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5 Mar 201407:26

Summary

TLDRIn a tour of the HSiM building in San Rafael de Alajuela, Marisol interviews Marketing Manager Manuel Salas about the sustainable architecture designed by architect Bruno Estaño. The building features natural ventilation, sunshades, humidity control systems, and no air conditioning, reducing maintenance costs and energy consumption. It embodies the principles of bioclimatic architecture, promoting active participation from its occupants. The discussion highlights Holsing's commitment to sustainable construction, including the Holsing Prize for Sustainable Construction, which encourages innovation in the field with a substantial prize fund.

Takeaways

🏢 The building in question is designed with impressive architecture and incorporates sustainable construction concepts.
☀️ It does not use air conditioning but instead relies on sunshades and canopies for protection from the sun, along with natural ventilation systems.
🌡️ The building has systems for controlling humidity, which is crucial in the dry climate of San Rafael de Alajuela.
💨 The building's layout, with four modules over two floors, facilitates natural cooling and air circulation.
🌳 The materials used are natural, reducing maintenance costs and allowing the building to age naturally.
💡 The design includes many windows to save on electricity for lighting and to enhance ventilation.
💰 It is estimated that the building costs three times less to maintain annually compared to a conventional building.
🌿 The concept of bioclimatic architecture is highlighted, emphasizing the use of wind, light, and natural elements for temperature regulation.
👷‍♂️ The building requires active participation from its occupants, such as opening windows, as opposed to passive buildings that consume energy for climate control.
🏗️ The script discusses the broader concept of sustainable construction, which balances economic, social, and environmental development.
🏆 The company Holsing supports sustainable construction through initiatives like the Holsing Prize for Sustainable Construction, which promotes innovation and new ideas in the field.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the visit to the HSiM building in San Rafael de Alajuela?
-The purpose of the visit is to take a tour of the HSiM building and learn about its sustainable architecture and special features from its Marketing Manager, Mr. Manuel Salas.
Who is the architect of the HSiM building and what is unique about its design?
-The building was designed by the architect Bruno Estaño. It is unique because it incorporates sustainable construction concepts, such as natural cooling systems and humidity control, without the use of air conditioning.
How does the building achieve natural cooling without air conditioning?
-The building uses parasol systems and canopies to protect from the sun, the arrangement of modules allows for air circulation, and it has systems that cool the walls, contributing to the overall natural cooling effect.
What is special about the building's location in the central industrial area of Holing?
-The building is situated on a hillock in the central industrial area of Holing, which allows it to be constantly refreshed by breezes from all directions, contributing to its sustainable design.
How does the building manage humidity in the dry months?
-The building has humidity control systems and uses sprinklers in a central patio or core during very dry months to maintain optimal humidity levels.
What are the benefits of using natural materials in the building's structure?
-Using natural materials reduces maintenance costs and allows the building to age naturally, which is part of the sustainable concept of the construction.
How does the building save on electricity and ventilation?
-The building has many windows that allow for natural light and ventilation, reducing the need for electric lighting and air conditioning systems.
What is the estimated cost difference between this sustainable building and a conventional one?
-It is estimated that this type of building costs three times less to maintain annually compared to a conventional building, due to its sustainable features and reduced energy consumption.
What is the concept of bioclimatic architecture mentioned in the script?
-Bioclimatic architecture is a design approach that takes advantage of natural elements like wind and light to regulate the building's internal environment, promoting active participation from its occupants in managing the building's systems.
What is the Holsing Prize for Sustainable Construction and its significance?
-The Holsing Prize for Sustainable Construction is an international competition held every three years with a prize pool of over 2 million dollars. It aims to promote innovation in sustainable construction and reward ideas that contribute to sustainable development.
How does the company Holsing support sustainable construction beyond the Holsing Prize?
-Holsing supports sustainable construction by having a research and development department that continuously studies new products, applications, and ways to improve the country's construction systems, focusing on resource efficiency and technological advancements.

Outlines

00:00

🏢 Sustainable Architecture at HSIIM Building

In this segment, the host Marisol visits the HSIIM building in San Rafael de Alajuela with Marketing Manager, Mr. Manuel Salas. The building, designed by architect Bruno Estaño, is highlighted for its impressive architecture and sustainable design principles. It uses no air conditioning, instead relying on solar shades, strategically placed modules for natural ventilation, and systems to cool walls and control humidity. The building's location in the central industrial area of Holing, on a hill, ensures a refreshing breeze from all directions. The focus on natural materials reduces maintenance costs and allows the building to age naturally. The building is designed to save on electricity and ventilation with many windows, and it is estimated to have three times lower maintenance costs than a conventional building. The concept of bioclimatic architecture is emphasized, which involves active participation from the building's occupants, such as opening windows, rather than relying on passive climate control systems.

