VIA ÁGORA Valdebebas: a blend of industrialisation, efficiency and design,
Madrid,
Spain

The development stands out for its use of Lignum Tech’s prefabricated cladding and staircases, as well as prefabricated bathrooms. VÍA ÁGORA is fully committed to the implementation of industrialised systems. Rosa Peña, VÍA ÁGORA’s Chief Operating Officer, explains that “we believe that industrialisation is the answer to many of the major challenges facing the property sector, such as the labour shortage or the rising cost of materials, amongst many others. Our commitment is unwavering, which is why we created Lignum Tech, the group’s most technologically advanced company, which manufactures industrialised components using materials with a low carbon footprint, such as wood.

“Industrialisation will continue to feature in VÍA ÁGORA’s future projects, as this is a commitment we have made to industry and society.” A focus on industrialisation in components such as façades and bathrooms, the benefits of which, according to Rosa Peña, “have led to shorter construction times, reduced waste and higher quality, as these components are manufactured in a factory”.

Regarding Uponor’s involvement in the project, Rosa Peña comments that “Uponor provides design advice and works closely with the building services engineers; during the construction phase, they are on hand to actively monitor the work, which ensures the quality of the installation. They are always present during commissioning in case any issues arise, and at the handover of the homes—which is the most important moment for us—they help us by delivering training sessions to explain to the client how their installation works and how to manage it for optimal comfort and energy efficiency.”

The industrialisation of bathrooms and its benefits 
 

The collaboration between VÍA ÁGORA and Uponor has been particularly crucial in the manufacture of the bathrooms. Rosa Peña explains that “the prefabrication of bathrooms involves manufacturing them in advance in a controlled factory environment, so that once they are ready, they can be transported to the development site and assembled quickly. The prefabricated bathrooms are hoisted to the relevant floor once the building’s structure is complete and before the façade is installed, and are moved into position, levelled to the final floor level of the property using adjustable supports.  Subsequently, the plumbing, drainage, electrical and ventilation systems are connected to those of the property. The final step is to carry out a quality control check, both by the bathroom manufacturer and the construction company.”

Shorter lead times, higher quality standards, reduced costs, a lower carbon footprint and minimised occupational risks – in addition to these benefits, industrialisation facilitates the integration of women and young people into the construction sector. Rosa Peña explains that “we have just won the ‘ASPRIMA Award’ at Lignum Tech for the best training initiative with ‘Women Build’. We have brought in a team of women at our bathroom factory whom we have trained for this task. Installing the Uponor system has been particularly straightforward and very easy to learn”.