PARAL·LEL

Palma de Mallorca

Paral-lel is a residential project located in the Bonanova neighbourhood, a quiet residential area in the southwest of Palma. The project consists of two independent blocks.

Taking full advantage of the pb+3 planning regulations, the buildings have been designed so that, despite the density and limited space, each of the 12 homes can enjoy the suburban ideal of sustainability, energy efficiency and privacy with a garden and a private swimming pool. The duplexes consist of 6 ground floor apartments with garden and swimming pool and 6 penthouses with rooftop swimming pool with panoramic views over the bay of Palma and also towards Cala Mayor and Illetas.

The main facades facing the best orientations, views, and gardens are formed by folding shutters of horizontal wooden slats that act as a solar filter, creating a changing play of light and shade inspired by traditional Mediterranean pergolas and lattices. This allows privacy to be regulated and controlling the natural solar gain throughout the year. The façade panels can be raised and transformed from blinds to pergolas according to the needs of the home, the orientation and the incidence of the sun. In this way it is possible to take advantage of the winter sun and block the summer sun. The lattice functions as a changing, organic and permeable skin, an exterior reflection of its interior life, a solar filter modulating light and shade. It has been optimised on the basis of solar studies, which adapts to the different climatological needs. This is reminiscent from the traditional of Majorquin pergolas and shutters, which together with cross ventilation and a heat recovery system are the key to providing maximum energy efficiency.

The side facades facing the nearest neighbours and the adjoining streets are more solid and hermetic. These have irregular openings of different sizes depending on the program they contain. The side facades have different textures and earthy tones and together with the irregularity of the openings allow to break the flatness.

The project has been designed to achieve maximum energy efficiency and a very low demand for air conditioning. This significantly reduces the need for air conditioning and cooling compared to a conventional building, making it a construction with a very low energy cost for the owner and the planet.

The building is designed to collect rainwater and store it in cisterns. The amount of stored is sufficient to replace the water lost by evaporation in the swimming pools and for the irrigation of the low-maintenance, Mediterranean-type gardens.

The selection of natural, local materials emphasising the Mediterranean essence has been very important. A simple palette of noble materials such as Majorquin hydraulic cement tiles, bespoke terrazzo, oak floors and doors among others defines the project.

Credits:
Architecture and Interior Design: OHLAB / Paloma Hernaiz and Jaime Oliver
OHLAB team: Paloma Hernaiz and Jaime Oliver with Rebeca Lavín, Robin Harloff, Silvia Morais, Loreto Angulo, Luis Quiles, M.Bruna Pisciotta, Pedro Rodríguez, Mercé Solar, Eusebiu Spac, Lara Ortega.
Quantity surveyor: Jorge Ramón
Structure: DICAES
Timber facade consultancy and manufacturing: GRUPO GUBIA
M&E Engineering consultants: INGENIO consultores
Kitchens and furniture: Espacio Home Design
Contractor: Diazgar
Photo: José Hevia
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