Seeking to meet the demand for new housing units integrated to commerce (mixed use buildings) in the Administrative Area of Santa Maria – DF, the purpose develops in two lots of 1,200 m² each one, in two buildings that stand out for their relationship with the immediate environment. By promoting urban integration, with the encouragement of pedestrians across the block, commercial units on the ground floor are also activated and stimulated economically. Based on the concept of “housing as an instrument of social integration,” the buildings provide spaces for socializing among families, strengthening the community’s friendly relations, as well as allowing dialogues with the city through views and space connections. The architectural conception is formed by 5 assumptions:
URBANITY . DENSITY . ECONOMICITY . SOCIABILITY . SUSTAINABILITY
URBANITY
The understanding of the city as materiality inserted in a certain space and time of human life, capable of inducing behavior and experience exchanges, encounters and diverse relations, take us to a proposal of buildings integrated to urban life and socially actives in its interior and exterior. By positioning the vehicles access in the street of less movement, and the pedestrian access at the building side, the façade turned into Avenue stand out the commerce and invites pedestrians to the permanence and circulation spaces in “Axe Square” between the buildings. The square with urban furniture, benchs, illumination, landscaping, is an inviting spot that also can be defined as a commercial gallery or a “cutting-way” for the passersby that cross the block.
DENSITY
The proposal uses the maximum constructive potential, considering the Construction Maximum Rate (400%) that results in 4,800 m² of computable area. Attending the local legislation, in a special way the Edifications and Works Code of the Federal District, were respected the Occupation Rates (60%) and the Green Area Minimum Rate (10%), as well the requirement of one parking space for each Housing Unit, resolved in 2 undergrounds. By applying the illumination and ventilation cone constant on itens concerning the obligatory distance from lots boundaries, we arrived in the outcome of 8 stories of residences with 64 Housing Units, and ground floor with 8 commercial units and lobby with access hall to residences.
ECONOMICITY
Because it is a low-cost social housing building, the adopted construction systems follow patterns of rationality and resources saving, without prejudice to the enterprise quality. The main system is the structural masonry of concrete blocks and pre-fabricated concrete slabs, used in the residences stories. The ground floor is a transition story, where is adopted the reticulated structure of reinforced concrete, whose columns goes on its axis to the underground lower levels. The biggest use of industrialized systems allows a construction site cleaner and efficient.
SOCIABILITY
The settings of residencial stories in separated and dislocated blocks allows the the creation of spaces among the units where the residents can relate. It is possible place chairs, tables, games, or even enjoy the views on balconies. The incentive to residents approach strengthens the social links, which turn the place more healthy and secure. Furthermore, the “Axe Square” between the buildings promotes the community integration with the public life.
SUSTAINABILITY
The project was carefully thought with base on insolation and ventilation studies. By creating dislocated blocks with free opens between them, the cross ventilation is potentialized. Horizontal brises are part of all facades, and vertical brises complement the protection in the most critical solar incidence façades. Rainwater reuse equipment and solar collectors for water heating contribute to energy efficiency. The building would be apt to receive certification seals from LEED, Aqua and Procel Edifica.