government of the Balearic Islands The Life Reusing Posidonia project
promoted by IBAVI¹ in collaboration
with the Balearic General Directorate
of Energy and Climate Change at the
CAIB has received a European grant of
€ 754,012 from the LIFE + 12 program
in the Environmental Governance
category for Climate Change Adaptation Projects.
The proposal includes the construction
of a prototype building, consisting of
14 social housing units in Formentera,
and the monitoring thereof in collaboration with the UIB2
to verify the proper
functioning of the solutions applied
with a view to providing verified data to
the European Institutions for the drafting of future regulations related to the
reduction of the environmental impact
of the building sector.
There is a general consensus on the
need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions generated during the life of buildings, which represent 36% of total
emissions3
at a European level, and
this has been reflected in Directives 2002/91/EC on the Energy Performance of Buildings or 2010/31/EU on the
Energy Performance of buildings.
However, it is worth remembering that
in Spain, the construction industry4
accounts for 17% of CO2
emissions, and
worldwide, 5% of all emissions on Earth are generated by reinforced concrete5
, 6% by heating, 14% by transport6
,
and yet there is no general debate on
the importance of reducing CO2
emissions attributable to the materials
used during the execution of construction work.
Therefore, in addition to energy efficiency, it is imperative that we rethink
the industrial processes employed in
construction work.
The Prototype demonstrates the
most sustainable building systems at environmental, economic
and social levels are local, viable,
and in danger of extinction: Local
green-production craft industries
using local materials.
1. Balearic Social Housing Institute.
2. University of the Balearic Islands.
3. HACKER et al. (2006) Embodied and operational carbon dioxide emissions from housing: a case study on the
effects of thermal mass and climate change.
4. Informe Inventarios GEI España, 1990-2010 (2012).
5. E. Worrell, L. Price, N. Martin, C. Hendriks, L. Meida, 2001.
6. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). With a few exceptions, they do not have
any eco-labels7
or have any interest in
obtaining them given difficulty in obtaining them in terms of profitability. However, the local nature of these products
makes it possible to personally inspect
the manufacturing process and to verify
the environmental value of the process
without the need for external audits.
The uptake in use of dry Posidonia oceanica (Neptune grass), a seagrass species endemic to the Mediterranean,
as a form of thermal insulation is remarkable; this solution has been taken
from traditional architecture, promoting the use of this protected plant
as long as it is done properly, and it
reminds us that we don’t inhabit a
house, but an ecosystem.
Therefore, the combined use of local
materials available and imported materials that are environmentally certified constitutes a model that makes
it possible to reduce CO2 emissions
more than 50% during construction
works, whether they are refurbished
or new buildings, since these mate rials are suitable to renovate most of
the historic city centers.
In addition, the Prototype is a model of
energy efficient construction to meet
the objectives of the 2020 climate &
energy package8
, which in Spain is
equivalent to an A energy rating for residential buildings, with a consumption
of less than 15 kWh/m²/year.
All documentation is freely accessible
and available at www.reusingposidonia.com with a view to encouraging
the development of rehabilitation and
new construction projects with this level of efficiency.
The environmental studies performed
as part of this project have been carried out by the environmental consultancy firm Societat Orgànica +10 SCCL. 7. The study of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) by an independent
entity is too costly for small family businesses.
On the other hand, there is no European eco-label for
building systems, unlike other sectors such as food or
paints, as it remains under development. However, there
are some recommendations that can be consulted in this
link: http://susproc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/buildings/index.html
To consult the products that have the EU Eco-label:
Europe:http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/
products-groups-and-criteria.html
Spain:http://www.mapama.gob.es/en/calidad-yevaluacion-ambiental/temas/etiqueta-ecologica-de-launion-europea/etiqueta-ecologica-europea/grupos_
producto.aspx
Balearic Islands: http://www.caib.es/sacmicrofront/
contenido.do?mkey=M234&lang=ES&cont=5511
The eco-labelling process in the Balearic Islands can
be carried out at: http://www.caib.es/sacmicrofront/
contenido.do?idsite=234&cont=5528
8. The 2020 climate & energy package stipulates that
all public buildings must be Nearly zero-energy buildings by 31 December 2018 as one of the measures
to achieve the 3 strategic objectives:
-20% energy consumption.
-20% CO2
emissions.
+ 20% renewable energy 1. To reduce:
— CO2
emissions by 50% during the
construction of buildings (maximum
limit of 564,085 kg/CO2
).
— Useful energy by 75% during the useful life of the building (maximum consumption 15 kWh/m²/year).
— Water consumption by 60% (maximum limit 88l/person and day).
— Waste production by 50% (maximum limit 35.18 t).
2. To demonstrate the feasibility of
using the following products from the
pre-industrial period, applying the corresponding tests:
— Insulation using Posidonia oceanica
(λ<0.045 W/mk).
— Resistance of NHL-5 type lime concrete as a structural solution (minimum resistance to compression of
5 KN/m). 3. To determine the actual unit cost
of a multi-family property development that meets all of the above requirements, with the additional cost
coming to less than 5% compared to a
similar promotion that complies with
current regulations.
4. To promote and encourage carrying out the previous points in architectural works.
If the construction of all new buildings
was carried out applying the criteria
of REUSING POSIDONIA construction
would no longer be one of the causes of
the increase in the planet’s temperature.The staked fig trees of Formentera
are a prime example of an economy
of means, which entails problem-solving using the minimum amount of
resources. Therefore, it is not a goal
in itself, but the tool used to solve
problems.
The sea breezes in Formentera prevented the fig trees from growing
upwards. The solution? Place stakes
using the forked trunks9
of the Olea
europaea Sylvestris or Juniperus that
support the branches so that they can
grow horizontally.
Over time, it has been demonstrated
that a single fig tree trunk produced
many more figs and thanks to the
stakes, growers could climb into the
and retrieve figs located at the top.
Furthermore, they provide shade for
animals and humans. In summer, the
Na Blanca den Mestre10 fig tree, the
largest in Formentera, is possibly the
most pleasant place on the island. 9. Concentric rings of finer trunks are built on the stakes,
which in recent years have been replaced by corrugated steel rods left over from construction work.
10. Plan by Marià Castelló, Na Blanca d’en Mestre, published in the Quaderns journal of the Official Association of Architects of Catalonia Col·legi Oficial d’Arquitectes de Catalunya. The main causes of environmental deterioration are the industrial production and consumption models11.
In other words: How is it possible that
a T-shirt costs €3 in a shop?
The answer is simple: using the excuse of the difference in wages and
the currency exchange in order to
reassure consumers, globalised production using the under-regulated
labour markets of second and third
world countries is fed by new forms
of forced labor12. At the same time,
natural resources are overexploited and waste accumulates beyond
the biosphere’s absorption capacity,
transforming large marine and land
areas into real landfills.
This is also the case in the construction
materials industry.
The concept of an ecological footprint is used as an indicator of the
rate at which this industrial phenomenon occurs, measuring the sur face area needed to produce what
we consume for one year. In Spain13,
our footprint is 64,000 m² per person. In the US, this figure comes to
100,000 m². However, space on our
planet is limited and only 18,000 m²
per person is available14.
Therefore, in Spain we should reduce the consumption of resources
by 70% at all levels: food, transport,
housing, etc.
This can be achieved either by reducing our consumption by 70%, modifying production processes, or by a
combination of the two.
What factors can we change?
Industrial activities linked to the construction sector15 has a significant collateral impact, including:
1. Exploitation of natural resources.
2. CO2
emissions and greenhouse effect.
3. Toxicity and carcinogenic effect.
4. Labour exploitation. 11. United Nations Environment Program, Agenda 21. 1992
12. SACOM, Chan Sze Wan and Cheng Yi (2010): Report on
Foxconn workers as machines — BBC, Richard Bilton
(2014): Failing to protect Chinese factory workers. 13. Analysis of the ecological footprint of Spain, MINISTRY
OF ENVIRONMENT, RURAL AND MARINE ENVIRONMENT (2008).
14. Barrett, J., et al. (2006): Counting Consumption: CO2
Emissions, Material Flows and Ecological Footprint of
the UK by Region and Devolved Country, WWF-United Kingdom
15. The full ACV study includes other factors that have
been taken into account in this project, such as avoiding products that emit CFCs or HCFCs with an impact
on the O-zone or that contain heavy metals.
Other impacts such as acidification (SOx emissions
into the atmosphere), eutrophication, or the emission
of solid waste generated have not been evaluated. Obtaining raw materials can entail implicit risks that are assumed unilaterally
by companies, as explained by German
sociologist Ulrich Beck in “Risk Society”16.
The question is, would these risks be
assumed by consumers if they knew
about them?
This is the case of aluminium mines.
For each tonne of aluminium, 2 tonnes
of highly alkaline red muds17 with a pH
of 12-14 are produced, which are considered dangerous residues and are
deposited in tailings rafts, which are
a particularly troubling environmental
concern for the EU18. The 2010 spillage of red mud tailings from the Ajka
aluminium mine in Hungary flooded
several villages causing 10 deaths and
wounding 150 people.
Another case is the deforestation of tropical forests. Although everyone is aware of
the topic, we continue to collaborate unconsciously by failing to demand controlled management stamps in all our purchases. Even still, some reports19 warn of non-compliance in the management protocols in some second and third world
countries, turning these supposed guarantees into a method of cleaning their
image, also known as green-washing.
Would the same occur if companies
had to provide tracking information on
all packaging? That is, stating the origin
of products and providing information
on all the stages of production, transformation and distribution.
For example, imagine a label similar to
the one used on cigarette packs:
“The wood used to make this door comes from an illegal logging facility in
the Amazon which is responsible for
the annual deforestation of 1,000,000
hectares of forest”
Or how about:
“The aluminium used to make this window comes from a mine in India which
has entailed the deforestation and the
expulsion of indigenous tribes, causing
numerous deaths and violations. The
recycled aluminium content is 2%” 16. Beck, U. (2008): Risk Society, Barcelona, Paidós.
17. FERNANDES, M., A. RAMÍREZ & T. TOSIANI 2013. Neutralization of Red Lime from CVG-Bauxilum with Gypsum and its Interaction with savannah soil. Geos 44:
1-4, 2013.
18. Report of the European Parliament of 23 March 2017
on the implementation of Directive 2006/21/EC on
mining waste (2015/2117 (INI).
European Parliament resolution of 8 October 2015
on lessons learned from the red mud disaster, five
years after the accident in Hungary 2015/2801 (RSP).
19. Greepeace Report FSC at Risk: FSC in Russia. According to the draft version of Libro
Blanco del Etiquetaje Verde20 developed
by ITEC and the regional government
of Catalonia, average emissions during the construction of residential
buildings come to 732 kg/CO2 per
square meter built, and range between 600 and 900 kg/CO2 depending
on the type of building. Therefore, the
emissions of a 100 m2 house come to
approximately 75,000 kg/CO2.
Extrapolating this figure to the total
60,000 homes built in the Community
of Madrid21 in 2006, emissions came
to 4.5 million tonnes, equal to 900,000
Olympic swimming pools.
What are the implications of this?
Carbon dioxide is responsible for
20% of the greenhouse effect22, and
thus it is the gas that has the greatest
impact on global warming. In comparison, the rest of greenhouse gases
added together represents 5%. The
remaining 75% is caused by water vapour and clouds. fossil fuels like oil, heavy fuel oil or natural gas.27
In other words, the life cycle of concrete begins in an oil field like the one
of Ghawar, Saudi Arabia; afterwards,
the oil is transported by oil tankers to
ports in Europe, like the one in Rotterdam; from there, it is distributed via
pipelines to Spain, where it is refined
and supplied to factories to be used
as fuel, accountable for 5% of the
world’s pollution.
This does not take into account the
possible environmental catastrophes
caused by oil tanker accidents or armed conflicts in the different countries
of extraction.
In addition, it must not be forgotten
that 2010 saw the Peak Oil28, in other
words, the moment at which oil production reached its historical peak
and from there began to decline.
Whilst oil will never run out, there will
come a time when it stops being extracted as it will be too expensive or
difficult to obtain. 27. Guide to best techniques available in Spain in the production of cement, 2004, Ministry of the Environment.
28. World Energy Outlook 2010, International Energy
Agency. Check next image. In light of this situation, the simplest solution is to reduce its use insofar as possible, i.e., not doing or doing the minimum. The automatic way of reducing
CO2
emissions from a 500 m2
building
by 50% is to build only 250 m2
.
When this option proves unfeasible, one option is to avoid using
materials with higher emissions as
much as possible, such as aluminium, porcelain stoneware, all asphalt
derivatives and reinforced concrete,
and to look for available alternative
materials. For example, those developed prior to the industrial revolution and using renewable energy to
be manufactured at temperatures
below 900 °C. This group includes
natural hydraulic lime cement, aerial
lime, or biomass-fired bricks, as well
as all materials that do not require
the use of furnaces, such as wood
products. One of the major advantages of designing using quantifiable indicators is the
ability to dismantle myths. Thus, when it
comes to the issue of pollution, it is typical for transport to be quoted as one of
the main sources. Although this may be
true in some particular cases, boats are
comparatively very efficient compared to
other means of transport, as shown in the
table on the right. Obviously, the shorter
