The future of affordable housing and its connection to public space
Interview with Marina del Mármol and Mauro Bravo
The SFJ6 project explores new approaches to 102 affordable housing units post-pandemic, prioritizing well-being within interior spaces and the quality of the urban environment. It reconsiders the public-private space and their interaction zones.
What should housing be like today?
We approach housing from a comprehensive standpoint: it needs to address both the needs of its residents and the surrounding environment—whether at the building, neighborhood, or city level. This is essential on both small and large scales, as the goal is to enhance quality of life in all dimensions. Housing must offer well-designed spaces that are well-lit and visually connected to the outside through properly placed openings. Since most homes are not very large, this approach allows for spatial expansion. Outdoor spaces are also crucial, especially in cities becoming more people-oriented. Social relationships are vital, so housing should foster a sense of community and encourage social interaction. It also must be environmentally conscious, using both passive and active strategies to reduce energy consumption and minimize environmental impact.
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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.
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