We are proud to belong to a group with a clear vision of the role it seeks to play in society. In our work to design and create buildings, we are guided by the values of creativity, innovation and environmental responsibility. Awareness of the need for increased attention to the pressing environmental issues of the day in architecture and construction, particularly with regard to the fight against climate change, has led us to adopt sustainability as a key value in our projects.
We embrace
a greener world.
Our activity reflects a continued rise in sustainable projects, characterised by the strong presence of passive architecture and various other sustainability services. The team works to capitalise on sustainability and to enhance the group’s portfolio in this sector, offering innovative solutions for construction projects, built urban environments and eco-materials.
It is with this aim in mind that we promote solutions adapted to the challenge of climate change, in particular those which create zero-energy buildings or buildings related to the circular economy or smart cities, implementing measures to provide comfort and well-being while also considering ecological concerns, materials, water reserves and energy supply.
Sustainability of Buildings
Our aim is to establish strategies which cover all areas of building sustainability, improving overall environmental performance without neglecting quality and the comfort of users. Planning and bioclimatic principles form the basis for these strategies, and sustainable building certification systems such as the LEED or BREEAM are an example of some of the systems used to promote sustainability and to differentiate new, renovated or existing buildings both nationally and internationally. Dynamic simulations are another of the tools which we use and which allow us to assess and establish the most appropriate solutions for matters of energy efficiency, renewable energies, thermal comfort, ventilation and natural lighting.
White Shell Beach Villas
Lagoa / 2017
Developed in accordance with the 2016 BREEAM International New Construction standards and currently undergoing certification. A specially developed strategy was implemented to ensure the project’s sustainability through optimum quality, energy efficiency and comfort throughout the site’s interior spaces.
Lagoas Park LEED Commissioning
Oeiras / 2017
Provision of Fundamental Commissioning in accordance with the stipulations of the LEED system. The work consisted of creating a plan which would act as a Commissioning Authority and accompany the installation, testing and trialing of the various systems in the building to ensure their correct functioning.
Prologis Industrial Building
Jalisco / 2015
Energy Modelling, using energy modeling tools, provides very accurate estimates regarding the energy performance of buildings and, also, regarding the impact of energy solutions and systems to be considered in it. This Energy Modelling was developed according with Appendix G of ASHRAE Energy Standards 90.1-2010.
Sustainability of the Urban Environment
Our services in this area focus on the urban scale characteristic of cities, and aim to develop mechanisms to plan and design a sustainable territory, evaluating and diagnosing the specific needs of each region. The solutions implemented develop strategies for adapting to climate change, in line with the main risk factors facing each region. We conduct climate modelling studies at the urban scale which help to adapt spaces to their purpose and make them more comfortable; we create mechanisms to respond to the challenges of smart cities, improving the functionality and adaptability of the infrastructure by means of historical analysis linked to technological solutions; we also employ environmental analysis and assessment to develop plans and strategies which ensure energy sustainability.
Valle de Bravo Mobility Study
Valle de Bravo / 2016
We worked alongside other Mexican agencies to develop a mobility study in Vale de Bravo in Mexico. Our contribution involved analysing sustainable mobility solutions, particularly the study of cycle paths, infrastructure for electric vehicles and pedestrian accessibility.
Eco-Resort Pestana Tróia
Tróia / 2011
A pre-evaluation of the complex was conducted on the basis of the BREEAM Communities system. The pre-evaluation allows areas of better and worse performance in terms of sustainability to be identified, and improvement measures adapted to the project to be included.
Integrated Casino and Resort
Praia / 2016
This project consisted of conducting a study of the winds in the outside areas of the resort, as a result of its location and the impact of fast currents. A thorough survey was conducted of comfort conditions, and solutions to minimise the wind speeds felt and adapt them to the intended use were identified.
Paredes Creativity City
Paredes / 2011
Organising various local activities to raise awareness on environmental issues and topics related to sustainable building. A series of talks and a set of sustainability guides was produced, as well as a prototype demonstrating sustainable building solutions, and an overall assessment of the municipality’s sustainable performance.
Vila Lago Monsaraz
Monsaraz / 2010
Defining strategic guidelines to ensure the passive performance of the master plan. This involved recommending areas for installing buildings and corresponding volumes, infrastructure, accesses and equipment, as well as proposals for activities and solutions to promote the ecological value of the site.
Sustainability of Materials
Materials and products play a decisive role in the development of sustainable buildings and an equally sustainable built environment. We apply eco-design principles to our work and conduct life-cycle assessments on the materials used, as well as issuing environmental product declarations and promoting assessments to ascertain sustainability. Life-cycle assessments (LCA) on materials, building solutions, products and processes (production lines or techniques) allow environmental analysis, as well as profiling and identification of improvements necessary in terms of the circular economy, taking into account the rationalisation of resources, minimisation of waste and increase in the lifespan of products.
Revigrés LCA & EPD
Barrô / 2016
In the LCA & EPD process for Revigrés, around 17 ceramic products from conventional and eco-friendly (with a high proportion of recycled materials) ranges were assessed. The various products were tested in groups, with three EPDs produced.
Amorim Insulation LCA & EPD
Santa Maria da Feira / 2018
The life-cycle assessment conducted focused on the Expanded Agglomerated and Granulated Cork products, producing two EPDs. Good performance was highlighted in the Global Warming category, due to the fact that cork is an important carbon sink.
Quickbuild LCA
Setúbal / 2015
A modular prefabricated building system with high sustainability rates and low cost throughout its life cycle. It’s the result of a three years R&D project developed in a consortium of several Portuguese companies and institutions. Materials were carefully selected, considering its impact on the overall building performance and also according to Life Cycle Analysis.
Brightwall Materials Consultancy
2015
Developed as part of an international consortium aiming to design a new translucent concrete panel solution. Our collaboration was linked to evaluating the environmental impacts of the solution and of the choice of materials, components and processes which optimise these throughout the PLC.
Weber Saint-Gobain LCA & EPD
Servon / 2017
The products assessed under the LCA included mortars and ETIC systems, with a total of 22 different products analysed and grouped into three different EPDs. More recently, assessment was conducted on an ETIC system produced by Weber St. Gobain France, resulting in an EPD published in 2018.
Sustainable Energy
As in the case of materials, energy also plays a central role in the global quest for sustainability. To ensure optimum applicability of this resource, we establish and implement strategies which promote more efficient use of energy in new or existing buildings, as well as on urban areas, including large-scale projects. Our activity involves assessing the energy profile of buildings and establishing procedures which can reduce overall energy consumption and related costs. We also design and implement energy saving plans, using ESCO models where applicable. On the building scale, we offer energy auditing services for operating premises in compliance with legal requirements, and we design energy rationalisation plans.
Iberomoldes Photovoltaic Production
Marinha Grande / 2015
Sizing and installation of a mini photovoltaic power station for private consumption on the premises of the company Iberomoldes.
Ferreira do Alentejo Sustainable Energy Plan
Ferreira do Alentejo / 2010
A local survey and profile of energy consumption was conducted, followed by an inventory of CO2 emissions, with the aim of establishing a sustainable energy plan able to reduce local emissions by around 20%. This work took place as part of the European initiative The Covenant of Mayors.
Dominican Republic Energy Efficiency
Santo Domingo / 2015
In partnership with the National Energy Commission we aimed to organise various strategic activities, in order to meet some of the local criteria linked to the National Energy Efficiency Plan. Among these initiatives, activities to train energy auditors and to support the development of a local building certification system are of particular note.
