Housing
2017
CAN MATES HOUSING II
Building Center
Situation: Sant Cugat del Vallés
Status: Completed

Data
Situation: Josep de Paeray 12-14
Floor Area Phase 1:11.950 sqm
Floor Area Phase 2:6.970 sqm
Budget Phase 1: 6.175.000€
Budget Phase 2: 5.465.000€
Number of dwellings Phase 1:62
Number of dwellings Phase 2:39
Architect: Eduard Gascón
Associate Architects: Lupe Álvarez
Team: Elies Rull, Maria Ferrer, Roger Maranges
Structural Engineer: COTCA SA
Facilities Engineer: PGI engineering
Constructor Phase 1: Dragados
Photos: Adrià Goula

Description
In a very consolidated sector, the plot opens itself in each of its fronts to the different urban situations: the alignment of three linear blocks in the South side – with its corresponding projected shadow -, the isolated volume of the primary healthcare facility in the East side, the preexisting single-family buildings from the “Oller” community in the North side and the vegetal slopes in the West side.
Taking this urban reality as a starting point, the project emerges from a critical reflection to the foreseeable and conventional solution based on the arrangement of two parallel blocs along the two major sides. This solution presents, in this case, serious inconveniences due to its short dimensions and therefore the insufficient sunlight that would reach the remaining community space – as it can be seen in nearby blocks -. Also, if the complex is executed in different phases, the construction of building C – phase 2 – would have a negative impact on the normal use of the already built phase 1. For this reason, the architectural proposal is based in giving a satisfactory answer to the two mentioned issues, taking as a basic premise that all apartments participate and enjoy the best conditions of connection with the exterior. We are certain that this is an argument that guarantees both the success of the real estate product and the quality of life of future users.