the distance, the less associated pollution.
What is the main problem in importing products from abroad? Generally
speaking, if products are sourced from
developed countries and importing them
is justified as there is no impact on the
consumption of similar local products,
the importance of transport pollution can
be considered relative.
However, importing raw materials from
countries with under-regulated labour
markets can lead to labour exploitation, accidents and worker fatalities. If
in doubt, ask to be provided with the
working conditions of supplier, although this is not always possible. For instance, more than 55% of the electricity consumed in Mallorca comes from
the Murterar power plant, which coal
powered. This coal does not come from
Spanish mines, as might be assumed, rather it is it from Colombia as it costs less.
This sector involves child exploitation29,
which causes environmental disasters
such as the dumping of hundreds of tonnes of coal into the sea near beaches30
and high occupational accident rates according to the report of the Ministry of
Mines of Bogotá31, which references the
mortality rates of other mining countries
such as China, with 6,000 miners killed
during 2005, or South Africa, with 220 in
2007, which is from where the coal used
in Murterar was sourced until recently. Almost 60 million children are affected by
child exploitation in South Africa32. Given
that children are considered particularly
useful for entering gaps in which adults
do not fit and that they have no demands
in terms of working conditions, it is fairly
plausible to conclude that the production of electricity employed on the island
has benefited from child exploitation for
years, and could even still be happening Although statistically employment conditions in Colombia are better than those in South Africa, the fact is that in general, we would refuse to do these jobs
ourselves, never mind our children.
In this sense, the current DGECC’s commitment to close 50% of the coal reactors at the Murterar power station in
the near future is quite remarkable. This
development is doubly interesting given
that the incorporated CO2
emissions of
the energy mix of the Balearic Islands33
are more than double those seen in the
rest of the Iberian Peninsula, due to the
pollution caused by the burning of coal,
with a heat efficiency of just 30% (the
remaining 70% is released into the atmosphere). Therefore, energy efficiency in the Balearic Islands, in addition to
reducing consumer bills and pollution,
can have a positive impact on reducing
labour exploitation if appropriate measures are taken.29. https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/avenferm/
article/view/15660/18163
30. www.ejatlas.org/conflict/coal-transport-bydrummond-in-bahia-de-santa-marta-colombia
31. National policy on mining safety, Ministry of Mines
and Energy Bogotá D.C., August 2011.
32. IPEC Global trends in child labour between 2008 and
2012 / International Program on the Elimination of
Child Labour (IPEC) - Geneva: ILO, 2013. ISBN: 978-92-
2-327183-1 (Print) ISBN: 978-92-2 -327184-8 (Web PDF)
33. Peninsula emission factor 308 g CO2
/kWh.
Balearic factor 766 g CO2
/kWh.
According to data from the Directorate General of
the Natural Environment, Environmental Education and
Climate Change, in 2010, the Balearic Islands produced
9,361,900 tonnes of CO2
. Of this amount, 5,000,000 tonnes correspond to the production of electricity. In Mallorca, 500 MW are produced at the Murterar power station
with 33% of primary heat energy harness. This plant alone
is responsible for around 3,100,000 tonnes of CO2The history of regulatory developments
in terms of asbestos demonstrates the
difficulties experienced by government
institutions to prohibit products that are
potentially harmful to human health:
1889 First report on the toxicity of asbestos fibres34.
1930 First time asbestosis is recognised as a professional disease in Great
Britain.35
1973 International scientific recognition of the carcinogenic nature of asbestos.36
1999 The EU requires member states to ban all types of asbestos and
establishes a maximum deadline of 1
January 2005.37
2001 Its production in Spain is prohibited. The standard takes effect after 6
months and an additional moratorium
of 6 months is granted to market the
remaining stock.38
2006 The removal of asbestos by private individuals is prohibited, which is carried out by specialist companies who
use watertight suits given the great
danger involved in its handling.39 Occupational exposure in manufacturing continues to cause more than
100,000 deaths a year globally and
yet countries like Russia continue to
manufacture almost 700,000 t annually, which are marketed in countries like China.
Another case is that of PVC, declared
as being carcinogenic by IARC40.
In addition to toxicity during the production process or direct contact,
one of the main problems in its use
in buildings is that most installations,
such as electrical wiring and sanitation, are usually made of PVC and in
the event of a fire, the main cause of
death is the inhalation of smoke and
toxic gases, accounting to 57.45% in
the case of men and 81.82% in the
case of women41. In fact, public buildings require that electrical installations are free from halogens, i.e. free
from PVC.
Despite the foregoing, it remains the third
most consumed plastic in the world. 34. Lucy Dean, factory inspector, UK. Asbestos in Spain:
state of play, 2001.
35. British workforce medical inspector E. Merewether.
Asbestos in Spain: state of play. 2001.
36. International Agency for Research on Cancer, WHO.
Asbestos in Spain: state of play. 2001.
37. Commission Directive 1999/77/EC
of 26 July 1999 adapting to technical progress for the
sixth time Annex I to Council Directive 76/769/EEC on
the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to
restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (asbestos)
38. Order of 7 December 2001 amending Annex I to Royal Decree 1406/1989 of 10 November 1989 imposing restrictions on the marketing and use of certain
dangerous substances and preparations.
39. Royal Decree 396/2006 of 31 March, establishing the
minimum safety and health requirements applicable
to works at risk of exposure to asbestos.
40. International Agency for Research on Cancer.
www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2004/pr153.html
41. Study carried out by the Mapfre Foundation, 2007. In Spain, it is still sold, but its use is
banned in public buildings in more
than 300 towns and cities in Germany,
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Holland, Luxembourg, Norway and Sweden, including capitals such as Berlin
and Vienna.
All these examples constitute what we
call “the difficulties of the modern farmer.”
Taking traditional architecture as a reference, in which farmers use everything
that comes his way without prejudice,
the replacement of a few trunks and
ropes using potentially toxic products
made on an industrial scale becomes a
noteworthy problem.
In light of this situation, the principle
of precaution42 is of particular interest,
avoiding the use of all materials concerning which there are strong doubts
in terms of their safety in construction
work, establishing much more restrictive levels than those defined by the
current legislation, preventing the use
of the following materials:
— PVC in any aspect of construction
work, including installations, where it is considered the material par
excellence.
— Glues and/or woods with a formaldehyde content of more than E1.
— Polyurethane (PU) foams or any
other type of product that exposes
the operator to toxic gases such
as HFC (greenhouse gas), or HC
(hydrocarbons considered Volatile
Organic Compounds), which have
replaced CFC or CHFC gases that
affect the O-zone layer, which were
banned in 2009.43
— Toxic paints or varnishes, with a high
VOC content or that contain barium, lead or other heavy metals. It
is recommended that all treatments
used contain vegetable raw materials and feature a stamp of organic
production or, failing this, a certificate issued by the manufacturer, declaring that the product is not toxic. 42. Referred to in Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
43. European Regulation 1005/2009 of 16 September
2009.What options do we have in this scenario?
One of the main problems facing EU
countries is energy dependence44. In
the case of Spain, this figure comes
to 75%, whilst the EU-27 average exceeds 53%.
This high level of dependence leaves
the economies of member states in
a fragile position. The 2020 climate
& energy package has been developed as part of which the reduction
of energy consumption by 20% is
one of the key points to gradually
start on our journey towards energy
self-sufficiency prior to the arrival of
Oil Crash45.
Similarly, progress towards a degree of self-sufficiency in resource consumption is one of the main
ways of reducing the so-called “ecological threats”, which are actually
threats to the social system46. It is
not a case of protecting a non-existent “untouched nature”, rather our
own survival. How can we apply self-sufficiency? A
resource map is a very useful resource that allows us to discover all available local resources, whether tangible
or not:
Prevailing winds in summer for cooling, direction of the sun for heating,
rainfall, geotechnics, materials and
waste, etc.
Traditional architecture is, by definition, the local resource map. That is,
by regarding traditional architecture,
we can discover the natural resources
available at the time of construction.
For example, buildings in the Biniaraix
ravine in Soller, Mallorca, were built
using stones from the valley itself.
The presence of a well or cistern can
be used as a pointer in terms of the
geology, rainfall and the existence of
groundwater.
In the case of Formentera, until the
19th century, only stone, soil, and sabina wood was available. During the 19th century, lime technology was developed and tiles imported
from Ibiza and the mainland.
However, it’s not just about materials.
In Alexander Brodsky’s ice pavilion, the
metallic mesh protects against the icy
wind by spraying it with water, forming
a wall of ice that can be served in the
form of cubes in vodka drinks. The cold
provides protection from the cold.
If we are strict enough, our buildings
could produce a resource map for our
era to be used by future generations. Program, structure, construction and energy efficiency solved by a single strategy.
Traditional architecture has been a constant reference, not in terms of design,
but as a way of working. We use it as a
microscope to get a closer look. By doing so, we can see the resources available on the island: Junipers, which were
used to build frameworks, are currently
protected. The sandstone quarries have
been depleted and the limited straw
available is used for livestock.
So, we have to look to the sea: Posidonia and boats, plus construction pallets
that remain on the island because high
cost of returning them.Therefore, we
propose a shift in approach:
“Instead of investing in a chemical plant located 1,500 km away, we should invest the
same amount in local unskilled labour, who
should lay out the Posidonia to dry under
the sun and compact it in pallets, providing
15 cm of insulation for roofs. Moreover, sea
salt actually acts as natural biocide product
and is completely environmentally friendly The rest of the material used comes
from a market study given their cost,
the incorporated energy and the fact
that they are suited to the levels of
comfort required.
The use of natural materials, more fragile than industrialized, requires selecting the main construction systems at
the beginning of the design process.
The organization of the spaces and the
formal decisions must be the result
of the knowledge of the advantages
and the limitations of the materials. To
think Louis Kahn’s way:
If you think of Brick, you say to Brick,
‘What do you want, Brick?’
And Brick says to you, ‘I like an Arch.’
And if you say to Brick, ‘Look, arches are
expensive, and I can use a concrete lintel
over you.
What do you think of that, Brick?’
Brick says, ‘I like an Arch.’
And it’s important, you see, that you honor the material that you use. The constructed volume is divided into
two separate blocks, taking advantage
of the fact that the two facades that
overlook the street enjoy prevailing
winds that passively keep them cool in
summer. All the dwellings face two directions and cross ventilation thanks to
the layout of the living/dining room and
kitchen in a Z shape and a bedroom at
each end. The layout is a variation of the
project of 42 housing units in Son Servera, Mallorca, by the architects M. Peris
and J. M Toral, promoted by the IBAVI.
The entrance to all homes is directly on
to the street, restoring the direct relationship typical of rural communities
and avoiding the use of elevators, stairs
and common areas. Furthermore, they
all boast outdoor spaces for private
use: ground floor homes have a garden whereas first-floor homes have a
terrace with a private staircase. The building is Energy Class A.
The insulation in the roof is Posidonia
oceanica compacted at 185 kg/m3
with
λ: 0.044 W/mK and 16-cm thick.
The walls are of 25-cm thick Ytong and U:
0.36 W/m2
ºC, except to the north, which
are 30-cm thick and U: 0.32 W/m2 ºC.
All windows are low emissivity glass U:
1.1 W/m2 ºC.
In summer, the cooling is provided
passively by harnessing the breeze.
The windows exposed to sunlight have
solar protection, such as porches, pergolas with vines and canes, or shutters
made of larch wood.
Cables have been installed on the facade to facilitate the growth of climbing
plants that protect blind walls and reduce solar radiation by more than 90% in
areas where they have been developed. In winter, passive climate control is dependent on a 90 kW centralised biomass
boiler that offers a yield of 92%, which
also produces ACS. Each house has Termobox-M heat exchangers that provide
individual consumption readings.
The openings dimensions have been
calculated to ensure that direct radiation occurs on the most unfavourable
day of the winter solstice.
First floor houses have a skylight on
the deck facing in two directions.
In winter, when opening the shutters
facing southwards provides you get a
solar collector.
In summer, when closing the blinds
and opening the windows, you get natural ventilation by means of suction.
The average thermal comfort, measured on site is 21ºC in winter and 26ºC
in summer.
If prioritizing the product as being as
healthy and eco-friendly as possible,
a local product47, in addition to being
economically viable, the following table
applies to the Balearics:
C1. Reusable local waste
E.g. Neptune grass, straw, reused
doors, etc.
C2. Local eco-friendly products
E.g. Marès sandstone, clay (BTC, adobe, etc.), tiles cooked in a biomass kiln,
aerial lime, etc.
C3. Non-local eco-friendly products
E.g. Wood, hydraulic lime, etc.
C4. Recycled or optimized products,
whether local or not.
E.g. Ytong, metal beams with at least
85% recycled steel. 47. A product is considered to be local when it is less
than 100 km from the place where it will be consumed. In the case of Formentera, Mallorca has been
considered as local due to the lack of local industry,
although the two islands are 160 km apart. C1. Reusable local waste
— Roof insulation: Posidonia oceanica dried on site, confined in reused
