Vivas Arquitectos and EXE Arquitectura propose a clear and modulated structure with exterior walkways that act as passages that facilitate access to the homes and enhance relations between neighbours as intermediate spaces for relationships. The proposal includes multipurpose spaces on the ground floor and roof that also encourage community relations in the building of neighbours.
The building was constructed using a porticoed structure of concrete pillars and lightweight reinforced concrete slabs, which allowed the building's large spans to be covered. Thanks to the system of prefabricated 3D modules, execution times were optimized, construction costs were minimized and the environmental impact was reduced. The project was built with a total of 104 modules that were transported and assembled on-site.
The proposal also combines passive and active strategies, opting for a bioclimatic project that optimizes air conditioning and uses efficient aerothermal and photovoltaic systems that allow for almost zero consumption of non-renewable energy.
Industrialized Social Housing by Vivas Arquitectos and EXE Arquitectura. Photograph by José Hevia.
Project description by Vivas Arquitecto and EXE Arquitectura
The project involves the construction of 45 social housing units, each with two bedrooms, distributed in an 8-storey building with a total area of 4,465 m2, with facilities on the ground floor.
Industrial environment and adaptability
The proposal is presented as a residential building understood as a habitable infrastructure with a clear and modular structure (prefabricated 3D modular construction), which allows flexible use now and in the future with possible changes of use. The architectural proposal enters into dialogue with the existing textile factory, with a characteristic industrial architectural language.
Community transition
A gradient is proposed from the main road, the passage, the entrance porch and the access walkways to the homes, which are understood as “exterior passages” in height, resolving the transition between the community and the home. The walkways fulfill the double function of filtering the accesses to the homes and enhancing the relationships between the neighbors through the appropriation of these intermediate spaces. In addition, complementary community spaces are proposed on the ground floor and the roof of the building. These include multipurpose areas, a large communal terrace with garden areas and porched spaces that provide shade, intended for use by neighbours.
Constructive duality
- “On-site” construction: Foundation and ground floor.
- “Off-site” manufacturing: According to the construction company's own methodology, with 3D modules attached to the factory, equipped with structure, closures, dividers, installations, finishes and equipment.
Optimization in Time, Costs and Materials
Due to the structural rationality of the floor plan and the spans to be covered, a porticoed structure was chosen using concrete pillars and slabs with lightweight reinforced concrete slabs. The project was made up of a total of 104 prefabricated 3D modules, transported and assembled on site in just 15 days, which allowed the execution times to be significantly reduced.
Thanks to the fact that all the construction materials are prefabricated, construction times were optimised through precise planning, simultaneous execution with on-site work and reduced travel. This also contributed to minimising construction costs (lightweight structure and reduced foundations), ensuring greater quality control (site visits to the factory), reducing the environmental impact during construction (optimisation and reduction of waste), guaranteeing the closure of the life cycle of the materials at the end of the building's life and improving safety and comfort at work. The prefabrication of all the elements has guaranteed the execution and durability of the materials. In addition, it allowed the work to be completed in a total time of only 13 months. The facilities have been planned in such a way as to minimise energy costs and their maintenance. The correct operation of the facilities has been checked in the factory, and the modules have been waterproofed on the top to ensure proper transport and assembly using a heavy-duty mobile crane.
Sustainability
The building, with an A energy certification, combines passive and active strategies to reduce demand and consumption. Its bioclimatic design optimizes air conditioning, and efficient systems such as LED lighting, aerothermal energy and photovoltaics are incorporated to achieve almost zero consumption of non-renewable energy.
