VAILOG ORBASSANO (TO), PIEDMONT

Zero Carbon Logistics: a state-of-the-art logistics building near Turin

The project carried out for Vailog in Orbassano (TO) represents a virtuous example of how sustainability and innovation can reconcile with the construction sector.

The building, which consists of a 36,305 sqm logistics warehouse, will pursue BREEAM International New Construction by BRE certification and, first in Italy, Zero Carbon certification by International Living Future Institute. To confirm the high performance quality of the building, both in the design and construction phases, cutting-edge solutions have been adopted, such as the use of low carbon foundations and industrial flooring, with the use of class III/B and III/A cement and addition of recycled aggregates, which allowed savings of 30% and 25% compared to traditional mixtures and a significant reduction in emissions compared to benchmark values, in addition to the use of water recovery systems rainwater, the installation of a 1 MWp photovoltaic system and the creation of a drainage trench with a capacity of 10,000 m³ of rainwater, to obtain hydraulic stability. A hydronic HVAC system based on multipurpose heat pumps and air handling units was also installed and 4-pipe fan-coils were set up to increase the energy efficiency of the building and, therefore, reduce its environmental impact in use.

In addition to the commitment in terms of carbon reduction and compensation (GSE committed not to produce more than 500 kg per sqm of CO² for the construction of the building), great attention has also been paid to landscape integration: 7 hectares of green spaces have been redeveloped, including private and public areas, with the planting of over 500 new trees chosen from local species. Thanks to a careful monitoring of CO² emissions in the procurement and construction phases, with the use of products equipped with an EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) sheet, the objective of reducing and offsetting the carbon footprint has been achieved.