Alarife
The eight-floor Alarife apartment building is located in the heart of Loja, which is considered the music and cultural capital of Ecuador. Residents of the homes have easy access to nearby shopping centers, hospitals, hotels and office buildings. Each of the 16 two and three-bedroom apartments are also resource-efficient, providing a comfortable environment where residents can live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. With the building’s green features, residents can expect to save between 32 to 37 percent on their utility bills, depending on the type of unit.
Velsa Bauen Constructores, led by Pablo Vélez Salgado, is committed to the sustainable development of Loja. The company aims to create resource-efficient designs that improve the quality of life of its customers. Velsa Bauen Constructores believes that buildings should not only be comfortable and modern, but also green. Alarife has received a preliminary EDGE certificate from GBCI.
Predicted Savings of EDGE Certification
32%
Energy Savings*
40%
Water Savings
62%
Less Embodied Energy in Materials
Technical Solutions
Energy
Reduced window to wall ratio, reflective paint/tiles for the roof and external walls, insulation of external walls and energy-saving lighting.
Water
Low-flow showerheads and faucets and dual flush water closets.
Materials
In-situ waffle concrete slab for floor slabs and roof construction, medium weight hollow concrete blocks for internal and external walls and aluminum window frames.
*Part of the energy efficiency percentage may be associated with virtual energy for comfort depending on the presence of heating and cooling systems. Note that virtual energy does not contribute savings to utility bills.
EDGE is currently funded by the UK Government with original funding by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Additional support has been provided by Austria, Canada, Denmark, ESMAP, EU, Finland, GEF, Hungary and Japan.