pallets.
— Aggregates: from construction
work itself, during the excavation
phases, or from cellular concrete
block residues.
— Interior carpentry and gates: reused
wood (Fundació Deixalles Mallorca).
C2. Local eco-friendly products
— Structure (vaults): marès sandstone
slabs from Mallorca.
— External plaster: lime plaster made
in Mallorca using recycled oil as fuel.
— Exterior floors: 40x80x7-cm marès
sandstone slabs and bricks produced
in biomass kilns known as “morunos”.
— Vertical outdoor partitions: H-16 ceramic blocks produced in biomass kilns. C3. Non-local eco-friendly products
— Structure (floors): laminated wood
from Austria, type E1 with PEFC seal.
OSB-III boards with PEFC seal.
— Outdoor woodwork: larch wood from
the Basque Country, with PEFC seal.
— Foundations: Non-reinforced NHL-5
natural hydraulic lime in bulk.
— Interior floors: NHL-5 natural hydraulic lime in bulk, smoothed in situ.
— Acoustic insulation for interior partitions: recycled cotton boards.
— Acoustic insulation for the floors:
Natural cork with FSC seal.
— Wood protection: Lasur based on
vegetable raw materials, free from
lead, barium, heavy metals or polyurethane.
— Paints: Silicate paint for walls and
partitions. C4. Recycled or optimised products
— Structure (walls): YTONG cellular
concrete blocks, with environmental
product declaration (EPD according
to ISO 14025 - eco-label type III).
— Waterproofing: EPDM. The use of
asphalt sheets and PVC has been
banned.
— Installations: All electrical installations are halogen-free (PVC-free).
Water, domestic hot water and grey
water installations are made using
polyethylene and polypropylene. C1. POSIDONIA & PALLETS DRY NEPTUNE GRASS AS A THERMAL INSULATION FOR ROOFS
The insulation depends on the indoor
air bubble content; therefore, any local
waste with a high air content can potentially be used for insulation.
In Formentera, one of the most
abundant types of residue are dead
Posidonia leafs, which is why dry Posidonia oceanica has been used as
thermal insulation, just like it was
used in traditional architecture. The
accumulation of Posidonia oceanica debris (berms) on the beaches
provides very effective protection
against coastal erosion. However, in
Formentera the accumulation is so
high that top layers can be used. PROTECTED PLANT
The Posidonia oceanica is a protected
plant48 and its use must be authorised
by the Ministry of Environment by applying to the Service of Protected Species.
It has been collected by the company
awarded the contract for beach maintenance and has been limited exclusively to the areas in which the material
accumulated on beaches exceeds the
amount necessary to maintain the balance of the coastal dune ecosystem
and extreme care has been taken not
to affect this ecosystem, under the supervision of the environment technicians from the Council of Formentera.
The annual surplus volume of Posidonia,
around 4000 m3
, would be sufficient to
insulate all new dwellings on the island.
The illegal collection of Posidonia is
prohibited and strict sanctions apply,
except in authorised cases. The new
Posidonia Decree of the Balearic Islands, which is currently being drafted,
includes its use in construction work. 48. Posidonia oceanica is protected by the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC TESTS WITH THE UIB
Posidonia does not require artificial
treatment as sea salt acts as a preser
-
vative and a biocide.
In order to ensure its worthiness as in
-
sulation and to determine its thermal
conductivity, three different tests were
carried out in collaboration with the
University of the Balearic Islands (UIB).
The result was a success. — The first test involved the use of two
PCE-HT 71 data logger sensors.
— The second, using a drying oven,
sought to compared the results
against expanded polystyrene.
— The third, involved using a heat
flow meter pursuant to UNE-EN
12664:2002.
Dry Posidonia insulation provides a U:
0.2936 W/m
2
°C and Λ: 0.044 W/mK for
a density of 185 kg/m
3
and a thickness
of 16 cm. THE PROCESS
Once the re-used 16-cm high construction pallets were put in place, dry
Posidonia has to be extended at a rate
of 20 kg/m2
.
The compaction process to obtain 185
kg/m3
was performed manually, with
participants using their hands and feet
to push the leafs between the pallets
that form the substructure to which the
OSB boards are nailed.
Afterwards, the boards were waterproofed with EPDM and protected with
sandstone slabs the form of paving.
The smell of the sea was apparent on
the site throughout the process.
The solution applies to all locations in
the Mediterranean with a surplus of
Posidonia. DURABILITY
Dry Posidonia does not rot and has no
natural predators outside the marine
environment, so its durability is unlimited under normal conditions of use.
It was used uninterruptedly in the traditional architecture of the Balearic
Islands and especially in the Pitiusas
until the start of the 20th century.
The samples of dry Posidonia dating
back to the 14th century provided by
Antònia Reig, Director of the TRBM49,
taken from the coffered ceiling of the
cloister at the Sapiencia de Palma
show a perfect state of conservation;
therefore, its useful life is more than
600 years.
According to hisorians F. Tugores i J.
Morata, all palaces built in Palma between the 14th and 17th centuries
used dry Posidonia in wood panelling
to protect the wood from moisture
and xylophages. EXTINCTION OF THE POSIDONIA
PRAIRIES DUE TO GLOBAL WARMING
Posidonia meadows are an essential
CO2
sink. However, according to the
Spanish National Research Council50,
during the 21st century their density
will decrease by 90% due to the increase in sea temperature, as part of
a process that will begin in about 40
years, resulting in the functional extinction of the species, giving rise to the release of absorbed gas for centuries.51
Therefore, the decrease in CO2
released
as part of construction contributes directly to the protection of the species. Formentera’s boat shacks remind us
of the time when recycling was one of
the few possible ways of obtaining raw
materials.
All indoor carpentry in these dwellings and the vertical shutters on the
ground floor were made using recycled wood and planks made from old
pine stripped from abandoned beds
managed by Fundación Deixalles in
Mallorca. There are no second-hand
carpenters in Ibiza.
Fundación Deixalles is a non-profit
organisation whose main objective is
to ensure the socio-labour insertion
of vulnerable groups in the Balearic
Islands through the recovery and recycling of waste and environmental activities in general.
The reuse of this wood makes it possible to put top-quality wood (old pine,
Oregon pine, etc.), generally more
than 50-70 years old, to reuse; this
guarantees the natural growth of the
tree and a drying process that is no longer available, and therefore these
objects are become unique and un
-
repeatable, making it possible to in
-
corporate items of great wealth into
architecture in general.
As part of the woodwork selection pro
-
cess, samples showing signs of wood
-
worm or xylophagous insect infesta
-
tion have been ruled out, as they could
extend to the rest of the house.
The original woodwork has been ex
-
tended or trimmed as needed and it
has been hung on Klein sliding guides,
as this means that although the size
of the door and gap do not match, the
gap is reduced insofar as possible. All
swinging doors can be reused as slid
-
ing doors.
More than 100 items of recycled wood
-
work have been installed. Hydrated lime plaster on the facades
to waterproof the load walls with a
breathable coating.
The lime, aged for 12 months, was
sourced from the Unicmall factory in
Felanitx, Mallorca.
The fuel used to melt the lime is recycled oil, reducing CO2
emissions by 60%
compared to the use of fossil fuels.
The plaster is applied in 3 layers. Two
coarse layers with a total thickness of
2 cm and an intermediate mallatex
across the entire surface plus a thin
layer of 3-5 mm.
The thick mortar includes a 0.2% polypropylene fibre reinforcement to prevent cracking during retraction.
The support wall has been pre-treated
with a compatible primer.
Marès is a type of sandstone native
to the Balearic Islands extracted in
40x40x80-cm blocks; it is very useful
in the construction of walls and vaults.
Its characteristics depend on its origin,
whether calcarenite (sand grains cemented by the calcium of shells of molluscs) or eolianite (sedimented sand),
and therefore each quarry has very different properties, with resistances varying between 25 and 630 kg/cm².
Therefore, as is the case with wood, its generic name is not very descriptive and it is
essential that the quarry selected is appropriate based on the required use. The publication EL MARÉS, by R. Sánchez-Cuenca,
comes highly recommended, offering a
description of the features (density, porosity, resistance, colour, etc.) of the 19 active
quarries in Mallorca. In Formentera, the
quarries have already been depleted or
extraction activities have ceased.
As part of this project, we chose to use
the Cas Busso quarry, offering 1st-rate
quality, with the following characteristics:
— Whitish colour, compact, dense,
no grains, very hard.
— Bulk density: 2.1 g/cm³.
— Open porosity: 45.6%.
— Compressive strength:
557-627 kg/cm².
Marès has been used as a structural element to construct the vaults of
cisterns, as an alternative to the reinforced concrete slabs and to avoid the
corrosion of reinforcements, thus prolonging their durability indefinitely.
The vault joints have been made using with
NHL-5 lime cement, as Marès is chemically
incompatible with Portland cement.
It has also been used as a floating floor
in the roof, in 40x80x7-cm slabs with an
open joint, laid dry in and 80x18.5x25-
cm solid steps.
The use of Marès reduces emissions by
60% compared to concrete alternatives.52 52. Own research carried out in collaboration with the
General Directorate of Natural Environment, Environmental Education and Climate Change of the Balearic
Islands Government, using the ITEC’s BEDEC. C2. BRICKS & TILES The outer-facing walls and permeable
dicing walls have been made using
H-16 bricks sourced from the Can Mascaró factory in Vilafranca, Mallorca.
They have been placed with the holes exposed, rotated 90º compared
to their usual direction, allowing air to
circulate and cool the inside of houses
while still offering shade in the summer. Furthermore, there does not inhibit resistance to the horizontal thrust
of the wind.
The tiles, made at the Soler pottery in
Felanitx, Mallorca, have been used in the
eaves that protect the windows, as outdoor paving, in doorways, roof railings
and in the tiled bathrooms and kitchens.
The glazed tiles are made one at a time
by hand, and no two tiles are the same.
All the bricks and tiles used in construction work have been baked in biomass mortar kilns, reducing CO2
emissions by 60% compared to the use of
fossil fuels. 53. Up to now, we have located this type of “moruno”
kilns used for the production of building materials
in Andalusia, the Balearic Islands and Murcia. We do
not know if there are other ceramic factories in Spain
that operate with 100% renewable energies. In any
case, it is a trade of great patrimonial and ethnological value and, therefore, the Administration must
protect it. The outdoor windows have been made
using laminated larch wood with the
PEFC seal from the Basque Country.
This wood has a very low thermal conductivity Λ: 0.11 W/mk, which means
it provides good insulation, especially when compared with aluminium
(209.3-237) or steel (47-58).
HEALTH AND DURABILITY
It is breathable, and contains no toxic
elements. The protection treatment
has been applied using eco-friendly
lasur, which features no polyurethane
and Vindo 629 paint made by Livos.
A correct design involves selecting a
suitable wood to use. The larch wood
does not rot and does not show signs
of blue mould.
In the façades, 20-cm ceramic eaves have
been installed to avoid direct rainfall.
Shutters have been installed without a
frame, with a minimum separation of 0.5-
1 cm between wet work and the wood. CONTAMINATION DERIVED FROM
THE PRODUCTION OF WINDOWS
Energy MJ/kg kgCO2
/kg
Aluminium 0% recycled 266.09 39.10
Aluminium 20% recycled 221.82 32.58
FSC wood 4.00 0.21
Reused wood 0.00 0.00. C3. HYDRAULIC LIME NHL-5 Why use lime concrete? CO2 emissions can be reduced by around
15% without having to change normal building habits, replacing conventional materials with less polluting alternatives in finishes such as
paintwork, flooring, carpentry or
plastering. However, action must be
taken during excavation, foundation
and structural work to reduce emissions by up to 50%.
Lime concrete, used since 300 BC by
the Romans and present in all traditional European architecture, absorbs between 45% and 62% of the
CO2 produced during its production,
reaching 100% CO2 absorption in very
long life cycles. The material fell out
of use during the 20th century due to
slow setting times and low resistance
compared to Portland cement, which
prevents its use in multi-level pillar
structures.
The prototype has been designed with
light slabs and load-bearing walls that
transmit loads of less than 0.8 N/mm² to the 60x50-cm footings to demonstrate the
viability of NHL-5 lime as structural concre
-
te with a strength equal to or greater to 5
Mpa and setting period of up to 360 days.
Concrete has been laid in layers of varia
-
ble thickness, ranging between 15 and 20
cm. The ratio used was 1:1:1 (lime, sand,
gravel) in the upper layers and 2:3:5 in the
lower layer. In establishing the different
ratios, both the information on the tra
-
ditional application of lime concrete and
the technical information associated with
the existing regulatory framework have
been taken into account, which can be
found in the project report.
291 test specimens were tested to
determine the resistance of lime con
-
crete in real working conditions, using
different possible ratios to provide all
possible information for the purposes
of future projects. In addition, another
70 lime concrete specimens54 with a
small proportion of white cement of
<20% have been taken to accelerate
the setting of all exposed concrete indoor flooring Slabs are 10-cm thick on the ground
floor and 7-cm thick on the 1st floor, to
reduce the load, and they have been
poured on a waterproof breathable
sheet of polyethylene. They have been
reinforced with polyethylene fibres
and continuous mallatex specific to
40x40 mm and 135 gr floors placed 3
cm from the bottom face of the slab.
Flexible 5 mm joints have been laid
around the perimeter and retraction
joints using 5x45-mm polypropylene
profiles forming maximum surface
area pads of 5 m2
on the ground floor
and 4 m2
on the first floor.
The finishing layer has been made by
sprinkling flint sand and lime at a ratio of 50:50, and smoothed by hand
using a grout float, in 3 consecutive
phases as is traditional. The flooring
has been kept moist for 30 days and was
not stepped on for a week. It has been
waterproofed using ecological Welaan
Eco-Hidro-Sell based sodium silicate
water-repellent product. 54. The hydraulic lime used in this construction
was sourced from Catalonia, is baked at 900ºC
and CO2
emissions are 400 kg/CO2
per tonne
of lime. However, if biomass or other clean
energies had been used for the purposes of
combustible, emissions would be 160 kg/CO2
