Energy efficiency has become a fundamental pillar of contemporary architecture. Faced with the climate challenge, spaces can no longer be limited to being only functional and attractive: the quest to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact is defining the character (and future) of new buildings. A series of requirements, such as the use of renewable energy, the integration of innovative and high-efficiency systems or air quality, which 3 Diamond Awards They have been promoting and recognizing it for eleven years now.
Organized and sponsored by Mitsubishi Electricthe event has established itself as the most awaited annual event by air conditioning professionals. The emblematic Torre Glòries in Barcelona hosted this eleventh edition. An unforgettable evening, with Roberto Brasero master of ceremony and more than 250 guests, where the most innovative projects in terms of efficiency and sustainability were celebrated.
Architectural jewels of our country have come together, such as the turning room of the Mark’ennovy Contact Lens Factory, in Getafe, or the Offices in Paseo de la Castellana 14, awarded with the highest recognition for their design and innovation. As a novelty, this year the jury also crossed the Atlantic to recognize the Cero + Infinito Pavilion of the University of Buenos Aires in the new most efficient project category in LATAM.
Turning room at the Mark’ennovy factory, of Zetus Soluciones Energéticas
The new Mark’ennovy headquarters in Getafe (Madrid) is based on three pillars: technology, research, development and innovation and customisation. The company, one of the most important manufacturers of turned contact lenses in the world, has relied on Zetus Soluciones Energéticas to transform its turning room, awarded in the up to 200kW category, into the most advanced in Europe. The goal? Quintuple your production, maintaining absolute control of the temperature, humidity and air quality of the environment, where any slight variation can affect the process.
To achieve this, we opted for Mitsubishi Electric’s range of IT cooling systemsthe same high-precision cooling systems used in data centers, adapting them to an impressive 300 m² industrial space. Its design allows a large part of the extraction air to be reused, without the need to treat external air for production, thus reducing thermal loads and obtaining a Exceptional energy efficiency (SEER 6).
The system is completed with HEPA and Active Carbon filters, to obtain a completely clean and stable environment. This commitment to innovation that translates into exceptional numbers: an efficiency from 74% in summer to 89% in winter.
Offices Paseo de la Castellana 14 (Madrid), by IKDI Ingenieros
It is not easy to convert a protected historic building from the 19th century into a space with almost zero consumption. Him The IKDI Ingenieros studio managed to update the property at number 14 Paseo de la Castellanawithout touching the external facades or internal stairs; a unique exercise that obtained the highest recognition in the +200 kW category. Because behind that classic appearance, the building hides a complex hybrid air conditioning system, which combines geothermal, aerothermic and gas, together with an air conditioning system cooling tower with free cooling Night.
Thanks to a double thermal circuit (15º/35º) and intelligent predictive control, the system automatically adjusts the temperature and energy consumption in real time. Added to this are the active slabs (TABS), which integrate structure and air conditioning, maximizing thermal comfort and reducing energy needs.
The property, with energy certification A, is establishing itself as a point of reference for urban sustainability: it incorporates a ventilation system with 80% enthalpy recovery, which uses the heat of the extracted air to condition the new air, while the treatment batteries connected to the hydraulic circuit guarantee that each room maintains an optimal temperature and humidity.
In turn, air quality control and variable flow per floor and room ensure a comfortable and healthy environment. In summary, we are faced with an intervention that demonstrates how innovation can dialogue with history without altering its essence.
Innovation at all levels
The finalists of this edition reflect the diversity of the competition, projects of different types that share the same belief: efficiency and sustainability are possible at any scale. Among the Gold finalists in the up to 200 kW category, the Pinola housing, in Chiclana de la Frontera (Cadiz). This bioclimatic house, designed by Lisabesur and Mollinedo Arquitectos, combines active and passive solutions such as Ecodan aerothermal, underfloor heating and photovoltaic panels, to minimize energy consumption and environmental impact.
In the +200kW category, the Barbastro Health Center (Huesca) by Ingeniería Tornéfor the innovative integration of renewable systems (geothermal, solar cooling and seasonal storage) in a healthcare complex that remained operational during its renovation, reaching NZEB standards of almost zero consumption.
Among the Silver finalists, in the category up to 200 kW, the Archaeological Museum of Banyoles (Girona): Reda Brussosa Ingenieros Ingeniously solved the air conditioning of a protected Gothic building using a hybrid VRF system with high efficiency and low financial impact.
THE new corporate headquarters of the TM group in Torrevieja (Alicante)of the same real estate group, was a Silver finalist in +200kW category: an A-certified office building – in the process of achieving the LEED and WELL Platinum seals – combining intelligent control, comfort environmental and cutting-edge technology.
Efficiency without borders
As a novelty, this 11th edition has incorporated a new international category: the LATAM Award for the most efficient projectassigned to Zero+Infinity Pavilion of the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina)From Vignaroli, Sierra and associates. This unique university building stands out for its open architecture, with green roof and curtain wall, perfectly integrated with the environment.
Its mixed air conditioning system (air- and water-condensed VRF with a geothermal circuit of 234 wells and use of groundwater) recovers energy from the building’s overpressured air, achieving energy savings of up to 70% (EER 5.4–5.7).
Distributed ventilation with double nets per floor, filtration compliant with ASHRAE 62.1 regulations and an independent external air system guarantee environmental quality superior to local standards. A pioneering project that consolidates the 3 Diamond Awards’ commitment to energy efficiency on a global scale.
