Continent: Europe

Celosia, Social Housing

0

Celosia, Social Housing

Financing
Urban Design
Promotion and production
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

This social housing apartment building is located in PAU de Sanchinarro, a new neighbourhood situated on the northeast edge of Madrid. Blocks of eight houses are seen as separate prefabricated units, which are positioned in a checkerboard pattern next to and on top of each other, leaving openings for communal gardens in between.

Date

  • 2009: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Nathalie de Vries
  • Architect: Jacob van Rijs
  • Architect: Winy Maas
  • Architect: Blanca Lleó

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Madrid
Country/Region: Madrid, Spain

Description

The opening of the European borders has caused a real estate boom in Spain. The value has been in¬creased enormously, thus leading to an enormous production of housing. This operation is facilitated in Madrid by a giant new neighborhood that sur¬rounds the old city. A series of new cities that are mainly constructed of blocks that surround a pri¬vate patio, with a more or less introverted archi¬tecture with small windows, somehow opposes the extraverted Spanish culture.

In PAU de Sanchinarro, one of these new cities, situated on the northeast edge of Madrid, two plots are given to develop a possible “escape” from the uniformity and claustrophobia of this “sea of six-story-high blocks.”

The first escape’ in this neighborhood was the Sanchinarro Mirador (2005): an apartment build¬ing in which a huge void on the 15th floor offered an open view to the surrounding mountains and over the new neighborhood.

The second escape has been created by an “open¬ing” a given block on all levels. Blocks of eight houses are seen as separate prefabricated fig¬ures. They are positioned in a checkerboard pat¬tern next to and on top of each other in such a way that they leave openings for communal gardens in between. A perforated block appears, in which shadow and ventilation compensate for the strong climatic constraints. It creates views from the street through the building. It creates views from the houses to the surrounding area. It defends against the claustrophobic conditions of the existing developments

Authors:

Fundació Mies van der Rohe Barcelona

Residential Complex Condominium Devín

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Residential Complex Condominium Devín

Financing
Promotion and production
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

Housing complex in frame of the historical village structure, Bratislava-Devín, Slovakia

Date

  • 2017: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Tomas Cechvala
  • Architect: Peter Moravcik

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Slovakia

Description

Condominium Devín is housing complex in frame of the historical village structure situated in the Bratislava-Devín District, in the protection zone of the national cultural mo-nument - Devín Castle. Family houses create together a system of intimate spaces. However, on the side of the street, houses try to create a suitable mantinel for a pleasant stay in the public space. From the street, the facades of the houses are irregularly graded, making it a colorful vista and exterior spaces. New alley is integrated in the existing system of a streets of the old village under the castle rock.
New residential neighborhood in the village intravilan. A smaller scale of shared housing, a direct confrontation with the surrounding urban and historical context. Creation in a complex cultural and physical environment.

The resulting structure has formed a multi-stakeholder dialogue. Architects have tried to find a penetration between often conflicting requirements and to bring a slightly different view of housing. As a result, there is a rugged "villainous" residential structure with well-differentiated semi-public, public and private spaces, which gives the inhabitants plenty of intimacy.

We see that there is a "fair mess" in this project. There are flat and sloping roofs. Oriented sometimes by a street shield, sometimes on the other side of the street. The individual objects do not respect any unambiguous regulation applicable to all houses, no regulation, no prescribed uniformity. In spite of this controlled chaos, the result is a very interesting composition. Not only in terms of "high architecture". The result is an natural growing urban structure.
The objects have vertical load-bearing structures made of hebel brickwork. Horizontal structures are made of monolithic reinforced concrete ceilings. Prefabricated structures are made of reinforced concrete prefabricated structures, anchored through thermal insulated baskets (so-called iso-hulls). The foundations were made on base strips and thin reinforced concrete slab. Finishing facades are made of thin and coarse-grained plasters. Aluminum windows were planted in window openings.

Authors:

Fundació Mies van der Rohe Barcelona

Apartment Buildings Hiiu-Suurtüki 4

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Apartment Buildings Hiiu-Suurtüki 4

Mismatches
Financing
Urban Design
Promotion and production

Main objectives of the project

Hiiu” is an ongoing residential development by OÜ Tardamel located in Tallinn, Estonia.

