We are proud to announce, that the WOHO 5x Parla project in Madrid, Spain, a modular residential development, has achieved Ready designation for the Zero Carbon Certification™ and Zero Energy Certification™ program from Living Future®.
The 5x Parla is the first project in Europe to achieve this status.
Designed as a net-zero energy and carbon building, it combines modular prefabrication with advanced mechanical systems and carefully integrated passive design strategies to maximize energy efficiency. This approach is complemented by a deliberate selection of low-impact construction materials and the use of on-site renewable energy generated through photovoltaic systems. The building structure combines cross-laminated timber, which contributes to carbon sequestration, with concrete slabs and column reinforcements. This hybrid construction method significantly reduces the project’s embodied carbon while maintaining structural performance. Energy demand is minimized through the use of geothermal and air-source heat pumps, natural ventilation, and heat recovery systems. In addition, passive night cooling via exposed thermal mass and a high-performance façade further enhance the building’s efficiency, enabling it to achieve a net-zero energy and carbon balance.
This integrated design approach demonstrates how modular construction and climate-responsive engineering can come together to create scalable, future-oriented housing solutions with a minimal environmental footprint, setting a benchmark for sustainable urban development.