The construction is made of plywood for the load-bearing wall and slabs, which are acoustically insulated with false ceilings. In addition, the exterior carpentry has been preserved and new interior carpentry has been added in wood with hidden sash and glass with air chamber. The partition walls are made of water-and fire-resistant plasterboard panels.
Traditional renovation for two public housing units by abalo alonso arquitectos. Photograph by Héctor Santos Díez.
Project description by abalo alonso architects
The new uses and customs, together with the different legislative updates, condition the rehabilitation of this 19th century building located in the historic center of Betanzos.
The useful area per floor, once the communications core has been discounted, is insufficient to locate an independent dwelling per level; and the total area, including the core on this occasion, exceeds the maximum allowable for a single social protection dwelling, which would occupy the entire available volume. We then opted for two superimposed houses, each with two levels, with direct access from the common portal.
Traditional renovation for two public housing units by abalo alonso arquitectos. Photograph by Héctor Santos Díez.
A load-bearing wall made of laminated wood generates an intermediate longitudinal division, throughout the height, which allows us to locate the stairs or particularize small spaces that are incorporated into the different rooms. A utility area, to which laundries, toilets and kitchens are attached, the latter incorporated into the public rooms, runs vertically through the central area.
The floors are also resolved with counter-laminated wood, to achieve the smallest possible thickness and to be able to adapt to the pre-existing protected elevations. They are acoustically insulated, with false ceilings hung between homes, and underfloor heating is incorporated.
The existing exterior carpentry is preserved, replacing it when it is in poor condition, and new ones are added, on the inside, also made of wood, with a hidden leaf and chamber glass. The partition is solved with plasterboard panels, resistant to water or fire depending on their position. And the pavements, floating pvc.
