35 dwellings in Barcelona

The building proposes the new construction of 35 houses in two blocks. Both buildings are related, on the ground floor, by a public space located at a high level with respect to the street.

The two volumes are arranged on a stained concrete base that contains the parking lot. From this level, the formal support will be ceramic in the form of various elements and exposed brickwork. The objective is to resolve the diversity of compositional and constructive conditions with a single material. The base piece is perforated brick, with a 24×11.5x5cm format with a manual reddish finish and placed in sardinel, with which all the facades are resolved.

A changing envelope solves the window, sun protection and privacy. Next to the openings, a vertical shadow is generated by placing a special piece based on the same perforated brick, with the variation of one of the dimensions of the mold, 24x17x5cm. This vertical grooving that varies in location brings a perception of movement and dynamism to the image of the building. In addition, depending on the orientation of the different openings and terraces, the 24.5×11.5×11.5 cm lattice piece is inserted as a solar and visual protection of the outdoor space.

On its north façade, one of the blocks faces a large electrical production station. Consequently, the openings are minimized from the housing typology and an expressive element is introduced on the façade with the same base piece, but with one of its faces enameled, in green tones. This gives rise to a vertical ceramic “garden” composed of different vertical stripes, which improves the visual presence of this facade in the environment.

Finally, a unitary image is obtained, where by varying a single piece, a multiplicity of situations and effects are achieved that give the Building uniqueness. Resolved with a single construction system based on the exposed work, with a continuous joint rig that shows the non-structural and free role of the enclosure wall.