30+8 Social Housing Units on Josep Togores Street by Vivas Arquitectos

The 30+8 Social Housing project by Vivas Arquitectos is situated on Josep Togores Street, to the north of Palma, Mallorca, in a heterogeneous area that has developed in several urban phases. The surrounding context comprises low-density housing and agricultural land, reflecting a semi-rural and residential character. The architectural strategy responds to this context, emphasizing integration with the urban fabric while respecting local building traditions.

The project explores land use and transformation, taking inspiration from traditional construction systems in which the structure itself defines and houses the spaces. By merging load-bearing and habitability functions, the design offers a sustainable, structurally efficient, and culturally coherent solution.

Architectural Concept and Layout

The housing complex consists of two main buildings. The primary building occupies a corner L-shaped plot with a buildable depth of 11.5 meters. It includes a ground floor and four levels dedicated to housing, with the basement and part of the ground floor allocated to 30 parking spaces. A secondary, rectangular building hosts 8 additional housing units across two floors.

The design focuses on two core aspects:

1. Harmonious integration into the urban and physical environment.

2. A functional solution tailored to the housing program.

The internal organization promotes a sense of community. Access is provided through a lobby leading to an interior courtyard, from which units are distributed via covered walkways. This circulation strategy encourages neighborly interaction while maintaining a gradient of privacy from communal spaces to private apartments.

Apartment Design and Functionality

The apartments, comprising one- and two-bedroom units, are designed for double orientation, optimizing natural light and ventilation. The layouts are hallway-free, enhancing spatial efficiency. A central kitchen visually connects to the living room, fostering a sense of openness and family interaction.

A multifunctional southwest gallery enhances thermal comfort, ensures privacy, and allows for solar gain in winter while promoting cross-ventilation during summer months. These passive design strategies reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling, contributing to the building’s overall sustainability.

Sustainable Materials and Construction

The project employs a highly efficient and sustainable construction system. It combines prefabricated wooden slabs with load-bearing walls made of BTC (compressed earth blocks), a material produced locally in Mallorca. The use of BTC provides multiple environmental and structural benefits:

• Reduced transportation emissions and support for the local economy.

• Low energy consumption, as BTC does not require high-temperature firing.

• Thermal inertia that regulates indoor temperatures, reducing the need for artificial cooling.

• Porosity that enhances indoor air quality, prevents condensation, and improves acoustic performance.

• Durability, including fire and pest resistance, minimal maintenance requirements, and high compressive strength.

The combination of BTC walls and prefabricated wooden slabs allows for rapid, adaptable, and eco-friendly construction, aligning with contemporary demands for sustainable housing.

Cultural Integration and Aesthetic Strategy

The use of local earth blocks also connects the project to Mallorca’s architectural heritage, echoing the island’s traditional coastal houses where materials were chosen to suit the Mediterranean climate. This approach ensures cultural continuity, giving the buildings a distinctive identity that harmonizes with the surroundings.

From an aesthetic perspective, the BTC’s earthy texture and color palette enhance visual coherence while emphasizing the material’s authenticity. The project demonstrates how indigenous resources can serve as a climate-conscious solution, reducing the carbon footprint and fostering an architecture that responds responsibly to environmental challenges.

Environmental and Social Impact

Beyond structural efficiency and aesthetics, the project actively addresses environmental and social sustainability. By using locally sourced materials and passive design strategies, it minimizes energy consumption and carbon emissions. The courtyard-centered layout fosters community engagement, encouraging social interaction among residents and strengthening neighborhood bonds.

In the context of the climate crisis, the project serves as a model for low-impact, culturally sensitive housing, merging tradition with modern sustainability requirements. Its integrated approach to architecture, territory, and community exemplifies a thoughtful response to contemporary challenges, positioning it as a benchmark for future social housing developments in Mediterranean climates.

The 30+8 Social Housing Units on Josep Togores Street successfully balance structural innovation, sustainability, and cultural resonance, offering a framework for socially conscious, environmentally responsible, and contextually rooted housing architecture.

Photography: José Hevia