SUSTAINABILITY

The architectural companies DATAAE, narch arquitectes, and maira arquitectes have designed this building of 47 social housing units in the Torre Baró neighbourhood, characterized by its steep terrain. The project deepens the connection between residential living, public space, and the city by using intermediary spaces to create a transition between the street and the home. At the heart of the design is a large bioclimatic atrium, a welcoming area on the ground floor that serves as a central passage for residents, connecting them to the various stairwells. This energy-efficient shared space aims to become a year-round hub for interaction among residents and future generations.

The central space, thanks to a bioclimatic roof that can open, close, and protect the building from the sun, functions as a greenhouse in winter and as a highly ventilated shaded area in summer. This results in a thermally favourable environment that adapts to the building's environmental needs, by improving the thermal performance of the interior facade, and aids in energy exchange with the units, reducing ventilation losses. The advantages of this communal space also transform both the central area and the generously sized stair landings into social spaces for residents to gather, play, or interact.

From a typological perspective, each apartment incorporates a terrace-gallery style communal space, which functions as a passive thermal zone. In summer, this open, exterior, and ventilated space aids in cooling the apartments through cross-ventilation. In winter, it becomes an enclosed, heat-gaining area that contributes thermal energy to the living room through the greenhouse effect, minimizing the need for heating. Each terrace acts as a private buffer between the interior and exterior. The building offers a unified design of patio apartments where all rooms are located along the facade, benefiting from natural light and views.