113 Social-Housing Apartments

The arrangement of the buildings on the site tackles two basic issues: orientation and topography. A south-facing orientation optimises exposure to the sun and provides the best views and the use of the buildings themselves as contention walls provides a simple, cost-efficient solution to the difficult terrain on which the apartments are located. Volumes emerge steeply above the ground floor and are freed from the irregular design of the site to find their own position. A continuous plynth varies the colour and texture, providing a pleasing uniformity across the steep slopes, while acting as a container for the pedestrian and vehicle access to the buildings and commercial premises. The openings at the southern side of the building are of greater dimensions and are protected by aluminium lattice shuttering. These mobile panels can be positioned to provide shade for the apartments in the summer or admit more light in the winter, to ensure energy saving and comfortable temperatures. The south facing lineal blocks generate intermediate interior spaces, an area of access, meeting and connection, creating a sequence between the public and the private. There is a place for neighbourhood relations, for children’s game and the pleasant resting area for its future inhabitants, supporting their urban life.