104 BIOCLIMATIC HOUSES

Cuenca | 2000-2003

The Housing Department of the Regional Government of Castilla La Mancha wanted the construction of social housing that would champion bioclimatic principles as a model to follow in future building promotions.

The plot destined for the construction of the 104 houses in Cuenca is part of a recently developed neighbourhood in the process of consolidation, constituting an opportunity to create a building that identifies the immediate environment.

The entire plot is considered as a single area of ​​action; the 104 homes are grouped into two large linear blocks that, on a smaller scale, are subdivided into twelve towers-modules each, solving the composition in elevation and absorbing the steep slope of the street.

Based on these general premises, differentiating elements appear in the building. The houses facing southwest (facade to the boulevard) have balconies, prolongation of the living room, which protects the openings from the summer insolation while enriching the formal game with variations of shadows throughout the day. The topography with steep slopes causes different solutions in both longitudinal facades. All this is responding to the specific limitations of the place, the orientation and the topography of the terrain.

The solution adopted is a consequence of the following considerations:

  1. Optimization of the use of the site. So the houses are around the perimeter, in blocks parallel to the streets.
  2. The solution in two linear blocks with interstitial patios that resolve cross ventilation and sunlight.
  3. Full body unit image. Set generated by adding similar elements in a regular rhythm.
  4. The project as a whole is an experimental work on bioclimatic architecture, both in active and passive principles.

It was the first bioclimatic social housing project promoted by the Administration of the Regional Government of Castilla La Mancha.

INFO

Project Author ESTUDIO AIA
Construction Manager ESTUDIO AIA
Location Cuenca
Promoter JCCM
Construction Company FERROVIAL
Project date 2000
Final date of work 2002

AWARDS

1st Awards Project Competition
PREMIO CIVITAS NOVA 2007

 

PUBLICATIONS

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