05:01

🏗️ Holsing's Commitment to Sustainable Construction

The second paragraph delves into Holsing's dedication to sustainable construction, exemplified by their support for the 'Holsing for Sustainable Construction' prize, awarded every three years with a substantial endowment of over 2 million dollars. The prize encourages architects and professionals worldwide to innovate and develop new ideas in construction, promoting not only technological leaps but also socially impactful projects, regardless of their scale. The company also has a research and development department focused on improving construction systems and materials usage, emphasizing the reduction of waste and increasing productivity. The commitment extends to encouraging talent and ideas that can be implemented in various forms, not limited to concrete solutions, but any that contribute to sustainable practices and responsible resource management.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sustainable Architecture

Sustainable architecture refers to a design philosophy that aims to minimize the environmental impact of buildings by efficiently using resources, reducing waste, and promoting health and productivity. In the video, the building designed by the architect Bruno Estaño incorporates sustainable concepts such as natural ventilation and shading systems, which reduce the need for air conditioning and contribute to the building's energy efficiency.

💡Bioclimatic Architecture

Bioclimatic architecture is a branch of sustainable design that emphasizes the use of local climate and environmental conditions to create comfortable and energy-efficient spaces. The video mentions that the building takes advantage of natural elements like wind and sunlight, which is a key principle of bioclimatic design, allowing the building to be 'passive' and reduce its reliance on active systems for heating and cooling.

💡Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation is a technique that uses the natural movement of air to cool and refresh indoor spaces without the need for mechanical systems. The script describes how the building's design, with its modules and layout, allows for air circulation that refreshes the entire facility, which is an example of natural ventilation in practice.

💡Shading Systems

Shading systems are architectural features that protect buildings from direct sunlight, thereby reducing heat gain and the need for cooling. The script mentions 'parasols' and 'awnings' as part of the building's design to shield it from the sun, which is a practical application of shading systems to enhance sustainability.

💡Humidity Control

Humidity control refers to the management of moisture levels within a building to ensure comfort and prevent damage from excess dampness or dryness. The video describes systems in the building that control humidity, especially important in the dry region of San Rafael de Alajuela, demonstrating the building's adaptability to local climate conditions.

💡Natural Aging

Natural aging is the concept of allowing buildings to age gracefully without artificial interventions such as painting, which can reduce maintenance costs and create a more authentic aesthetic. The script mentions that the building's structures are left in their natural state, which aligns with the theme of sustainability by avoiding unnecessary maintenance.

💡Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is the goal of minimizing energy consumption while providing the required services or outputs. The video highlights that the building is designed with many windows to save on electricity for lighting and has systems for natural cooling, which contribute to its overall energy efficiency.

💡Maintenance Costs

Maintenance costs are the expenses associated with the upkeep of a building over time. The script suggests that the sustainable design of the building results in lower maintenance costs due to the use of natural materials and systems that reduce the need for active cooling and artificial lighting.

💡Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is a framework for ensuring that economic, social, and environmental aspects of development are balanced and do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The video discusses the concept of sustainable development in the context of the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of using resources wisely and minimizing environmental impact.

💡Holsing Prize

The Holsing Prize is mentioned in the script as an initiative to promote sustainable construction. It is a significant award with a substantial monetary endowment that encourages architects and professionals to innovate and participate in the development of sustainable building practices.

💡Resource Rationalization

Resource rationalization is the practice of using resources efficiently and responsibly to meet current needs without compromising the ability to meet future needs. The script discusses the company's commitment to resource rationalization, particularly in the context of using concrete blocks more effectively to reduce waste and increase productivity.

Highlights

Introduction to the tour of the HSI building in San Rafael de Alajuela with Marisol and Mr. Manuel Salas, the Marketing Manager.

The building features impressive architecture designed by the architect Bruno Estaño.

Incorporation of sustainable construction concepts, such as no air conditioning and use of parasols and canopies for sun protection.

Building layout with four modules allowing natural air circulation to refresh all facilities.

Systems in place for wall cooling and humidity control in the dry months.

Strategic location in the Holing Industrial Park for constant refreshing breezes.

Natural materials used, reducing maintenance costs and allowing the building to age naturally.

Many windows to save on electricity and improve ventilation.

Estimated lower cost of three times less than a conventional building for annual maintenance.

Bioclimatic architecture concept allows for utilizing wind, light, and controlling the building's passive features.

Active participation required from the building's occupants, unlike fully climate-controlled buildings.

Adapting to temperature variations rather than exact control, promoting a more harmonious living environment.

Sustainable construction as part of sustainable development, balancing economic, social, and environmental aspects.

Holsing's commitment to sustainability, including the Holsing Prize for Sustainable Construction awarded every three years.

The Holsing Prize has a fund of over 2 million dollars, attracting architects and professionals worldwide.

Emphasis on innovation, ethical construction practices, and technological leaps in the construction industry.

Holsing's R&D department continuously studies new products, applications, and improvements in construction systems.

The company's commitment to resource rationalization and reducing waste in construction materials.

Encouragement of talent and ideas that can be implemented in various types of solutions, not just in concrete.

Closing remarks thanking the team and viewers for the tour and the insights shared on sustainable construction.