Marti Miralles Arquitectes
DeveloperINCASOL
LocationEl Prat de Llobregat
Project1995
Construction1998
Floor area22,449 m²
External consultants
Carles Bima (Q. Surveyor), Rafael Bellmunt (Structure), Ventura & Milian (Facilities)
PhotographyLourdes Jansana
The district of Sant Cosme was the target of a complete urban renewal project, with a new street layout and the replacement of all the buildings. The new model consists of an orthogonal grid of “corridor street” type thoroughfares and rectangular city blocks with connecting interior courtyards, which form a network of pedestrian routes. Almost all the city blocks are of the same building type. The quirks in the shape of the layout are concentrated on the perimeter of the neighbourhood, where the grid intersects with an existing perimeter road network with a different geometry and scale to that of the thoroughfares within the neighbourhood.
The plan of this city block results from its position as a perimeter block opposite an area of open space (as well being opposite the airport), whilst respecting the main design criteria of being a perimeter block with interior pedestrian courtyard. The perimeter buildings facing the interior streets follow the orthogonal layout building line, whilst the building opposite the area of open land is polygonal, following the trapezoidal shape of the city block, and without therefore creating a new building line at odds with the urban morphology.
The buildings are lineal blocks of four housing units per floor, each 13.80 m deep, which together constitute a city block with two large openings. Retail units are located on the ground floor facing the streets with vehicular traffic. Parking facilities, located in the basement, occupy part of the floor below the courtyard.
The housing units are of four basic types, two and four bedrooms with variations. The two-bedroom properties are located at either end of the blocks and are open to the main walls, which are treated as the main facades. All bedrooms are arranged facing the exterior facades. A central courtyard with washing machines and clotheslines enhances the relationship between the kitchens and the outside space, and assists air circulation through the property. This allows for a small versatile space in the kitchen, linking it with the living room.
All the building's general installations are housed in ducts, which are accessible from each landing. The design of the roof allows for good access in order for it and the installations on it to be maintained.
The development of the park was conceived in tandem with this project as a longer linear space designed as a transition element between the buildings and the agricultural land within the airport influence area.
The plan of this city block results from its position as a perimeter block opposite an area of open space (as well being opposite the airport), whilst respecting the main design criteria of being a perimeter block with interior pedestrian courtyard. The perimeter buildings facing the interior streets follow the orthogonal layout building line, whilst the building opposite the area of open land is polygonal, following the trapezoidal shape of the city block, and without therefore creating a new building line at odds with the urban morphology.
The buildings are lineal blocks of four housing units per floor, each 13.80 m deep, which together constitute a city block with two large openings. Retail units are located on the ground floor facing the streets with vehicular traffic. Parking facilities, located in the basement, occupy part of the floor below the courtyard.
The housing units are of four basic types, two and four bedrooms with variations. The two-bedroom properties are located at either end of the blocks and are open to the main walls, which are treated as the main facades. All bedrooms are arranged facing the exterior facades. A central courtyard with washing machines and clotheslines enhances the relationship between the kitchens and the outside space, and assists air circulation through the property. This allows for a small versatile space in the kitchen, linking it with the living room.
All the building's general installations are housed in ducts, which are accessible from each landing. The design of the roof allows for good access in order for it and the installations on it to be maintained.
The development of the park was conceived in tandem with this project as a longer linear space designed as a transition element between the buildings and the agricultural land within the airport influence area.
