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SIMA and BREEAM ES present SIMAlab

At the Madrid Real Estate Exhibition, BREEAM ES and SIMA presented for the first time a reproduction of a sustainable home, in an activity called SIMAlab. SIMAlab is an interactive and informative space, where the house was shown using specific examples on how sustainable construction is improving new homes.

Humans spend 90% of their time indoors, a fact that has an impact on their comfort, health and well-being. SIMAlab demonstrates how a building can at the same time respect the environment, and save energy and water, in addition to being enjoyable and healthy for its residents.

This initiative was showcased at the SIMA real estate event in Madrid. Three leading manufacturers of sustainable materials helped with the experiments: Grupo Presto Ibérica, Saint-Gobain and Siber.

Grupo Presto Ibérica, a Spanish manufacturer specialising in taps and water-saving technology, displayed two experiments specially designed for SIMAlab. The first one showed the noticeable difference, in terms of water consumption, between a water-efficient tap and a standard tap. The second experiment is about the significant energy savings achieved by the use of systems specially designed to save sanitary hot water, allowing its use only when water reaches the desired temperature.

The construction materials’ manufacturer and distributor, Saint-Gobain, simulated a house interior. The visitors were able to feel the thermal, acoustic and visual comfort through Saint-Gobain’s Building Glass, Isover, Placo and Weber solutions, which are able to keep both a comfortable temperature and a low energy consumption.

As specialists in smart ventilation, Siber focused on indoor air quality. They presented an experiment to show the medium and long-term impact on people’s health from stale or polluted air coming from the outside, especially in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. It also showed the impact of polluted air coming from the chemicals in paints, varnishes, glues, adhesives and some insulation used inside the home. Visitors were able to understand the significance of an appropriate air renovation, and the existence of mechanical ventilation systems for the house.

Each experiment was to able to show visitors how big an impact the construction of a home can have on your health and the environment around you, and the ability sustainable construction has in improving both.