The project is committed to a geometry that maximizes permeability and visual connectivity, as well as the natural ventilation of the patio through a double entrance that emphasizes the presence of the park behind it and that, even though it is a compact volume, provides all its homes and stays outside.
40 Social Housing units building by MAIO Architects. Photograph by José Hevia.
Project description by MAIO Architects
Located in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, the five-story housing project develops several social strategies that aim to improve urban connectivity, social equity and sustainability. It will host 40 social housing units composed of generic spaces, non-hierarchical, flexible and adaptable to changes in the vital needs of its inhabitants. The apartments are contained in a compact and orthogonal parallelepiped and organized around a courtyard which regulates passively indoor temperature and ventilation reducing consumes and economic dependencies.
The plot, located in a suburban neighborhood, has a rectangular area of 923.34 m² bordered on the north-east by industrial buildings, on the northwest by Anselm Clavé street and on the south-east and south-west by green spaces and communal areas of a neighboring apartment building.
The ground floor defines an interior passage that communicates the street and the park providing connectivity and integration between the two urban areas all the while dividing the space into two enclosed spaces for commercial and public use. Its shape follows the nature of its surroundings for better integration and its hard-based finishes facilitate accessibility and maintenance. In turn, the façades are defined by balconies that occupy the maximum surface allowed by local regulations, which limit their presence to the 50% of the façade. By strictly following a fan-like shape, the project extends the exterior surface of the apartments to the maximum allowed, defining large outdoor spaces.
40 Social Housing units building by MAIO Architects. Photograph by José Hevia.
Priority has been given to dry construction, industrialization and pre-assembly. Simplicity and repetition allowed to reduce costs. The materials are economical and at the same time durable and quick to execute.
The building has been designed responding to sustainability challenges and to reduce costs and consumption. All apartments have cross ventilation, and all rooms are exterior, opening onto the facade or patio.
In winter, the central patio captures the heat through the greenhouse effect and in summer it helps to regulate the temperature due to the natural chimney effect.
40 Social Housing units building by MAIO Architects. Photograph by José Hevia.
The constructive facade system incorporates continuous insulation that eliminates possible thermal bridges. The facade also incorporates a light structure that allows the solar protection system to be installed.
Another climatic strategy has been use of aerothermia with photovoltaic panels for air conditioning, a sustainable, high-efficiency and low-maintenance system, which minimizes consumption.
