Social Housing on the Coast

The project is a winning entry for two housing blocks in a competition convoked by the Slovenia Housing Fund, a governmentrun programme that is providing lowcost apartments for young families. The proposal won for economic, rational and functional reasons, but mostly for the excellent ratio between gross vs. saleable surface area and the flexibility of the plans. When signing the contract we were obliged to prepare construction documentation for the building that would cost less than 600€ per m2 of net surface area. The blocks are set out on a hill with a view of Izola Bay on one side and of the surrounding hills on the other. The given urban plot was 2 blocks of 60x28 meters. The brief required thirty apartments of different sizes and structures, varying from studio flats to 3bedroom apartments. The apartments are small, with minimumsized rooms according to Slovenian standards. There are no structural elements inside the apartments, thus providing flexibility and the possibility of reorganising things.

The blocks are set out on a hill with a view of Izola Bay on one side and of the surrounding hills on the other. Since the blocks are subject to a Mediterranean climate outdoor space and shade are important elements. The project proposed a veranda for each apartment, thus providing an outdoor space that is intimate, partly connected with the interior, shady and naturally ventilated. A textile shade protects the balcony and apartment from prying eyes, yet due to its semi-transparency allows the owner to enjoy the views of the bay. Perforated side-panels allow summer breeze to ventilate the space. The strong colours create different atmospheres within the apartments. Boxes at the side of each balcony provide room for air-conditioning units. The small rooms become visually bigger because the textile shade creates a perspective effect that connects part of the exterior with the interior.