BALCOME - Habitacola Awards

BALCOME - Habitacola Awards

Habitacola Awards finalist project Balcome, seeks to welcome residents of the Congreso back into their balconies. Proposing a customisable, modular sun protection system with retractable and adjustable blinds.

PROJECT TEAM Arola Velasco and Júlia Barrera.

In an attempt to combat the climate crisis, the Habitacola 2023 competition endeavours to encourage a technological revolution that challenges the traditional ways of construction, whilst striving to adapt to the change in climate as opposed to confronting it. The proposed target area are the in between spaces of the Viviendas del Congreso Eucarístico, Barcelona.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Currently, the balconies at Viviendas del Congreso Eucarístico are not being utilized to their full potential. Rather than serving as enjoyable outdoor spaces, we have noticed that they are either being used for storage or left vacant. Through conversations with neighbors, we discovered that the underutilization of balconies is largely due to unfavorable weather conditions, such as excessive heat or strong winds. This issue stems from the absence of proper sun protection systems on the balconies.

PROPOSAL

To promote the use of the balconies with Balcome, a modular sun protection system that adapts to the user’s needs and wants. The neighbors can choose:

  • Vertical or horizontal panes (depending on sun orientation)

  • Sliding or foldable frames

  • The amount of frames (full balcony coverage or partial)

  • The set up of the stackable planters

GOALS

To give new life to the balconies, by providing a retractable and adjustable blind system that will result in:

  • Temperature control ---> Increase energy efficiency

  • Sunlight, solar shading

  • Acoustic protection

  • Privacy

SUN ANALYSIS

The buildings and their balconied facade all have different sun orientations, therefore, the panes needed for the ultimate sun protection vary.

This map of the Viviendas del Congreso Eucarístico indicates the facade orientation and the necessary pane.

South facing - HORIZONTAL

North facing - VERTICAL or HORIZONTAL

East or West facing - VERTICAL

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

  1. IPN profile 100mm

  2. Steel platen 10mm

  3. Four wheel track

  4. Blinds frame

  5. Panes (horizontal/vertical)

  6. Planters

  7. Wood covering

All the finalists and jury members of Premis FAD.
Receiving the finalist diploma from Sander Cornelius Laudy.
front award.jpg
With the fellow finalists and classmates from IED Barcelona.