Case Study: nZEC - New construction of 43 dwellings in Via Gentile da Fabriano, Pisa, Italy

Short Description

The entire complex was designed according to bioclimatic architectural principles. The building is oriented with the longitudinal dimension along the East-West axis and offers continuous façade exposed to South free of obstacles; this allows residents to take full advantage of the sun, either during the warm months or the cold ones. The apartments are oriented with the sleeping area to the North and the living area to the South and large windows overlooking the balcony that runs along the longitudinal development of the building.

Sliding sunshade systems adjustable by the occupants have been installed along the balconies in order to protect the façade from recessive solar exposition in summer. The supporting structure, in ordinary masonry, presents in the foundation seismic plates studied in collaboration with the University of Pisa.
The heating system is centralized and it is composed by three condensing boilers and a solar system that covers 70% of the domestic hot water needs. The distribution system is made of radiant panels. This has allowed achieving a consumption of 21.23 kWh / sqm per year.

The urban context of which the building is part, is a neighbourhood intended for social housing that has always been lacking services for the residents. The main concern was with the design of a large green area to address this deficiency. The area is subject to the construction of other social housing dwellings following the same planning criteria, some of which have already been delivered to tenants.

Key Elements

Project Management

Objective 1) Raise awareness in the users to the responsible use of the system:

Actions taken:

• Distribution of leaflets for the proper and ideal use of plants to limit consumption.
• Creating a forum through direct lines, meetings, and online platforms with similar goals.
• Organization of meetings and thematic days on the behaviour aimed at energy savings.

Objective 2) Evaluate any discrepancies between the project and the set in motion of the system aimed at the correction of "errors" on the use and planning:

Actions taken:

• Monitoring water consumption and heating for the first 6 at the end of which there will be a draft report.
• Distribution to users of questionnaires designed to assess the degree of user satisfaction with the efficiency of the system and the energy savings achieved.
  
  
  

Work with Residents

Awareness campaigns will be carried out during the project through regular meetings on energy conservation, recycling and the use of energy and renewable resources.

Apes will be responsible for providing support to users by explaining the use of the heating system in an optimal manner aimed at energy saving. Such service, will be either for the individual household or for groups of users.

Main Results

Lessons learned

Additional Information

Ms Anna Maria Pozzo
Federcasa - The Italian Federation of Public Housing Providers
E-mail: a.pozzo@federcasa.it
Web: www.federcasa.it