Kubik: Open Building Approach For The Construction of an Unique Experimental Facility Aimed to Improve Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Abstract

KUBIK is aimed to the development of new concepts, products and services to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. The main characteristic of KUBIK is the capability to built realistic scenarios to analyse the energy efficiency obtained from the holistic interaction of the constructive solution for the envelope, the intelligent management of the climatisation and lighting systems and the supply from renewable energy sources. The R&D infrastructure consists of a building able to provide up to 500 m2 distributed in an underground floor, a ground floor and up to two storeys; the main dimensions are 10,00 m. width x 10,00 m. length x 10,00 meter high (plus and underground floor 3,00 m. depth). The supply of energy is based on the combination of conventional and renewable energy (geothermic, solar and wind). In addition, the building is equipped with a monitoring and control system which provides the necessary information for the R&D activities. KUBIK's main structure provides an experimental, adaptable and reconfigurable infrastructure to create the indoor environments to analyse and to allow the assembly of the constructive solutions for the envelope, floors and partitions which performance must to be assessed under realistic conditions.

¿Adónde van los edificios cuando mueren?

“…La separación entre estructura y envolvente, así como el uso de un módulo constructivo estándar, son determinantes para alcanzar una mayor eficiencia (Crowther, 1999). Además, el diseño de las uniones por medio de tecnología seca, sin procesos químicos, asegurará su capacidad de desarmarse (Chica et al, 2010). Por último, lo que determinará su éxito es la planificación durante la etapa de diseño de las secuencias de ensamble y desensamble en todas las escalas del proyecto (Crowther, 1999;Guy et al, 2008).…”

11. Smart Building: The Tecnalia KUBIK Use Case

“…The smart building KUBIK, situated close to Bilbao, Spain, was inaugurated in 2010 as an experimental infrastructure for developing and validating innovative products and systems to optimize energy efficiency in buildings [1]. It is a three floors building owned by Tecnalia and designed for testing and research ranging from passive systems such as modular insulating components for roofs and facades, to energy generation based on renewable energy and climate control systems.…”