Date

  • 2013: En proceso

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Indrek Rünkla
  • Architect: Ulla Saar
  • Architect: Sven Koppel
  • Architect: Tarmo Laht
  • Architect: Andres Alver

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Tallinn
Country/Region: Estonia, Tallinn

Description

The complex includes 8,500 m² of residential units – 23 apartments (phase 1 – built) and 10 single-family residences (currently under construction), all integrated into the surrounding landscape of the Tallinn’s picturesque historic garden neighborhood of Nõmme.

The project was defined by its site and the local zoning regulations which restricted the amount of developable space to a maximum of 33 housing units (600 m2 of plot area per unit) with a very low total FAR. Thus, the overall concept of the project became to be “Buildings in the park”.

The apartment houses are put into a relatively dense arrangement on the western side of the site to provide for a more urban/communal atmosphere, in contrast to the rest of the development which is comprised of individual buildings placed discretely into the site. The parking level is located under ground, reducing the bulk of the development and tying the buildings together both under ground and above via a communal public space. Between the apartment houses and the private residences there is a water feature, embellished by a sculpture which provides for a picturesque living environment for the residents.

There were a number of factors that defined the solution for the facade of the apartment complex.
First and foremost, it was the picturesque environment in which the complex was to be placed. The architects wanted to blend the complex into the environment, but to do it in a modern way. Thus, it was decided to go with copper cladding. Given its chemical properties, copper will turn green over time, letting the building age elegantly while slowly blending into its surroundings.

Using copper was also dictated by the will of the architects to merge the roofs and walls of the buildings. In Nõmme, the picturesque historic area of Tallinn, the zoning regulations restrict the maximum bulk of buildings to two floors with a half-floor attic.
While typically this results in a default gable-roof typology, Alver Architects used the restriction as a creative form-generating tool, while using copper to visually merge the walls and the roofs of the buildings. The result is a development which while conforming to the regulations, still boasts a unique character, and generates extra value for the developer.

The stripy texture of the facade of the apartment houses was a solution to the tight budget constraints. As it is cheaper to procure thin stripes of copper rather than large uniform panels or sheets, the facade was composed of thin copper ribbons of different length and width. Once the copper facade was laid out, the windows were placed into it in such a way that they matched the module of the facade, while following the inner logic and insolation requirements of the apartments inside.

Authors:

Fundació Mies van der Rohe Barcelona

Block 0704

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Block 0704

Mismatches
Financing
Promotion and production
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

Block 0704 presents a new type of urban housing that attempts to challenge conventional architectural typologies of the apartment block.

Date

  • 2013: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Christos Christodoulou
  • Architect: Marios Christodoulides

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Geri
Country/Region: Cyprus

Description

The block can be reinterpreted as a collection of ‘suburban residences’ that include two levels of spaces offering a separation of common areas and private spaces, a more immediate and effective relationship with the outside, a relatively large covered outdoor area, and the use of natural elements as deciduous trees to moderate the microclimate of each space. The relationship to the street becomes secondary with the arrangement of the spaces suggesting a more introverted experience that also encourages the modern dwellers to maximize use of the space and the relationship between indoors and outdoors. The traditional protruding verandas of the typical apartment block are reintegrated into the main mass of the building becoming an integral part of the interior/exterior spatial experience, both visually and functionally. Consequently the apartments attempt to satisfy contemporary desires which require flexibility, privacy, and a more inclusive relationship with the outdoors.
The area is relatively densely populated and characterized mostly by large residences, as well as a small number of apartment blocks, and full-grown vegetation offering shade during the summer months. It offers the benefits of a small and quiet neighborhood, with the convenience of being within walking distance to the city center.

Block 0704 includes eight apartments, four two bedroom units and four three bedroom units. The units are arranged in two levels, with the bedrooms being on a different level from the living and kitchen areas. The sleeping areas of the smaller units are on the lower level while in the larger units they are situated on the upper level.

The building was designed to reduce the need for mechanical support in creating a comfortable environment as much as possible. All apartments are two level with double height spaces and are located at the four corners of the block. Daylight enters the interior spaces from two directions and at both levels.
Also cross ventilation for cooling becomes much more effective. To allow for direct sunlight in all spaces at some point during the day, especially during the winter months, all the units have controlled openings facing either east, south, and/or west. The deep verandas facing east and west receive plenty of sunlight but prevent direct sunlight from reaching the large sliding glass doors and interior spaces during the hot summer months.

All exterior spaces are covered except the cantilevered sections of the balconies that have provisions for trees. These trees can act as a brise-soleil regulating the micro climate of the immediate covered spaces, and also of the interior spaces. The outdoor covered areas for each apartment are very generous and are in direct relationship with the interior spaces. This makes them useable at all times of the day, and for the greater part of the year.

