Ceramics reinterprets traditional architectural style
Innovative living concept for the future: a multi-generation house in Madrid combines traditional architectural style with a modern rear-ventilated ceramic façade.
In the middle of the lively backdrop of Madrid stands a small architectural jewel that is far more than just a residential building. The "Beyond the Family Kin Housing" project reflects the values and visions of a modern, multigenerational society. In every detail of its design principles, which are characterised by robustness and flexibility, this intergenerational house embodies a concept for lifelong living. The choice of ceramic façade and tile design was not a random decision.
Designed by Ignacio G Galán and OF Architects, this house was created with the aim of meeting the needs of different generations and enabling lifelong living. The open-plan design, characterised by seamless flows, invites a variety of alternative living arrangements while promoting a sense of community.
Striking façade design
The bold exterior of the building is characterised by its shed roof and the blue ceramic façade of the KeraTwin system from Agrob Buchtal, contrasted by the striking appearance of wavy steel panels. The façade is not only aesthetic. It combines several tectonic and technological strategies in order to incorporate energy efficiency and environmental quality into the project. To ensure the sustainability of the building, the clients opted for a ventilated ceramic façade on the recommendation of the architects. It is robust and durable, but can also be flexibly dismantled and converted. The construction and ceramic panels provide the resilient basic concept of the architecture by Ignacio G Galán and OF Architects with the best possible basis for creating a sustainable link between the present and the future. The movable windows in the shed roof are coupled with automatic blinds that control heat and lighting to create a well-ventilated and comfortable interior. Solar panels, supported by the distinctive green steel structure on the roof, support the operation of the underfloor heating throughout the house.
Energy-efficient tile design
With its focus on energy efficiency, barrier-free design and aesthetic design, the building owners have opted for a combination of underfloor heating and thermally conductive tiles in large parts of the interior. This contributes 100% to the energy efficiency of the house, because compared to parquet or other flooring, tiles allow heat to be transferred into the room more quickly and efficiently. The duo is easy to install, sustainable to use and unbeatably efficient in terms of durability. In summer, the tiles are nice and cool and are particularly welcome and often used in warm countries such as Spain. With the natural, modern material tile, the architects have created a cosy and healthy room atmosphere for residents of all ages in their showcase project.
Inclusive room concept
Modern design is a central theme that is incorporated into both the interior and exterior of the house to promote inclusion and participation for all residents. While new builds in the area tend to relegate the majority of social life to their back terraces, they encourage the formation of communities and social connections with an inner courtyard, among other features. The open design of the ground floor also encourages the neighbourhood community with a direct connection to the street. A short ramp leads from street level to the entrance. Inside the house, there is a seamless sequence of spaces that cater for all needs, from toddlers to senior citizens, from scooters to "wheelchairs", that can be explored and lived in comfortably and safely: on each of the three floors with varying degrees of autonomy and community.
In this innovative project, the architects saw ceramics not just as a façade, wall or floor covering, but as an integral part of inclusive, healthy living architecture. It is not least thanks to the ventilated rain screen ceramic façade that the house will be able to adapt flexibly to the different lifestyles of its residents and changing needs in the future.
