Architecture
Spain is famous for having some the greatest examples of contemporary architecture on the planet. Along with striking use of materials and vibrant artistic expression, the architects behind many of these works are also including energy-savings and a conservation mindset into their designs.
Think of the commercial buildings in your community or even your favorite city, and chances are, they’re probably built to accommodate as many people as possible. However, even though a primary goal of today’s architecture is to make the most of indoor space, some of them actually waste a lot of energy, even as they house so many people. Fortunately, buildings in Spain may represent the way of the future by using a material that’s undoubtedly very familiar: glass.
A Simple Yet Powerful Concept
Specifically, some of the new buildings that are being constructed in Spain feature glass as their outermost layers. The glass works to minimize energy usage by controlling the amount of sun exposure.There are two main practical benefits to this glass-wrapping technique. First, the glass helps keep people comfortable when they’re inside the structures. Second, architects can angle the glass pieces just right to take advantage of the sun’s light rather than being so reliant on artificial sources of illumination.
That’s surely good news for some of Spain’s office-dwellers. Many people say they hate workspaces that have artificial lights, and researchers have actually found scientific proof to back up that common gripe. They say limiting a person’s exposure to natural light can affect quality of life and reduce amounts of restful sleep. Scientists believe when people are exposed to higher amounts of natural light, they’re less likely to suffer from circadian rhythm disruptions that can interfere with sleep-wake cycles, along with hormonal activity and body temperature regulation.
Glass Isn’t the Only Way to Conserve Energy
Although you may be under the impression only new buildings are subject to potential improvements from purposeful wraps, some of Spain’s buildings have been remodeled to include special layers as well. Some architects may also look at other ways to save energy, such as adding air compressor systems. However, as far as materials go, glass is not the only substance used to make buildings more energy efficient with help from the sun.
One Spanish building that was originally constructed in the 1970s was continually characterized by overheating problems. To tackle those issues, engineers designed a special skin made from sheet aluminum. That reflective layer responds to conditions in the atmosphere and has made a big difference in cooling down the building without wasting energy. Perhaps even more importantly, this approach has proven there’s almost no limit to the ways familiar materials can be used in new ways, together with the sun, to cut energy usage.
A Health Department Building Uses Glass for Futuristic-Looking Results
Known for its striking architecture, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (pictured at top), Spain has long been one of the area’s most visually appealing tourist attractions. Even without going inside, people flock to the building to marvel at its metallic panels and elegant curves. However, there’s another Bilbao building that’s rightfully attracting a lot of attention on its own. You may also be surprised to learn it’s not a tourist attraction at all, but the city’s health department headquarters.
Designed by Juan Coll-Barreu and Daniel Gutiérrez Zarza, the 13-story building has stunning chiselled glass pieces on its exterior. From a distance, the building even looks a little like a crushed drink can. When constructing this building, the architects had to deal with a restrictive building code and wanted their final design to be energy efficient, plus provide soundproofing from the busy streets below. Ultimately, the extremely unique building effectively blocks some of the sun’s heat while providing a sound shield. It’s no wonder this building gets noticed by the city’s visitors.
Energy efficiency is sure to be a constant concern for this generation and the ones to come. Hopefully these examples have inspired you to consider how everyday materials might be repurposed in innovative ways so they fill new functions and make the buildings of future generations much more energy efficient than many of the ones we’ve come to know.
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