05/06/2019
By offering sustainable solutions for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly construction Sika meets important requirements of urban construction projects. One example is the new cultural center in Athens where Sika helped to meet higher environmental standards.
Thousands of trees and bushes grow in the park of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, while the buildings have green roofs or photovoltaic installations to deliver renewable energy. The complex, which has been designed by acclaimed architect Renzo Piano and is home to the new Greek National Opera and National Library of Greece, is a clear illustration of the contribution that sustainable construction can make to quality of life in cities.
SUSTAINABILITY FROM THE BOTTOM UP
The Cultural Center meets the strictest environmental standards and has become the first European cultural building of its size to earn LEED Platinum Certification. The materials chosen Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens combine with engineering innovations to ensure maximum energy efficiency and economic use of water. However, it takes more than that to make the top grade in environmental building. Sustainability has to be factored in right from the planning stage and all through construction; in other words, it’s in the Cultural Center’s DNA.Cultural Center Athens
More Value - Less Impact
Locally produced products
Sika produced the concrete admixtures and energy efficiency mortars used in the project locally, thereby reducing the environmental impact of transportation.
Energy Efficiency
The reflective Sikalastic® liquid applied membrane system was used on the opera house roof to improve the efficiency of the photovoltaic installations. The complex’s extensive green roofs were lined with Sika roofing membranes.
Indoor air quality
Harmful emissions from volatile organic compounds (VOC) were avoided by using Sikafloor® floor coverings, Sikabond®, and Sikaflex® sealants and adhesives.
FEWER EMISSIONS THANKS TO SIKA
This is why Sika has been involved in this major project and proposing solutions for it right from the beginning. The Sika products impressed the client, and were used for everything from waterproofing the foundations to the roof installations. They increase energy efficiency, guarantee outstanding air quality inside the building, shorten transportation routes, and thus improve the building’s whole environmental footprint.
"Through its products, systems, and solutions, Sika strives to create long-term benefits and added value for all its stakeholders, and to significantly reduce resource consumption and the impacts associated with production processes." Mark Schneider, Head Global Product Sustainability, Sika Technology AG