Tipo de autoría: Arquitecto

arquitecto

Cité manifeste, Mulhouse

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Cité manifeste, Mulhouse

Mismatches Location Cultural suitability Diversity
Urban Design Urban fabrics Environments Quality Liveability Inclusion
Promotion and production Private promotion Innovation

Main objectives of the project

This project of 14 dwellings, part of a larger development of 61 units by five architectural teams, aims to provide high-quality, spacious homes at standard costs, continuing the legacy of the Mulhouse workers' housing estate. Utilizing a simple and efficient loft-inspired structure, it features a concrete post-and-beam base supporting greenhouses made of galvanized steel and transparent polycarbonate. The greenhouses include both heated and ventilated areas, incorporating bioclimatic comfort solutions. The overall volume is divided into 14 duplex apartments, each benefiting from the unique and varied spatial qualities of the design.

Date

  • 2005: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Lacaton & Vassal architectes

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Mulhouse
Country/Region: France, Mulhouse

Description

This project of 14 dwellings is part of a larger development of 61 units, designed by five teams of architects, continuing the legacy of the Mulhouse workers' housing estate. The aim is to create high-quality homes that are significantly larger than standard ones at the same cost.

Initially, a simple, economical, and efficient structure and envelope are constructed to define, on the loft principle, a maximum open surface and volume, offering contrasting, complementary, and surprising spatial qualities. On the ground floor, a concrete post-and-beam structure supports a platform at a height of 3 meters, onto which horticultural greenhouses are affixed. The structure is made of galvanized steel, with transparent polycarbonate walls. Part of the greenhouse is insulated and heated, while the other part serves as a well-ventilated winter garden with roof and facade openings. A horizontal shade extends inside the greenhouse.

The greenhouse concept, with its automatic climate control systems, has enabled the development of bioclimatic comfort solutions. Subsequently, the volume is divided into 14 duplex apartments, each benefiting from the diverse qualities offered by the varied spaces.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Asertos, Alicante

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Asertos, Alicante

Mismatches Services Vulnerable groups
Policies and regulations Local policies Global frameworks Governance Participatory processes
Financing
Urban Design Modelos De Ciudad Urban fabrics Services and infrastructure Environments Quality Liveability Inclusion Equity
Promotion and production Favelas/Slums

Main objectives of the project

Asertos is a participatory local development programme originating in the Valencian Community, Spain. The aim is to accompany people and communities in vulnerable neighbourhoods in the improvement of their homes and streets. We use these material improvements to foster the construction of strong and self-sufficient communities.

Date

  • 2017: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Quatorze
  • Architect: Arquitectos sin fronteras

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Alacant / Alicante, Spain

Description

In many regeneration projects in vulnerable neighbourhoods, there is little involvement of local residents. Generally, small spaces for participation are opened up or a superficial accompaniment is offered. In the end, the main objective is to rehabilitate a few houses. However, Asertos' radical vision is based on the idea that housing is only a means to build better, more inclusive and resilient communities. Therefore, they start from community action to promote new neighbourhoods.

The premise is that regeneration should not come from outside the neighbourhood. On the contrary, residents must be empowered to drive the regeneration of their homes and public spaces. In this way, external resources dedicated to the improvement of housing and common spaces also serve to reinforce the social cohesion of the community.

Assertions are accompanied by collective action and social involvement in order to develop specific projects that make it possible:
- Improve coexistence between neighbours through participation.
- Attend to the needs of the dwellings through comprehensive refurbishments driven by the residents themselves.
- Generate a local economy to teach trades, generate income, open up new economic opportunities or provide new jobs and resources to the community.

All this is based on the Asset-Based Community Development methodology, promoted in Europe by Nurture Development. Based on the discovery of the local resources that the community possesses (skills, passions, interests, places, associations, businesses, stories, etc.), we set up a Neighbourhood Resource Bank. With these ingredients, we work on identifying shared needs to connect and mobilise these resources. Through this process of community building, communities move towards a position of power and autonomy, avoiding excessive professionalism and welfarism, and gaining in health and well-being.

