The Madan Technology Center building, designed by the architectural firm Forward at the Setubal Science & Technology Park, establishes many new benchmarks in green building design. This building will host the Innovation Program and Data Center for the S&T Park that aims to attract high-technology companies to this location that is near the Nova University close to Lisbon.
The unique external feature of the building is that it is made up of concrete flowerbeds. These troughs are made from recycled aggregates and bonded with the structure to give it strength in a high seismic risk area, while giving the building its eye catching appearance of light and shade. The building is designed for rainwater harvesting to water these flowerbeds and the surrounding lawns that would maintain a micro-climate that helps keep the building cool in summer. The flowerbed plants also provide shade to the transparent window panels.
The building of 2270 square meters area over four floors is designed to meet and exceed the European Union legislation for 2020 (Energy Performance building directive, recast, 2010) and incorporates energy conservation ideas. The data center is located in the basement which needs cooling. The cooling system uses the subterranean water and the heat from the computer systems to achieve Portugal’s first energy efficiency mark of PUE. The other three floors are for offices, meeting rooms, and a multimedia amphitheater.The building is provided with photovoltaic panels to generate electricity and uses energy-efficient LED lighting to achieve “near zero energy.”
The architects say that the inner spaces are “stamped with the rhythms of fullness and emptiness and of the artificial and the natural” referring to the checkerboard pattern. This building, which is certain to receive LEED certification, will become a benchmark in Portugal for sustainable buildings design and should inspire other buildings to emulate and surpass the new ideas that have been used at this park.
Via: Archdaily
