celosia building by MVRDV with blanca lleo
image courtesy MVRDV

MVRDV and blanca lleo have completed celosia residence a social housing block
(near the mirador building which was an earlier collaboration) in madrid.

the given volume of the city block was divided into 30 small blocks of apartments.
these blocks are positioned in a checkerboard pattern next to and on top of each other,
leaving wide openings for communal patios throughout the building. 146 one, two
and three bedroom apartments are all accessed via these communal spaces. most
apartments offer additional private outdoor space in the shape of a loggia right behind
the front door. inhabitants have the possibility to gather in the communal high-rise patios
which offer views towards the city and the mountains and provide natural ventilation
in summer. opening the front doors connects the private outdoor areas to the communal area.
 

the celosia building and in the background the mirador building in madrid – sanchinarro
© r.espinosa


the interior court, the commercial spaces on the ground floor are still boxed up, in preparation for tenants
 © r.espinosa

the façade is made of coated concrete which was from the ground floor up constructed
in complete mould system, an efficient and clean way to cast concrete, keeping the
construction cost to a minimum; an important asset for this social housing project.
the polyurethane coating allows the façade to shimmer and reflect depending on the
light condition.
 

the façade is cast concrete coated with polyurethane
© r.espinosa

all windows are floor to ceiling height and can be shielded from the sun. each apartment
has the possibility of cross ventilation through two or three facades and enjoys views
through the building and to the surrounding. a system of power efficient boilers is used
in the building; solar panels on the roof heat water reducing energy consumption further.


one of the communal patios in the building, in the background the mirador building
© r.espinosa
 
underneath the building a parking garage on two levels provides 165 parking spaces.
the ground floor offers room for 6 individual retail units.
 

celosia building by MVRDV with blanca lleo
© r.espinosa