Thus, the aim is not only to rehabilitate housing, but also to generate a better and more robust economy, associative fabric and coexistence than when the project began.

It is one of the most radical community action projects ever carried out in Spain, applied to urban regeneration. Although the project began in the Alicante's "Barrio del Cementerio", they are now also working in other highly vulnerable parts of the city.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Centro sociocomunitario de la Cañada Real, Spain

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Centro sociocomunitario de la Cañada Real, Spain

Mismatches Location Cultural suitability Diversity Vulnerable groups
Urban Design Services and infrastructure Quality Liveability Inclusion Participatory processes
Promotion and production Innovation Favelas/Slums

Main objectives of the project

La Cañada Real, an informal settlement in Madrid (Spain), faces major social, economic and housing challenges. The community and the city council, after two failed attempts, succeeded in implementing a socio-community center through a public-social co-management project. This project involved more than 1,200 people, including minors, social entities, a penitentiary and universities, in a participatory construction process. Although not focused on housing, the center improves the livability of the neighborhood, encourages self-building and revitalizes the community, making the area more dignified and livable.

Date

  • 2019: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Santiago Cirugeda
  • Architect: Recetas Urbanas

Location

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

Description

La Cañada Real is a slum settlement on the outskirts of Madrid, following the ancient transhumant route of "la Cañada", which encompasses a 15 km long area of shantytowns. The social, economic and housing challenge in this area is enormous, with most residents living in self-managed constructions and without access to electricity. In addition, they lack community centers for training and assistance. For these reasons, this project was launched. Although it does not focus on housing, it offers opportunities to improve the livability of the neighborhood and help its residents to progress, making possible a different "living" than the one that existed before the project.

Faced with the urgency of intervening in the Cañada Real, the largest informal settlement in Spain, the community and the city council of Madrid collaborated and drew up specifications for "the joint contracting of the supply, assembly and drafting of technical documents necessary for the implementation of a non-permanent housing structure". The tender was unsuccessful on two occasions. We applied for the third call, already known for another public project carried out in Madrid, although not yet legalized, with the experience and the intention of involving and taking care of the largest number of direct or indirect users of the future social facility.

The methodology starts by approaching the surrounding educational centers, where most of the minors who live in the Cañada Real are located. In addition, house-to-house visits are made to all the families in the sector where the project is located. We also invite social entities and neighborhood associations to participate, as well as the new entities that are being formed. Knowing that there are neighbors deprived of liberty (also future users), we decided to collaborate with those who are in the Soto del Real penitentiary center, where, as in other spaces, slabs, walls, trusses, roof panels and window boxes are prefabricated, which will later be assembled at the official construction site. For all these reasons, our construction site sign reads: "All persons not involved in the construction work are allowed to enter".

That more than 1,200 people, including some 600 minors, 17 social entities, 1 penitentiary, 3 universities and many volunteers, are part of the participatory construction protocol of the socio-community center, does not leave the Recetas Urbanas team indifferent. It is the first experiment with a new public-social co-management regulation.

All the social clauses that this methodology implements - and that were not in the original technical specifications - make this project much more surprising and risky. It is important to mention that the process has been accompanied by technicians from the different administrations involved, who have made up for this initial lack in the drafting of the project bases, collaborating and providing solutions with a perfect understanding of the needs and morphological changes of the project (as happened, for example, with the increase of built square meters and the involvement of users in the work).

The different actors have understood the need for public-social co-management, passing through a shared and creative technical resolution by both parties. Finally, thanks to the impetus and the desire to participate, we obtained two workshops of 45 m² and one of 30 m², a community space of 70 m² and 90 m² of self-sufficient offices and bathrooms, all this without increasing the budget. Part of the success is due to the reuse of materials, including those from Madrid's municipal warehouses.

Although it is not a housing intervention, the construction of this socio-community center in Cañada Real makes it possible to "inhabit" a place that is often uninhabitable. The meeting between neighbors and community action improves the neighborhood, teaches self-building techniques and makes the neighborhood more alive and dignified.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Combining Social Housing with Tourism In Havana, Cuba

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Combining Social Housing with Tourism In Havana, Cuba

Mismatches Functional adequacy Cultural suitability New family structures Vacant housing
Urban Design Environments Quality Liveability
Promotion and production Public promotion Innovation Progressive housing Transformation and adaptation

Main objectives of the project

Cuba, the largest Caribbean island with over 11 million people, is a cultural melting pot of native Taíno and Ciboney people, Spanish descendants, and African slaves. Since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution, Cuba has been the only stable communist regime in the Western hemisphere. The architecture of Havana reflects the city's rich history, but after the revolution, the government shifted focus to rural areas, leaving Havana's buildings to deteriorate. Iwo Borkowicz, a winner of the 2016 Young Talent Architecture Award, has developed a plan to restore vibrancy and sustainability to Havana's historic core.

Date

  • 2016: Ganador

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Iwo Borkowicz

Location

Continent: North America
Country/Region: Cuba, Havana

Description

After half a century of neglect in Havana Vieja, buildings are collapsing at a rate of two every three days due to flooding, saltwater corrosion, and overcrowding, with as many as 20 families living in villas designed for one. Despite a law preventing migration to the capital, Havana faces a severe housing crisis. A 2010 study showed a shortage of 500,000 housing units, now estimated to be between 600,000 and 1 million, with over 100,000 people in Havana alone lacking housing. Suitable housing is a top priority for Cubans.

Amid this housing crisis, tourism in Cuba is booming. Nearly 3.5 million tourists were expected in 2017, with 90% visiting Havana. Due to communist policies, privately owned hotels are rare, but since 1997, Cubans can rent out rooms in their homes, known as "casas particulares," to meet tourism demand. Inspired by this, Iwo Borkowicz proposed combining social housing with tourism in Havana Vieja by renovating existing buildings and adding vertical extensions to create an average of four floors. His plan aims to provide more housing and income for locals, allowing them to repay loans over ten years while earning significantly more than the average Cuban salary.

Borkowicz developed six prototypes addressing various site conditions, from replacing single-storey buildings in poor condition to creating new structures on empty plots. His designs maintain existing structural support and infrastructure, using flexible floor plans to accommodate hotel rooms or larger apartments. Common spaces, open kitchens, collective rooftop zones, and urban farming areas are included in the designs to benefit both permanent and temporary residents.

Natural ventilation is prioritized in Borkowicz’s designs, using courtyards for cross-ventilation and traditional Cuban elements like wrought iron railings for maximum airflow. The passive cooling system involves underground pipes to maintain stable temperatures. Borkowicz’s plan also includes reflective ceramic tiles on roofs to prevent overheating and facades that preserve the classic, colorful Cuban aesthetic, enhancing the area's tourist appeal.

Borkowicz’s proposal aims to revitalize Havana Vieja, providing essential housing and economic opportunities while preserving cultural heritage.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Collective housing Castelli 3902 in Buenos Aires

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Collective housing Castelli 3902 in Buenos Aires

Mismatches Location Cultural suitability Diversity
Urban Design Environments Quality Liveability
Promotion and production Self-promotion Cooperatives

Main objectives of the project

Located at 3902 Castelli Street, this project is the result of a collaboration between the Proyecto Habitar organization of architects and urban planners and COOPTEBA SM/3F, a housing cooperative of education workers from the Province of Buenos Aires, San Martín and Tres de Febrero. In a world where inequalities in access to urban goods and services affect the lives of many people, the authors of the project have worked collectively and interdisciplinary to address social and spatial injustice. In the current context of urban production in our region, access to housing is a privilege that not everyone can access, as is the case of teachers, who spend 50% of their salary on rent. The cooperative management model promoted goes beyond traditional limits and offers a viable alternative, building collaborative and social ties.

Date

  • 2018: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: COOPTEBA SM/3F
  • Architect: Proyecto Habitar

Location

City: Buenos Aires
Country/Region: Argentina, Buenos Aires

Description

The Collective Housing project is the result of a collaboration between the architects' collective Proyecto Habitar and the education workers' housing cooperative COOPTEBA SM/3F. Together they developed a housing proposal in San Martín, a municipality in the AMBA in Argentina. For several years, they participated in meetings and debates on the right to housing and the city. The idea for the common project arose from the need to create a housing production process that would incorporate the collective values that both groups have promoted and defended for so long.

The elaboration of the project required multiple meetings to agree on the spatial program. Its orientation is based on the use value of space, promoting social encounter through the creation of spaces for activities of various scales, sizes and configurations. The location of the housing is characterized by a regular block layout with low-density buildings, and has basic services and public transportation nearby.

The general volumetry of the project is developed in two housing blocks. On the municipal line there is a block with eight units, with an open first floor, three floors and an accessible terrace on the top level for recreational activities overlooking the street. The block at the back has a ground floor and three stories, and contains the remaining ten units. The layout of the blocks allows the formation of an open courtyard, guaranteeing good sunlight and ventilation.

The main circulation of the complex and the accesses to the dwellings are located towards the courtyard, generating a succession of spaces of different scales that are related from the street to the access to the housing units. The access staircase is open and on each level the horizontal flight of stairs widens, creating common balconies that allow for other activities. The 18 dwellings have different configurations, with one-, two- and three-bedroom units, also allowing for progressive reconfigurations.

To address the flexibility of the spaces, the partition walls of the structure are located on the facades, leaving a minimum of punctual supports in the interiors, on bathroom and kitchen walls. This arrangement allows for greater adaptability and efficient use of space, according to the changing needs of the residents.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Essential Homes Research Project

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Essential Homes Research Project

Mismatches Security Vulnerable groups Climate change Pandemics
Urban Design Environments Quality Liveability
Ownership and tenure Rental and temporary tenure

Main objectives of the project

The Norman Foster Foundation and Holcim presented the "Essential Homes" research project at the opening of the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023. Norman Foster's foundation has designed a housing prototype aimed at providing safety, comfort and well-being to displaced populations in need of shelter, often living for decades in temporary settlements. Holcim has contributed sustainable building solutions to the project, ensuring that it is low-carbon, energy efficient and follows circular principles, demonstrating the viability of sustainable construction in emergency situations.

Date

  • 2023: En proceso

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Norman Foster Foundation
  • Architect: Holcim

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Italy, Venice

Description

More and more communities are suffering the consequences of natural disasters, wars or other humanitarian crises, forcing them to leave their homes and countries to stay in refugee camps. Although these camps are conceived as temporary solutions, reality and experience have shown that they become permanent settlements where families spend many years. However, the shelters designed to house them continue to be designed on the basis of creating cheap, quick and temporary structures.

Given the permanent status of these settlements, the Norman Foster Foundation wants to propose a different approach to this problem. Refugees and displaced communities should be entitled to better quality structures. We should aim to design homes, not temporary shelters, and we should create communities rather than camps. It is imperative, therefore, that designers and engineers direct their efforts and skills to providing the best possible affordable and permanent living structures.

The project presented by Holcim and the NFF at the Venice Biennale 2023 addresses this humanitarian problem and proposes a design that aims to raise the quality of these structures. To illustrate this concept, two interventions are proposed for the 2023 Venice Biennale: building a life-size house in the Giardini Marinaressa and creating an exhibition in the Palazzo Mora to complement the Giardinni pavilion. The humanitarian crisis context will be shown through graphics, timelines, diagrams and photographs, along with the evolution of the "shelter" concept. Physical models, renderings, drawings and panels of the project will be produced to illustrate how the Giardini house could generate communities in diverse geographies.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Viviendas sociales 1737 (Gavà, Barcelona)

