Casa de la Vall modernized with smart automation, renewables and AV upgrade

The General Council has installed state-of-the-art home-automation and audiovisual systems at Casa de la Vall, aiming to modernize operations while preserving the historic seat of parliament. The upgrades are intended to improve energy efficiency, security, conservation and sustainability, and to bring the building’s facilities in line with 21st-century standards.

New building-automation systems provide centralized, intelligent control of lighting, HVAC and security. A network of high-precision sensors and advanced programming enables automatic adjustments of light and temperature based on actual space occupancy, solar radiation and external conditions. The automation is designed to optimize comfort for users and visitors while reducing energy consumption.

Casa de la Vall now operates on a hybrid renewable-energy model that combines on-site photovoltaic self-generation with certified green electricity supplied by FEDA under the Llum Verda label. Heating is supplied by FEDA Ecoterm, a high-efficiency system intended to optimize heat production and lower environmental impact. During rehabilitation works, insulation was also improved to minimize heat loss and enhance overall energy performance. The combination of renewable sources and automated energy management is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions associated with both electric and thermal consumption.

The audiovisual overhaul of the hemicycle includes five robotic 4K cameras and a complete renewal of the microphone system. The new audio equipment uses beamforming technology to focus capture on each speaker’s voice and reduce ambient noise, along with automatic gain control and advanced echo and feedback suppression. Digital sound processing is intended to maintain consistent clarity even when multiple microphones are active. These upgrades are meant to substantially improve the quality of live broadcasts of parliamentary sessions and institutional events, and to provide high-fidelity audiovisual records for the historical archive.

All installations were carried out with priority given to preserving the building and its contents. Restoration work has returned parts of the building closer to their original appearance prior to the 1960s renovation, while adaptations have been made where possible to meet current accessibility and safety standards.

Separately, the General Council is digitizing its historical records. The transcription project will make the documents available on the council’s website; the first three books of minutes, covering 1289 to 1744, have already been digitized and are accessible online.