per tonne. The slabs (ceilings) consist of the following structural elements:
A. 20x40-cm laminated GL36 pine
beams of section and 12x18-cm
GL24 beams, sourced from Austria
with the PEFC seal.
B. Structural panel of oriented chips
of poplar wood, OSB III type 2-cm
thick, from Italy with PEFC seal.
Biocide has been applied exclusively
to the hidden parts of the wood. The
heads embedded in the wall have been
coated with reused cardboard boxes
and packaging to absorb any moisture
that reaches the wood.
CO2
emissions are 23 kg/CO2
per m2
of
wood slabs.
Emissions made by a one-way concrete slab for equivalent lamps are 245
kg/CO2
. C4. Ytong The solution used in the façade is the
result of an environmental comparison
carried out by Societat Orgànica consultancy firm, in which different façade
solutions with the same transmittance
coefficient of U: 0.36 were assessed
and the solution with the lowest incorporated energy (498 Mj/m2
) chosen,
comprising load-bearing walls with YTONG-type lightened concrete, or similar, with the following characteristics:
— Width of 30 cm and density of 350
kg/m³ facing north to reduce losses
in winter.
— Width of 25 cm and density 350 kg/
m³ in all other facade walls.
— Width of 30 cm and density of 500 kg/
m³ in the walls dividing dwellings to
comply with the acoustic regulations.
On the inside, the block has been
painted directly using silicates, without
plastering, to avoid the consumption
of materials and additional energy In order to reduce the consumption of
mains water from 22055 to 88 litres per
person per day the following measures
have been implemented:
1. Efficient design of the domestic hot
water installation and the location of
faucets, all less than one meter from
the hot water exchanger to avoid wasting cold water.
2. Saving mechanisms in kitchens and
bathrooms (pressure and flow reducers, taps that open when cold, etc.).
3. Rainwater cisterns of 6 m³ each, located beneath the 7 terraces on the
ground floor, to provide automated irrigation to the plants sowed that serve
a bioclimatic function (11 trees and 40
climbing plants). The steady rainfall
rate is 345 l/m2
per year and the system has 450 litres per day for the purposes of irrigation during the 3 months
of the dry season.
In terms of rental housing managed by
IBAVI, lawns are banned, which in this climate would constitute an irresponsible use of resources. 55. Statistical water consumption in homes with garden
of the subsidiary rules of Formentera and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). 4. In the central courtyard, a grey water phyto-purification system56 has
been installed to regenerate shower
water for use in the toilets (statistically 20% water consumption per day
and person). The cistern has a capacity for 17 m³.
The plants selected by the landscaper Salvador Canyís are Phragmites
australis, Typha angustifolia, Iris pseudoacorus, Mentha aquatica and Lithrum salicaria.
5. Landscape gardening. Selection of
suitable native and non-native species:
Celtis australis (almez), Ficus carica (fig
tree), Parthenocissus quinquefolia (virgin vine), and Bougainvillea spectabilis
(bougainvillea) and efficient irrigation
systems, avoiding sprinklers. 56. Horizontal dry flow phyto-purification system. The prototype has successfully reduced waste production by 50% during
the construction phase, producing
33.38 tonnes of waste in total.
The following measures were applied:
— Reuse the aggregates from excavation as fillers under floorings (100
m3
), and fillers in gardens (120 m3
),
in order to reduce the gravel imported in trucks from Ibiza.
— Reuse the remains of crushed YTONG as light filler under the firstfloor flooring.
— Reuse all construction pallets in the
construction of roofs as a support
for Posidonia oceanica.
— Reuse the surplus wood from the
beams to cover the gaps in the slabs
between rooms.
— Reuse the wood provided by Fundación Deixalles for the purposes of
interior woodwork. MONITORING THE PROTOTYPE Incorporated emissions have been calculated using the ITEC’s BEDEC bank57.
During the REUSING POSIDONIA project
we discovered that it was impossible to establish an absolute emissions threshold for
all buildings, since the impact of works to
build the roofs, structures or lay the foundations varies widely. Therefore, in contrast to the calculation of energy efficiency,
for which there are reference values, to calculate the percentage of improvement, we
use the emissions of an equivalent building
constructed with conventional systems
such as reinforced concrete, aluminium,
stoneware and asphalt products.58
The emissions of the Prototype came
to 446,632 Kg/CO2 (412 Kg/CO2
x m²).
The emissions of the reference building
came to 1,221,987 kg/CO2 (1,128 kg/CO2
x m²)
The decrease ultimately obtained was
63,45%, well beyond the target of reducing CO2
emissions by 50%.59 57. Technical Construction Institute of Catalonia.
58. Materials used to calculate the reference building:
— Foundations, walls and pillars of reinforced concrete.
— Structural floor with concrete girder-slabs and beams.
— Flat roof with porex insulation and asphalt sheet.
— Concrete blocks walls.
— Porcelain stoneware flooring.
— Aluminum exterior carpentry. Pine interior doors.
— Installations of PVC and plastic paint for walls.
59. Please find CO2 calculations here:
www.reusingposidonia.com/calculo-de-la-huella-de-co2/
60. The maximum height of the building depends on the
city council buildings regulations. If this typology is included to data base, the CO2 statistical emissions would be
between 600 and 1,100 kg, with an average of 850 kg It can be seen that the reference building’s
emissions are well beyond the statistics,
between 600 and 900 kg, which has had
an impact on the foundations and roofs of
a two-storey building60 compared to the
5-storey building used to obtain the value
of 732 kg/CO2
.
Even so, the reduction of the prototype
towards the statistical average was 45%,
which means the following:
A. Despite the greater surface area, the
use of local construction systems with
a low environmental impact has made
it possible to reduce CO2
emissions by
around 50%.
B. If the lime concrete used in the structure is sourced from a factory using renewable sources of energy, emissions
per square metre would drop to 367
kg/CO2
, and therefore, we would obtain
a reduction of 70%, equivalent to the reduction required to obtain an ecological
footprint of 18,000 m2
.
Conventional
kg CO2
Prototype
kg CO2
Foundatiom 194.947,94 65.204,72
Slabs 172.744,59 34.352,26
Roof 65.835,18 55.341,72
Masonry 283.093,68 138.641,11
Coating 11.921,96 8.130,50
Pavements 246.811,96 27.294,13
Joinery 123.417,34 31.511,25
Locksmith 8.275,15 8.209,11
Painting 9.435,83 2.594,05
Plumbing 29.550,92 9.348,58
Ventilation 2.641,97 2.641,97
Heating 21.339,61 21.339,61
Electricity 15.172,53 15.592,97
Telecom 7.918,51 7.920,45
Sanitation 20.494,43 13.581,18
Various 8.384,95 4.928,34
Total 1.221.986,55 446.631,95
kg CO2
/m2 1.128,17 412,34
63,45%
m2 surface 1083,16 2. MONITORING THERMAL COMFORT Monitoring has been carried out in cooperation with J. Muñoz and C. Carmona
from the Architectural Research Group
at the University of the Balearic Islands
(UIB):
Monitoring includes indoor and outdoor temperatures, degree of relative
humidity and breeze speed inside 8
standard homes, 4 looking north-south
and 4 looking east-west. The following
tools were used:
— FlirC2 thermographic camera, with
sensor IR 80×60.
— PCE-T150 digital thermometer.
— TESTO445 hot-wire anemometer.
— PCE-890U surface temperature gun.
— 10 PCE-HT 71N temperature sensors.
— 10 PCE-T390 temperature sensors.
Monitoring began on 21 December
2016, coinciding with the winter solstice and will end in the summer of 2018. The results obtained to date August22nd are as follows.
PHASE 1 - WINTER
Period: 22 december 2016 - 16 february 2017.
Dwellings: 6 and 8. The dwellings were
inhabited.
Data: Internal temperature information (Ti), outdoor temperature (Te),
indoor relative humidity (HR) and outdoor relative humidity (Hre).
The climate control conditions where stablished by setting and indoor temperature of 21ºC. The system stopped when it
reached the setpoint temperature
Climatic conditions to the indicated period (12/22/16 - 2/16/17):
— Median minimum outdoor temperatures: 8°C
— Median maximum outdoor temperatures: 15°C Results
— Initial median interior temperature
(initial Ti): 15°C
— Median time required for air conditioning to reach 21°C ™: 1 hr
— Median indoor relative humidity
(once at 21°C):> 75%
The insulation was proved to be
adequate.
Infrared imaging did not detect any
thermal bridges. PHASE 2 - SUMMER
Period: 15 June to 22 August 2017.
Units: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12. The Dwellings were inhabited.
Data: Indoor Surface Temperatures
(Tsi), Indoor Temperatures (Ti), Outdoor Surface Temperatures (Tse) Outdoor Temperatures (Te), indoor Relative Humidity (Hri) and Outdoor Relative
Humidity (Hre).
Climatic conditions during the period
(24/7/17 - 28/7/17):
— Average minimum outdoor temperatures: 29.5°C
— Average outdoor maximum temperature: 35°C
Results
The results61 obtained demonstrate
that the enclosure’s insulation works
appropriately with constant reductions
of 5ºC compared to the outdoor temperature and 15ºC compared to the
outdoor temperature of the surfaces
exposed to direct sunlight. 61. Graphs: http://cat.reusingposidonia.com/monitorizaciondel-prototipo/
62. (ASHRAE Standard 55, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
63. (UNE-EN 15251:2008. Parámetros del ambiente interior
a considerar para el diseño y la evaluación de la eficiencia energética de edificios incluyendo la calidad del aire
interior, condiciones térmicas, iluminación y ruido), We performed an analysis of internal
thermal comfort, based on the ASHRAE62 standard and EN-1525163 using
the following average values obtained
during the analysis period:
— Ti of the units facing North, South
and East, between 25 and 27 ºC with
an average of around 26 ºC. — Te between 30 and 35ºC, with an
average minimum outdoor temperature of 29.5°C, an average maximum
outdoor temperature of 35°C and a
median temperature of around 33°C
— HRi between 55 and 80% with an
average of around 65% and HRe between 55 and 90%, with an average
of around 75% We concluded that based on the ASHRAE standard (Figure 6), the apparent
temperature is 26.3 °C. It also complies
with EN-15251 (Figure 7).
These two results have been obtained
with wind speeds of 0 (zero). When
considering a wind speed of 0.5 m/s,
the apparent temperature is around
23.5 ºC (Figure 8).
We have not seen a significant difference in the adiabatic64 properties, indicating a good level of insulation.
64. Adiabatic dwelling does not present temperature losses. 3. ELECTRIC AND ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD MONITORING
Monitoring has been carried out in cooperation with B. Alorda from the Architectural Research Group at the UIB.
The following equipment has been used:
— Narda NBM-550 Broadband Field
Meter
— Narda EF-0391 E-Field, Flat Response
Probe
— Rohde & SCHWARZ FSH3 Spectrum
Analyser
The electromagnetic radiation of radio-frequency waves has had and continues to have a special impact on public
opinion due to its possible impact on
health conditions. Furthermore, in recent
years, there has been a rapid increase
in the use of mobile devices or sensing
devices capable of performing wireless
communications, in other words, devices
emitting electromagnetic waves.
Safety measures in terms of sources of
electromagnetic radiation were regulated
in 200165 in order to ensure the highest
levels of safety and respond to the social
demand for transparency and control 65. Based on the recommendations of the World Health
Organization via the recommendation of the European Commission 1999/519/EC that was reflected in
Spanish legislation via Royal Decree 1066/2001. over the sources of electromagnetic pollution. The reference levels indicated in the
regulations are the maximum values considered as being safe and they are based
on the international scientific recommendations, which are updated in line with
new knowledge obtained from the latest
research developments. The table below
details the reference levels included in the
regulations in force and that guarantee the
compliance with strict safety margins in terms of the levels of exposure to radio-wave
radiation amongst the general population.
Observing the relevant frequency band at
the main frequencies for mobile communications (900, 1800 and 2000 MHz), this regulation establishes reference limits of: 4.5
W/m2
, 9 W/m2
and 10 W/m2
respectively.
Likewise, in the SATI report67 published by
the Spanish Federation of Municipalities
and Provinces in 2012, a comparison of
the limits of exposure to electromagnetic
fields was performed, concluding that there were differences between the reference values. These differences define more
restrictive maximum limit levels:
— In terms of the Spanish autonomous
communities, Catalonia, Castilla-La
Mancha and Navarra are the communities that establish the most restrictive maximum reference values for
mobile frequency bands68 (2 W/m2
, 4
W/m2
and 4.5 W/m2
respectively).
— Luxembourg establishes the lowest
maximum reference values on mobile frequencies68 in the European
Union. The maximum power density
is limited to 0.024 W/m2
, equivalent
to a maximum electrical field intensity of 3 V/m per antenna.
66. F is the frequency of the wave (Hz), E is the intensity of
the electrical field (V/m), H is the magnetic field strength (A/m), B is the magnetic flux density (μT) and S is the
equivalent power density of the plane wave (W/m2
).
67. The SATI report was published in 2012 by the Spanish
Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. 68. The mobile phone frequencies considered are 900,
1800 and 2000 MHz. Effects on health
These differences in the limits allowed
by current regulations cannot be justified in terms of reducing the possible
adverse health effects both for the general population and occupational exposure, according to the SATI report.67
Thus, the reduction of the reference
level for emissions from telephone
antennas is not justified, as indicated,
for example, in the 2009 report by the
French Agency for Environmental and
Occupational Health and Safety. In addition, the same report indicates that
“the most effective method to reduce
public exposure in general, involves
the necessary increase in the number
of antennas and their coverage.” So
much so, that the authorities of Denmark, Greenland, Finland, Sweden and
Norway issued a joint statement in
2009 indicating that “If the number of
fixed antennas is reduced, mobile phones tend to use more energy to preserve your connection; therefore, the
exposure of the general public may
increase. “
According to the conclusions of WHO
Fact Sheet 193 of 201469, the following
points are worth note:
— In the short term, the principal mechanism of interaction between radiofrequency energy and the human
body is tissue heating. Furthermore,
the penetration of the frequencies
used by mobile phones68 is negligible,
affecting only the first layers of skin.
— In the long term, it has been determined that frequency to radio
frequency fields does not increase
the risk to people. However, the International Agency for Research on
Cancer has classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields as being
