Housing block | Mariana Macedo

This exercise was divided in three phases. The first consisted in reaching an urbanistic solution to an unused terrain in Quinta Amarela, in Oporto, with residences, commerce and services. The second phase involved designing modullar apartments that could be repeated themselves to create collective housing. The third phase, here presented, involved choosing one of the three types of collective housing already designed, in these case vertical multiple access housing blocks, and develop that project to detail.

The main building is located in a new square, with commerce on the ground floor and housing on the other top three floors. The module of the chosen project is formed by a three-bedroom apartment and a two-bedroom apartment. The north side of the building turns toward an urban environment - the new square, the street - so the facade reflects the desire to fit in its urban context preserving at the same time its inhabitants privacy. The south facade has wider windows and clearly embrasses the neighborhood atmosphere. Two vertical panels of horizontal wooden slats protect the stairs area and an horizontal panel of vertical wooden slats covers all the ground level where the commerce is. This solution allows their ventilation while security is assured.