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Since its origins over 600 years ago, the Foundation’s social and humanist values have guided the organization’s work to promote health, science and medical services accessible to all. In the 20th Century, these same values have served as a framework for the sustainable restoration of former hospital buildings.
Sant Pau is the first site outside the United States to receive LEED Neighborhood Development certification. The project includes the integral rehabilitation and adaptation of buildings and outdoor spaces at the Art Nouveau Site.
Some of the most important aspects are:
- Adaptation of the space for new uses.
- Recovery of the "garden city" concept from the original project.
- Reduction of vehicle access, to improve environmental conditions for plants, increase biodiversity and enhance the visitors' experience.
- Replacement of the original pavement with a stone patio covering, in order to improve the comfort of pedestrians and avoid erosion, taking into consideration the strong slope of outdoor space.
- Restoration of all ornamental elements.
- Restoration of pavements, retaining walls, skylights, railings, streetlights, etc.
- Adaptation of the space with the necessary railings and fences following the same art nouveau ("modernist") language, while using new materials.
- Provision of street furniture.
- Lighting adapted to new technologies to reduce consumption and light pollution.
The project incorporated many additional eco-friendly and energy efficiency measures:
- Conservation of most of the original trees on site (80%) and recovery of aromatic and medicinal plants.
- Planting a unique grass in specific areas, chosen for its low watering requirements and its ability to hibernate during the colder months.
- Planting of Mediterranean vegetation with low water demands.
- A continuous irrigation system to prevent spraying and improve efficiency.
- Optimization of water consumption as a result of the use of 2 groundwater wells more than 130 meters deep, which supply irrigation water for outdoor gardens when available.
- Use of Juneda stone with a low solar reflectance index, avoiding the heat island effect.
- Bicycle parking to encourage the use of non-polluting means of transport.
- Prohibition of the entry of vehicles into the complex.
- LED lighting with centralized management and control system.
Other sustainability achievements are:
o Water savings in use
o Minimization of construction waste
o Development density and community connectivity
o Alternative transportation: low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles