Affordable Housing for young people in Travessera de Les Corts

Barcelona, Spain

Photo © Teresa Llordes

Photo © Ferran Mateo

Photo © Teresa Llordes

Architects: Ruisánchez Arquitectes

Location: Travessera de les Corts, 86-94, Barcelona, Spain
Year: 2005

The building was conceived as part of a greater scale initiative for the restructuring of the urban surroundings of the ‘Travessera de les Corts’ – a main axis in the west part of Barcelona. The building contains 62 flats for young people, a nursery, an office of municipal services and an underground parking.

Two volumes in the height of 4 and 7 plants arise from the base, like great container boxes, flats within. These volumes serve as a ‘connecting link’ between the different heights of the surrounding buildings and create a balance and continuity in the new elevation of the great avenue.

The 7 plant volume is perceived as independent from the base, a floating element, separated from the ground floor by an open space. This elevated area is destined as a multi-functional terrace for the use by of the young tenants, and can also be accessed by an exterior ramp which connects it with the block’s main, central square. The vertical communication nucleus separates these two volumes of four and seven floors.

The functional program of the apartments – with an area of 38 m2 – consists of one unique, open space, a kitchen, living room, a bedroom (that can be separated) and a bathroom. An adaptable space to be able to cover different possible necessities of the user: study, eat, leisure, visits, night/day, etc.