Description of the project by Olalquiaga Architects
The project addresses a double challenge:
1- to adapt sustainable and technological architecture to the normative corset and to the idiosyncrasy characteristic of heterogeneous urban centers.
2- to demonstrate that sustainable and technological architecture is not incompatible with architectonic quality (tired of absurd passive houses passed off as models of architecture).
For this purpose three superimposed units have been designed (the TECHNOLOGICAL HOUSE, the SUSTAINABLE HOUSE and the TOWN HOUSE):
The TECHNOLOGICAL HOUSE has a slender structure made of thin metal pillars (HEB 100) and a thin concrete flagstone (e=20cm) that create a diaphanous, transparent and luminous dwelling. The enclosure is glazed on its exterior side with parapets of composite panels in anodized aluminum color. The interior wall cladding is made of modulated panels. The TECHNOLOGICAL HOUSE has a central domotic control system that integrates cooling and heating, lighting, solar protection, fire and gas detection, access, security CCTV and telecommunications.
The SUSTAINABLE HOUSE has geothermic cooling and heating through thermoactive concrete slab, an inertial system the cools and heats during interseasonal periods without any energy input. The SUSTAINABLE HOUSE has a power control mechanism that significantly reduces the simultaneity coefficient, and thus reduces the costs of contracting power. A network of external and internal humidity, temperature and light sensors communicate with the central control system in order to optimize scenarios and significantly decrease energy consumption.
The TOWN HOUSE adapts itself to a corseted urban regulation. A ceramic wrap covers the façade and roof on to Cristo Street overlapping the technological house. Three steel boxes poke out through this ceramic wrap so the religious processions can be seen from the balcony.
