ShowPass-zero emission retrofit for all
Basic information
Project Title
ShowPass-zero emission retrofit for all
Full project title
ShowPass: retrofitting existing housing toward EU climate goals and maintaining cultural heritage.
Category
Shaping a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life-cycle thinking
Project Description
Showpass project aims to demonstrate to the wide public that retrofitting dwellings toward zero emissions is advantageous both on economic and cultural level. The project consists in a CO2-zero certified showroom with real inhabitants, opening their home to interested visitors, and showing them the real benefits of energy retrofit. Improving health, comfort and economic resilience are explained in a real context of a normal mediterranean dwelling. Real examples simplify the understanding !
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Barcelona Metropolitan region, Spain
Urban or rural issues
Mainly urban
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
Yes
Which funds
ERDF : European Regional Development Fund
Description of the project
Summary
Showpass project aims to demonstrate to the wide public that retrofitting dwellings toward zero emissions is advantageous both on economic and cultural level. The project consists in a CO2-zero certified showroom with real inhabitants, opening their home to interested visitors, and showing them the real benefits of energy retrofit. Improving health, comfort and economic resilience are explained in a real context of a normal mediterranean dwelling. Real examples simplify the understanding! The project emerged after Barcelona declared in 2020 the climate emergency. The city called all citizens to contribute actively to climate actions. So we retrofitted an existing, typical Mediterranean housing toward a CO2-zero emission building, certified by an external auditor (Ecometro). The building consists of 2 dwellings. The ground and first floor are inhabited by a family of 4 persons. The house is regularly opened to interested visitors. Also the official website of the project (https://energiehaus.es/showpass/el-proyecto/) explains the strategies and benefits for “normal” citizens to retrofit their homes toward low energy (and CO2) housing. Our aim is to connect retrofitting to affordability, but also to aesthetic improvement of the dwelling in the neighborhood context, and to show through real experience how comfort and health are closely related to sustainable retrofitting. Making people participates and understanding the opportunity of Next Generation policy as a unique opportunity to enhance life quality, but also environmental resilience. Implementing this retrofit model at a national level would reduce the energy mortgage to which many families are exposed in the current context. ShowPass has been visited by more than 1000 persons since it’s opening in summer 2022, encouraging them to undertake similar renovations.
A detailed monitoring of the energy and comfort indices since 2022 shows that the lived reality of its users meets with the certified values.
A detailed monitoring of the energy and comfort indices since 2022 shows that the lived reality of its users meets with the certified values.
Key objectives for sustainability
To act in accordance with the climate emergency declared by Barcelona City Council, the Showpass building reduces the impact of the building's life cycle (50 years) by 90% according to an independent energy audit carried out by the Ecometro association (with respect to the initial state: reference model of doing nothing or only an aesthetic renovation).
In addition, ShowPass is certified with the EnerPhit seal. It is an internationally recognized protocol to reach an optimal cost rehabilitation in the life cycle (20 years active installations and 50 years passive elements). We adapted EnerPhit to the local climatic and cultural conditions of the Mediterranean, focusing on passive solutions as cross night ventilation, external shadings and thermal inertia.
Likewise, a home automation system is monitoring the real energy consumption of the building, inhabited by a family of 4, and in optimizing the functioning of passive and active components to reduce energy consumption. The Passivhaus Institute is monitoring active components in the building so to understand and to verify how the real operation of certified components are performing under the Mediterranean climate. According to the monitoring data, we are learning that the theoretical calculated values are coinciding with the reality of the actual use of the building. Currently, buildings obtain sustainable certifications focusing on active facilities (geothermal, efficient heat pumps etc). ShowPass wants to demonstrate that it is possible to reach the same levels of comfort and energy performance through proper architectural solutions.
In the context of Mediterranean climate, where existing building stock are characterized by low performance in terms of energy, ShowPass wants to raise awareness about the relevance of adequate retrofitting. This should happened not only based on aesthetical criteria, but also taking into consideration the energy components of the building.
In addition, ShowPass is certified with the EnerPhit seal. It is an internationally recognized protocol to reach an optimal cost rehabilitation in the life cycle (20 years active installations and 50 years passive elements). We adapted EnerPhit to the local climatic and cultural conditions of the Mediterranean, focusing on passive solutions as cross night ventilation, external shadings and thermal inertia.
