Situate
Situating the new housing cooperative building within the urban context reveals a series of advantages and potentialities. Among them, we find its proximity to other cooperative entities or third-sector organizations located in the center of Terrassa, such as the Egarenca agroecological consumer cooperative. This highlights that situating the cooperative in a nearby context allows for the generation of alliances with other existing entities, avoiding the need to allocate the cooperative’s space to cover these needs. From a mobility standpoint, proximity to the city center and the FGC and Renfe stations (north station) promotes the use of public transportation. The proximity to the Vallparadís Park will encourage the socialization of the passage as a point of connection between the cooperative members and the city of Terrassa.
Collectivize
The proposal begins with the interpretation of the regulations and the adjustment of the volume to unify the 4 independent units (buildings originally planned with 4 scale cores according to the regulatory development of the Urban Improvement Plan) into a single unit of coexistence, more aligned with the type of circulation and communal spaces that characterize a cooperative housing model. In this sense, based on these regulatory limits, the heights of the first-floor slabs are unified to create continuity in the access path to the building. In this way, building accessibility is resolved with a single vertical core with stairs and an elevator located in the “tower” volume.
Interact
On the ground floor, the volume of the tower, which faces both the created passage and the Marta Mata square, houses various communal uses to create a collective influence on the immediate public space. Positioning the community space on the ground floor facade allows for continuity between the pedestrian public space of the square and the inner courtyard of the main body, achieving continuity between these two spaces via an interior passage.
In contrast, the two upper levels of the tower body could become privileged spaces (in terms of sun exposure and views), which we believe are ideal for enjoyment by all cooperative members. Therefore, collective use is planned for the upper levels of the tower, with uses such as a kitchen and a quiet space.
Unifying the communal spaces, either on the ground floor plinth of the “tower” or the last floors of the building, simplifies the technical requirements for each use, both thermally and acoustically, between the apartments and the communal spaces.
Share
An innovative aspect in the field of housing cooperatives under usage rights is the reservation of one-third of La Teulada Cooperative’s homes for people with mental disorders or intellectual disabilities. Thanks to the agreement signed with the Prodis Foundation, six homes will be allocated to users from this local foundation. This collaboration strengthens the cooperative’s social character, providing stable housing for a group with difficulties in accessing housing, and preventing their segregation by creating spaces for interaction and participation for all neighbors.
Renaturalize
A key aspect in defining these communal spaces and domesticating the public space is renaturalization. The presence of vegetation across the walkways and building facades acts as a thermal regulator, creating a favorable microclimate for the comfort of the apartments and communal spaces.
The Vallparadís Park serves as a green lung for the city. Given the privileged location of the plot in relation to this park, we find it appropriate to propose small biodiversity nodes that blur the boundaries between anthropized and natural spaces. The urbanization of the public passage is envisioned as an opportunity to permeabilize the “urban pavement,” create shaded areas through various types of vegetation and trees, and ensure proper drainage and water filtration to the subsoil.
Great care has been taken in selecting the vegetation. Native species that require little water to survive and that offer different and changing characteristics throughout the seasons have been chosen.
Capture and Ventilate
From an energy standpoint, the building’s design takes advantage of exterior climatic conditions to create a low-energy demand building for its operation.
The building’s volume and window placement aim to maximize solar radiation during winter, reducing heating demand. Taking into account the built environment and urban regulations, efforts have been made to harness direct solar radiation by orienting the longest facade to the south. Solar protections will be installed on all windows to reduce overheating in summer, while allowing regulation of natural light intake into living spaces.
In accordance with the CTE, an initial ventilation rate of 8 air changes per hour during the night from May to October has been considered. Regarding the limitations of ministerial calculation tools, which apply this ventilation regardless of whether the outside temperature is higher than the inside temperature, two controls have been introduced in DesignBuilder to regulate ventilation, ensuring it only occurs under favorable external conditions (Text < Tint) and if the indoor temperature exceeds 24 ºC (to prevent excessive cooling of the interior).
With ceiling fans, it is possible to raise the target temperature and maintain comfort inside the apartment. A ceiling fan has been considered that increases the internal airspeed up to 0.2 m/s, with a relative humidity of 63%, an indoor temperature of 27 ºC, and the use of summer clothing.