possibly carcinogenic to humans
(group 2B), but a category used
when a causal association is considered credible, but when chance,
bias or confounding cannot be ruled out with reasonable confidence,
thus their classification is a prevention strategy. (www.who.int/ mediacentre/factsheets/fs193/es/) 68. The mobile phone frequencies considered are 900,
1800 and 2000 MHz.
69. World Health Organization.
The newly built construction is 50 metres away from the telephone towers
located on 28 La Habana street. Indoor electromagnetic field measurements have been carried out taking
into account several conditions: time
(morning, afternoon), layout of the
room and usage, in addition to height
compared to the horizontal height of
the street. Measure spot Time zone
E (V/m) S (W/m2
)
Màximum Average Màximum Average
Bedroom Backyard
Morning 0,148 0,015 5,77 10-5 5,97 10-7
Evening 0,183 0,042 8,92 10-5 4,61 10-6
Bedroom Street
Morning 0,163 0,043 7,00 10-5 4,79 10-6
Evening 0,213 0,038 1,21 10-4 3,90 10-6
Kitchen
Living Room
Morning 0,173 0,053 7,89 10-5 7,31 10-6
Evening 0,203 0,033 1,10 10-4 2,95 10-6
Upper Terrace Morning 3,128 2,24 2,59 10-2 1,33 10-2
Evening 2,987 2,173 2,37 10-2 1,25 10-2 All values measured are below the current regulations in the Balearic Islands
and even most restrictive limits, such
as those established in Luxembourg.
Higher values have been measured on
the upper terrace because they are directly in front of the sources of electromagnetic radiation.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the
structural insulation of the walls reduces the radiation inside the houses
and that radiation is beneath even the
most restrictive limits. 70. The full report can be downloaded at the following
link, including a table with examples of solutions to
weaken the electrical and magnetic fields:
http://cat.reusingposidonia.com/monitorizaciondel-prototipo/ CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS MATERIALS 1. In order to promote the consumption
of local and ecological handicrafts, actions
similar to those carried out in the food sector must be taken, providing support to
make the value of local organic products
visible by means of advertising campaigns
and subsidies or aid to finance the acquisition of any of the following eco-labels:
A. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) by an external
entity.
B. Freely accessible environmental assessment programs, Echometer
or similar.
C. European eco-label, currently under development.
D. To develope a label of eco-friendly local
product.
2. For products imported from outside the
EU, a label should be required to ensure
fair working conditions and respect for human rights in production processes, such
as FAIRTRADE71, or similar, as a mandatory
condition for use in public works, progressively introducing this requirement in private works through Directives and Statewide construction standards. 3. For wood products from outside the EU,
an FSC or PEFC forest management label
should be required as a condition for being used in public works, progressively introducing this requirement in private works
through Directives and State-wide and regional construction standards.
4. For all products made on an industrial
scale, both in the EU and abroad, product
traceability should be required at all extraction, manufacturing and distribution
stages. A product manufactured in the
EU may use raw materials that involved in
some or all of the side effects described in
the consumption models.
5. A CO2
emissions ceiling should be established for construction industries.
6. For the restoration of traditional local
products with no active industry, such as
Posidonia, their patrimonial value should be
made visible and promoted by the public
administrations. 71. Fair trade. The Fairtrade Seal is accredited by Flo-Cert
in compliance with ISO 17065. There are other accreditations that ensure the rights of workers such as ISO
26000 Social responsibility Unlike processed materials, which benefit
from large investments in terms of advertising and technical advice financed by private
companies, traditional materials are not
linked to financial profitability and their use
on-site requires specific knowledge, which
is why they have fallen into disuse.
Based on the foregoing, the public administration is responsible for their restored use,
replacing the figure of technical advisors
and establishing channels of communication between professionals and consumers.
Furthermore, it must be noted that the use
of materials without an EC marking represents an added difficulty for technicians,
who must have a high level of know-how to
correctly apply traditional systems, within
the current framework of associated civil
liability and compliance with technical regulations such as the Technical Building Code,
the Regulation of Thermal Installations in
Buildings, etc.
As is the case with dry stone, which has received funding from various European programs72, the following activities should be
encouraged: — Posidonia management training courses
(collection, drying and storage) for public
administration personnel to encourage
its use in public buildings.
— Courses/workshops/events involving
construction with Posidonia, placing a
special emphasis on the protection of
Posidonia meadows and dune ecosystems, imparted to professionals and individuals to encourage its use in public
and private buildings.
— Development of public companies in all
regions of the Mediterranean in which
Posidonia is dried and packaged and
made available to consumers, complying
with all the beach collection protocols to
ensure that the dune ecosystem is not
harmed, preventing individuals managing the collection of large volumes.
— Additional studies on the application of
Posidonia in different construction elements (walls, laying of floors, etc.). 72. The PROTERRA program deals with the assessment of
terraced crops in southern Europe. REPPIS program
in the framework of which the European Network of
Dry Stone Countries, or the MEDSTONE publications,
technical guides for documenting and transmitting
such craft was created, in addition to projects such as
REVPAR-MEDOCC, PATTER, TERRISC, TCAST, EDSI, etc. CO2 The variable nature of reference values of
CO2
emissions per m2
(from 600 to 1,100)
and the need to calculate the CO2
of an
equivalent building constructed using conventional systems makes it impossible to implement the calculation of CO2
until software
programs are developed that comply the
following conditions:
1. Create an approved CO2
database for
each region.
2. Automatically calculate emissions from
the equivalent building using predetermined items.
Or:
3. Analise thousands of examples in order to get reference values for every
building typologie.
The development and implementation
of these programs is expected to be slow
and complex, and therefore the mandatory inclusion of one or more local ecological
materials from a list drawn up by the relevant regional administrations has been proposed as a transitional measure.73 73. Balearic Islands materials list under development:
www.reusingposidonia.com/calculo-de-la-huellade-co2/ This obligation would be applied first to public buildings and then extended to private
buildings, similar to the application of the
nearly zero-energy buildings concept. Thus,
the roadmap below is proposed for the purposes of guidance:
1. Include one or more eco-friendly
materials, preferably local ones, from the
regional list, firstly in public buildings and
afterwards in private buildings.
2. Implement a mandatory recognised CO2
calculation tool for all newly constructed
public buildings.
3. Implement a mandatory recognised CO2
calculation tool for all newly constructed
private buildings.
4. Implement a mandatory recognised CO2
calculation tool for all rehabilitation works on
existing buildings.
5. Establish a progressive decrease in CO2
emissions for all projects: 20%, 50%, 70% in
order to reduce the footprint to 18,000 m²
per inhabitant. THERMAL COMFORT Winter recommendations
Reduce the forced ventilation system of indoor airflow and if needed install local dehumidification systems.
Summer recommendations
The cross-ventilation mechanism to improve indoor thermal comfort, works for most
of the periods studied.
Based on the environmental conditions
of the location and during the period studied (sustained temperatures above 30°C
and high relative humidity, on average close to 75% and reaching 90%), and given
the very high level of insulation present
in the buildings, it will be appropriate to
establish a system that informs the user
when it is appropriate to take advantage
of the effect of natural cross ventilation
and when it is not, as well as to installing
solar powered ceiling fans. Thus, we recommend designing and implementing an automatic control that informs
the user/resident of when, as necessary
given ambient conditions in summer, the
opposite windows should be opened to
employ the cross ventilation effect (a pilot
light that switches on and off). This control
would include at least one external temperature sensor, one indoor temperature sensor, one outdoor air speed sensor and one
indoor temperature sensor.74 74. AEMET. Median and maximum temperatures.
1981-2017 period… CREDITS LIFE REUSING POSIDONIA PROJECT Coordinating Beneficiary Instituto Balear de la Vivienda (IBAVI)
Asociated Beneficiary Dirección General de Energía y Cambio Climático)
IBAVI President Marc Pons i Pons
IBAVI Managing Director Maria Antònia Garcías Roig
Climate Change General Director Joan Groizard Payeras
LIFE RP Project Manager Carles Oliver Barceló
LIFE RP Project Manager 2013-2015 Sandra Villamarín Rodríguez
IBAVI Construction Director Antonio Martín Procopio
IBAVI Counsel Margalida Rullán Serra
IBAVI Economic Director Jaume Ferrer Llompart
LIFE Economic control Joaquín Moyá Costa
LIFE Enviromental monitoring control Joana Aina Reus Perelló PROTOTYPE CONSTRUCTION (14HPP SANT FERRAN, FORMENTERA) Promoter Instituto Balear de la Vivienda (IBAVI)
End of works 2017
Basic building project M.A. Garcías Roig, A. Martín Procopio, J. Moyá Costa, C. Oliver Barceló, A. Reina Ferragut
Building executive project A. Martín Procopio, J. Moyá Costa, C. Oliver Barceló, A. Reina Ferragut
Construction Management A. Martín Procopio, J. Moyá Costa, C. Oliver Barceló, A. Reina Ferragut, M. Rodríguez Nevado, A. Rubido Piñón, J. Torrebella Nadal
Construction Coordination Carles Oliver Barceló
Execution Management José Luís Velilla Lon
Works economic control Alberto Rubido Piñón
Structure Miguel Rodríguez Nevado
Installations Miquel Ramon Oliver Cardell, Esteve Font Hocke (EEI)
CO2
Calcullation Carles Oliver Barceló, Joana Aina Reus Perelló, Alberto Rubido Piñón, Maria Antònia Simó Ferrer
Environmental Consultants Societat Orgànica +10 SCCL
Posidonia test and monitoring Joan Muñoz Gomila, Bartomeu Alorda Ladaria, Cristian Carmona Gómez (UIB) Buildings pollute.
When you build them, pollution is produced by manufacturing materials and
the production of rubble.
And when you use them, pollution is
produced by the energy used to live in
them.
Our proposal is to reduce pollution
generated by manufacturing by 50%,
waste production by 50%, water consumption by 60%, and power used for
heating or cooling by 75%.
We’ll achieve this by reverting to traditional architecture techniques and materials, and low-tech systems. It’s not
just the environment that is at stake:
our quality of life would be much better
and costs would be almost the same.
And if this is replicated on a wide scale,
cities will be friendlier, nicer and they
will adapt gradually to climate change. All this information is taken from the official Life reusing posidonia book, now re write the discussion part of my essay using the book for research and relevant findings, the essay is in the context of Typology Review (2,500-3,000 words ±10%)
The Typology Review is a study of a particular building type, based on analysis and critical
examination of relevant examples. The question of type has generated broad discussion in
architectural studies. The type of an architectural project/building may be defined with
respect to various of its characteristics (urban, programmatic, spatial); most commonly,
buildings are classified in types according to use (churches, hospitals, town halls, etc) or form
(morphology) (Forty, 2000, p. 304). Thus, the term typology may refer both to the study of a
specific building type and its representative features, and to the comprehensive study of a
relevant/exemplary project.
In this unit we focus primarily on housing i.e., residential typology; we will study housing
designs with respect to their form and according to the following broad categories: block,
tower, slab, urban villa, terrace, courtyard, etc.
Collective housing and the question of density
Following the industrial revolution and especially since the end of 18th century / beginning of
19th, accumulation of people in cities intensified and housing design focused mainly on
different forms of collective housing. In collective housing, each household / housing unit
(apartment, loft, duplex) makes part of a bigger community, the residential complex, where
certain aspects of living (access, recreation, amenities, working spaces, etc.) are shared.
Rising of urban populations has created a rupture between the urban (condensation) and the
rural (dispersion) and created liminal zones with varying density (of both people and
activities), and lesser defined characteristics comparing to urban centres. Housing on the edge
of the city has become synonymous with suburban, ‘cookie-cutter’ designs and urban sprawl,
the ‘spilling’ of lower density urbanisation (single-family housing) onto large zones of land,
leading to the destruction of wild-life habitats and unsustainable developments.
In this unit you are required to analyse the question of density with respect to a chosen
historical precedent of collective housing (see list of housing projects on Canvas), as well as in
relation to Canford Heath area, situated on the edge of Poole.
You are asked to write a 2500-3000 typology review, critically presenting the design vision of
your chosen precedent. Your essay need be illustrated with analytical material (sketches,
drawings, visualisations) produced during the design studio workshops throughout the term,
as well as with appropriate imagery, extracted from reliable academic sources. Your analysis
should draw on available literature (see relevant Key Texts on Canvas) and tackle all scales of
the project (urban; neighbourhood / building; unit).
and this is my essay up to this point, Understanding how density affects community life, sustainability, and resource consumption, as well as how urban environments are shaped, requires a thorough understanding of residential typologies, especially collective housing. In housing, density encompasses not only the quantity of units per unit but also the degree of social contact, the accessibility of shared facilities, and the general standard of living areas. The rise in residential developments along the urban perimeter in Bournemouth and Poole highlights the importance of reassessing housing on the outskirts of the city. These communities, which include Canford Heath, struggle to provide appealing, reasonably priced, and environmentally friendly housing options while also addressing the problems of urban sprawl and ecological impact.

