First Prize Restricted Competition
Selected in the FAD Architecture and Interior Design Awards 2012
Architects: Carmen Espegel, Concha Fisac
Location: Oropesa del Mar, Castellón
Team: Laia Lafuente, Syra Abella, Daniel Merro, Federico Colella, Giorgio Streuli, David Bravo
Consultants: Albert Prior (Technical Architect), Aei Consultores (Facilities Engineer), Juan Rey (Mecanismo, Structural Engineer)
Photographer: David Frutos
Date: 2011
The building is arranged in two parts, forming an L, which defines open access to the avenue de la Plana, the natural path from the town center. There is a single checkpoint that opens to the entrance square and serves both government offices and dwelling. One volume contains the offices, while the other, more complex, holds the residence areas. The two parts are connected by an outer communication core (lift and stairs), which attends both areas as an alternative emergency core. The residential building turns its back to the square, looking south.
Family housing is arranged on the lower floors in two rows separated by an open corridor entry. Each house is organized in L generating a private courtyard that offers ventilation and views, facing southeast. Above the row of apartments elevated by pilotis, a double floor volume containing the rest of the apartments completes the building. This generates a large public outdoor space ideal for the residents. An exterior gallery turned over the principal square performs the path to the high-rise apartments. The residential building needs program includes 12 homes for families and 12 apartments for singles. The building of government offices is organized compactly, just around a courtyard, and locating the most public uses on the ground floor to be more accessible. The architecture refers to the usual Mediterranean area with simple volumes, courtyards well oriented, the use of sunscreens and flat roofs. The control of light and privacy are resolved by means of a lattice so that cross ventilation in homes and office buildings optimizes the behavior of the entire building.