The new building was conceived by a multidisciplinary team, directed by Mr. Jesus Mª Susperregui, director of ACXT (the architecture firm of IDOM group). The idea used has implied an essential qualitative leap in terms of energy efficiency, internal comfort and water saving. Over 500 professionals are working in it right now. The new corporate office in Madrid was conceived with a clear aim: to host the activity of the company, represent it and to become its true “calling card”.
The building was designed, from the very beginning, in a multidisciplinary environment, where architects and engineers have both shared decisions on architecture, building services and energy and communication systems. In this sense, the quest for solutions that would overcome the traditional salubriousness and comfort conflicts typical of tertiary sector buildings has been a fixed objective throughout the whole creation process. A salubrious and domestic atmosphere was thought of for a space destined for work.
The building services have been planned seeking to maximize energy efficiency following a sustainable strategy. The building envelope includes a series of engineered elements focused on minimizing the building’s energy consumption. Its orientation, optimization of openings, high thermal insulation, high performance window panes, exceptional sun protection and double green skin both on the façade and on the roof are some of the features that follow this line of action.
The main HVAC system is the structure itself for the building has an active structure (TABS: Thermally Activated Building System). This system, never before used in Spain, is combined with an evaporative night cooling and offers important advantages against traditional HVAC systems, significantly reducing consumption (saving 75% of the overall energy) and considerably improving the comfort of its occupants. Natural ventilation through interior communication atriums that function as chimneys can even override mechanical ventilation when the weather conditions are suitable. The ventilation ducts are made of fabric, which can be easily cleaned, thus guaranteeing a high level of salubriousness to its occupants.
Water management is also naturally incorporated into the building’s routine. 100% of rain water is collected and used in the watering system, in the treatment and use of sanitary water and in the structure’s evaporative cooling system.
Diversification and internationalization
Founded in 1957 by engineer Mr. Rafael Escolá, IDOM today is a multidisciplinary company, made up by 2,500 professionals, distributed among thirty offices, half of them abroad. Although the company started as an industrial engineering company, it presently carries out its activity in a wide range of specialities and with a very clear focus on technological innovation, offering a diversity of professional services. Its activity covers three main branches: engineering, architecture and consultancy. Combining teams from all technical fields, it is possible to take on projects of great complexity, a characteristic that defines the potential of the firm. On the other hand, the turnkey services are also worth highlighting. Through these, projects with a strong industrial component are undertaken, from their conception until they are ready to go online.
Over 2011, the business figure of IDOM reached 300 million Euros. For some years now, IDOM has set itself demanding objectives of expansion and internationalization; apart from the offices in Spain (Madrid, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Aragon, Galicia, Valencia, Murcia, the Canary and Balearic Islands, Navarre and Andalusia), it has offices in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, USA, UAE, Morocco, Mexico Poland, Portugal, UK and Rumania. Its turnover due to international business accounts for over 60% of the group’s total revenue.
Emblematic projects
In the past few years, IDOM has played a very relevant role in the development of projects in strategic sectors with a need for professional value-added engineering services, both nationwide as well as abroad. Its size and multidisciplinary know-how allows it to tackle macro-engineering projects with a high degree of technical difficulty and complex system integration.
For example, we can mention: the design of various telescopes in Europe and America (European Extremely Large Telescope E-ELT, the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope ATST in Hawaii); projects and site supervision of high-speed railway works (ADIF); high-speed railway network in Poland; the improvement of archaeological sites in Egypt; motorways and dual carriageways (Ministry of Public Works, Gisa); underground systems (Seville, Barcelona, Porto, Ho Chi Minh, Medellin, Constantin); the hydro-wind power plant in Gorona del Viento (Island of El Hierro); combined cycle power plants (Mexico, Ireland, Russia, Latvia, Dubai); thermo solar power plants (engineering design and turnkey services); participation in the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor); iron and steel plants all over the world (UK, Malaysia, Bolivia); nuclear engineering (extension of useful lifespan and design modification in all Spanish nuclear power plants); petrochemical plants (refinery in Talara, Peru); town planning and land management consultancy (London, Saudi Arabia); the architectonic design of CEIBS business school (China); the university campus in Misratah (Libya); a convention centre in Bilbao, hospitals in Spain and Central America, the new San Mames football stadium (Bilbao); the 112 emergencies management centre in Reus (Tarragona) and TACIS and PHARE programmes of the EU (Russia, Ukraine, Algeria), amongst others.