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Viviendas sociales 1737 (Gavà, Barcelona)

Mismatches Diversity Vulnerable groups
Urban Design Quality Liveability Inclusion Regulación Técnica Procesos Administrativos
Promotion and production Public promotion Materials Technology

Main objectives of the project

The innovative social housing project by H Arquitectes in Gavá, near Barcelona, demonstrates Catalonia's commitment to low-cost, high-quality housing. Adapted to a triangular plot, the building avoids dead-end corners and offers panoramic views. Apartments feature four adaptable modules and a hybrid structural system for efficiency. Exterior transitions include balconies and glazed galleries, leading to a central atrium that provides natural light and ventilation. With 136 units, the project, backed by IMPSOL, aligns with regional efforts to address housing shortages.

Date

  • 2022: Construction
  • 2017: Ganador

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: IMPSOL
  • Architect: H Arquitectes

Location

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

Description

In recent years, Catalonia has been increasing its public social housing stock with extraordinary low-cost projects. A good example of this architectural excellence is the project by H Arquitectes in Gavá, a small coastal town a few kilometres from Barcelona, between the Garraf massif and the Llobregat delta. The building adapts to the perimeter of a complicated, triangular-shaped plot, breaking the continuity at the corners to avoid dead-end corners that could generate situations of insecurity. In this way, a plot with excellent views and pleasant surroundings is achieved. The building is developed through a system of aggregation that maximises the relationship between the living spaces and the surroundings. All the rooms are exterior and have views of the Ferreres mountain range and the Llobregat Agricultural Park, an area of great environmental interest.

Each dwelling consists of four equal modules of 10.6 square metres, which can be used as living room, kitchen or bedroom. A hybrid structure of screens and concrete slabs separating the dwellings, combined with slender pillars that allow very short and efficient spans, while characterising the space of each room. On both sides of these modules, there are two bands of transition to the exterior: a balcony facing the street and a glazed gallery - where the bathrooms and storage space are located, which can also be attached to the living rooms - towards an atrium where the circulations and vertical communication cores of the whole complex are resolved. Thus, all the spaces have plenty of natural light and cross ventilation.

As explained above, three continuous rings are configured: terrace, programme and circulation, leaving the vertical communication cores inside the atrium. In this way, there are no corridors. The central atrium is a protected and slightly tempered space that ventilates the stairs and makes the dwellings more comfortable. The staircases are very compact and serve four dwellings per landing, giving a total of 136 dwellings.

As for the governance of the project, it is promoted by IMPSOL, Barcelona's public metropolitan developer. Thus, the project is part of a strategy of the city as a whole, together with its adjacent municipalities, to address the growing housing crisis that is being experienced.

The building has been largely awarded: Matilde Baffa Ugo Rivolta 2023 European Award, Shortlisted ‘EU Mies Van der Rohe Award 2024’, ‘III Premis Temps de les Arts’ 2023, Premio ex aequo ‘Premio ENOR 2023’, Premio FAD de la opinión 2023, Finalist "Premios FAD 2023", "Premio en la Bienal Española de Arquitectura y Urbanismo ‘BEAU XVI’ 2023"

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Silodalm, Amsterdam

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Silodalm, Amsterdam

Mismatches Functional adequacy Services Diversity
Urban Design Inclusion
Promotion and production Innovation Technology

Main objectives of the project

In the western part of the Amsterdam harbour, an extensive urban redevelopment references a former dam and silo building. This project features a mixed-use program that includes housing, offices, workspaces, commercial areas, and public spaces, all arranged within a 20-meter-deep, ten-story-high urban structure. The apartments vary significantly in size, price, and layout, catering to a diverse demographic and the desire for individuality.

Date

  • 2003: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: MVRDV

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Amsterdam
Country/Region: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Description

In the port of Amsterdam, an extensive urban development operation was launched to densify the city and meet market demands, even in one of the most vulnerable areas. A former dock with a silo building has been transformed into a new neighbourhood that includes costly components: a dock with underground parking, renovation of the silo buildings, more affordable housing, an underwater tanker protection barrier, deep pile foundations and temporary dry dock constructions.

