54 Social Housing in Inca, Balearic Islands/

The plot owned by Administration has a rectangular shape with an area of 3,266 m2.

The proposed proposal attends to two fundamental aspects, the correct insertion of the building in the urban and physical environment as well as a solution that is a synthesis of the functional aspects of the program.The project strategies and work execution have allowed us to solve the housing emergency firstly and the climatic emergency.

1. Social Housing emergency on the Balearic Islands  (execution speed)
2. Climate emergency : NeZB efficiency, (0.64 Kw.h/m2×Year),  Water cycle. (max. 100l p/p). Reduction of waste by 20% on theoretical production . Reduction of CO2 emissions from materials. (50% compared to buildings with similar characteristics)

The program proposed by the Balearic Housing Institute consists on a  Parking due to municipal regulations and the 54 housing are located distributed by 18 flats by floor ,on the ground floor and two floors. In the interior space there is a common relationship space for users.

The building is organized by a north-south axis that gives rise to the location of two independent volumes, creating a public space between them.

As a consequence of the strong unevenness of the land, the building has been settled on the upper level, creating an accessible route, thus we define the level +0.0 at the confluence of Raiguer Avenue with Emmet Abrahim street (highest point of the site). as the starting level of the set.

The housing module is organized around a central wet core that defines two areas with a double orientation. The location of the day and night areas are changing by in height attending at the best sun orientation , winds , intimacy and views ,  generating different types of housing per floor. The houses have outdoor spaces: a private garden on the ground floor, and terraces on the successive floors

The structural solution of the building is using a system of reticular concrete slabs with large spans 35 cm thick and metal pillars, That solution save construction time helping on the social Housing emergency needs of the Balearic Islands  and gives an open possibility of reconversion and flexibility to be improved on the future needs .

The façade layers are resolved by a double local ceramic sheet from the Island with recycled cotton insulation in the chamber and the envelope is resolved with external insulation using sprayed recycled cork and local natural lime. The exterior carpentry is made of recycled aluminium with a thermal break and the solar protections are made of Larch wood (FSC certified) all made by local carpenters

The Roofs are solved by recycled gravel from urban mining. The photovoltaic panels will provide the electric needs to the building . The ACS is produced by an Aerothermal system with  very low consumption. The ventilation of the houses is solved by heat/cold recuperators that temper the air thanks to community Aerothermal systems. .The result of that process  it’s a Nearly zero building (0.64 Kw.h/m2×Year)

Pavements are local clay “cocked” with biomass. We have reduced the areal facilities to the bathroom areas so in this wet area it’s the only ceiling, reducing layers on the whole construction  on the circularity concept , in the same concept  all the electric services , plumbing, pipes run over the walls to have an easy maintenance  .

The community spaces on the ground floor have solved the circulations with a concrete floor and the entirety of the space by pavements that allow the natural permeability of the ground , allowing natural flow  to the subsoil. Local deciduous trees will protect the circulations from the summer sun.

All the materials are from the Island and has been developed by local industry or craftsmen, and when it couldn’t be possible (wood/recycled aluminium ) they have been chosen because its carbon footprint its very low, So the finishing and the choice of materials are strictly related to circularity in a very special spot like the singularity of this Mediterranean Island.

• Architects Site Supervisor: Joan Josep Fortuny Giró, Xavier Morell, Marc Alventosa
• Initial Project: Carlos Meri (initial phase)
• Architecture and Delineation: Marina Morey
• Work Supervision: Gori Llambías
• Delineation: Sandra Vargas
• Layout: Raquel Mirón, Rebeca López, Eric Moya
• Control Execution of Works and Health Coordinator: Marco Menendez, Jaime Oliver
• Calculation and Design of Facilities: Estudis d’enginyeria de les Illes S.L.
• Structural Calculation: Joan Mas, Juan Fortuny
• Piling Foundation Calculation: Lluis Guasp
• Architect and Drafter of the Basic Project: José Hevia
• Photo Credit: José Hevia