Memory of project
The urban proposal consisted of two parallel blocks connected by communication spaces. The receptivity of the city council and its architects enabled to rethink the planning of the blocks on the site.
The first decision was to slide the blocks, so that new permeabilities appeared and the building's are of influence increased. The space between the blocks, a square and covered streets, accommodates the circulations in the building.
The second decision was to occupy the ground floor with shops, through an open-plan that adjusts the blocks by creating new facades to the avenue, the garden, and the covered plaza.
All of the dwellings have two floors, so that the accesses are minimized. The daytime spaces are always on the access floors and the nighttime spaces are situated upstairs or downstairs, alternately. Every room in the house has natural light and cross ventilation.
The stacking strategy allows half of the housing (16) on the top, the so-called patio-houses, and the rest (16) are situated along the covered street. This street works as an extension space of the house, so that every house has an outdoor space associated.
The ordinary becomes extraordinary
The space remaining on the other side of the house is not inert and lifeless but something living and changing. In this way the ordinary becomes extraordinary, everyday life convey and creates links with the outside, with context, with the city.
We propose an amplified view of the context where important is the location, surroundings, climate, as the lifestyles linked to Mediterranean culture. Patios, covered streets and porches are emotional spaces.
Shared Spaces
The research was to take advantage about the construction of a dweeling building in order to create collective spaces capable of establishing a close relationship between the street and the house. Spaces that become revitalizing of social life, the exchange between neighbors and between them and the rest of the city. It appeared the idea of the shared space and, in short, an opportunity to create public space.
Text.- Alfredo Payá.
CREDITS.-
Architect.- Alfredo Payá Benedito.
Collaborators.- Raquel Del Bello, Gema Vicente, Arturo Calero Hombre, Sonia Miralles Mud, Vicente Pascual Fuentes (architecture), Marcos Gallud García, Natalia Velasco Velázquez (architecture technicians), Juan Jesús Gutiérrez Sánchez (engineering), Beatriz Vera Payá (interior design).
Developer.- Instituto Valenciano de la Vivienda S.A.
Builder.- Cántera Vértice S.A.
Budget.- 2,761,103.05 €.
Cost/sqm.- 455.40 €.
Built area.- 6063.08 sqm. 1206 sqm (garages), 124.50 sqm (storage rooms), 434 sqm (premises), 3549.20 sqm (housing), 749.38 sqm (common area).
Date.- 2003 (project), october de 2005 - january de 2012 (execution).
Location.- Avenida de Barcelona 2, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante.
