The envelope of the complex is defined by a double façade, with an outer skin with sliding panels of wooden slats that works as a visual filter and sun protection, and a recessed and glazed inner skin that makes it easier to take advantage of the views. The inside division inside the homes is organized by placing the day areas towards the Paseo de Mallorca, the area with the best views and solar orientation, and the night areas are located in the rest of the perimeter of the building, in quieter streets.
Residential building Paseo Mallorca 15 by OHLAB. Photograph by José Hevia.
Residential building Paseo Mallorca 15 by OHLAB. Photograph by José Hevia.
Description of project by OHLAB
In the most privileged and sunny enclave of Paseo Mallorca, the tree-lined promenade in front of the stream located in the heart of the city, this new residential complex will be a landmark in the city of Palma de Mallorca for its architecture, sustainability, energy efficiency, urban integration, quality of materials, interior design and comfort.
The façade made up of sliding panels of wooden slats acts as a solar filter, creating a changing play of light and shade in the homes that allows the sun to be used efficiently all year round. The project has been designed according to Passivhaus standards to achieve maximum energy efficiency and an air conditioning demand of only 15kWh/(m²a). This reduces the need for air conditioning and cooling by almost 90% compared to a conventional building, making it a construction with a very low energy cost for the owner and the planet. This type of construction is part of the nearly zero energy building (nZEB) standard.
At the entrance to the building, we are greeted by a wall of bamboo cane, typical of Mediterranean streams, as a reference to the Riera del Paseo Mallorca, which is in front of the building. The plant wall accompanies us to the inner courtyard of the building, where we find an oasis of vegetation, freshness and tranquillity.
The inner courtyard, with different levels, functions as an inner lung of vegetation and trees that connects upwards to the garden terraces with swimming pools on the fourth, sixth and eighth floors of the building.
In the courtyard garden a gentle cascade of water cascades down to the lower floor cooling the courtyard in summer by evotranspiration and creating relaxing acoustics. This courtyard also connects downwards providing lighting and vegetation to the basement where the communal pool, gym and spa are located becoming a true collective vertical axis that unifies the vegetation of the building and allows cross ventilation through the garden into all the dwellings.
The spa area for residents, treated with walls and floors finished in natural stone, includes an indoor heated pool, steam bath and changing rooms. Adjacent to the pool is the gymnasium with large windows overlooking the landscaped inner courtyard.
Two types of façade define the exterior of the building. A permeable skin of wooden slats filters the sun, playing with light and shadow in the daytime area of the dwellings. Another more stony and solid façade protects the bedrooms.
Residential building Paseo Mallorca 15 by OHLAB. Photograph by José Hevia.
The first type of envelope is located on the chamfer towards Paseo Mallorca, the area with the best views and solar orientation and where the day areas of the homes are located. In this area a double façade with large glazing is planned to take advantage of the views, enjoy the deciduous trees outside and the sunshine in winter. This façade is protected by a second sensitive skin made up of mobile panels of wooden slats that block the sun in summer, make the most of the sun in winter and act as a transition between the house and its surroundings. It is an organic, permeable and changing veil, an exterior reflection of its interior life, a solar filter modulating light and shadow, optimised on the basis of solar studies, which adapts to the different climatological needs and which finds its roots in the tradition of Mallorcan pergolas and shutters, which together with crossed ventilation and a heat recovery system is the key to providing maximum energy efficiency.
On the other hand, the second type of envelope is located in the perimeter areas, facing the quieter streets, where the night areas of the homes are located. This is a solid façade that provides the necessary airtightness and defines the container for the private areas. Different textures and printed rhythms will find in their own diversity the unity of the whole. A material balance between negatives and positives creates a landscape of envelopes with changing textures.
The selection of natural, local materials emphasising the Mediterranean essence has been very important. A simple palette of noble materials such as solid French walnut doors, cedar wardrobe interiors, selected oak, traditional lime plaster on walls and ceilings, solid washbasins of local stones or aged bronze pieces define the interiors of the homes at Paseo Mallorca 15. Finishes carefully selected for their quality, taking into account details, textures and smells.
Paseo Mallorca 15 is a contemporary urban oasis with local roots that make it a unique place.
The penthouses of Paseo Mallorca 15, located on different levels, become authentic urban refuges above the city with garden terraces and swimming pools from which to enjoy a panoramic view of the rooftops of Palma and the tree-lined promenade of the Riera.
