"Organization type ": Administracion pública

La Mina Neighbourhood Transformation Plan, Barcelona

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La Mina Neighbourhood Transformation Plan, Barcelona

Mismatches Vulnerable groups
Policies and regulations Local policies Planning Governance Participatory processes
Urban Design Modelos De Ciudad Environments Quality Liveability Participatory processes
Promotion and production Public promotion

Main objectives of the project

La Mina, a neighbourhood in Sant Adrià del Besòs, faced high vulnerability due to its original design and socio-demographic characteristics. To reverse this, the La Mina Neighbourhood Transformation Plan ("Plan de Transformación del barrio de La Mina", in Spanish), managed by the Consorcio del Barrio de La Mina, combined management and funding models to carry out physical and socio-economic interventions. The rehabilitation of buildings to improve energy efficiency and accessibility, and the improvement of open spaces to ensure universal accessibility stand out. Institutional collaboration and citizen participation have been key to achieving coherent and effective interventions in the neighbourhood.

Date

  • 2002: En proceso

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: Consorci de la Mina
  • Promotor: INCASOL
  • Sant Adrià del Besós

Location

City: Barcelona
Country/Region: Barcelona, Spain

Description

La Mina is a neighbourhood located in the municipality of Sant Adrià del Besòs, characterised as a housing estate. Born in the mid-20th century, it was created to relocate the majority of the population that lived in the shantytowns of Somorrostro beach and other areas of the city of Barcelona. The original design of the area, together with certain socio-demographic characteristics and its location almost at the end of the Besòs river, led to a situation of high vulnerability that still persists. To reverse this situation, the "La Mina Neighbourhood Transformation Plan" was implemented, managed by the La Mina Neighbourhood Consortium. This plan has combined different management and funding models over time, focusing on two lines of action: a series of physical interventions that support socio-economic ones.

Within the interventions in the built environment, the opening of axes to improve the road network, the increase of accessibility and the provision of new facilities stand out. Particularly noteworthy are the rehabilitation of residential buildings constructed with prefabricated processes, which needed improvements in energy efficiency and accessibility, such as those located in the neighbourhood of La Mina Vieja. Improving the accessibility of buildings is synergistically related to improvements in open spaces, generating new areas that guarantee universal accessibility at the urban level. In addition, institutional collaboration and citizen participation, together with the comprehensive management of the process by the Consorcio del Barrio de La Mina, have made it possible to establish interventions that present a coherent image in the different areas intervened.

Thus, a large Rambla has been opened in the centre of the neighbourhood, new community facilities and spaces have been opened... In addition, progress has been made with INCASOL, the Catalan public housing developer, in the construction of social housing, where families from the so-called Venus Block, one of the blocks of flats pending demolition, will be rehoused in the future.

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Integral Plan for the Serra d'en Mena, Barcelona

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Integral Plan for the Serra d'en Mena, Barcelona

Mismatches Cultural suitability Vulnerable groups
Policies and regulations Local policies Planning Governance Participatory processes
Urban Design Modelos De Ciudad Urban fabrics Services and infrastructure Environments Quality Liveability Inclusion Equity

Main objectives of the project

In Santa Coloma de Gramenet (Barcelona), near the Besós river, an ambitious rehabilitation project is being carried out in the Serra d'en Mena area. This plan seeks to improve the quality of life of the residents, many of whom are elderly and have limited resources, facing problems of energy poverty and structural deficiencies in their homes. The intervention includes improvements in the energy efficiency of the buildings, complex negotiations between the local administration and the communities of owners, and social projects such as the time bank to strengthen community cohesion.

Date

  • 2007: En proceso

Stakeholders

  • Santa Coloma de Gramanet City Council

Location

City: Barcelona
Country/Region: Barcelona, Spain

Description

The area of action is located in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, a municipality in the province of Barcelona close to the Besós river park. The Besós axis is known to be one of the most vulnerable areas in Spain and with the highest concentration of challenges in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. For years, efforts have been intensified in comprehensive neighbourhood rehabilitations in this area, which spans five municipalities and faces various social, natural and urban barriers.

