Another campus is Leioa University Campus, in Bilbao. The main university building has been retrofitted, including the surrounding buildings (sports center, etc.), covering an area of 9200 m 2. Built in 1970, its HVAC systems were found to be inadequate for both present technology maintenance, as well as the problem of climate change. Therefore, it was retrofit to improve its ventilation, cooling and heating.[7] The entire envelope has been retrofitted, the previous concrete now integrating vacuum insulated panels, with an external envelope of VIP panels with PVC clips. The internal envelope consists of VIP insulation, mineral wood, aluminum profiles and plasterboard. The lighting system was replaced by smart lighting fixtures, connected to solar collectors on the roof, encouraging minimum power consumption. Regarding fenestration, the regular glass windows have been replaced by high performance windows.
Fig. 1.4 Bilbao building energy savings table.[8]
In both cases, the positive impacts were not just for the future generation, or for the fight against climate change; the impacts were immediate for lowering energy consumption costs, creating healthier livable environments and better/adequate user satisfaction. This is what Alfaisal University (AU) is trying to accomplish with this project – creating a sustainable step towards the right direction, by attempting to undergo interventions to improve sustainability.
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