Technical Portal for Sustainable Architecture
Active Architecture and Environmental Sustainability
The building envelope as an urban lung: beyond energy efficiency.
The construction sector is responsible for 40% of global energy consumption and 30% of CO2 emissions. At VM Group, we are responding to this climate emergency by transforming the building envelope from a passive barrier to a bioactive surface capable of interacting with the environment and purifying the air.
Photoactive Ventilated Facades: Bioactive Technology
A sintered surface for the health of people and the city.
Photoactive facade technology is based on the integration of titanium dioxide (TiO2) onto the ceramic surface through a sintering process at extremely high temperatures. This treatment is not a simple surface coating, but a permanent molecular transformation that activates photocatalysis.
Exposed to sunlight, the surface produces active oxygen, triggering a natural reaction that neutralizes air pollutants, inhibits the growth of bacteria and mold, and decomposes dirt particles.
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Certified Durability: Titanium dioxide acts as a catalyst and is not consumed by the reaction. Accelerated aging tests guarantee the system's effectiveness for over 50 years, maintaining its bioactive performance throughout the building's life cycle.
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Asset Enhancement: The adoption of next-generation materials not only meets ethical criteria but also significantly increases the property's market value, aligning it with the highest international sustainable construction standards.
Digital Engineering: Laser Scanner Surveying
"Precision is the foundation of sustainability. There can be no efficiency without an exact mapping of reality."
Every VM Group project is preceded by a 3D laser scanner survey.
This technology allows us to map the existing structure with millimeter tolerances, generating a very high-density "point cloud."
This digital foundation is essential for the design of photoactive facades, as it ensures that each module is manufactured and installed with such precision as to optimize exposure to light and, consequently, maximize the performance of the photocatalytic process.
Smart enclosures: maximum performance, zero maintenance.
Extruded ceramic with Hytect treatment represents the perfect blend of cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness. This self-cleaning solution preserves the building's visual integrity over time, transforming the façade into an active and sustainable organism.
Investing in a façade with Hytect technology means guaranteeing a building's impeccable aesthetics and unparalleled structural resistance. In the long run, reduced maintenance costs translate into a tangible increase in the property's asset value: a facade that stays clean is a facade that never ages.
The secret lies in the very nature of the material. Unlike traditional coatings, where humidity and rain accelerate degradation, Hytect surfaces exploit the elements to their advantage. Through the process of photocatalysis, the interaction between light and titanium dioxide generates active oxygen, creating a hydrophilic surface that prevents the growth of moss, algae, and fungi.
The system's competitive advantages:
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Natural Self-Cleaning: Rainwater doesn't simply roll off, but dislodges dirt particles, carrying them with it, eliminating the need for professional cleaning.
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Extreme Resistance: Designed to withstand frost, wind, and harsh weather, these panels are virtually unalterable, ensuring extremely long life cycles without the need for renovation.
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Design Flexibility: Ease of installation and seamless integration with various types of insulation make these systems the ideal choice for those seeking maximum economic efficiency and minimal environmental impact.
1 SELF-CLEANING
Technical Description
The surface becomes hydrophilic; rain forms a uniform film that dislodges and removes organic dirt and grease.
Real Impact
Drastically reduced maintenance costs and always perfect facades.
2 PURIFIED AIR
Technical Description
The photocatalytic reaction transforms pollutants (NOx, SOx) into harmless mineral salts.
Real Impact
Constant purification of the air breathed in surrounding areas.
3 ANTIBACTERIAL
Technical Description
Certified inhibition of mold, bacteria, and fungi growth, even in shaded areas.
Real Impact
Healthy surfaces and neutralization of environmental formaldehyde.
4 ANTI-ODOR
Technical Description
The decomposition of organic substances eliminates unpleasant odors caused by bacterial processes.
Real Impact
Improves the quality of urban life, even in the absence of direct light.
5 FOREST EFFECT
Technical Description
Comparative Performance: 1,000 m² of façade purifies the air as much as a forest of 80 trees.
Real Impact
The building becomes an active lung that offsets its carbon footprint.
6 ELIMINATION OF NITROGEN OXIDES
Technical Description
1,000 m² of façade annually neutralizes the nitrogen oxides produced by 10,000 km of driving.
Real Impact
A tangible contribution to the decarbonization of densely congested urban centers.