The Serra d'en Mena plan focuses on the rehabilitation of an area that includes 360 dwellings and 26 premises, mostly built between 1968 and 1974 during a period of disorganised urban growth that caused multiple problems. One of the main objectives is to improve the quality of life and health of the residents, many of whom are elderly people with low pensions and suffer from fuel poverty due to inefficient housing.

These neighbourhoods, located on the municipal border with Badalona, have a vulnerable and ageing population, as well as significant structural deficits such as the lack of lifts and accessibility for people with reduced mobility. The location on a mountain aggravates the problems of accessibility on foot and by public transport, in addition to the deficiencies in terms of the healthiness of the dwellings. The plan aims to reverse all of this by improving the urban space, making it accessible, and acting on the housing in the neighbourhoods (some of which are in a critical situation of substandard housing and unhealthy conditions).

To address these challenges, a public intervention has been implemented in several phases, focusing on improving the interior comfort of the buildings and revitalising the identity and urban landscape. This process has required complex management and negotiations with the owners' communities to reach agreements on funding and intervention. In addition, social projects such as the time bank have been launched to involve citizens.

It is remarkable how improvements in the energy efficiency of residential structures not only improve the comfort of residents, but also have a positive impact on the perception of the urban landscape and the quality of life in the urban environment.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Neighborhood regeneration of Santa Adela, Granada

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Neighborhood regeneration of Santa Adela, Granada

Mismatches Vulnerable groups
Policies and regulations Local policies Regulation Global frameworks Governance Participatory processes

Main objectives of the project

Santa Adela, a neighbourhood that emerged on the southern outskirts of Granada in the late 1950s after the 1956 earthquake, has faced construction problems due to its rapid development. Now one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in the city, it has been the subject of a comprehensive urban reform plan that seeks to improve the habitability and quality of life of its residents without displacing the original inhabitants. Public intervention has included the renovation and reconstruction of residential areas, the rehabilitation of existing buildings with a focus on energy efficiency and accessibility, as well as socio-educational programmes and participatory processes.

Date

  • 2000: En proceso

Stakeholders

  • Granada City Hall

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Granada, Spain

Description

Santa Adela, a neighbourhood on the southern outskirts of Granada, emerged in the late 1950s in response to the 1956 earthquake in the city, initially housing the victims. Despite its peripheral origin, it has become one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in Granada, although it presents construction pathologies due to the urgency of its development.

The urban reform plan in Santa Adela seeks primarily to improve the habitability and quality of life of its residents, promoting social integration and socio-economic revitalisation without displacing the former inhabitants. A comprehensive public intervention has been implemented in five areas, including the renovation through demolition and reconstruction of some residential areas, as well as the rehabilitation of existing buildings in a better state of conservation, with a focus on energy efficiency and accessibility. These physical actions are complemented by socio-educational programmes and participatory processes that ensure the inclusion of residents in identifying the needs of the environment.

The combination of interventions ranging from demolition of part of the urban fabric to rehabilitations, together with participatory processes, stands out as one of the most significant aspects of this initiative. This approach has been possible thanks to a collaborative management between local social entities and the public administration, which has adapted the financing schemes to the socio-economic reality of the area's residents.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Singapore's public housing policy

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Singapore's public housing policy

Mismatches Security Demographic/Urban growth
Policies and regulations National policies Local policies Land
Promotion and production Public promotion
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

Singapore, a city-state of more than 5 million people, has achieved remarkable economic success in large part due to its affordable housing policy, initiated with the creation of the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in 1960. Initially focused on rental units to address a housing crisis, the HDB shifted its focus to ownership with the People's Home Ownership Scheme in 1964. Today, 94% of HDB housing is owned by residents, organized into self-sufficient "new villages" with various amenities. The housing policy has promoted racial integration and has included financial incentives, such as the use of the Central Provident Fund (CPF) for down payments. However, it faces challenges such as speculation and the exclusion of certain low-income groups and temporary workers. Despite these problems, Singapore offers an exemplary model of how a public housing program can transform a city in a short period.

