Solar Carving

4th Year BArch, Professor Enrique Jerez Abajo, Fall 2024, Spain

Located in the El Salvador neighborhood of Madrid, Spain, this collective housing project uses urban sustainability strategies to create an urban core with various housing typologies and communal spaces for the users. This project analyszes the various aspects of a neighborhood, from city planning to individual units. In order to minimize the shade pollution on the surrounding buildings, the neighborhood adapts to the site and creates a stepping form to allow sufficient sunlight to all units and communal spaces.

This project was done during my study abroad semester in Madrid

Softwares: Rhino, Lumion, Illustrator, Photoshop

Architectural illustration of a modern building with large glass windows and green wall features. Several people are walking in a landscaped area with plants and two trees. The sky is light with a subtle, abstract sun and birds flying.

Exterior Render

Initial Research

How can I begin to organize the density of this neighborhood? In this analysis, I compare various neighborhood typologies in Madrid.

Apply Urban Fabrics of Various Neighborhoods in Madrid

01 Site

02 Road Continuity

03 Extrude

El Salvador

Chamartin

La Latina

Salamanca

Analyzing the current activities, users, and materiality of El Salvador.

Materiality

Users

Activities

Based on my research, creating a stepped form that divides the topography and allows sufficient sunlight without causing shade pollution is the best solution.

Isometric architectural illustration of a planned urban development with green trees and diverse buildings.

Site Axonometric

Site map with labeled areas including sculpture garden, playground, residential areas, plant garden, green roof, street market, dog park, plaza, and outdoor gym.

Master Plan 1:1500

Neighborhood Framework

Architectural elevation drawing of a series of buildings and trees, outlining a complex with varying structures and density, possibly depicting a modern urban development with landscaping elements.

Site Section 1:1500

Architectural site plan with buildings, roads, trees, and parking spaces.
Illustration showing a four-step architectural design process: 1. Stepped topography; 2. Extrude; 3. Stepped form; 4. Addition of green spaces.

Public Spaces

Architectural drawing depicting a cross-section of three modern apartment buildings, each with three floors. The buildings have balconies and green roofs. Trees and small figures are integrated into the landscape design.

Building 1st Level Plan 1:300

Concept Diagram

Architectural elevation of a modern multi-story building with green patterned facade, large windows, and balconies. Surrounding trees and flying birds are also visible.

Building Section 1:150

Common Domesticity

Architectural floor plan with two mirrored sections featuring outdoor seating, playground equipment, and interior rooms including kitchen and living areas.

Building Elevation 1:250

Partial 3rd Level Plan 1:100

Common Domesticity

Units interlock within the building in order to create a facade with alternating balconies. This creates communal rooftop gardens for the residents to congregate. Additionally, each unit has its own balcony, creating a connection between the outdoors. In order to push the boundaries of the unit typologies, the two spines of units on either side of each apartment building are at differing heights. This is due to the stepped nature of the topography, and creates a unique experience for the residents.

Unit Typologies

Isometric diagram of three architectural blocks in stacked arrangement, illustrating spatial organization or modular design.
Floor plan featuring a bedroom with a double bed, a bathroom, a living room with a seating area, a dining area with a table and chairs, a kitchen with appliances, and an outdoor terrace with plants and garden furniture.

Unit Typology 1

Cross-section illustration of a root cellar with a person holding vegetables, a table with chairs, a shovel, a table, and a refrigerator.
Isometric diagram of a rectangular box with an extended section, illustrated with dashed lines for hidden edges.

Section

Axonometric

First Level Plan

Floor plan with living room, dining area, kitchen, and bathroom. Includes furniture layout with a sofa, chairs, coffee tables, dining table, and chairs. Outdoor patio with chairs and table. Stairs shown at the entrance.

Unit Typology 2

Cross-sectional illustration of a two-level room setup, with a living area below featuring two armchairs and a table, and a bedroom above with a bed and a person by an easel.

First Level Plan

Section

Floor plan with a bedroom, including a bed, side tables, desk with chair, seating area, and stairs. Outline design with furniture placement.
Illustration of two transparent storage boxes with pull-out trays.
Floor plan of a residential space featuring a living area with sofa and chairs, dining table with chairs, kitchen area with appliances, bathroom with toilet and sink, and a balcony with seating.

Unit Typology 3

Architectural section of a two-story interior with a person sitting on a couch on the upper level and a dining area with a table and chairs on the lower level.
Floor plan of a bedroom and balcony. Features include a bed with two pillows, a bedside table, two chairs, a small table on the balcony, stairs, and a desk or vanity with a chair inside the room.
Transparent geometric figure with overlapping rectangular prisms.

Axonometric

Second Level Plan

Section

First Level Plan

Axonometric

Second Level Plan

Silhouetted people walking among stylized flowers on a black background.
Illustration of an indoor atrium with orange zigzagging staircases, glass ceiling, and people walking on different levels.

Interior Render

Architectural section diagram showing green roof, curtain wall, and steel floor systems with illustrations of domestic activities across three floors.

Construction System Section