Dwellings in Villanueva de la Canada | Aranguren + Gallegos

The intention is to break up the monolithic nature of the large volume permitted, splitting the large block into four swastika-shaped blocks perfectly joined at their ends by means of wide window galleries. These galleries are linked to the four communications cores and their respective entrance halls, found on each of the corners of the large block. The volumes of the galleries, together with the lift and stair shafts rise one floor above the volume permitted causing a very emphatic movement in the attics. The material of these lighter bodies is differentiated with metal and glass from the volumes containing the dwellings, built with light grey concrete prefabricates. Due to the wide range of orientation possibilities offered, the windows are levelled by two single gaps, one square measuring 1.80 x 1.80 m for living rooms and large bedrooms, and the other measuring 0.90 x 1.80 m for small bedrooms. All window gaps have a plate portal suspended 35 cm over the façade and one or two Venetian blinds over this portal causing, on the one hand, a chamber of shade in front of the window and, on the other, providing a mobile situation lifting these blinds, providing weightlessness and movement to the large volume, while helping to order the irregular sequence of window gaps that appear in this way due to the different room sizes, preventing a modular series of windows. Duplex type dwellings directly accessible from the street and the garage, via a private patio, are developed on the ground and first floors along street 3 and that for pedestrians, with these dwellings causing the portico plinth effect sought in the project. The base of the building (with a slab going down from the first floor) is built with dark, slate plating cutting the vertical effect of 7 storeys, in favour of a certain horizontality. Description of the Dwellings Being a building with such a deep centreline (14.50 m.) and being part of a real estate programme for small dwellings, we are forced to propose homes with a single orientation, either towards the street or the patio. Larger dwellings, such as the duplex on the ground and first floors, and the attics, have a double orientation. With only four cores, access is provided to 182 dwellings. The cores are spacious and well lit since the window galleries are included in the waiting areas for lifts and the stairs.