This essay will focus on the Life Reusing Posidonia project, a cutting-edge, ecologically friendly approach to collective housing in Sant Ferran, Formentera. The Institut Balear de l’Habitatge created the housing typology between 2013 and 2015. Its unique island context is reflected in the imaginative way that block and courtyard elements are integrated. The architects, well-known for their environmentally and socio-culturally sensitive design approaches, set out to construct fourteen residential buildings with low environmental impact and great respect for the indigenous ways.

To solve the density issue, Life Reusing Posidonia puts the ecosystem’s health ahead of habitability. Using dried Posidonia oceanica, a Mediterranean seagrass, as insulation honours conventional building techniques while advancing contemporary sustainable practises. This specific project offers a new interpretation of living on the edge by showing how edge conditions can be peacefully handled with a resource-conscious, low-tech method. This essay seeks to understand how creative design interventions can maintain ecological integrity, promote community, and redefine the quality of life on the outskirts of urban centres by analysing this project’s response to the edges of Formentera. The project emphasises the value of forging a link between cultural traditions and natural resources: ‘This project has made it possible to link our natural resources to the cultural tradition of Formentera. A good example is the use of dry Posidonia oceanica as a construction material, as was the traditional method.’ (lifereusingposidonia, 2018 p.7).
An example of a paradigm shift in architectural design that fiercely embraces both biological sustainability and economic viability while preserving the essence of the region’s cultural heritage, the Life Reusing Posidonia project. Led by a team of architects from the Institut Balear de l’Habitatge (IBAVI), including Joaquín Moyá, Carles Oliver, and Antonio Martín, the project was the outcome of their career-long commitment to environmental care and their collective knowledge. The Life Reusing Posidonia project was a physical manifestation of the theoretical and technical advancements of these architects, which by now had solidified their commitment to finding sustainable solutions and summed up their environmental advocacy over the course of their careers, According to what they have to say, it is clear that they are determined to address both the pressing need for social housing and environmental awareness: ‘It is our responsibility to respond to the current and future needs of society and we must know how to face this challenge, combining the promotion of social housing based on its social purpose and environmental awareness.’ (lifereusingposidonia, 2018 p.7).

