44-units social housing in Pardinyes, Lleida
As a response to the site conditions and the sustainability criterias specified in the program ( 1 hour of sun between 10h and 14h at winter solstice for 91% of dwellings), the proposal consists of a single building made up of 2 separate blocks (A&B) sharing a common vestibule and stair, catwalks accesses and 44 dwellings (11 per floor) based on the same type changing according to the block (180º switch according to the sun-orientation of the block or according to height (a mirror symmetry is applied from floor to floor).
The layout of this 60m2 dwelling unit (5,65 x 11,80m2) can be adapted to the user (age and number), to the desired orientation (living and dining rooms are interchangeable to face street or courtyard, or to adapt to seasons). Bedrooms are also interchangeable and can be transformed into studios.
The dwelling opens to the exterior (street or catwalk) through porches or open courtyards at the facade. They form transition spaces (not terraces) creating a relationship with the exterior similar to that of a single-family house: entrance through aluminum sliding doors. The dwelling is thus closed or opened to the exterior through 2 big holes in the facade, gaining in climate control, view control and safety.
The exterior aspect is bold, perforated by a pattern of openings alternating void and infill with vertical and horizontal corrugated steel, a metallic skin changing according to the angles of the sun transforms the facade throughout the day and year. Such variety and ambiguity avoid the typical monotony of the newly-built suburb.#socialhousing
