Bioclimatic strategy at home. Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes

Architecture studio Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes was commissioned to design this new building with a total of 26 homes, 6 studios, and 2 premises, located on Roger de Flor street, located in the Graciá neighborhood of the city of Barcelona.

The project features sustainable strategies, such as thermal inertia, insulation, orientation of the openings, and the use of draughts to reduce energy consumption. In addition, it has removable building components to promote the circular economy.

The studio, led by Felipe Pich Aguilera Baurier and Teresa Batlle Pagés, designs these dwellings in two buildings with L-shaped and double façades, which are located in the common space of the basement. Inside, there are floors with two flats and an office, while the upper part houses the laundry room, the swimming pool, and the different facilities of the complex.

The exterior architecture of the building reminds us of the character of the neighborhood, through the use of tribunes, balconies, or sgraffito walls. The stained and pickled concrete imitates the sgraffito stucco tradition of the buildings in the area.

Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes. Photograph by Antonio Navarro Wijkmark.

Description of project by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes

The project consists of two residential rental buildings located on an L-shaped plot with double facades facing the streets in the Gràcia district. These buildings are designed with a total of 26 apartments, 6 studios, and 2 commercial spaces. The buildings are connected through a basement, creating a communal space in the interior of the block.

The architecture of the buildings aims to evoke the history and character of the neighborhood, using elements such as galleries, balconies, shutters, and sgraffito facades in a flat and discreet composition. Tinted and weathered concrete panels are used to construct the envelope in an industrial manner, imitating the traditional craft of sgraffito plasterwork.

Inside, the typical floors feature two apartments and one professional office-study on each. The roof houses a natural drying area, a communal pool, and the building's facilities. The vertical communication core has an elevator with a fully transparent glass cabin to integrate it into the courtyard.

The design of the buildings focuses on sustainability, using bioclimatic strategies such as thermal inertia, orientation of openings, insulation, and natural ventilation to reduce conventional energy consumption. Cross-ventilation and natural lighting are promoted in all housing units. In addition, assembled and demountable building components are used to promote circular economy.

Site plan. Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

Basement floor plan. Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

Ground floor plan. Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

First floor plan. Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

Second floor plan. Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

Badalot Passatge D'Alió floor plan. Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

Badalot Carrer de Roger de Flor floor plan. Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

Type floor plan.Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

Section. Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

Elevation. Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

Details. Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

Bioclimatic section. Residential Building on Roger de Flor Street by Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

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More information

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Architects

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Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes.

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Dates

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2023.

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Location

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Street Roger de Flor, Barcelona, Spain.

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Photography

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Antonio Navarro Wijkmark.

Felipe Pich, Teresa Batlle. Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes

Pich-Aguilera Arquitectes. Founded in 1986 by the architects Felipe Pich-Aguilera Baurier and Teresa Batlle Pagés, it focuses mainly on sustainable architecture projects. The effort, in this sense, has led them to develop planning, promote innovation, research and development projects and delve into aspects related to the sustainability of their buildings, basing their work on the principles of the circular economy and well-being with minimal consumption. Thus, the study not only focuses on the development of projects but also has transversal areas that take care of quality, innovation and sustainability.The current complexity and precision of their work have led them to be one of the first firms to incorporate the BIM model into their projects and the ISO9001 certification.

Since 2010, Picharchitects/Pich-Aguilera has strengthened its international presence by opening an office in Monterrey, Mexico. Since 2022 Picharchitects/Pich-Aguilera reinforces its national presence with a new office in Madrid to expand its area of activity throughout the national territory. The studio has received numerous awards for architecture and environmental innovation. Among the most recent, it is worth highlighting: 2020 First Prize for “Ascer” architecture for the “Research Center of the Hospital de Sant Pau and la Santa Creu”. 2018 Castilla-La Mancha Sustainable Construction Award for the "Leitat Technology Center."

The studio's success lies in its multidisciplinary approach, being composed of a team that encompasses disciplines such as innovation, sustainability, industrialization, and circular economy. This synergy between different areas allows them to tackle projects from a global perspective, ensuring innovative and sustainable solutions.

Felipe Pich-Aguilera Baurier. Doctor architect. Graduated in 1986 by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Speciality in Construction. Member of the Group EASA (European Assembly of Students of Architecture). Participants in the Congresses in Denmark (1984), Greece (1985), and Finland (1987). Founder member of ASF-E, the Association of Architects Without Borders from Spain. Professor of projects and director of the core subject of Sustainability.

Founder Member of the Young Catalan Architects Association (AJAC) and instigator of the activity “Meetings-Dialogue” in the Association. Founder Member of the Superior School of Architecture of the International University of Catalonia ESARQ/UIC. President of the school councils (1996-1999). Fourth-Grade Professor (since 2008). Professor of architecture and sustainability Fourth-Grade. Director of environmental and industrialisation investigation area. Founder Member of the grouping “AuS” (Architecture and Sustainability) grouping integrated into the School of Catalonia Architects.

President GBC (Spanish president of the International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment and World Green Building Council), from 2008 to 2017. Director of the Chair of industrialized building and environment (CEIM). Member of the Environment of CEMEX. Since 1996, Felipe gives courses and conferences in workshops and masters in Schools of Architecture and institutions related to sustainability in constructive process and respect for the environment in Catalonia, Spain and worldwide.

Teresa Batlle Pagès. Architect. Graduated in 1989 from the School of Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Specialization in services and conditions. Member Group of EASA (European Assembly of Students of Architecture). Attends the Congress of Denmark(1984), Greece (1985), and Finland (1987). Founding member of the Young Architects Association of Catalonia (AJAC). Founding member of the School of Architecture at the International University of Catalonia ESARQ / UIC. Coordinator of Teaching 2nd Cycle Plan (1997-1999). Coordinator of the Professional Council. (1996-1999).

Founding member of the Association AuS, Architecture and Sustainability of the College of Architects of Catalonia. Founding member of the Architecture and Sustainability Association (ASA), driven by the Superior Council of Colleges of Architects of Spain (CSCAE). Member of the Board of the 22 @-network and association of innovative companies with headquarters in the 22 @ Barcelona. Vice President of the association AUS (architecture resources of Catalonia). General Secretary of the association ASA (resources i architecture of Spain). President of the Scientific Committee of ASA. President of the Commission of environment of the association Network22. Coordinator since 1997, round tables and debates on industrialization and the environment.