Date

  • 1964: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: Housing and Development Board

Location

Country/Region: Singapore, Singapore

Description

Singapore, a city-state with over 5 million residents, owes much of its economic success to its foundation of affordable housing for citizens. Initially, public housing development was managed by the Singapore Improvement Trust, established in 1927 during the British colonial era. After gaining independence, Singapore created the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in 1960 to address a severe housing crisis by building rental units. Following the immediate resolution of the crisis, the government introduced the Home Ownership for the People Scheme in 1964, which became the cornerstone of the nation's housing policy, shifting the focus from renting to home ownership. For over two decades (1982-2006), the HDB ceased building rental units, leading to a current scenario where 94% of HDB stock is owned by residents. This transformation turned Singapore from a city of slums into a modern metropolis with public housing skyscrapers.

HDB projects are organized as "new towns," self-contained neighborhoods with amenities like restaurants, shops, schools, and religious institutions. Each town center typically features a clinic, a bus terminal, a subway station, or a mall. Singapore builds and sells various HDB flats to cater to different household needs and budgets. The apartment sizes range from 32 square meters (about 340 square feet) to 130 square meters for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit. There is also a four-bedroom, three-bathroom option for multigenerational families, measuring 115 square meters. Many owners take pride in their homes, which are often showcased in interior design magazines.

The primary focus of Singapore's housing policy has been to ensure home ownership for middle-class families. New HDB flats are sold exclusively to Singapore citizens, with priority schemes to allocate units. Up to 95% of flat sales are reserved for first-time applicants, with special consideration for young couples. Additional weight is given to those wishing to live near their parents. To combat early racial segregation, a 1989 policy sets ethnic quotas for each block or neighborhood to prevent racial enclaves, promoting integration among Chinese, Malay, and Indian residents.

In addition to housing grants, numerous incentives and subsidies support home ownership. Prospective buyers can use savings from Singapore’s mandatory retirement plan (Central Provident Fund or CPF) for their down payment. The CPF and HDB are tightly integrated in a closed-loop model of housing finance: HDB holds the mortgage, and CPF directly pays HDB from the owner's ongoing savings.

HDB developments are primarily 99-year leases, with the government perpetually owning the land, similar to community land trusts or leasehold properties in British Columbia, making units cheaper to purchase. Targeted programs allow elderly citizens to buy flats on shorter-term leases to make them more affordable.

Despite its success, the model faces challenges. Now, public flats have become vehicles for private wealth accumulation. The push for higher-end housing has led to speculative behavior, with some buyers selling HDB flats after the minimum five-year period to gain capital and purchase private market properties. Million-dollar-plus HDB flat sales have increased in the resale market, prompting the government to enforce new laws. Owners of certain units must now live in them for 10 years before selling, and income ceilings for secondary market buyers align with restrictions for new flat buyers.

Some people remain excluded from the homeownership scheme. The HDB stock includes over 63,000 rental flats (about 6% of units) for low-income households. Most rental flats are studios and one-bedrooms, while ownership units are primarily two- to four-bedrooms. A complex set of rules governs rental housing applications, with a waiting list of six to nine months. Rents increase progressively with income. Singapore extensively relies on low-paid temporary workers from South Asia for affordable housing construction. These workers, constituting about 4% of the population, live in crowded dormitories, cannot become permanent residents or citizens, and do not benefit from HDB schemes.

Even with these challenges, Singapore’s public housing policies provide valuable lessons. The nation demonstrates how a large public program aimed at affordable rental and ownership housing can achieve significant results quickly. Singapore exemplifies the potential of substantial public support in building affordable housing, acquiring land, planning complete communities, and achieving high levels of racial integration.

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

123 rue Royale, Brussels

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123 rue Royale, Brussels

Mismatches Vulnerable groups Vacant housing
Policies and regulations Local policies Evictions
Ownership and tenure Rental and temporary tenure Protection of social housing

Main objectives of the project

Authorities often view squatters as a significant issue in the housing crisis. Many people become squatters out of necessity, but in doing so, they occupy units that could otherwise house other families in need. The case of 123 Rue Royale serves as a notable example of addressing this problem. Through a well-organized movement behind the occupation, residents were able to negotiate terms and reach a temporary agreement. This allowed them to stay in the building temporarily and transform it into a democratic hub of culture and activities. Eventually, this "legal" occupation came to an end, and the building was returned to its public owner. By following this model, the squatters prevented the sale of public land, and none of the residents were evicted.