The plot size is 669 sq.m. The interior spaces are 936 sq.m. There is an additional 316 sq.m. of covered areas. The three bedroom apartments are 150 sq.m. and the two bedroom 120 sq.m.

Authors:

Fundació Mies van der Rohe Barcelona

Apartment Building in Pagkrati

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Apartment Building in Pagkrati

Mismatches
Financing
Promotion and production
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

The six- storey apartment building attempts to redefine the expression of a multi-unit housing building and its relationship with the existing, densely populated, urban fabric of Athens. At the same time, it is a new bioclimatic approach of organizing the front of the building block to the street and the public space of the city.

Date

  • 2019: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Demetrios Issaias
  • Architect: Tassis Papaioannou

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Atene
Country/Region: Athens, Greece

Description

After the Second World War, Greek cities developed under a particular entrepreneurial activity based on the activities of a small-scale construction industry and land acquisition. The key economic mechanism used was what is known in Greek as ‘antiparochi’, a land allowance, quid-pro-quo informal agreement between landowners and contractors, and the building model that fit the above was the multi-storey apartment building, namely the “polykatoikia” type. In order for this to work and to be profitable, plot sizes had to be of a certain dimension. This meant that many smaller plots have remained until today unbuilt, unused and abandoned, with small structures as traces and ruins of the past.

The plot, of just 119m2 and with an almost triangular shape, is what was left unbuilt in the block, defined by a partially demolished, pre-war three-storey building. If this plot was uneconomical and unprofitable for the typical contractor to develop, it consisted of a particular challenge for the design of a new building of small housing units, which would have to evolve in height.
A dense, homogenous urban form of tall apartment buildings characterizes the neighborhood. The building operates as an infill to the block, completing the continuous urban, street façades, while a sense of ‘hovering’ is created by leaving the entrance level open and permeable, creating a pilotis with a courtyard at the back of the plot. This courtyard visually connects the busy street with the small, uncovered spaces at the heart of the block.

The tubular-shaped staircase defines and differentiates the building from the adjacent “polykatoikia” and, like swivel, signifies the vertical circulation. Moreover, it liberates building mass from the party wall, expressing and transferring to the street the dynamic geometry of the triangular plot.

A particularly important strategic decision, which serves the environmental and bioclimatic design, is the creation of a layered façade, from the second level to the top of the building. At the top floor, the façade folds and turns into a pergola of a generous roof garden offered to all inhabitants to enjoy the spectacular, panoramic view to the city and its two most characteristic landmarks: the Parthenon and Lycabettus Hill.
The building is constructed of reinforced concrete, left un-plastered and in its natural color, both externally and internally. There is also extensive use of metal elements, in secondary structural elements, window frames and various details. The bioclimatic performance and energy output of the building was of particular concern with natural light and ventilation for all spaces and the use of renewable energy sustainable systems. The wooden panels are a key characteristic of the morphology and materiality of the project. Apart from creating double façade for solar protection and management, they operate as filter for the noise and the disturbance of the city, forming private semi-outdoor spaces. The panels are movable and therefore introduce an element of constant and dynamic variability through time.

Finally, the project explored the organic relationship between architecture and art, with the introduction of carefully selected forms from the work of Greek painter Alekos Fassianos that define different edges of the project. The architects also designed most furniture and internal equipment, made of plywood boards and timber in natural color.

Authors:

Fundació Mies van der Rohe Barcelona

Serpentine House Refurbishment

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Serpentine House Refurbishment

Policies and regulations
Financing
Promotion and production
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

The Serpentine House is one of the best-known residential developments from the post-war years in Finland and listed by DOCOMOMO Finland as a significant example of modern architecture. The aim of the refurbishment project has been to preserve and enhance the building´s architectural values while solving multiple technical and functional issues.

Date

  • 2020: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Marica Schalin
  • Architect: Kristina Karlsson
  • Architect: Mona Schalin

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Helsinki
Country/Region: Finland

Description

The long, undulating, four storey tenant block, with its 189 rental flats, is situated on a hilly site at the edge of an garden city area. The courtyards have been redesigned preserving the sylvan character.

The flats consist mainly of two rooms, kitchenette and bathroom. They have been upgraded with special attention to bathrooms, fixtures and fittings. The original kitchen cabinets have been repaired when possible.

Common facilities have been refurbished.