The result is Silodam. Today, the Silodam residential block, located on the river Ij in Amsterdam, houses 157 dwellings together with commercial premises, offices, workshops and collective spaces. The different uses are distributed over ten levels raised above the water by means of a structural grid of pillars and load-bearing walls, creating a compact block reminiscent of a large ship loaded with containers. The silo is located at the end of a dock where other factory buildings were also transformed into housing to bring urban density to this central area of the city. Collective spaces for neighbours, including a marina, a grandstand and a terrace overlooking the sea, take advantage of this privileged location. The Silodam offers a variety of housing typologies to create an intergenerational environment and better respond to market demand. Aiming to promote a mix of residents of different socio-economic and generational profiles, the Dutch studio designed fifteen types of housing that differ in size, organisation and price. Small flats, duplexes, courtyard houses and three-storey lofts are grouped in clusters of four to eight units, forming small neighbourhoods connected by a complex network of walkways, galleries and brightly coloured corridors.

This typological organisation defines the building's exterior identity. Clearly inspired by the image of container ships sailing through the Dutch capital, the façade is a collage of colours, materials (corrugated iron, cedar wood and aluminium) and windows of different shapes, revealing the order of this colourful jigsaw puzzle. Internally, the block is divided into groups of four to eight dwellings, forming small units identified by the colour of their access and by a similar façade treatment - either corrugated iron, cedar wood or aluminium panels.

The ultimate goal was to create a mixed neighbourhood on the river. With uses such as restaurants, offices, housing... And with different attributions in terms of the panoramic views or building characteristics. Although it is not a social rental project, the variety of typologies makes it possible to balance costs and offer housing of varying affordability. In this way, accessibility is generated in a unique environment and in a building with multiple uses and possibilities.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Tinggården, Denmark

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Tinggården, Denmark

Mismatches Services Cultural suitability Diversity
Urban Design Services and infrastructure Quality Liveability Participatory processes
Promotion and production Participatory processes Innovation Cooperatives

Main objectives of the project

Since its construction in 1978, Tinggården has stood as the archetype of low-rise, high-density residential architecture in Denmark. Situated on open land in the town of Herfølge, Tinggården represents a highly successful non-profit housing experiment that utilized architecture to reestablish residents' democracy within the local community. It is renowned as one of the pioneering cohousing experiments globally.

Date

  • 1978: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: Danish Building Research Institute
  • Architect: Vandkunsten Architects

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Denmark

Description

In the 1960s, a group of architects and families in Denmark who sought more interaction with their neighbours initiated the cohousing movement, characterized by private houses grouped around common spaces and facilities. Tinggården was one of the first projects to implement these cohousing theories.

In 1971, the Danish Building Research Institute (SBI) held a competition on alternative housing forms. This competition presented an opportunity to demonstrate flexible, human-scaled architecture as a radical contrast to the technocratic high-rise developments and the perceived monotony of suburban single-family homes. Vandkunsten Architects won the competition with a proposal that emphasized community and aimed to give residents real influence over both the architectural design and their ability to shape their lives and homes. This competition paved the way for the Tinggården housing experiment and led to the establishment of Vandkunsten Architects.

Tinggården was completed in 1978, originally consisting of 78 homes arranged into six family clusters, each with a communal building for shared meals and activities. Additionally, a large communal hall was built for all Tinggården residents. The development expanded in a second phase from 1983 to 1984, doubling the number of homes, a testament to its success.