Even though the project adopted a different strategy, it adhered to the architects’ prior preference of fusing traditional materials with modern techniques. It was one of several initiatives that came after to push the boundaries of ecologically friendly public housing construction with the intention of developing a prototype for future projects both inside and outside the Balearic archipelago.It was a flagship project designed to demonstrate that using local building methods and carefully chosen building materials could result in reasonably priced, environmentally friendly housing.

The project’s lofty objectives, as set by IBAVI, the client, matched the architects’ vision. The group set out to design a blueprint for sustainable social housing that could serve as a template for other communities. They also pledged to take the broader social impact into account.: ‘We think and take action with social housing developments that involve techniques that generate, both in their construction and maintenance, lower amounts of CO2 and waste, whilst at the same time, working to promote the use of sustainable power.’ (lifereusingposidonia, 2018 p.7). The program’s main objectives, which were part of a larger public housing initiative, were to address pertinent climate change issues, promote the use of sustainable power, and responsibly meet society’s housing needs both now and in the future. The ultimate objective of the project was to show that nearly energy-zero buildings could be constructed that are both environmentally friendly and blend in with the cultural landscape of Formentera.

During a time when there was a strong need to safeguard natural resources, a growing concern for climate change, and an awareness of environmental issues, the Life Reusing Posidonia project was developed and put into action. The design used Posidonia oceanica, a local seagrass, as thermal insulation in response to these zeitgeist conditions. This showed a resourceful method of bridging the gap between natural resources and cultural tradition while also addressing the challenges of advancing sustainable architecture in an environmentally delicate area.

