Izola, Slovenia - 2006

Status: Existing
Stakeholders:
• Slovenian Housing Fund
• Community of Izola
Budget: 1,54 M €

The project is a winning entry for two housing blocks in a competition convoked by the Slovenia Housing Fund, a government-run programme that is providing low-cost apartments for young families. The proposal won for economic, rational and functional issues. When signing the contract we were obliged to prepare construction documentation for the building cost 600€ per m2 of net surface area.

Since the blocks are subject to a Mediterranean climate outdoor space and shade are important elements. The project proposed a veranda for each apartment, thus providing an outdoor space that is intimate, partly connected with the interior, shady and naturally ventilated. A textile shade protects the balcony and apartment from prying eyes. Perforated side-panels allow summer breeze to ventilate the space. The strong colours create different atmospheres within the apartments. Boxes at the side of each balcony provide room for air-conditioning units.The small rooms become visually bigger because the textile shade creates a perspective effect that connects part of the exterior with the interior. Balcony modules are designed as efficient system providing shading and ventilation for the apartments. Textile elements fixed on the front of the balconies block direct sunlight and accumulate "air buffer" zone. In the summer hot accumulated area behind the shadings is naturally ventilated through (10 cm holes) perforated side partitions of the balconies. In the winter the warm air stays in the area and provides additional heating to the apartments.