Publication date: 19.11.2024
The urgency to address energy inefficiency in buildings across Portugal has made the development of innovative and efficient solutions imperative. These solutions must focus on improving thermal performance while being rapidly deployable, cost-effective, and applicable without requiring residents to relocate—an essential factor in a country with an aging housing stock.
CANDIWALL System by Candigrés
Located to the west of Monsanto Park, Bairro da Boavista is a social housing neighborhood originally built by the Lisbon City Council in the 1940s. The rehabilitation project by ORANGE arquitectura, which applied the CANDIWALL solution to the facades, is part of a broader regeneration program for the entire neighborhood.
Energy efficiency in Portugal's housing stock has been a major concern in the context of energy poverty—a reality affecting millions of citizens. In 2022, 17.5% of Portuguese residents still lived in conditions inadequate for heating their homes, with particularly vulnerable groups, such as elderly individuals living alone, being most affected. This issue is directly linked to the state of building conservation and the energy performance of facades, highlighting the need for innovative and efficient cladding solutions to enhance thermal insulation. As part of the National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030, the long-term strategy to combat energy poverty aims to drastically reduce the number of affected individuals by 2050, emphasizing the urgency of rethinking materials and methods used in the construction and renovation of buildings in Portugal.
The necessity to address energy deficiencies in Portuguese buildings calls for the development of high-performance, cost-effective thermal insulation solutions that can be implemented swiftly, particularly in an aging housing market. Developed by Candigrés, the CANDIWALL System provides an effective solution to facade insulation challenges, significantly reducing energy consumption in residential buildings. This high-performance ceramic system is especially relevant in the rehabilitation of existing buildings, where energy inefficiency is often most pronounced.
Promoted by Lisbon City Council, the rehabilitation of Escola Básica Jorge Barradas included not only improvements in thermal performance but also structural reinforcement and expansion of the existing building, incorporating a kindergarten.
Utilizing high-quality ceramic panels for thermal facade insulation, the CANDIWALL System—an External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS)—also offers an aesthetically refined finish with Klinker Face à Vista tiles. This finish replicates the appearance of exposed brick while providing superior durability and requiring no maintenance. Applied externally, the system completely covers walls, eliminating thermal bridges and increasing the waterproofing of facades, thereby preventing humidity issues related to condensation. These advantages, combined with its swift application, make it ideal for both renovation projects and new constructions.
The application of the White Prestige Klinker Plaquette finish from the CANDIWALL System in a residence in Aveiro, designed by OITOEMPONTO, adds texture to the facade of this new construction.
By consuming fewer natural resources during production, the system significantly reduces its carbon footprint compared to traditional construction methods. Additionally, its lightweight design and ease of installation translate into substantial savings in transportation and labor costs. In new buildings, external insulation maximizes the interior usable space while ensuring superior thermal performance. For renovation projects, it preserves the building’s original aesthetic without compromising its architectural character.
The CANDIWALL System embodies the pioneering spirit of Candigrés, founded in 1997 in the Bairrada region, renowned for producing high-quality ceramic stoneware. Standing out for its innovation and ability to develop tailor-made solutions, Candigrés offers durable products, including the CANDIWALL System, which has been certified in multiple countries, including Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. This reflects the company's commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability in the built environment.