1. H O U S I N G
I N V E N T I O N S
s t u d i o 2 0 1 5
The apartments are thought to be affordable,
thanks to the industrialisation of the simple
and quick construction process. Every
components is prefabricated, except for
the foundations. The apartments do not
have outdoor private spaces, this is why
was important to create a common space
where all the residents, from students to
families, can meet and enjoy the view from
the building. The inner court is a 13 stories
greenhouse that offers, through large glass
openings, an incredible view over the city.
These common glazed spaces, double
or triple the height, are equipped with a
suspended net where residents can relax
surrounded by green walls on the sides, in
the comfort of a well ventilated indoor space,
enjoyable all year around. The housing
facilities and parking are located in the
basement of the building, easy reachable
from the outside and the inside.
Residents own dwelling
The housing block does its best to adapt to the fourth
dimension: time. The main prefabricated concrete
structure divides the space in units of about 30 m2
(7x4.3m) each. Units can be single or multiple to
create larger spaces (the drawings show some of
the possible typologies of apartment composed of
1, 2, 3 and 4 units.)The whole composition is made
by a simple yet flexible system, which allows the
external and internal skins to be modified as preferred
according to inhabitant’ needs.
Exteriorpanels,fixedinasecondarywoodenstructure,
can be arranged as solid walls or accommodate
windows of different sizes. This feature makes the
building “alive”: the facade dynamically change over
time and space. The divisions between the unites
are composed of wooden prefabricated walls fixed
in the concrete structure and easily removable.
Creating different spaces, the project responds to
preferences and needs of residents.
social sustainability
The building is designed as a 13-floor high
greenhouse that stores the heat from the sun.
This is made possible by the large openings on
the facade: the south elevation is completely
glazed allowing the sun light to hit a significant
glazed surface and generate more heat;
cantilevered glass boxes are also vital to have
the direct sunlight into the core of the building.
Once the heat is trapped in the green house, it
is then stored by the many vegetated walls and
slowly released into the apartments. The building
has the inside warm core that helps reducing the
consumption of energy. The air in the greenhouse
is refreshed through an air exchange system
that heat the fresh air with the exhausted warm
air. The materials used in the construction have
a low CO2 emission; the concrete is only used
as a main structure, the slabs are made in mass
timber panels, lighter than concrete and with better
transmission values. The walls are made with a
single insulated CrossLam panel, clad in wood.
The triple glazed glass enable to have large glazed
surface with low dispersion of energy.
ecological sustainability
Taking into consideration the critical issue of
overpopulated cities and the need of qualitative
intensive housing, the project attempts to face
the problem offering qualitative apartments and
common spaces on a limited area. The building
faces the piazza, encouraging residents to visit the
shops located in the ground and first floor, and thus
bringing life around them. Thanks to the height of the
building, it acts as a landmark in the area as always
recognisable, becoming an orientation point in the
city. The plot made it possible, in fact the building
does not interact with the existing residential area,
instead it stands alone in the middle of wide-open
space.
The city context
damiano maurizi