Each cluster features its own community house, small squares, and gathering places. All homes have access to their social community and direct access to the surrounding landscape, which is fundamental to low-rise, high-density architecture. The architects chose shapes, colors, and timber cladding similar to the red and cream-colored Danish barns in the surrounding area.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Nemausus, Nîmes

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Nemausus, Nîmes

Mismatches Price Functional adequacy
Urban Design Quality Liveability Inclusion
Promotion and production Public promotion Industrialisation

Main objectives of the project

Nemausus is one of Jean Nouvel's most renowned social housing projects, created for the Délégation à l'aménagement du territoire et à l'action régionale of the Ville de Nîmes. The concept behind the building is straightforward: recognizing that there are no standard families with uniform needs and that affordability is essential for making housing accessible to all, an effective social housing project should be both flexible and cost-efficient. In the Nemausus complex, Jean Nouvel addressed these considerations by developing a construction system using prefabricated components, enabling rapid and systematic assembly. The industrial aesthetic of the exterior is mirrored inside, featuring rough concrete walls, aeronautical-style windows, metal staircases, and prefabricated panels that fit together like a Meccano set. This design approach creates a diverse range of dwellings—from studios and one-bedroom apartments to double-height units and three-bedroom triplexes—all benefiting from abundant natural light and excellent ventilation.

Date

  • 1987: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: Ville de Nîmes
  • Architect: Jean Nouvel

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: France, Nimes

Description

Nîmes is a French city located in the south near the Mediterranean Sea. The city's fame largely stems from its numerous Roman-era buildings, including amphitheaters and aqueducts. The area enjoys a favorable climate for much of the year, and its residents often utilize public spaces, spending significant time away from home. However, Nîmes also faces substantial needs for social housing.

The objective of the Nemausus housing project was to address the needs of a constantly evolving society and to construct low-cost housing. The core idea was to define what constitutes a good apartment, which, according to its architect Jean Nouvel, is simply an apartment as large as possible. A good apartment is flexible and capable of being adapted. It should be affordable in a democratic sense. And more importantly, takes into consideration the time factor: after some years, needs might change. So, the building must too.

To optimize land use, the garage floor was designed to be semi-buried, adhering to a municipal ordinance and ensuring that the parking area does not obstruct views of the complex. Nouvel designed two elongated, almost parallel, boat-shaped buildings, with one being shorter than the other. Between them is a projected park and public space, which provides a sense of ownership to the residents. The design preserved two strips of trees from an old arboretum, running the length of the complex.

The two buildings feature semi-buried ground floor parking and three upper floors of apartments. The complex includes 114 housing units, ranging from simple apartments to duplexes and triplexes (such as studios and one-bedroom units with double-height ceilings). The total habitable area is 10,400 square meters, giving an average size of 91 square meters per dwelling, which is significantly larger than traditional social housing. Access to the buildings is via stairs located in the common area, separate from each building. Elevators are situated inside each building, centrally positioned. Horizontal corridors run the length of each building, covering all three floors. These corridors are designed as "high streets," wide enough for pedestrian and bicycle travel, and serve as communal spaces for neighbor interaction and housing expansion. On the opposite side facing the street and adjacent buildings, similar corridors function as private balconies for each unit. These passages expand the living space by opening the walls outward.

In Nemausus, the architect aimed to enhance the area by maximizing natural light and airflow, addressing issues that were previously neglected or undervalued. Currently, the buildings are home to a predominantly young population, with 80% of residents under 35 years old and the oldest being 51. Among the residents, 20% are unemployed, 3% are workers, 20% are employees, 31% are middle-class or educated individuals, 19% are students, and 7% belong to other categories.

To reduce costs, the building structure was designed to be practical and rational. The two buildings are supported by columns placed every five meters, surrounding the parking area. This design decision maintains visual continuity across both sides. The load-bearing walls, dividing each apartment, rest on these columns and are consistently spaced throughout the three floors. This modular approach creates uniformity across the building, allowing different apartment types to be easily configured.

The only deviation from the five-meter wall module is in the center of each building, where two walls are positioned closer together to accommodate the elevators. The stairs are detached from each building, featuring independent steel structures connected to the horizontal corridors by bridges.

The materials used in Nemausus contribute to its distinctive, radical appearance. To save costs, Nouvel utilized industrial materials and prefabricated components that are easy to replicate and assemble.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España