High density social housing setting low standards for this development in Madrid
This first phase of a social housing development in the south-east periphery of Madrid forms an extension to the suburb of Vallecas. It was designed with the aim of providing quality housing with minimal energy costs to the residents - achieving 70% target reduction in energy use and informing future EMV developments. The scheme includes replicable innovations and is the subject of an extensive EU funded-monitoring programme.
This initial phase comprises 140 apartments and a range of 2, 3 and 4 bed units with a number of shop and office units for rent. The overall masterplan for Vallecas will ultimately provide homes and other facilities for a community of approximately 80,000 people, including the park of La Gavia, designed by Toyo Ito.
Sustainability Blueprint
The scheme incorporates a range of environmental strategies, including 150 square metres of Solar Collectors for domestic hot water. The buildings have much higher levels of insulation than are common in Madrid; the southerly facing, and east and west courtyard facades are fully screened with large sliding timber shutters and the apartments all use a large scale passive stack ventilation system, to benefit from night time cooling.
The project is part of the EC funded SUNRISE programme promoting innovative low energy new build and housing refurbishments.