Sustainable architecture: Idom Headquarters in Bilbao, ACXT.

Revitalization and new use for an old warehouse in the port of Bilbao, included in the master plan prepared by Zaha Hadid for the Zorrozaurre district in Bilbao. In this case, Spanish architecture firm ACXT has responded with a completely green project.



The headquarters of Idom – an independent enterprise of integrated professional services, operating in the architecture, engineering and consulting sectors – had to be a manifestation of sustainability.



Starting out from an old port warehouse in Bilbao, this project is not just urban redevelopment, it is a perfect example of eco-friendly building.



The ACXT architecture firm, headed by Javier Perez Uribarri and operating as part of the IDOM enterprise, came up with a wide range of design choices to reduce the environmental impact of the 14,500 m² building.



The design team based their project on the concept of a passive building, and ended up with lots of glass surfaces to encourage widespread natural light. The excellent insulation properties of the glass stand out in winter, and the louvered windows keep the interiors protected from the sun in summer.





The building’s green roof assists the thermal insulation and this new area for relaxation adds extra value to the project.



The HVAC system complies with the strictest energy saving requirements, recovering heat and power produced by photovoltaic panels; automated systems are used throughout to improve the building’s energy performance, now classified with “Class A” energy certificate.



This architecture is attentive to environmental issues and has actually created a new landmark in the Port of Bilbao.

Project: ACXT http://www.acxt.net
Location: Bilbao, Spain
Year: 2010
Photos: Aitor Ortiz, Jorge Allende - Courtesy of acxt
Link:  Spains First LEED http://www.floornature.com/blog/spain’s-first-ever-leed-certified-public-facility-reus-112-8335/, BTEK http://www.floornature.com/blog/btek-technology-interpretation-centre-acxt-8156/