Likewise, a home automation system is monitoring the real energy consumption of the building, inhabited by a family of 4, and in optimizing the functioning of passive and active components to reduce energy consumption. The Passivhaus Institute is monitoring active components in the building so to understand and to verify how the real operation of certified components are performing under the Mediterranean climate. According to the monitoring data, we are learning that the theoretical calculated values are coinciding with the reality of the actual use of the building. Currently, buildings obtain sustainable certifications focusing on active facilities (geothermal, efficient heat pumps etc). ShowPass wants to demonstrate that it is possible to reach the same levels of comfort and energy performance through proper architectural solutions.
In the context of Mediterranean climate, where existing building stock are characterized by low performance in terms of energy, ShowPass wants to raise awareness about the relevance of adequate retrofitting. This should happened not only based on aesthetical criteria, but also taking into consideration the energy components of the building.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
ShowPass is an open showroom for homeowners interested in energy retrofit of their buildings. Most people don’t know how to tackle this kind of works, as we are not dealing of buying an industrial product by Amazon. Renovation of existing housing are a tailored design, adapted to the specificities of the building and the users need. There are almost no examples of sustainable renovation of dwellings in Spain. Homeowners can investigate through publications, but it’s not the same as visiting real examples. ShowPass is not a showroom without real occupants, opening to sell products. The project has been designed to share real experience of retrofitting a dwelling as an answer to climate challenges and comfort and health improvement. The project focused on respecting the original aesthetic of the existing housings in the Mediterranean. The street front has been renovated by restoring the original lime façade of the building. Natural lime and mineral glaze have been used, instead of an organic insulation etix-system. Urban aspects were prioritized without questioning the energetic and sustainable quality of the project. Mineral inside insulation has been installed in this façade, being able to manage humidity regulation at the ground floor. This is only one of the strategies executed. All of the are being explained whether during the visit (which last between 1-2 hours) or via videos uploaded to the official website (https://energiehaus.es/showpass/las-soluciones/). Several store windows give a look inside the construction section of walls and floors. Moreover, all products and solutions are presented in the technical space of the building, where visitors can touch and experience real solutions. Finally, this concept is being copied by some local companies, trying to attract clients and presenting materials and solutions in a real environment.
Key objectives for inclusion
ShowPass is a CO2-net zero retrofit that has been executed by a local constructor with a limited budget. Traditional materials, e.g. natural lime mortar have been used to show that this kind of materials are compatible with high energy standards.
The costs of the renovation are shared with the visitors, explaining the unique opportunity to take advantage of European funds (Next Generation), which in this case have financed most part of the additional costs. The showroom is accessible for all kind of public. We are continuously participating (twice in 2022+2023) in the Barcelona 48h Open House event, open to the public in general. In each of these events, we have about 400 visitors per day. The municipality of Barcelona has understood the interest of the project and also included it into their promotional open days they are organizing, e.g. Innova Week in November 2023 (https://bithabitat.barcelona/projectes/innovaweek23/) where initiatives are being visited
prioritizing urban innovation that are developed and promoted from the city hand in hand with its innovative ecosystem. ShowPass therefore is a private initiative that easily could be implemented also in other cities in Europe, hence it assures benefits both for the initiators (higher visibility of their services) and the public in general (learning how to appropriately retrofit in the context of energy emergency).
The costs of the renovation are shared with the visitors, explaining the unique opportunity to take advantage of European funds (Next Generation), which in this case have financed most part of the additional costs. The showroom is accessible for all kind of public. We are continuously participating (twice in 2022+2023) in the Barcelona 48h Open House event, open to the public in general. In each of these events, we have about 400 visitors per day. The municipality of Barcelona has understood the interest of the project and also included it into their promotional open days they are organizing, e.g. Innova Week in November 2023 (https://bithabitat.barcelona/projectes/innovaweek23/) where initiatives are being visited
prioritizing urban innovation that are developed and promoted from the city hand in hand with its innovative ecosystem. ShowPass therefore is a private initiative that easily could be implemented also in other cities in Europe, hence it assures benefits both for the initiators (higher visibility of their services) and the public in general (learning how to appropriately retrofit in the context of energy emergency).
Results in relation to category
More than 1000 persons reached physically (besides the visitors on our website) on a local and regional level, to convince about the feasibility of retrofitting houses with high energy and sustainable level.
Teaching the Municipality of Barcelona (both technicians and politicians) how to drive the existing building stock toward their own targets regarding climate change.
Spread out the benefits and opportunities of energy retrofits toward the experts of the construction sector. In 2023, ShowPass has been awarded with the “Premi Catalunya Construcción (Catalonia Construction Prize) in the category of energy retrofit. This prize is very prestigious between architects and engineers in Catalonia and makes these kind of projects more visible.
