The San Francisco apartment building has been one of the shortlisted projects for the Mies Crown Americas Prize, MCHAP, stablished by the College of Architecture of Illinois Institute of Technology. It is located in the Barrio Jara Asuncion in Paraguay a traditional neighborhood of homes with patios, hills and ceramics; with leafy trees, shadows and views. A neighborhood that is transforming itself into an ideal place to live by its proximity to the civic center, the most important of the country, which it is in the process to greater densification. Architectural decisions that the studio of José Cubilla has taken come from the understanding of the values of the place (context, subtropical climate, etc.) and the search of solutions to the problems caused by light and heat through local, economic and elementary solutions.
Limited resources and a still very expensive advanced technology have made necessary the use of very essential solutions such as using a ceramic filter on the main facade, which faces west and design floor plans with cross ventilation and with large balconies spatially connected with the outside. In addition, the roof is of common use and allows to enjoy the sky, the horizon and the view over the city. On it there is a pool that serves also as fire tank for the whole neighborhood. Available to all. The rainwater is collected for sanitary uses and to irrigate the gardens. Energy efficiency is achieved through a product and a affordable, socially beneficial and environmentally healthy.
