“TECNALIA experts visited the refurbished school together with the European Union Commissioner for the Environment and the Minister of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition of Ecuador”
TECNALIA refurbished the first sustainable, zero-emission school in Ecuador that promotes a paradigm shift towards sustainable building in the Galapagos Islands
The aim of the project, coordinated by Mentefactura, is to reduce the energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions of the Galapagos Islands’ building stock, through the development of local public policies. To this end, TECNALIA has trained more than 50 agents in the local construction chain, including builders, architects, craftsmen, workers and owners.
Ecuador’s first zero-emission school
TECNALIA experts visited the refurbished school together with Virginijus Sinkevičius (European Union Commissioner for the Environment) and Sade Fritschi (Minister of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition of Ecuador).
In the first sustainable zero-emission school in Ecuador, strategies have been implemented to minimise heat gains through solar shading, and roof insulation to reduce thermal loads. Cooling has also been maximised by using strategies that favour natural ventilation of the interior space. The school will also have renewable generation systems and water saving techniques in the toilets.
Three Living Labs
As part of this project, three Living Labs are being developed in existing buildings. The sustainable construction standards developed and validated by TECNALIA are being used here: they take into account strategies to minimise heat gains, maximise cooling and the use of active measures to save energy and water consumption.
- Barcelona residential building on San Cristóbal Island
- Hotel Paraiso de Isabela on Isabela Island
- Galo Plaza Lasso School on Santa Cruz Island
