The Block
The Block is a research into high-rise cities.
The Block is a very radical building, that works as a vertical micro-city. Moreover, this vertical city is an isolated ecosystem that works as a monument, a reference site on the city: a high-rise neighbourhood. Indeed, the building works as an hybrid tower with different spaces (or districts), which live together as indoor spaces, and are connected through public spaces, streets and squares, just like the body of a city. This districts are independent, but work together with the rest of the building, creating a common identity. This way, we could say this building is a low-scale city, a cultural tower which would make the knowledge be the main axis in Madrid.
This building is located in the heart of the university district of Madrid (CIU), with the objective of supplying not only the students (but all the city) with a cultural program. Concretely, we are placed in Cantarranas, close to A-6, an entrance to Madrid from the North. This way, the tower works as a big gate to Madrid, as a big entrance monument with a cultural purpose, in competition with the actual standing towers we can find in the financial district.
Structurally, the building stands thanks to two longitudinal facades, formed by two lines of steel structural columns. This facades form a big structural box, allowing an indoor versatility. This way, a lot of different spaces can be created, thanks to a 15 meters extrusion bounded to the facades.
As the structure is an important element in this building, we can find different rigid and articulated joints. The action of the wind is also an important problem. For this reason, we can find a lot of gaps or holes in the facade, so the wind can pass through the building, avoiding it to overturn.
On another note, this building is a nearly zero energy building. In addition to some passive and form control measures, all the needs are met thanks to a photovoltaic facade, to solar panels, and to the use of geothermic energy. This way, the building is able to provide all energy needed for itself.
The Block is a very radical building, that works as a vertical micro-city. Moreover, this vertical city is an isolated ecosystem that works as a monument, a reference site on the city: a high-rise neighbourhood. Indeed, the building works as an hybrid tower with different spaces (or districts), which live together as indoor spaces, and are connected through public spaces, streets and squares, just like the body of a city. This districts are independent, but work together with the rest of the building, creating a common identity. This way, we could say this building is a low-scale city, a cultural tower which would make the knowledge be the main axis in Madrid.
This building is located in the heart of the university district of Madrid (CIU), with the objective of supplying not only the students (but all the city) with a cultural program. Concretely, we are placed in Cantarranas, close to A-6, an entrance to Madrid from the North. This way, the tower works as a big gate to Madrid, as a big entrance monument with a cultural purpose, in competition with the actual standing towers we can find in the financial district.
Structurally, the building stands thanks to two longitudinal facades, formed by two lines of steel structural columns. This facades form a big structural box, allowing an indoor versatility. This way, a lot of different spaces can be created, thanks to a 15 meters extrusion bounded to the facades.
As the structure is an important element in this building, we can find different rigid and articulated joints. The action of the wind is also an important problem. For this reason, we can find a lot of gaps or holes in the facade, so the wind can pass through the building, avoiding it to overturn.
On another note, this building is a nearly zero energy building. In addition to some passive and form control measures, all the needs are met thanks to a photovoltaic facade, to solar panels, and to the use of geothermic energy. This way, the building is able to provide all energy needed for itself.
- 00 - Description
- 01 - The Block
- 02 - Border
- 03 - CIU
- 04 - Strategy
- 05 - Layers
- 06 - Location
- 07 - Program
- 08 - Section views
- 09 - Perspective view
- 10 - Body
- 11 - Plan views
- 12 - Axo views
- 13 - Structure
- 14 - Leisure district
- 15 - Sports district
- 16 - Walkway
- 17 - Outdoors
- 18 - Level 0