New European Bauhaus Prizes

Identify the award category for which this project is being submitted

Prioritising the places and people that need it the most

Project title

11 social housing units in Palma

Full Project Title

11 social housing units in Palma

Please provide a short, catchy description of your project to be used in communication towards the public.

Eleven climate-responsive homes in Palma blend vernacular architecture with sustainability, using passive design to ensure cross-ventilation, natural light, and thermal comfort. Their flexible layouts maximize usability, while locally sourced materials and prefabrication minimize environmental impact. With drainable gardens and native vegetation enhancing resilience, this social housing project becomes a model of circular economy and adaptive, climate-conscious design.

Where was your project implemented?

Spain

At which level is the project implemented (e.g., does the project cover the entire national level, one or several regions, cities etc?)

Local

Please indicate which city(ies)/village(s)

Palma (Illes Balears)

Does your project address mainly urban or rural issues?

It addresses urban-rural linkages

Does your project refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?

It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)

Is your project fully completed?

Yes

Please indicate the date your project was completed

2024-11-20

Has your project benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?

Has your project received an EU prize that included a monetary award?

Are you interested in participating in the ‘NEB Affordable Housing’ prize?

Yes

Is your project implemented in one of the EU MS?

Yes

Does the project provide sustainable, inclusive, and affordable housing solutions in line with the NEB values and principles?

Yes

Please indicate on whose behalf you are submitting the application

As a representative of an organisation

Please provide a summary of your project, outlining the overall aim, target group(s), specific objective(s) and achieved outcomes in the context of the respective category you apply for

The project consists of the construction of 11 social housing units located in Palma de Mallorca, specifically in the neighbourhood of El Coll d'en Rabassa. The objective is to address the urgent need for affordable and sustainable housing while enhancing the urban fabric. The target group includes low-income residents who require quality housing solutions that are environmentally responsible and economically feasible.

The project is designed to mitigate climate change effects through passive design strategies inspired by vernacular architecture. It integrates a compact yet adaptable volume that enhances urban connectivity while optimizing energy performance. The inclusion of green spaces and ventilated courtyards fosters both thermal comfort and social interaction. The use of local materials and prefabrication techniques ensures a low environmental impact and promotes circular economy principles. The achieved outcomes include high energy efficiency, reduced construction costs, and improved living conditions for the residents.

Please indicate the main themes of your project with 5 key words.

Social Housing

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Sustainability

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Climate Adaptation

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Circular Economy

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Passive Design

Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context

Sustainability is prioritized through various passive design strategies, reducing the ecological footprint of the project. Cross-ventilation is ensured through carefully positioned openings and skylights, reducing the need for artificial cooling. The west-facing façade incorporates setbacks that provide natural shading, while the use of permeable gardens minimizes urban heat island effects. Water-efficient landscaping with native plants reduces irrigation demand. Materials were selected based on proximity, durability, and recyclability, including locally sourced ceramic blocks and laminated timber structures, ensuring high thermal inertia and reducing embodied carbon.

Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context

The design enhances the living experience by maximizing natural light, ventilation, and spatial flexibility. The interiors are non-hierarchical, eliminating unnecessary corridors to maximize usable space. The integration of inner courtyards and open terraces provides residents with semi-private outdoor areas, reinforcing a sense of community. The building’s materiality, featuring warm-toned ceramics and timber, creates a harmonious relationship with its Mediterranean surroundings.

Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context

The different dwellings are designed with inclusivity in mind, offering affordable housing without compromising quality. It ensures accessibility through barrier-free circulation and universal design principles. Social integration is promoted by shared spaces that encourage interaction between residents. The project is also financially inclusive, employing cost-effective construction techniques that optimize resources while maintaining affordability.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project. Please describe their role and level of involvement.

Community participation is integrated by responding to local housing demands and environmental concerns. By maintaining existing geological elements and respecting the neighbourhood’s urban morphology, the design aligns with residents’ needs and expectations.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Please describe their role and level of involvement. Please highlight what the added value of their engagement was

Collaboration between public and private entities played a crucial role. The project was promoted by IBAVI, in partnership with architects, engineers, and construction firms, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach. Regional policies supporting sustainable housing development influenced the project's direction, reinforcing its impact at multiple levels.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your project. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was

The project brought together expertise from architecture, engineering, and environmental sciences. The integration of passive strategies required close cooperation between climate specialists and design teams, ensuring optimal thermal performance and long-term sustainability.

Please highlight the innovative character of the project, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the project

This proposal challenges conventional social housing approaches by integrating high-performance, low-cost sustainability solutions. The combination of prefabricated wooden slabs and ceramic load-bearing walls allows for quick assembly and future recyclability. The strategy of reusing excavation soil to enhance acoustic and thermal insulation further distinguishes the project from typical housing developments.

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your project.

The design follows a modular and adaptable strategy, reducing waste through standardized construction elements. The approach is based on maximizing passive climate control techniques while minimizing mechanical interventions. Prefabrication was used to enhance construction efficiency and reduce labour costs, ensuring financial viability.

Please describe which elements of your project could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and context. This may involve for example aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings etc.

Several elements of the project can be adapted to different contexts, including:
• Passive climate adaptation strategies for warm climates.
• Prefabrication techniques to streamline construction and reduce costs.
• Use of local materials to lower embodied carbon.
• Flexible housing layouts that maximize space efficiency.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the project addresses by providing local solutions

It responds to global housing crises by providing affordable, sustainable housing solutions that mitigate climate change impacts. The emphasis on circular economy principles and passive design strategies offers a replicable model that aligns with international environmental goals.

Please give information on the results, outcomes and impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for. This includes also benefits from the project for direct and indirect beneficiaries

They have been successfully delivered 11 high-quality social housing units, offering residents improved thermal comfort, lower energy costs, and enhanced living environments. The integration of green spaces and natural ventilation strategies has significantly reduced energy consumption. Additionally, the use of local materials has minimized transportation emissions, reinforcing the project's sustainability objectives.

Please attach at least 6 high resolution images (or other types of visual representations, if images are not possible) to your application.

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