
first image
'social housing building' by aguilera/guerrero arquitectos, tarragona, catalonia, spain
image © pepo segura
all images courtesy of aguilera/guerrero arquitectos
in tarragona, within the catalonia region of spain, stands the 'social housing building' by spanish firm aguilera/guerrero arquitectos.
resting upon an irregularly-shaped plot, the building's quadrilateral and curved footprint is a response to its boundaries. stairs along the building
navigate the extreme changes in topography along its small footprint. interacting with the existing context encompassing the site,
street level retail fronts the pedestrian areas. a L-shaped elevational profile places shops within its base at street level. oriented towards the view,
three levels of balconies within each of the two stacked volumes opens along different elevations to offer the best vantage points for inhabitants.
internal spaces such as the living room, bedroom and bathroom are fixed sizes between the units.
the white exterior is either framed or covered with a bold red screen to open to the views or offer privacy. the shell acts as a ventilated double facade
which responds to the hot and dry climate. vertically striated metal panels offer optical effects as well as a waterproof protection from weather.

steps navigate the steep site changes
image © pepo segura

street level shops address the street
image © pepo segura

a facade of balconies open to the view
image © pepo segura

textured metal panel elevation
image © pepo segura

double facade
image © pepo segura

rear side of building
image © pepo segura
project info:
location: tarragona _ catalonia (spain)
year: 2009
architects: aguilera/guerrero architects
design team: anton armengol tua
estate developer: servei municipal de l'habitatge i actuacions urbanes s.a.
contractor: gulinves s.l.
area: 1.507,00 m2
photographs: pepo segura