The 54 Social Housing is a project aimed to elevate affordable living for low-income residents in Inca, Mallorca (Balearic Islands) by Joan J Fortuny Giró and Alventosa Morell Arquitectes. As the name suggests, it consists of 54 social housing and parking on an administration-owned rectangular-shaped plot of 3,266 m2 area.
The project was designed to adhere not only to the functionality of the program but also to the correct placement of the building by incorporating it into the urban surroundings. Developed from the local economy model, passive strategies and naturally healthy materials with practically zero consumption (0.64 kWh/m2/year), 54 Social Housing is an innovative project that pushes the boundaries of affordable housing design.
The building which consists of two independent volumes and a public space between them has cross ventilation and a wide range of outdoor spaces—from a private garden on the ground floor to terraces and patios.
The housing modules are organized around a central wet core, while its structure is a reticular system of concrete slabs with large spans (35 cm thick) and metal pillars that save construction time and give flexibility of reconversion on future needs. The finishing and materials are strictly related to circularity, prioritising the vernacular ones and working with local industry or craftsmen.
The façade of the building attracts attention due to the solar projections made of larch wood, which together with peach-toned tiles in contrast to the lime-hued details of the windows creates the look of a laid-back seaside property.
Another part of the project’s design is its parking which is located underground due to the municipal regulations. As a consequence of the strong unevenness of the land, the building has been settled on the upper level, creating an accessible route.
The roofs are flat and are solved by means of an inverted insulation, waterproofing system, and recycled gravel. Above these are the photovoltaic panels, aerothermal and recovery equipment, and ventilation ducts. The ventilation of the houses is solved by utilizing heat recuperators that temper the air thanks to community Aerothermal systems.
