Madrid, España - 2003

Status: Existing

Arroyo Bodon, a sustainable cooperative housing, emerged in 2003, in the town of Tres Cantos, thanks to the concerns of a group of local youths, to promote the construction of a residential building with sustainability criteria and energy efficient. 

Consisting of 80 resource-efficient apartments, Arroyo Bodonal was begun 13 years ago and is now inhabited by 225 people, mostly in the 33 to 43 age bracket, who have paid between €127,000 and €350,000 for a home there.

The design of the 80 apartments was inspired by the zero energy consumption guidelines advocated by the EU, which will be obligatory in all new buildings by 2020, meaning it has no diesel or gas boilers or air conditioning units or radiators. Instead, they have ventilated façades, double insulation and energy efficient glass, under-floor heating and cooling, along with automatic ventilation systems. Each home is also equipped with energy efficient household appliances, as well as bi-thermal washing machines and dishwashers. Lifts generate energy as they descend, which is stored to help power their ascent. The garage is equipped with recharging points for electric cars, while the complex also collects rainwater as well as reusing water from showers and wash basins for lavatories.

That is the only residential complex in Europe to be given an LEED Platinum certificate, one of the most prestigious sustainable building certifications in the world.