OREANDA-NEWS. Repsol Campus has obtained the LEED-NC certification in the Platinum category, the highest distinction possible for new constructions awarded by the prestigious U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The LEED-NC certificate (new constructions and major renovations) guarantees that the entire building was designed and built according to the strictest sustainability criteria.

Repsol's corporate headquarters becomes the first large office building in Spain, and one of the first of its size in Europe to be awarded this certificate. Along these lines the Repsol Campus is taking a considerable step forward in sustainability and goes beyond the traditional construction approaches, as it was designed, planned and constructed to the strictest sustainability criteria, and is being operated and maintained to the same high sustainability standards.

As well as its positive impact on public health and the environment, the LEED-NC certificate obtained by Repsol Campus recognises its lower operating costs, the improved marketability of the building and its organisation, increased productivity of the occupants and the creation of a sustainable community.

For the CEO and founder of the USGBC, Rick Fedrizzi, “Repsol Campus efficiently uses natural resources and has an immediate and positive impact on our planet, which largely benefit future generations.”

Repsol Campus is located on Calle Mйndez Бlvaro in Madrid and occupies 123,000 m2. It consists of 4 buildings forming a cloister around a large central garden; its size is 1.5 times the size of a football pitch, with 100 trees suited to the Madrid climate. The building, designed by the architect Rafael de La-Hoz and with interior design by Aguirre Newman and Enrica Rosellini, is the only corporate business campus in central Madrid. It is a cutting edge project in terms of accessibility, sustainability and security.

To obtain the LEED-NC certificate, aspects such as the sustainability of the site, the ease of using ecoefficient transport, and the use of recycled materials were evaluated. The design and construction of the building focused on 6 areas:

Sustainable site

The chosen site enables the development of a former industrial area with existing infrastructure. It has an extensive network of public services (bus, subway, local rail, high-speed rail, etc.) and benefits from policies to encourage the use of bicycles, electric vehicles, high occupancy vehicles and low emission, fuel-efficient vehicles. A series of actions was also taken to encourage good relations with neighbouring communities, such as watering the building site with non-drinkable water to avoid clouds of dust and cleaning the tyres of lorries before they leave the site, pedestrianizing the area and providing the neighbourhood with a telephone helpline during the building work.

Water efficiency

Water consumption was optimised by designing the gardens to need less watering, choosing plant species suited to the Madrid climate, using water-efficient equipment (bathrooms, taps, showers, etc.) and using rainwater for irrigation, which is stored in an underground tank with a capacity of 250,000 litres.

Energy and atmosphere

Alternative energy generation methods were sought, such as the use of photovoltaic solar panels or gas heat pumps for climate control and hot water production.

Materials and resources

From the design phase onwards, materials with a high-recycled content were chosen, reducing impacts from the extraction and processing of raw materials, supporting the use of local resources and encouraging responsible forestry.

Indoor environmental quality

As well as minimising carbon emissions, users were encouraged to be particularly aware, by controlling lighting systems, maximising interior natural light and providing pleasant views of the gardens. A comfortable temperature is ensured using the most advanced climate-control systems that monitors the quality of breathable air.

Innovation in design

A transport management plan was applied which quantifiably reduces the use of personal vehicles with multiple options and alternatives.

United States Green Building Council

El United States Green Building Council is a prestigious independent global non-profit organisation that has developed this certification system for the construction industry to cover the entire lifespan of buildings.

Its LEED building certification system is the most important programme of its kind in the world, and has assessed more than 100,000 projects in 114 countries.