Europan 12

Project Description

How can the residential environment be shaped in orde to promote integration and create added value for the district? What measures should be taken to deal with the changing demographic conditions and different life concepts?

PROJECT SITE 7150M2 FREE AREA 62% - COVERED AREA 38% FLOOR AREA RATIO 1.97 HOUSING DENSITY 160UNITS/HA - 400RESIDENTS/HA 84%RESIDENTIAL - 7% FACILITIES - 8% SERVICES 112UNITS_34 OWNER OCCUPIED UNITS, 39 SUBSIDISED UNITS, 39 PRIVATELY FINANCE.

THE SITE IS A URBAN DESTINATION AND A CONNECTOR. MAIN ENTRANCES ARE LOCATED STRATEGICALLY. PUBLIC PERMEABILITY IS PROVIDED BOTH FOR PEDESTRIAN ROUTES AND BIKES. A CONTINUOS LOOP GENERATES AN HORIZONTAL SEQUENCE THROUGH THE BUILDING, MIXING RESIDENTIAL, FACILITIES AND SERVICES. THE LOOP ACTIVATES MOVEMENT, INTERCONNECTION, SOCIAL COHESION.

Circulation:
The loop and the cores distribute and connect all the program elements generating a network of routes and communications like a “urban neighborhood”. At the ground level, like in a townhouse context, the units have access from private gardens completely integrated with the natural environment. At the upper levels group of units are distributed along the loop, while others have access directly from the cores.

Mix:
Various unit types and program elements are placed at each floor, generating many chances of interaction within the different users and a 24/7 continuously active building. The flexibility of the modular system allows change, resize, conversion encouraging multiple uses. Part of 7%facilities and 8%Services can be easily converted to residential program and viceversa. The result is an unpredictable mixed configuration and the possibility to adapt to new situations over the years.

Variety:
Each unit type has a broad range of variations according to position, distribution, layout, orientation, view, outdoor space. The demand for a big variety of living spaces is satisfied while allowing the use of standards components and modular building blocks. Ample shared spaces are provided while also preserving intimate space, privacy, individuality.

THE BUILDING MASSING AND POSITION OPTIMIZES THE SOLAR ORIENTATION. THE COURTYARD-SHAPED VOLUME SLOPES TOWARDS SOUTH-WEST OPENING THE VIEWS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE NEW PARK AND FACING THE SUN.

Orientation:
70% of the units are double oriented. This allow multiple views, good daylight, fresh air. The loop distribution is north orientated, in this way the gallery units have main view on the south side enjoying the orientation, facing the sun Differentiation between south and north facades allows better performance of the building achieving passive house standards.

Outdoor Spaces:
Units are provided of outdoor space. Terraces protrudes towards the courtyard or towards the park on the south side, like a natural extension of the indoor space. The loop is also used as an open public balcony. The Facilities, placed from the 3rd floor to the top, extent to the roof terraces. Indoor and outdoor shared activities are encouraged. 18% of floor area is occupied by the roof terraces. The loop creates an interactive network of outdoor spaces offering opportunity of interlinked programs and social life.

PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY IS A CENTRAL ELEMENT IN THE PROJECT. THE VARIETY PROVIDED FOR THE COMPLEX PROGRAM IS POSSIBLE IN A CONTEXT OF STANDARDIZATION.

The building utilises sustainable materials, durable and reusable.The construction components are standard. It is based on standard modules 6x6, the combination of the modules generates the volume. The use of a modular building block allows the standardization of the components, minimizes the waste, facilitates design and construction process. The structure sits on a standard grid based on the modular block. The regular grid produces free and flexible floorplates adapt to many configurations. Unit types are based on the basic module. The blocks can be combined in multiple ways producing a variety of unit plans and sections while allowing the use of standardized components, the regularity of the main structure, the alignment of shafts.

Façade:
Developed on a modular system integrated with the building geometry and structure. Each building block corresponds to a facade module, designed to be placed independently and easy replaced. The glazed bays have the same partition’s dimensions adapt for the different interior layout. Thermal comfort is provided with the use of low-e glazing plus a system of interior blinds. Exterior walls have a thick thermal insulation layer to achieve better performances. Main walls are cladded with brick tiles. Curved walls are cladded with wood panels.

Project Details:

Category: Urban - Architectural
Status: Competition, 2013
Location: Nürnberger - Südstadt, Deutschland
Population: 505,000, Südstadt 74,000
Site: Strategy Site 12ha, Site of program 0,7ha
Owner: of the site WBG Nürnberg

Architect: MAR office
Team: Renato Juarez Corso, Paola Mongiu, Emilio Boiardi, Daniele Bonetti, Andres Silva

Collaborators: Model: Stefano Goffi, 3D: Antonio Delle Foglie