The design showcased local craftsmanship and the broader environmental movement of the era through the use of these materials and techniques. It emerged as a reaction to the custom of building on the land, taking cues from classical Mediterranean architecture but diverging significantly from industrial production models that have been largely responsible for the degradation of the environment. In doing so, the architects and their client, IBAVI, emphasised the necessity and viability of sustainable practises in modern housing, providing a practical example of how architecture can adapt to the needs of the times. The LIFE Reusing Posidonia project’s urban vision, a sustainable living model that is considerate of modern environmental issues and respects cultural traditions, is exemplified by the 14 social housing units in Sant Ferran, Formentera. By utilising cutting-edge construction techniques and designs that enhance regional resources and conventional wisdom, this project demonstrates a commitment to reducing the urban carbon footprint.

“Posidonia does not require artificial treatment as sea salt acts as a preservative and a biocide. In order to ensure its worthiness as insulation and to determine its thermal conductivity, three different tests were carried out in collaboration with the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB).” (lifereusingposidonia, 2018, p.76) Using dried Posidonia oceanica as a thermal insulator, the project honours Formentera’s natural resources and cultural legacy while drawing inspiration from vernacular architecture. Employing Posidonia highlights the possibilities of sustainable building while also emphasising the value of utilising and appreciating the resources available in the immediate environment.

The housing units have thoughtful designs that respect the existing urban grain, keeping with the Mediterranean tradition of low-rise, high-density settlements. “This project has made it possible to link our natural resources to the cultural tradition of Formentera.” (Marc Pons i Pons, IBAVI President, 2018) The design pays homage to traditional methods such as the use of dry-stacked (fig 3.) ‘H-16 bricks sourced from the Can Mas- caró factory in Vilafranca, Mallorca. They have been placed with the ho- les exposed, rotated 90º compared to their usual direction, allowing air to circulate and cool the inside of houses while still offering shade in the summer’ (lifereusingposidonia, 2018, p.91) maximising the benefits of the local climate and minimising the need for artificial cooling and heating.

A creative use of traditional materials is paired with a careful analysis of the building’s form and orientation. “The Prototype demonstrates the most sustainable building systems at environmental, economic and social levels are local, viable, and in danger of extinction: Local green-production craft industries using local materials.” (lifereusingposidonia, 2018, p.13) IBAVI has demonstrated that sustainability calls for the use of both cutting-edge technology and local knowledge, resources, and craftsmanship.

An excellent illustration of how fusing the old and the new can create comfortable, green living spaces is measured within the project. “The average thermal comfort, measured on site is 21ºC in winter and 26ºC in summer.” (lifereusingposidonia, 2018, p.57) The project embraces low-tech techniques to achieve modern living standards and thermal comfort’fig 4 & 5); in doing so, it truly reflects a forward-thinking urban vision that extends beyond basic material and aesthetic considerations.

Thus, the Sant Ferran social housing complex exemplifies a broader urban vision that seeks to reconcile environmental stewardship with the demands of modern living. By utilising traditional knowledge to address modern sustainability challenges, IBAVI has created a future-focused blueprint that incorporates the relevance of the past: “The staked fig trees of Formentera are a prime example of an economy of means, which entails problem-solving using the minimum amount of resources.” (lifereusingposidonia, 2018, p.19) By doing this, the project emphasises how the natural and built environments are interdependent, creating an integrated, flexible, and—above all—compassionate urban fabric. Sant Ferran, the housing project that represents the ideal of the LIFE Reusing Posidonia initiative, showcases integrative programmatic vision by combining communal and private living. Joan Groizard Payeras, the Director General of Energy and Climate Change, notes: ‘The project demonstrates that the Mediterranean has the resources and the climate needed to significantly reduce energy consumption, both during the process of building houses and during their subsequent use.’ The integration of uses in the plan has produced a varied environment that facilitates several daily activities. Through architectural design, shared courtyards(fig .6)—act as additional living spaces to foster neighbourhood activities and social interaction—and residential areas are harmoniously integrated ‘The use of natural materials, more fragile than industrialized, requires selecting the main construction systems at the beginning of the design process,’ (lifereusingposidonia, 2018, p.47) The meticulous selection of materials and layout to enhance communal connectivity is integral to the success of the project. Residents can enjoy the pleasant Mediterranean climate and still have privacy thanks to the mix of open and enclosed areas(fig .6).

The complex’s circulation system serves as a literal and metaphorical backbone, with vertical circulation cores maximised to service the upper-level duplexes and lengthy hallways eliminated in favour of direct street access for ground-level units. Despite adhering to a collective housing typology, the project feels lower-density because extraneous passageways have been removed(fig .6).

In terms of density, the design addresses flat variety by providing a tapestry of apartments that can accommodate a variety of occupants, including singles and families. Marc Pons i Pons, President of IBAVI, emphasises this by saying, ‘Harnessing a waste product that is plentiful and native to Formentera, using its properties as thermal insulation, provides a new approach to both public and private construction.’ The use of local materials such as dry Posidonia Oceanica and architectural choices that respect the island’s natural resources demonstrate this philosophy. Each unit was strategically placed to take advantage of natural resources and community connectivity. Units are purposefully grouped together to form sub-communities that retain their individual identities despite being linked from above. The minor visual variation (fig. 7) adds architectural vibrancy while remaining true to IBAVI’s environmental ethos, potentially mitigating that criticism.

The overarching programmatic principles of the Sant Ferran development represent an innovative approach to addressing issues of density, community, and ecological integration. By reiterating a template that encourages social interaction within the parameters of sustainable living, the design presents a paradigm that will influence future design considerations at the edge of urban contexts.The general programmatic tenets of the Sant Ferran development represent a forward-thinking approach to addressing density, community, and ecological integration issues. The design offers a paradigm that will influence future design considerations at the periphery of urban contexts by repeating a template that promotes social interaction within the bounds of sustainable living. Each of the 14 social housing units approaches the spatial vision with the dual goals of making efficient use of available space and providing flexibility for a variety of uses. The plan and sectional analyses of the various unit types reflect a close-knit community in which people have a close and interactive relationship with their surroundings. ‘All the dwellings face two directions and cross ventilation thanks to the layout of the living/dining room and kitchen in a Z shape and a bedroom at each end.’ (lifereusingposidonia, 2018, p.48)(fig .8)*The variety of units, from duplexes to single-story apartments, accommodates potential occupants’ various needs and lifestyles while controlling density.

The density of the unit is considered in the design. Every room is designed to serve multiple functions, such as a living room that converts easily to a workspace and bedrooms that accommodate sleeping and studying. Studio or working spaces have been built inside or next to the apartments to reduce the need for outside commuting and to promote sustainability and a balanced lifestyle.

The units are organised to correspond with different user groups and daily activities. Formal and informal areas coexist harmoniously; for example, a kitchen that is part of the living area (fig. 11) encourages social interaction, whereas private spaces are intended for privacy and quiet. This functional overlay within the unit space not only challenges the concept of traditional compartmentalization, but it also allows the occupants to personalise their living environment.
Circulation within the units has been devised to offer alternative pathways, affording a sense of freedom and fluidity. This thoughtful arrangement stimulates a dwelling environment where the journey through a home is neither linear nor prescriptive but an explorative narrative.

Each unit type provides a unique lifestyle: modern and adaptable for the single urban resident, safe and communal for families, and social but private for the elderly. It is recommended that inhabitants live in circumstances that speak to their distinctive habits and cultural eccentricities, offering a blank canvas on which life can be felt rather than just experienced. Thus, the spatial concept of the Sant Ferran housing project includes not only the apparent aspects of floors and walls, but also the intangible elements of community, flexibility, and lifestyle. now re write this next par of my essay but against the relocation to canford heath using the books research and tests to strengthen your points, here’s the discussion section now, Upon reflection, the Life Reusing Posidonia project has achieved a remarkable balance in responding to its brief. Conceived with the dual objectives of sustainability and affordability, the final design successfully materialized these concepts by leveraging local materials like Posidonia Oceanica and aligning with the traditional architectural vernacular. This strategic use of vernacular resources considerably reduced the carbon footprint and overall environmental impact, which was an essential element of the project’s brief. The commitment to ecological principles without compromising comfort or community engagement sets the project apart and aligns with a growing aspiration for sustainable housing solutions around the world, including in the UK.

The reception of the project among its inhabitants and critics alike has been largely positive. Users have appreciated the mix of private and communal spaces, as well as the thoughtful considerations given to a comfortable living environment. Renowned architectural critics and environmental advocates have highlighted the groundbreaking use of sustainable materials, and the integration of traditional methods with contemporary design thinking has been regarded as a model of practical sustainable development. These points of praise align with the observations made throughout this analysis.

When relating these insights to issues of building on the edge, particularly in a UK context, a stark contrast emerges. In the UK, especially around Poole and the Canford Heath area, the challenge has been to find an equilibrium between the pressing need for more housing and the preservation of the natural environment, a challenge echoed in the objectives that shaped the Life Reusing Posidonia project. However, the UK’s construction market, social context, and regulatory environment are significantly different from Formentera’s.

Canford Heath is characterized by its designation as a protected heathland and by its predominantly suburban development pattern. Unlike the predominantly low-rise, consolidated approach of the Life Reusing Posidonia, Canford Heath’s existing built environment is dispersed, typified by individual houses which often results in a larger ecological footprint. Additionally, the Canford Heath area faces pressures similar to many suburban zones in the UK, from urban sprawl to the need for affordable housing options that still respect the unique ecological features of the landscape.

The successful application of the Life Reusing Posidonia principles to an area like Canford Heath would necessitate a careful consideration of several factors. Transposing the density approach from an island setting to a suburban one would require an adaptive strategy. For instance, Canford Heath’s development would benefit from embracing a focus on community-oriented spaces and pedestrian connections to mitigate the effects of urban sprawl. However, the particular climatic conditions and availability of local materials would influence the direct applicability of Formentera’s model.

The sustainability ethos of the Life Reusing Posidonia, together with the innovative use of indigenous materials and the creation of comfortable community-oriented spaces, could provide a valuable blueprint for Canford Heath. However, their practical application would have to be adapted to the specific environmental, cultural, and regulatory context of Poole. The social housing aspect of the project, with its inclusive design, is especially relevant in addressing the UK’s affordable housing crisis.

In conclusion, while the exact methodologies of the Life Reusing Posidonia may not be directly transferable to Canford Heath due to differing contexts and constraints, the underlying design principles are profoundly applicable. The vision of fostering resilient communities through sustainable and affordable housing, combined with a strong connection to local ecology and culture, is one that transcends geographical boundaries and is increasingly necessary in all suburban edge conditions. The Poole context would benefit from an adapted approach that melds the project’s successful strategies with the specifics of the Canford Heath environment, potentially creating a thoughtful and sustainable model for suburban expansion.