The roof slab has been replaced by a ventilated construction. The exterior rough plastering and balconies with their delicate railings have been reconstructed. Windows and balcony doors have been repaired and any details in poor condition have been replaced. The original colour scheme has been reconstructed in collaboration with a conservator, applying traditional paint methods.
The long road from preliminary condition surveys to successful completion of construction can be seen as a didactic example of a process with many stakeholders involved. Not least because of the specific challenges concerning the conservation of modern architecture.

By 2010, the exterior and the dwellings had long suffered from lack of funding for maintenance. Rejecting the initial renovation programme, based on purely technical and functional priorities, the building permit authorities demanded focus on architectural values. Eventually, the Serpentine House, both buildings and site, were protected in a detailed town plan.

Since the protection had established strict boundaries for intervention, preserving the original architectural, spatial and material characteristics clearly emerged as an objective shared by the client, the authorities and the design team, even as the task was to solve serious technical and structural problems and introduce functional improvements.

The implementation was planned in two stages, the first stage serving as a test lab for the methods and practices during the four years of construction.
The main improvement issues have been the technical performance of the roof and the external walls, built of brick and Betocel blocks. The balconies from a time when steel was scarce, have been rebuilt. The ventilation duct system has been renovated.

The Serpentine House has received publicity as a model for sustainable renovation - the original wooden windows and kitchen cupboards have been repaired with carpenters´skills, the natural ventilation has been improved, the tenants have been able to return to their flats after the construction, the common facilities and the courtyards have been improved.

The future lifespan of the 70 years old buildings has now been secured. The lasting features are the loadbearing structure, the building envelope and the floor plan, while roofing, ventilation, plastered and painted surfaces, fixtures, cupboards, windows etc. will require maintenance according to an appropriate plan. Fortunately, Helsinki City Housing Company has an expertise in dealing with the maintenance of a huge amount of buildings from the 20th century.

Authors:

Fundació Mies van der Rohe Barcelona

5 Social Dwellings

1

5 Social Dwellings

Policies and regulations
Urban Design
Promotion and production
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

This is the first project completed by the Institut Balear de l’Habitatge – IBAVI (Balearic Institute of Social Housing) that continues the Life Reusing Posidonia research line in Formentera, in this case adapted to the Mallorca resource map.

Date

  • 2019: Construction

Stakeholders

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Spain

Description

Marès stone, the industrialized material with the smallest ecological footprint in Mallorca, is the material used to built all the walls of the 3-storey high building. The objective is to demonstrate that the construction of load-bearing walls with this material, abandoned in the structural use of multi-family buildings for the last 30 years, allows compliance with current regulations, the Sustainable Development Goals and recovering its own material culture.

The CO2 emissions embedded in the facade construction system are 31,62 kg/CO2 per m2. If the façade had been solved using a conventional solution, the emissions would be 126,04 kg/CO2. In other words, the pollution produced during the construction of the façade has been reduced by 75%. This approach has been extended to all elements of the building. Passive measures in the summer season have been prioritized, introducing inertia as a basic element of temperature regulation.
The building is located in Son Gotleu, which began to develop in 1943. Initially, the urban fabric combined the typologies of closed blocks with one floor or two floors terraced houses with a patio, with isolated single-family houses. During the 60s, with the aim of accommodating the workers arriving from Spanish mainland, these single-family houses were replaced by blocks following the line of the modern movement, built in the cheapest way possible that have become, eventually, a source of social conflicts. In fact, Son Gotleu is one of the neighbourhoods with the highest index of social vulnerability and concentration of population with few economic resources. This conflict is another collateral effect of mass tourism in the 1960s.

The project recovers one of the best features of the area: the small terraced houses built in marès, the local stone, and revealing the map of resources of the island, which is once again economically viable in the 21st century thanks to the thermal and acoustic of the technical requirements and the different European directives. The climate emergency makes it possible to reuse those systems that would have prevented such a climate crisis.
Marès stone, the industrialized material with the smallest ecological footprint in Mallorca, is the material used to build the 3-story high building, except for the elevator shaft, made of white reinforced concrete to comply with the earthquake resistant regulations. The construction system is the same as the one used by Jørn Utzon in Can Lis in 1972: 20 cm internal load-bearing walls and a 10 cm external rain wall. In order to meet current habitability requirements, a 10 cm recycled cotton insulation has been incorporated into the air chamber, protected with a breathable waterproof sheet, low-emission glass with watertight FSC-certified wood carpentry, and BCN roller blinds have been installed.

