Low Energy Social Housing Project of 420 Flats, Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain.

This competition entry was for an interesting opportunity for us to reflect on the bio-climatic concept as applied to social housing.

The optimal orientation as of the sun and prevailing winds was investigated, studying thermal gain for the different elevations. We designed wide open patios and cross ventilation for all the apartments. Deciduous trees were proposed to improve winter conditions. Passive solar protection was also taken into account, proposing a double ventilated skin with sliding louvres on the southern elevation. The sloped deck supports solar panels, protecting accumulators and air-conditioning units underneath. This ventilated air chamber under the steel tiling helps improve the insulation and energy dissipation of the buildings with low maintenance.

The deck itself is designed to harvest rainwater for irrigation and maintenance purposes. The leaf-shaped patios have around 600 sq.metres of topsoil, allowing large vegetation that contributes to providing moisture and freshness to the common areas, generating an optimal micro-climate area.