Torre-Baró Social Housing
The Torre Baró district of Barcelona is made up of a scattered and heterogeneous group of buildings, most of which are modest in character. However, Torre Baró has a valuable urban landscape, due to its intimate and peaceful atmosphere, the strong presence of vegetation and the distinctive topography, which offers views of the Collserola mountain and the Besós plain. These factors give the site a strong identity, which this social housing project seeks to make the most of, above all by moving away from the lateral boundaries, where the trees have their place, and allowing light and breezes to freely cross the building from one side to the other.
A sequence of distinct and qualified spaces establishes the spatial and luminous link between the two streets that border the plot. Access is through a porch that opens onto Calle Escolapi Cáncer and slopes gently down. From the porch you enter the courtyard and, climbing the 'built' slope, you reach a horizontal recess that looks south and onto Calle Castelldefels.
The built volume is a compact prism that wraps around itself, housing an open, light and airy courtyard to the south, which is the real heart of the project and gives access to all the apartments. Its floors adapt to the topography of the hillside and float above the terrain, allowing air and views to pass between north and south. Small widenings in the access walkways and in the horizontal areas reclaimed from the slope create collective spaces for conversation or sunbathing, and in this way the project incorporates resources from the best of Mediterranean architecture, with closed and open volumes, clear and complex, creating a rich space.
The strong existing topography is slightly modified to make it an essential part of the project. The unoccupied slopes to the east and west of the building are prepared with small terraces to accommodate the different levels of the building, prevent soil erosion and allow new trees to be planted. The staircase folds over the slope to provide direct access to the two main floors, creating a terraced interior landscape.
The exterior is the result of the city's collective character. It is sober and solid, but the interior creates a domestic atmosphere for the inhabitants. A well-designed opening, formed by a small balcony and Mallorcan-style shutters, articulates the facades, and their repetition, addition and different positions establish the general order and vibration of the facades.