Indirect beneficiaries could be projects replicating our concept. In fact (as an example), the building constructor of ShowPass already copied our concept. He constructed a passive house (under certification process currently) for own use, which is supposed to open as a showroom for local interested people in energy renovation (https://gaiahouse.es/showroom/).
Teaching the Municipality of Barcelona (both technicians and politicians) how to drive the existing building stock toward their own targets regarding climate change.
Spread out the benefits and opportunities of energy retrofits toward the experts of the construction sector. In 2023, ShowPass has been awarded with the “Premi Catalunya Construcción (Catalonia Construction Prize) in the category of energy retrofit. This prize is very prestigious between architects and engineers in Catalonia and makes these kind of projects more visible.
Indirect beneficiaries could be projects replicating our concept. In fact (as an example), the building constructor of ShowPass already copied our concept. He constructed a passive house (under certification process currently) for own use, which is supposed to open as a showroom for local interested people in energy renovation (https://gaiahouse.es/showroom/).
How Citizens benefit
More than 1000 citizens have visited ShowPass project since June 2022. This shows the enormous interest of society in general, regarding the energy retrofit of the building stock. Visitors don’t have concrete ideas about how to tackle energy retrofit of their dwellings. They usually ask building contractors or friends about improving their home, who very seldom have the knowledge about the correct way to renovate buildings, and even less how to give answers to the climate challenges we are facing. ShowPass offers therefore real solutions and strategies for a growing sector of homeowners who are not only looking for more comfort, but also want to adapt their way of living according to the actual challenges. It is an example which easily could be copied in other cities by similar experts in the construction sector. Several politicians of the city council have visited the project (e.g. the actual mayor of the city, Jaume Collboni) to understand that CO2-net zero retrofit is feasible. Thanks to the projects interest and potential, we have been asked to participate in a project proposal in the frame of EUI Call for Proposals 2023 in support to the New European Bauhaus demonstrators, led by the Barcelona City Council. The aim of the project is “Near & Inclusive Urban rehousing”. ShowPass experience should enrich the project proposal.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
As mentioned before, ShowPass is combining very high energy efficiency with reduction of environmental impact of the building materials, to reach CO2-net zero certification in the retrofit sector. The project shows that it’s possible to retrofit buildings toward CO2 zero, both on a technical and economical level. ShowPass has been developed in the frame of energy emergency declaration of Barcelona city council. The results of the project are not only for experts, but also transmitted to the wide public in general.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
Besides the cultural level of the project (transfer of knowledge to the end user), ShowPass is based technically both on energy efficiency and sustainable architecture. Energy efficiency is the core driver for reducing CO2 emissions and other relevant environmental indicators. As attached in this application, the main percentage of CO2 savings are due to energy saving measures during the operational phase of the building life cycle. Energy efficiency is rarely used in renovation of housings in the Mediterranean, even if this region has very high energy consumptions in the building sector. Also energy poverty is relatively high in this region, because of th every poor thermal quality of the buildings. ShowPass aims at showing that energy efficiency is a must for the renovation. The building has been therefore certified by the most demanding label: EnerPhit Step by Step. On the second hand, the project wants to raise public awareness regarding the importance of building materials in terms of sustainability. Therefore, the project has been audited by Ecómetro, so to reduce CO2 overall emissions (and other relevant indicators), reducing the equivalent CO2 emissions down to 51 Tons (=347 kgCO2eq/m2). This is a very low value. The project has compensated these 51 To by acquiring the equivalent rights for CO2 emissions, so the building reached the CO2-net zero certification. These very low CO2 emissions only have been possible due to the high energy efficiency of the building. This outcome has shed new light on the connection between energy efficiency and decarbonization in the Mediterranean region. CO2 net zero buildings are the future target all over Europe. We have to consider that pilot projects as ShowPass not only trigger energy retrofit an a local level, but also offer learning lessons to the experts (architects, engineers, energy consultor etc).
Methodology used
ShowPass is based on a private initiative, being aware of the urgency to act in the panorama of energy emergency (https://www.barcelona.cat/emergenciaclimatica/es). We looked for a family which is accepting to live in a dwelling that opens its doors periodically to the wide public. Also we contacted the municipality through the department of Barcelona Sostenible, to get their support for the diffusion of the project. On the private level, we included at an early stage both Passive House Institut and Ecómetro Association, to guarantee the high technical level of the retrofit. Together with our experience as architects in the field of sustainable design, ShowPass reached the initial targets, maintaining the initial budget of the project. Once the project inaugurated in Summer 2022, we continuously participate in external activities of the city council or national ones (e.g. “puertas abiertas la Plataforma Passivhaus”), or directly invite actors to monthly organized open doors.
