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The new administrative campus of the Generalitat de Catalunya, made with WICONA facades, is the first large-scale building in Spain to obtain the LEED Platinum and WELL certificate
The architectural firm Batlleiroig has designed this office complex, with more than 40,000 m2 built certifies as being highly sustainable and healthy
The new administrative campus of the Generalitat de Catalunya, located in the Zone Franca of Barcelona, is a clear example of where new architectural designs are headed in terms of sustainability. Today, projects are not only applauded for their design but for their commitment to the environment. In this case, the project by architects Enric Batlle, Joan Roig and Albert Gil (Batlleiroig), which will accommodate more than 3,000 Generalitat employees, currently distributed in 17 different locations in the city, will have a reduced ecological footprint, since it has obtained the LEED Platinum and WELL certifications, the most recognised international classifications in terms of energy efficiency and comfort.
The LEED award is given to buildings that meet a list of requirements, demonstrating their commitment and sustainability towards the planet. The LEED Platinum certification is the highest and implies the greatest qualifications with the level of energy saving and reuse of resources; the environmental quality of the spaces and their use; the analysis of the life cycle of the building and the executive quality and control of the construction processes (BIM). The results of this analysis mean obtaining the highest quality and sustainability standards for the building, with the most efficient systems on the market. In this case, more than 14,000 m2 of WICONA facades made with the WICTEC EL SSG system have been used.
It has also received the WELL certification for its commitment to obtaining maximum comfort for those using the building. Notably due to the creation of optimal work and rest areas, the health of those who use it, the collection system and reuse of grey water and rain, the sun protection on the facades to control the indoor temperature, and the optimization and use of natural ventilation inside the building. In this case, the offices have the WICLINE Ventilation Flap system from WICONA, which has discrete vertical openings, almost imperceptible from the outside, yet provide increased ventilation and improves indoor air quality.
WICTEC EL SSG facades from WICONA to significantly improve performance of the complex
Organised in two blocks of five and six floors, divided into two buildings and joined by a base, the complex incorporates more than 14,000 square metres of an all glass modular facade. It is composed of a perimeter support structure in lacquered aluminium that incorporates a patented WICONA movement absorption system. This uses marine quality EPDM joints that provide greater sealing and facilitate and ensure assembly. The glass is fixed using structural silicone on a certified bar in compliance with the provisions of the European standard Etag 002. The perimeters have been finished off with a polyamide component to improve the thermal performance of the building.
The viewing areas are composed of double glazed glass with an air chamber or argon and selective layers for solar control and thermal transmission in order to improve the comfort for those inside the building. The opaque areas are formed on a polyamide frame, vapour barrier and thermal insulations of rock mineral wool and interior flashing finish.
Some blocks include a vertical partition where the WICLINE 75 Ventilation Flap window is used, formed by a frame specially designed to accommodate an external die cut sheet.
The sheet, which is only 380 mm wide, is made of a single aluminium profile with thermal break and internal fillings to meet the high acoustic requirements, perfectly combining natural design and ventilation. The maintenance walkway composed of metal tramex and brackets serves as support for the double outer panel skin and is fixed to the module anchor through the opaque areas.