Date

  • 2007: Implementation

Stakeholders

  • Wallonia Region
  • Promotor: Woningen 123 Logements

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Belgium, Brussels

Description

Social housing constitutes about 8% of the total housing in Brussels. With 43.4% of the population being homeowners, more than half of the population relies on the private rental market. Less than half of social housing applicants are successful, and for the 41,000 families on the waiting list, the wait can exceed 10 years.

The first illegal occupation of empty buildings arose because public authorities had tools to make vacant buildings available to homeless people or to renovate and rent them out on a social basis. However, these tools were not being utilized. What began as an act of civil disobedience to highlight housing exclusion issues has evolved into a recognized movement affirming the social interest in occupying vacant spaces for housing. This is exemplified by the case of Woningen123Logements, or 123 Rue Royale, in Brussels.

In May 2007, a group of people took over the building at 123 Rue Royale. A temporary occupation agreement was quickly concluded with the Walloon Region, the owner of the premises. Among the new occupants were students, street dwellers, artists, undocumented people, and others seeking an alternative to traditional housing. They shared common experiences of difficulty in finding accommodation due to the housing crisis or personal reasons and a desire to live in collective and supportive housing. The non-profit organization is currently seeking a new location as the convention is ending. Additionally, 123 Logements aims to find alternative and concrete solutions to the housing crisis, particularly through the reallocation of empty buildings into self-managed housing.

The case became a pilot project with the signing of a temporary occupancy agreement between 123 Rue Royale and the Walloon Region as the landlord. The agreement allowed the occupants secure tenure for up to six months after the owner obtained planning permission to repurpose the building sustainably.

During the temporary agreement, 123 Rue Royale became an association with the objective of creating supportive and self-managed housing. The association does not intend to impede owners' investments but seeks a simple solution to legally occupy buildings awaiting allocation or investment, offering reliable guarantees for both owners and residents. The association is composed of 90% residents, 5% former residents, and 5% outsiders, with all decisions made in residents' meetings. In 2018, the agreement ended, and the occupants left the building. During the legal occupation, the building became a hub of cultural and economic activities in the neighborhood.

While temporary occupancy agreements are not seen as the ultimate solution to the housing crisis, they provide a roof, security, and comfort at a very low cost, serving as a temporary solution that allows households to save money for debts or sustainable rehousing. This case is notable because it involved community action, emphasizing the importance of seeing opportunities in the housing crisis rather than merely focusing on squatting as a problem.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España

Generation Block, Helsinki

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Generation Block, Helsinki

Mismatches Services Cultural suitability Diversity
Urban Design Quality Liveability Inclusion Equity
Promotion and production Public-private partnerships Self-management
Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

The Generations Block comprises rental homes provided by Setlementtiasunnot and the Foundation of Student Housing in the Helsinki Region (Hoas), along with owner-occupied housing. This block includes a total of 262 apartments, 20 of which are specially designed for disabled residents. It fosters an active and community-oriented lifestyle, bringing together people of diverse ages and cultural backgrounds. The block features various communal spaces, such as a residents' living room, a stage for movies and performances, a laundry room with a sewing area, a woodworking room, and a soundproof music room.

Date

  • 2017: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: Hoas
  • Promotor: Setlementtiasunnot

Location

Continent: Europe
City: Helsinki
Country/Region: Finland, Helsinki

Description

The Generations Block in Helsinki builds on the concept of student housing with common rooms and shared spaces, expanding it to create a multigenerational community within the housing development. Initiated in 2010, the project has attracted numerous collaborators and partners, including Aalto University, the Ministry of Environment, and the City of Helsinki. The Block comprises 262 homes spread across three buildings, with an entire floor dedicated to shared spaces.