The distribution of the five houses, takes advantage of all possible buildability by using the duplex typology on the right side of the staircase, where the two houses on three floors ara placed like a Tetris. On the left side of the staircase there are three simplex dwellings, one per floor. The houses are peasants and enjoy cross ventilation.

The building is A energy class, and the production of ACS is carried out aerothermal pumps, supported by a battery of photovoltaic panels.

Authors:

Fundació Mies van der Rohe Barcelona

Can Travi - 85 dwellings for the eldery and public facilities

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Can Travi - 85 dwellings for the eldery and public facilities

Policies and regulations
Financing
Urban Design
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

The site is on Tibidabo hillside close to the edge of Barcelona. It's a 3.500m2 trapezoidal shape with a 3,5 meters gap on the short axis and mainly horitzontal on the long one. It has an excelent south-east orientation and it has some impressive views over Barcelona.

Date

  • 2009: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Cristina Garcia Nafria
  • Architect: Gines Egea Viñas
  • Architect: Sergi Serrat Guillen

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Barcelona
Country/Region: Spain

Description

The project has to solve a program of 6500m2 of social housing with 85 dwelings for eldery people and parking space for 28 cars. There are also 2000m2 of public facilities with a civical center.

Main strategies

(1) Best orientation. All of the dwelings benefit from South-East orientation. That means a great comfort for the inhabitants and a high degree of energy saving both in illumination and climatizacion of the dwellings

(2) Housing units bars are concentrated on the north perimeter of the plot so the most of the land it's available to build the civical center while keeping both best orientation and views. The building keeps a low profile of 3 stories to integrate into the neighborhood

(3) Topographical gap is solved with the parking and the civical centrer volume. Its roof is understood as a fifth façade of the building. It's treated with a painted tennis-quick finish similar to the sportive pavement used in the urbanization of the near park. It's completely open on ground floor showing its public character to the street acting as a true activity generator for the surroundings
(4) Mix of passive and active system to ensure a good climatic behavior and energysaving strategies, such as good south east orientation for dwellings, deep terraces that protects users from excessive sunlight radiation in summer but act as energy space collectors on winter, increased insulation on roofs, water management strategies and a central heating and hot water production system with solar contribution (35% of CO2 emission savings)
(5) Economic containment. White and void are the only materials used for the composition of the facade. Taking advantage of Mediterranean benevolent climatic conditions terraces function as condensers of activity enhancing the sense of community of the users. It is the place where domestic and civic activities occurs and are shown to the city. They are like the central courtyard of the houses of the Algerian Kashba but placed in a vertical plane. The size (2,5x2,5x2,5) of those voids goes beyond the scale of housing units and speaks on a level closer to the scale of the building and the city. The set of all those different actions and activities are integrated into the building volume due to the inner position of the terrace. The repetition of the void turns the facade into a chess texture. The white background unifies it all as does the snow fallen on the landscape.

(6) Housing units are the core of the system. Unit plan layout creates the longest interior diagonals possible so the space is perceived in its maximal length. Services areas are placed

on the north side (corridor, maintenance, bath, kitchen) while relation areas (living, bedroom, terraces) are faced to south.

Authors:

Fundació Mies van der Rohe Barcelona

Hessenberg

0

Hessenberg

Policies and regulations
Financing
Urban Design
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

The preparation of an urban plan and design for the public space of an unique new housing area in the historic inner city of Nijmegen, by which about 190 new residences have been realised.

Date

  • 2011: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Esther van der Heijden
  • Architect: Nike van Keulen
  • Architect: Frank Meijer
  • Architect: Theo van de Beek
  • Architect: Rick Wessels
  • Architect: Hans van der Heijden
  • Architect: Filip Delanghe
  • Architect: Jan Verrelst

