The IDOM Madrid headquarters: even 15 years later, the innovative design of this building continues to be studied

More than fifteen years after its inauguration, IDOM’s Madrid headquarters continues to attract academic and professional interest as a pioneering example of sustainable architecture. On Thursday, January 29, we welcomed students from the Master’s Degree in Environment and Bioclimatic Architecture program at the Madrid School of Architecture. This program is a leader in Spain with more than two decades of experience in advanced sustainability and environmental design training.

The visit took the form of a theoretical-practical class taught by Antonio Villanueva, a MAYAB professor. The class included a presentation on the conceptual framework of near zero energy buildings (nZEB), a key typology in the European strategy for decarbonizing the building sector. nZEBs are defined by their extremely low energy consumption, which is largely covered by renewable sources. Their design incorporates efficiency strategies, advanced thermal insulation, and passive air conditioning solutions.

In this context, the IDOM Madrid building is one of the first in Spain to use structural thermal activation (STA) in an office building. This system uses the mass of concrete slabs to efficiently cool spaces through water circuits integrated into the structure. This takes advantage of the building’s thermal inertia, significantly reducing energy demand. TABS decouples energy production and demand by operating at lower temperatures, thereby improving indoor thermal comfort and reducing the building’s carbon footprint.

During the visit, students learned how it works firsthand, toured the technical rooms and roof, and saw the photovoltaic installation. They also participated in a final debate on the future of nearly zero-energy buildings.

Our headquarters continues to demonstrate the relevance and inspiration of transformative innovation for new generations of architects and sustainability specialists.

March 10, 2026