Ressò

The strategy is implemented in Sant Muç. A low density residential neighborhood that emerged during the 60’ in the suburbs of Rubí. The neighborhood has serious structural problems that turn into a high cost, both economic and ecological, urban model. The prototype is a collective space necessary to unleash an auto regeneration process. The collectivization of uses is a basic tool to encourage the social cohesion and the mutual apprenticeship towards a conscient and collective management of the neighborhood resources. Ressò is also about the users behavior. The building is autonomous and works as a teaching tool. Through the experience, it encourages an individual rehabilitation in each home, starting thus, an urban rehabilitation process.

Ressò was designed by 50 students of the Architecture School of Vallès (ETSAVUPC) for the international competition Solar Decathlon Europe 2014 in Versailles. Our strategy contemplates not only neighbourhood refurbishing as a response to the social, ecologic and economic crisis context, but also user’s behaviour. This strategy was materialized as a collective space, designed for the contest as well as for its final location in Sant Muç. In order for it to work in both situations, we developed a flexible prototype that adapts its use to the differents situations. The prototype is conceived as an active and living space capable of sheltering the necessary uses demanded by the neighbors.

Ressò is highly flexible and changes in order to host different activities. Thanks to the standard scaffolding structure, it can be built fast and easily. The building is designed with a 2m module, creating a 3d grid all over the prototype that holds light facade modules and partitions exchangeable around the space. To improve its flexibility, all permanent elements are concentrated in a perimeter ring: structure, facilities, furniture and appliances. The central space of 10x10x6m remains completely adaptable. As a teaching-tool, all construction elements and facilities are shown and easily to modify. All constructive elements are designed considering its disassembly and transportations needs. Ressò is highly efficient in terms of energy performance due to its passive bioclimatic strategies. It is based on very high standards of insulation, solar passive gains control and thermal mass. Furthermore, solar thermal and photovoltaic panels and batteries grant its complete self-sufficiency.