Sevillian architect Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra has been one of the three Spanish winners in the 9th BIAU, with his project for 165 social housing units in Vallecas, in Madrid, Spain. The project is formed by two linear blocks of up to 7 levels and it is characterized by the use of very few materials. Concrete becomes the main character of the project, together with a ventilated facade system that protects the South orientation. The homes always have 2 facades which guarantees its cross ventilation.
Description of project by the architects
Instead of building a closed block as suggested by planning regulations, the design set out two parallel blocks. This design was the best answer to the unequal conditions of the surroundings and the urban setting in order to achieve better living conditions, good views and ensure the best orientation.
The two blocks, each of them formed also by two parallel blocks, align with the end edges of the piece forming a large landscaped area. Parking and storage are located under the housing blocks in order to free the space between the blocks, so that a large garden may be built.
The two blocks are not equal. One receives at its end a cut to adapt it to the geometry of the plot, in front of a roundabout, on the other, subtraction operations solve both the access to the buildings, and the continuity with the existing volumes.
Some homes open to the exterior while others look to the garden. Every unit has two facades, ensuring cross ventilation and natural ventilation and light.
The various situations create a different building envelope. Terse and continuous walls, pierced by elongated windows, on the street facades, and galleries, protected by aluminum vertical elements that create a dynamic and changing landscape, to the courtyard garden. This metallic adjustable envelope, allows the user to control sunlight and adapt it to different climatic conditions.
The housing distribution seeks to achieve qualifies interior spaces that respond to the functional organisation required by the program, and also provide flexible housing that allows different living experiences.
CREDITS.-
Architect.- Guillermo Vázquez-Consuegra.
Project team.- Alberto Altini, Laura Moruno, Elías Pérez-Lema, Borja Dorado, Jeff Geisinger, Pedro Hébil, Esther Hodel, Asia Jedrus. Construction direction.- Patricia Leal, Javier de Mateo y Álvaro Luna.
Technicians.- Marcos Vázquez Consuegra (project and construction director) and Emilio Rodriguez (construction director).
Engineering collaborators.- Edartec/ Eduardo Martínez Moya. Systems.- Insur J.G. Landscape architecture.- Teresa Galí (Arquitectura Agronomía).
Built area.- 25.552 m²
Budget.- 17.407.730 €
Constructors.- Prasi SA (2007-2008) y OCA Construcciones y Proyectos SA (2009-2012)
Location.- C/ Peñaranda de Bracamonte (Parcela 2.119 P.P. 1.03.) “Ensanche de Vallecas” 28051 Madrid. Spain.
Dates.- 2005-06-06 (Project), 2007-05-22 (construction start), 2012-04-23 (completion).
