Berbés 41

Vigo, Spain

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Houses MdV

Berbés 41

Vigo, Spain

Firm

irori arquitectura

Type

Residential › Multi Unit Housing

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2020

SIZE

1000 sqft - 3000 sqft

BUDGET

$100K - 500K

Photos

Antonio Gutierrez (16), irori arquitectura (9), Alex Fernández photography (3)

TWO SOCIAL HOUSING UNITS IN VIGO'S HISTORIC CENTRE

After 15 years revitalising the historic centre, the Consorcio do Casco Vello de Vigo is moving its focus to one of the most emblematic areas of the city, the Plaza del Berbés. This project initiates a series of actions aimed at diversifying the population through the creation of quality social housing.

The project's strategy takes the possibilities of a complicated plot to the limit. The aim is to maximise the living space, avoiding common areas or spaces without natural light.

Current state

We are faced with a three-storey house between party walls which, due to lack of occupation and lack of maintenance, is in a poor state of repair.

The semi-buried configuration makes it impossible for the ground floor and a large part of the first floor to be used for residential purposes. The plot is deep (19 metres) and narrow (3 metres in the central part).

Proposal
In our search for maximum living space, a courtyard is an indispensable strategy, but the dimensions of the plot do not allow for a traditional central location. For this reason, it is proposed to locate it in the only widening that allows it: the rear façade. This approach makes it possible to shorten the back of the dwellings by generating a new southeast-facing façade. The appearance of a void increasses compactness and solar access, which in turn improves efficiency and comfort.

A new floor is added, adapting to urban planning . The lower dwelling is respectfully introduced into the past, restoring the original elements of the casa mariñeira, while the upper dwelling emerges as a pure and concise volume.

Lightness and natural light

The courtyard adapts to the different regulations that regulate its floor plan dimensions according to its depth. The level of the courtyard has to be raised by one metre to meet the requirements of natural light. This means that the floor slabs at the rear lose their original position, creating an interesting play of half storeys.

The slabs are made of a lightweight steel and timber structure. The stairs are carefully designed to connect the different levels, maximising the entry of light and allowing longitudinal views between the two facades. Access to the upper dwelling will be via a walkway over the proposed courtyard.

The interiors are designed with the utmost simplicity, clear and luminous spaces that allow natural light to be captured.