The construction processes and the buildings that we make today have nothing to do with the projects of yesteryear. Energy regulations have set the parameters to follow so that sustainability is a determining factor in new buildings. Less polluting materials, less aggressive industrialization and a less violent footprint during development set the trend with which companies in the sector fit the future with something more consistent with our natural resources.
Until next May 25, Construmat is presented -at the Gran Via de Fira de Barcelona venue in l'Hospitalet- as a showcase for all these feats. A contest that vindicates the sensitivity of the construction sector for the environment and for the reduction of the ecological and economic impact. "Construmat is the prelude to what the construction sector is and will be in the near future," says Xavier Vilajoana, president of the event, alluding to the close relationship that the sector already has with the policies that they care about the environment. In this sense, the head of the company assures that, at present, "no building is made that is not cataloged with an energy rating of A or B, without taking into account that the material comes with complete safety from a circular system of very important recycling.
From here, contemplating how the world of construction plans new buildable models is not a utopia. Today homes made with natural materials, such as wood and compacted straw, or assembled with concrete pieces that prevent environmental contamination, are already a reality, as well as being achieved in record time. These are some of the examples that can be found at Construmat, the world's construction congress par excellence.
Nineteen companies contribute their criteria to make a new type of housing a reality "under the values of sustainability, energy efficiency and health", explains Salvador Ordóñez, CEO of World Wood Future. Three fundamental criteria for designing a new model and responding to the growing demands that society is beginning to adopt. "People want to live in healthy and beautiful houses, which allow them well-being and do not feel in closed boxes," explains the person in charge of the project, so they opt for a house that allows ventilation, correct acoustics and good lighting. .
For Ordóñez, wood construction can perfectly compete with the traditional one, "as long as we match the materials and the requirements that we ask for the building," he explains.
Until now, the integration of solar panels with the environment seemed a pending issue among most manufacturers in the energy sector. A Valencian company is presented at the show as one of the pioneers in offering solar panels that are part of the aspect of the slice.
These are standard panels that fit inside the skirts of the tile and that work the same as the rest of the roof, in terms of watertightness and protection of the roof, just as it happens with a traditional ceramic tile. Its operation is identical to that of a normal photovoltaic panel, since it is connected to standard MC4 inverters.
If we can make more paper and glass from paper and glass, why shouldn't we use the same rationing to reuse concrete? Cementos Molins demonstrates at Construmat that the reuse of raw materials can be feasible when it comes to producing this essential element for construction. For this reason, from the recovery of concrete remains, quality aggregates can be produced that can replace the noble ones that are extracted from the quarries for their manufacture.
"They are raw materials that we value and put back into the production process, so that to make the concrete we do not have to use 100% natural resources, but we can use a part of these recyclates", explains Àngels Ferrer, head of marketing for Molins Cements.
From the PMP group they claim that in three or four months you can have a properly built home. The short period of time is not for any other reason than for the speed that allows the assembly in the place and its construction in the factory, "so that no polluting element is generated on the ground or in the building area" , explains Montse Pujol, CEO of the PMP group.
The houses aim to reduce the environmental impact while they are being built, but also while the house is being used, since "they are compact houses, with thick walls, a good orientation and with photovoltaic panels", among other aspects, explains Pujol.
