The future of affordable housing and its connection to public space

How did you approach the relationship with the city in the SFJ6 project?

In SFJ6, we started by considering the city’s scale. Even though it’s a large building, we aimed for a more approachable, human scale to fit harmoniously into the surroundings. The building contributes to urban diversity, enriching its context. In the design of the homes, we focused on spatial quality: all units are cross-ventilated, with the more public areas facing outward and the private areas oriented toward the interior courtyards. Despite being affordable housing, the large windows create a feeling of more space inside. All units include outdoor areas, such as open terraces, balcony-terraces, or living rooms with railings that transform into large balconies when opened. The building’s common areas are also designed to promote social interaction, incorporating greenery and carefully selected materials to serve a bioclimatic function, making these spaces pleasant to spend time in.

What aspects do you consider fundamental in your architecture?

From the beginning, we asked ourselves why certain cities, streets, buildings, or homes feel better than others. We concluded that human scale is essential, and this concept is central to all our projects. We aim to give our architecture a human scale, avoiding disproportionate or disconnected designs. It’s especially important that buildings, particularly the ground floors, maintain a positive relationship with the city, enriching the pedestrian experience.

Another key concept is the value of outdoor spaces in housing, a need that became clear during the pandemic, though it’s something we’ve always prioritized. Urban planning regulations are the most effective tool for ensuring these spaces, though regulations sometimes restrict them. In those cases, we use design strategies, such as carefully placed openings, to give homes a sense of outdoor space, even when traditional spaces aren’t possible.

We also emphasize the emotional atmosphere of common areas. We want these areas to feel comfortable, not just places to pass through where inactivity can lead to isolation. Instead, we strive to create spaces that encourage social interaction and a sense of community.

Why do you think you’ve been awarded? What are these awards about?

The greatest reward we’ve received is the chance to bring our ideas to life through the various projects we’ve won in design competitions. Many of these buildings have later received awards for the completed work, which is particularly meaningful to us. This recognition shows that our proposals were not only strong on paper but successful in practice as well.