Aiguasol has undertaken a comprehensive bioclimatic assessment to support the enhancement of energy performance and thermal comfort in the future nursing home development in El Prat de Llobregat, with a usable floor area of 8,356 m² (building) plus 1,241 m² (garden). The study, commissioned by Coll-Leclerrec and the City Council of El Prat de Llobregat, focused on evaluating how the building’s design can respond more effectively to local climatic conditions. The goal is to reduce reliance on mechanical conditioning systems while improving indoor environmental quality, which is particularly critical in residential facilities for older adults where wellbeing and resilience are paramount.

Thermal and daylighting control strategies

A key component of the study involved the analysis and optimization of solar control strategies to mitigate summer overheating while preserving beneficial solar gains during the heating season. Based on the performance assessments, differentiated solutions were defined according to the function and orientation of each space:

• Resident rooms: These spaces are designed to incorporate Gradstore-type adjustable roller blinds, providing flexible control of solar radiation and daylight penetration.
• South-facing façades: This strategy is complemented by architectural overhangs and vegetative shading elements, leveraging passive solar control principles to respond effectively to seasonal variations in solar exposure.
• Communal living areas: The design incorporates Gradstore-type roller blinds with adjustable slats that offer enhanced adaptability to changing solar conditions while improving daylight quality and visual comfort.
• Operational spaces: The analysis highlighted the importance of reinforced solar protection in sensitive areas such as kitchens, where inadequate control of solar gains may lead to overheating risks.

Together, these measures substantially reduce summer cooling loads while maintaining high levels of daylight availability and ensuring comfortable indoor conditions throughout the year.

An optimized building envelope for enhanced performance

Another major focus of the assessment was the optimization of the building envelope to ensure alignment with the performance requirements established by the Spanish Technical Building Code (CTE). The proposed high-performance improvements include:

• Accessible roof: Enhancing thermal performance through a pedestal-supported paving system incorporating 12 + 4 cm of thermal insulation, achieving a highly efficient thermal transmittance (U-value) of 0.18 W/m²K.
• Façade: Improving the overall energy performance through the implementation of an Ecosec insulation system, achieving a U-value of 0.21 W/m²K.
• Enclosures / Windows: Incorporating high-performance glazing systems with a thermal transmittance of 1.40 W/m²K, reducing heat losses and contributing to superior indoor comfort levels.

Delivering comfort through reduced energy demand

The assessment also underscored the importance of the building’s thermal mass in moderating indoor temperature fluctuations and enhancing passive thermal stability. When combined with high-efficiency HVAC systems, this characteristic contributes to reducing peak energy demand while improving occupant comfort and operational performance.

These proposed design optimizations strengthen the building’s energy performance from the earliest stages of design, utilising passive strategies to reduce dependence on active systems. 

This integrated approach reflects our commitment to delivering sustainable, high-performance buildings in which occupant wellbeing and the reduction of environmental impact are embedded as fundamental design objectives.