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Netherlands, Nijmegen

Description

A unique new housing area has been realised in the historic inner city of Nijmegen, by which about 190 new residences and 2 parking garages have been realised.
MTD landscape and urban planners was commissioned by the Municipality of Nijmegen to draw up an urban design plan and development plan for the public space.
The urban design plan can be described as a finely-grained pattern of compact residential blocks, streets, and squares, directly related to the former identity of the area as an ‘immunity’. The public space has a plain design, in which the different squares are considered as focal point for activities in the area.
compact housing area between Hezelstraat and Kronenburgpark
A unique new housing area has been realised on the former grounds of the Gelderlander site in the inner city of Nijmegen; the inner urban fabric has been repaired and about 190 new residences have been realised.
In 2004 the Municipality of Nijmegen made a fresh start with the project, in which the ambition was specifically expressed to preserve and enhance the culture-historical patterns and elements. MTD landscape and urban planners was firstly commissioned to develop an urban development outline using an interdisciplinary team. Subsequent to this preliminary phase, AWG architecten and MTD landscape and urban planners were commissioned by Heijmans Project Development to draw up an urban design plan and development plan for the public space.
The urban design plan for the Hessenberg can be described as a finely-grained pattern of compact residential blocks, streets, alleyways, inner courtyards and squares; this pattern is directly related to the historical pattern of streets which is present here and refers to the former identity of the area as an ‘immunity’.
The height difference in the planning area of approximately 4 metres is accentuated and has been designed in 3 individual surface levels; the lowest level along the Hessenberg, an intermediate level and lastly the level of the historical built-up area of the Orphanage. There s a playful mix between the building mass and these surface levels, in which two parking garages have been fitted. Along the Hessenberg this creates a plinth for public functions. The monumental Orphanage is perceived in the urban design plan as a crystallization point of the new buildings; the building will be extended with new wings and a higher residential tower.
The public space has a plain design, in which the current difference in height from east to west is bridged by way of ramps, and for the north to south direction by way of stairs. The public area surrounding the Orphanage has a convent-like atmosphere paved in a natural stone and enclosed by walled, semi-public gardens. The entrance square and the heart of the housing area with its broad natural stone stairs to the monumental building are in front of the Orphanage along the Hessenberg. The square is considered a focal point for activities in the area and a natural theatre and meeting place.
At the uppermost surface level there s a second square with a quietened character. This is where a work of art by Marinus Boezem will be placed; this ‘shadow of light’ will also act as a seating object.
In the project the stormwater is infiltrated in the soil and by peak drains the stairs are introduced as a place where you can experience this. In the stairs little gutters and water wells are introduced to create experiental of the water transport.

Authors:

Fundació Mies van der Rohe Barcelona

127 Social Dwellings Building

0

127 Social Dwellings Building

Policies and regulations
Urban Design
Promotion and production
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

Mediating between both, past and present, craftsmanship and technology.

Date

  • 2011: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Víctor Setoain
  • Architect: Neus Lacomba
  • Architect: Eduard Bru

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Barcelona
Country/Region: Spain

Description

The site was a bastion and a door in the third city wall in Barcelona. After this, it became a hospital, a prison, a square and swimming pool.

The site is now a inhabited door between the Eixample and the Raval. The project mediates between both, between past and present, between craftsmanship and technology.

The program is social housing and dwellings for the elderly people. There is also a passage and a communal courtyard, in the lower floors public facilities are located.

The volume accomplishes two different urban scales:

First, that of the Raval district:

•The project creates a small square, which provides a better natural lighting and ventilation to narrow streets.

•The project incorporates the traditional balcony and blind, which gradually filter a relationship of the public and private domains.

And second, the building achieves the urban height of the Eixample.

Design has pursued sustainable principles, searching for energetic self-sufficiency and passive regulation of the interior temperature according to the following elements:

•Optimized size of overtures in main façades (SW and NE), providing mobile sun protection (roll-up blinds).

•In order to reinforce solar protection in over-exposed areas (above 6th level), balconies incorporate in addition fixed structures for vegetal species, reducing solar incidence over the window.

Passive and active elements configure a building of high energetic efficiency, from the architectural design of the façade to the installation of air conditioning. The building approaches self-sufficiency, as it is currently demanded.

The selection of materials and construction details has been done in consideration of their life span cycle. Low incorporated energy, durability and scarce or non-existent maintenance have become criteria for the selection of materials. Amongst main materials:

•Natural wood with autoclave treatment, without varnish, for banisters and benches.

•Terrazzo pavements.

•Lime stucco without paint for all façades.
Low incorporated energy materials.

All dwellings provide crossed ventilation. Size, location and practicability of overtures allow crossed ventilation according to their inhabitants’ needs, by controlling it. Roll-up blinds are a key element in the strategy, protecting from direct solar radiation while allowing natural ventilation.

Balconies are designed for obtaining a good natural lighting for rooms as well as for avoiding excessive solar radiation along.

Greenery in the interior courtyard provides a garden inside built environment, diminishing the heat during the warmest months of the year.

Authors:

Fundació Mies van der Rohe Barcelona