The conference "Maximum Comfort, Minimum Energy Consumption: New Architectural Strategies in Service Buildings" was attended by approximately 100 people, many of them architects. In his opening remarks, CEIM director Felipe Pich-Aguilera stressed the importance of such events in helping universities and businesses join forces to improve the day-to-day lives of all people. According to the conference programme, “One of the CEIM's aims is to integrate the reality of the construction industry into the academic sphere. The concepts of sustainability and industrialization are almost never addressed in architecture faculties, but we believe this conference represents the values we defend through research and innovation while remaining aware of the difficulties involved in being innovative in the development of new building elements and systems."
The conference was of particular interest to architects working in Barcelona. The statistics presented were very clear and encouraging: sustainable buildings now save 15%-30% or more on energy consumption.
Three roundtables were held during the conference. The speakers included representatives from the companies Cofely, Agbar, Somfy, Simon, Cricursa, Rockwool Spain, Lamp and Aiguasol, as well as academics from the UIC, the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) and the Universidad de Valladolid. They talked about raising user awareness and the technologies in use. Some discussed specific cases applied to reality. All agreed that the construction of zero-energy buildings is the holy grail of architecture, though maximizing comfort should not be neglected. While most work in this industry has been done in commercial and office buildings, "we're slowly adapting to the residential industry", said Isabel Tejero, a representative of Cofely.
However, one of the greatest obstacles to sustainable building is users' lack of exposure to it. "Often, consumers are unable to follow sustainable procedures due to a lack of information and training", said Mónica Fernández, a researcher in the UIC Faculty of Education. Her comments highlighted consumer need for education and training. "Higher education plays an absolutely key role in training in this area, since it trains future professionals and everything they learn has a multiplier effect that is very important", Fernández said. She concluded by saying that the government’s role in this regard is crucial.
Albert Cuchi, who holds a doctorate in Architecture from the UPC, illustrated the current situation with a racing metaphor. "Today, the law prescribes that buildings be almost zero-energy", he said. "This is like switching from using a skateboard to a Formula 1 race car, and that is not at all easy to do." Isabel Tejero added, "It would call for the public administration to really push for training in energy efficiency and to lead by example. They are not really pushing for a model of energy-efficient buildings because their buildings are not energy-efficient and are not good examples. If they were, we would be in a better situation."
Through this activity and many others, the CEIM Department seeks to bring together all parties (professors, businesses and students) to make a single collective effort. For example, the Department, which is sponsored by Rockwool Spain and Pich-Aguilera Architects, has held three editions of the CEIM awards, which are given to ESARQ-UIC students who have presented quality projects in sustainable architecture. In the most recent edition, students had to propose energy rehabilitation projects for the Faculty of Education buildings on the UIC's Barcelona campus.
Dr. Felipe Pich-Aguilera was behind the creation of the CEIM Department, which is currently supported by two collaborating businesses, Rockwool Spain and Pich-Aguilera Architects. In response to market needs, the UIC wanted to create a department that would allow for collaboration in a broader area of science and technology than would be possible with an R&D project. It wanted the department to have three clear areas of action: training, knowledge generation, and the transfer of technology and knowledge. For this reason, throughout the academic year, it engages in activities involving training, research and the dissemination of information. The CEIM Department’s objective is to set up channels for collaboration and joint development between the UIC and different companies and organizations in the construction industry to achieve significant results in sustainability and respect for the environment.
