Spain’s Energy-Saving Ego Sport Center Supports a Healthy & Sustainable Lifestyle

The Ego Sport Center is a newly renovated energy-efficient building set on the southeast coast of Spain in Almería. The sports facility includes two swimming pools, workout rooms and rooftop sports courts, and it was designed by Spanish firm <a href="http://www.ferrerarquitectos.com/projects" target="_blank">Ferrer Arquitectos</a> and completed in 2013. The architects strived to limit the building's carbon footprint and operational costs by incorporating a range of water and energy efficiency strategies - read on for a closer look!

The new Ego Sport Center by <a href="http://www.ferrerarquitectos.com/projects" target="_blank">Ferrer Arquitectos</a> is a partial renovation of the pre-existing Ismael Moratón Sports Complex.

This facility used to house an indoor and outdoor pool used for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Games">Mediterranean Games</a>.

The indoor pool was retained and the rest was demolished to make way for a new recreational facility that includes cardio equipment, a work out room, a cafe, a shop, and rooftop sports courts.

The new L-shaped building is a two-story volume that sits at the corner of Avenida del Cabo de Gata and Calle Angel Jover.

The rooftop houses a variety of sports courts for handball, racquetball and soccer.

The previous facility spent a lot of money on energy use, so <a href="http://www.ferrerarquitectos.com/projects" target="_blank">Ferrer Arquitectos</a> designed the new center to be more efficient and make use of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-power/">solar power</a> for hot water heating.

The roof of the existing swimming pool is now covered in a solar thermal panels, which provide 80% of the hot water needed for the both the pools and the showers.

Looped lines provide hot water instantly and help reduce water usage. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/daylighting">Daylighting</a> is used extensively inside the facility to minimize the need for artificial lighting, while recessed windows minimize heat gain.

The white concrete facade and heavy insulation help reduce the need for air conditioning by 30%.

The new gym's careful design minimizes operational costs, while creating a public space for people to enjoy and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Skylights in the center of the building pull light into the heart of the gym.

The Ego Sport Center measures 13,554 sq meters.

Cross section of Ego Sport Center