How stakeholders are engaged
ShowPass is a private initiative, with the support of private and public entities. Besides the collaboration with the municipality of Barcelona, also regional entities of public interest have been engaged in the implementation of the project (https://energiehaus.es/showpass/colaboradores/):
- Tecno Campus de la Universidad Pempeu Fabre: Students of the university have participate in the creation of video contents for the project
- Deià: Escola d’Art i Disseny del Consporci d’Educació: Students of the university have participate in the creation of animated content for the project.
- Cooperativa Somenergia: National operator offering electricity based on 100% renewable energies. ShowPass is purchasing the energy from Somenergia,
- Asociación Ecómetro: acting at national level, offering the CO2 net zero labeling as an alternative to more common sustainable certification systems (LEED etc.). Ecómetro is focusing on life cycle analysis and improvement.
Moreover, the Passivhaus Institut (PHI) as an international operating actor is participating in the project actively. PHI is testing a certified ventilation unit in real conditions of the Mediterranean. The aim of this investigation project is to see how highly efficient building components are performing in real conditions, and to learn about this for future component certifications. Just to remind: the building has been certified also with the EnerPhit Step by Step seal. This seal aims at developing the energy-efficient renovation of buildings with affordable costs for the end user. Certified components of the building are crucial to create a reliable offer of products with high performance, but also reducing the cost of the products.
- Tecno Campus de la Universidad Pempeu Fabre: Students of the university have participate in the creation of video contents for the project
- Deià: Escola d’Art i Disseny del Consporci d’Educació: Students of the university have participate in the creation of animated content for the project.
- Cooperativa Somenergia: National operator offering electricity based on 100% renewable energies. ShowPass is purchasing the energy from Somenergia,
- Asociación Ecómetro: acting at national level, offering the CO2 net zero labeling as an alternative to more common sustainable certification systems (LEED etc.). Ecómetro is focusing on life cycle analysis and improvement.
Moreover, the Passivhaus Institut (PHI) as an international operating actor is participating in the project actively. PHI is testing a certified ventilation unit in real conditions of the Mediterranean. The aim of this investigation project is to see how highly efficient building components are performing in real conditions, and to learn about this for future component certifications. Just to remind: the building has been certified also with the EnerPhit Step by Step seal. This seal aims at developing the energy-efficient renovation of buildings with affordable costs for the end user. Certified components of the building are crucial to create a reliable offer of products with high performance, but also reducing the cost of the products.
Global challenges
Climate change due to an intense energy usage in the building sector (supposed to be one third of all energy consumptions worldwide) is one of the main threats of our generation. Politicians have to define radical targets to fight against climate change. Private actions like ShowPass can help to tackle these challenges. Local solutions are commonly easier and faster to realize. ShowPass can easily be replicable in other regions, ideally based on public subsidies so not to loose time for reaching the European climate targets in 2030 and 2050.
Learning transferred to other parties
Both methodology and technology of the project can be replicated easily in other places in Europe. It would be necessary to find convinced actors to retrofit dwellings, based on high sustainable criteria, and to open the building in the usage phase to the wide public. The European subsidies are a perfect driver to do this even without any additional costs because such projects not only are advantageous for the public in general, but also for the project developer. Ideally, a team of experts would be the base for such a project. The team could be composed by architects, engineers, project developer, universities, public administration etc.
Beneficiaries would be the public in general. There is a huge need for energy retrofit in Europe, not only in the southern parts of the continent. Less than 1% of the dwellings are really retrofitted per year in an adequate manner. The uncertainty of the end-user about how to perform complex renovations is well known, and the spectacular success of ShowPass during the visits reflect the need for such educational projects.
Beneficiaries would be the public in general. There is a huge need for energy retrofit in Europe, not only in the southern parts of the continent. Less than 1% of the dwellings are really retrofitted per year in an adequate manner. The uncertainty of the end-user about how to perform complex renovations is well known, and the spectacular success of ShowPass during the visits reflect the need for such educational projects.
Keywords
Decarbonize the building stock is possible anywhere in Europe
Involve citizens to climate actions
Energy retrofit of dwellings are also an esthetical opportunity
Individuals can contribute in the context of climate emergency
Energy retrofit are economicaly feasible with the EU policy