Residents benefit from a variety of communal amenities, such as a garden, kitchen, sewing room, woodworking room, TV room, soundproof music room, sauna, gym, and a theatre stage. A wide, open, wheelchair-accessible corridor connects all these shared spaces, facilitating movement and fostering a sense of community and interaction.

For example, Jätkäsaaren Setlementtiasunnot is one of the largest buildings in the project. It offers studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 32 to 77 square meters. The eight-floor building is equipped with a lift. The living rooms, hallways, and kitchens have laminate flooring, while the washrooms are tiled with ceramic tiles. Kitchen fixtures include MDF cabinet doors and laminate countertops, along with an ice-freezer, a four-burner hob, a dishwasher, and a microwave. All apartments are designed to be wheelchair accessible and feature either a balcony or a French balcony, with some offering private courtyards. For fire safety, all apartments and balconies have sprinklers. The property includes 29 parking spaces located under Hyväntoivonpuisto in the Rokkiparkki parking cave. Each apartment has a mechanical ventilation system and is connected to district heating.

While common rooms and shared living have traditionally been part of student housing and residential or care homes, the Generations Block extends this concept to include everyone in between. It offers residents the chance to form neighborly friendships and foster a sense of community and belonging in a large city, while also providing access to spaces and resources for hobbies and interests. As co-living becomes more popular among young people, it will be intriguing to observe the demographic composition of the Generations Block and how intergenerational living functions in practice.

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

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

Sa Pobla Social Housing, Mallorca, Spain

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Sa Pobla Social Housing, Mallorca, Spain

Mismatches Functional adequacy Vulnerable groups
Urban Design Modelos De Ciudad Quality Liveability Equity
Promotion and production Public promotion

Main objectives of the project

Sa Pobla, a small agricultural town in northern Mallorca, faces a severe shortage of affordable housing due to the island's tourism-driven speculation. In response, IBAVI commissioned Ripoll Tizón Estudio de Arquitectura to develop a social housing project that draws from local climate, character, and lifestyle. The design respects street alignment, uses modular aggregation for varied spatial configurations, and centers around an interior courtyard that enhances community interaction. This project integrates seamlessly with traditional building scales and the landscape, addressing housing needs while maintaining quality and standardization.

Date

  • 2013: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: IBAVI
  • Architect: Ripoll Tizón Estudio de Arquitectura

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Spain

Description

Sa Pobla is a small town in northern Mallorca, Spain, with a population of nearly 13,000. The municipality encompasses a fertile plain dedicated to irrigated agriculture and the albufera, a scenic and ecologically valuable area where two streams converge. Agriculture has long been the primary industry. However, Mallorca faces a significant shortage of affordable housing due to the speculative nature of its tourism industry. This shortage extends to towns like Sa Pobla that are not tourist hotspots. Consequently, residents who earn low wages from agriculture are burdened by high housing costs driven by the island's speculative pressures. In response, IBAVI, the public promoter of social housing on the island, commissioned a housing project in Sa Pobla. The competition was won by the local firm Ripoll Tizón Estudio de Arquitectura.

The social housing proposal in Sa Pobla draws from local elements such as climate, local character, and lifestyle, taking inspiration from features observed throughout the town: courtyards, filters, light, plots, the small scale of buildings, and the unique character and arrangement of each dwelling.

The project aims to emphasize the nuances and intimate scale of domestic life. It respects street alignment and acknowledges the depth of the site. The complex extends between the site’s boundaries, interacting with the party walls that define it, sometimes removing them and sometimes highlighting them, all while enveloping an interior courtyard that organizes circulation and public spaces.

Housing units are based on a single or double-height living/dining/kitchen module, to which smaller modules for bedrooms, bathrooms, and storage are added. This modular aggregation allows for various spatial configurations with the same program elements or different surfaces depending on the number of modules. This approach enables each unit to be part of a cohesive whole, offering a varied landscape rich in nuances and well-adapted to its physical conditions, without sacrificing the quality, rigor, and standardization necessary for social housing development.

The project is notable for how it adapts to the scale of traditional buildings, integrates into the landscape, and arranges the units around a courtyard that serves as a communal square.

Links

Authors:

CSCAE Consejo Superior de los Colegios de Arquitectos de España