Visión, pasión y creatiVidad - Inmobiliare

arquitectura sustentableThe architecture firm Legorreta + Legorreta envisagedTerracota 100, developed by Invertierra, located in SantaFe. The construction area is 22,400 square meters andit is distinguished by a geometry that resembles a triangularpolygon; this has been its characteristic feature, inaddition to the Gold-level LEED certification, which pointsout the building’s contribution to a more eco-friendly urbanatmosphere.From the design and construction stages,Terracota 100 Corporate Buildinghas implemented criteria for sustainabilityand energy efficiency from the U.S.Green Building Council LEED CertificationSystem.The property has ten construction levelsand 6 of underground parking lots, shoppingareas, unloading platform, and heliport.There is not a prototype floor in theproject, hence the peculiarity of constantTerracota 100 has provento have:• 2,465 m 2 of green open spaces,that represents 92% above whatregulations demand.• Rainwater collection and reusesystems, reducing pressure onurban infrastructure.• Vegetation areas with low irrigationrequirements.• Sum of strategies that represent a93% reduction in drinkable waterconsumption, compared to aconventional office building.• CFCs-free coolants(chlorofluorocarbons).• Designed facilities for waste sortingand recycling.• Airing systems that will provideexcellent quality to inside air.• Energy efficiency of 20% accordingto international standards.• Use of natural light in 79% ofoccupiable space.• Energy efficiency will prevent theemission of 1,971 tons of CO 2every year.change in all the office levels, creating balconiesin some of them, besides allowingwider façades that supply the inner part ofthe building with more natural light.On the other hand, façades on the groundfloor are made of stone and the rest of themare pre-manufactured concrete panels. Isolatingglass was used in order to avoid heat absorptionand to reduce air conditioning.Sustainable design and constructionpractices were included, therefore obtainingGold-level LEED certification (Leadership inEnergy and Environmental Design®) fromthe U.S. Green Building Council.Terracota 100 has become an examplefor real estate constructors and developers,to be taken as a reference with the purposeof triggering more environmentally responsibledesign and construction. Energy efficiencyin Terracota 100 will prevent theemission of 1,971 tons of CO 2per year.Legorreta + Legorreta, thearchitects or Terracota 100Interview to: Juan Carlos Nolascoand Jana SchulzInmobiliare Magazine (IM): Whatare the guidelines and philosophyregarding sustainable architecture andconstruction in Legorreta + Legorreta?In addition to the creation of pleasant spacesfor the user, we deem important they be environmentallyfriendly, durable and sustainable.One of the main objectives when wemake a sustainable building is to lower theconsumption of electricity, water and othernatural resources. From the first concept,some bioclimatic aspects are considered,such as location, the way the building faces,main façades, dominating winds, aquifers,fauna, and vegetation existing on site. Thereare some factors that allow significant energyreduction, such as taking advantageof natural light and airing, using hybridsystems when air conditioning is needed,equipment automation and usage of lowemissivity glass to reduce heat gain. As faras water is concerned, low consumption furnitureand treatment plants are installed toallow reuse of rain and sewage water and toreduce drinkable water consumption as wellas discharges to public networks. We considerthat an integrated design with a holisticview as part of our design is very important.IM: What is the difference betweenTerracota 100 from other proposals?LEED certification is a tool to “measure” abuilding’s sustainability, taking into accountthe site’s aspects, water, materials and resources,energy, and the quality of inside air.Being Gold-level LEED certified translates intoan added value to the future tenant becausecompanies are more sensitive every timeabout showing responsibility to the environmentand to natural resources. LEED for “Coreand Shell” certified buildings would enablethe tenant to obtain LEED certifications forthe inner spaces he will rent. Besides the factthat spaces are more pleasant and healthy, itis important to point out the advantage ofhaving lower expenditures and energy costs.IM: Why is Terracota 100 a sustainablebuilding?From the beginning of the project, the benefitof having a sustainable building was aconsideration taken together with the client.It was possible to carry out a design with designers,engineers, expert consultants, andthe client; it meant a greater effort and betterperformance during the planning phaseon the one hand, but on the other, this enabledus to make every decision with accuracyand professionalism due to a better understandingof synergies among the differentdisciplines. Thanks to this process and tothe client’s commitment, who was presentin each one of the numerous meetings, weachieved to construct a building that couldbe regarded as sustainable.IM: Which are the specific savings fortenants or users of Terracota 100?Reducing electricity and water consumptionby taking advantage of natural lighting andairing. Having installed saver equipmentsand automation systems reduces significantlythe building’s operational costs. •68www.inmobiliare.com