Energy efficiency in the residential market and implications for architecture education in Spain

Abstract

In this article, the authors have summarised the main findings of an empirical programme aimed at exploring the relevance of energy efficiency, as measured by the energy performance certificates (EPCs), in the Spanish housing market. The conclusions drawn from hedonic models, choice experiments, in depth interviews with housing experts and surveys of real estate agents were to provide the main implications for architecture education. The results suggest that despite directives to promote energy-efficient buildings, the impact on housing is far from effective. Furthermore, the way such directives have been implemented in Spain has led to the banalisation of the policy and even its incorrect comprehension. Architects can play a paramount role in the promotion of efficient homes, not only from the technical and design perspective, but also in acting as energy experts assessing both developers and final users on the benefits of energy efficiency on health, economy and comfort. This challenge requires a reconsideration of how architects are trained, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.