156 Viviendas Industrializadas en Vitoria-Gasteiz

Abstract

In 2004, VISESA announced a Grant for Research on Industrialized Housing Structures that was awarded to the Pich-Aguilera team. Their survey identified a series of energy-related, social and economic aspects in modern construction that could be optimized by system industrialization. * System assessed in the survey: – Facade cladding. – Frame (columns and beams). – Three-dimensional aspects (horizontal/vertical surfaces, standard rooms, modules). – Composite construction in frame, cladding and modules. * Analysis of construction contracting, associations and companies. * Comparative analysis of industrialized and traditional construction. Taking the theoretical data and conclusions of the survey funded by the grant as a basis, and in light of the industrialization strategy laid down in the Basque Country Regional Government’s Housing Guidelines and VISESA’s Strategic and Management Plans, concrete manufacturers in the Basque Country and surrounding autonomous communities were contacted to determine the industrial feasibility of a specific construction project. With these findings in hand, the research grant was extended to include a specific architectural design: 156 housing units on lot RC.33 in Sector 6 at Zabalgana, Vitoria-Gasteiz, whose main characteristics are: – G+8+penthouse, doubling the height of isostatic concrete buildings erected in Spain to date. – Industrialized structure and enclosures (3-storey columns, isostatic portal frames stiffened with steel tie rods and slab topping). – Curved steel roof and steel joints between columns (high strength bolts). – Industrialized construction system (process), not only as the sum of elements, but minimizing material and energy consumption, raising the guarantee of final finish quality and improving working conditions and site safety. The construction design (PICH-AGUILERA and structure by BOMA) was concluded with construction solutions NOT dependent upon specific patents; the works were awarded to the joint venture formed by CONSTRUCCIONES SUKIA and NORTEN PH. Construction will be completed in mid-2009. A comparative study was also conducted (by PICH in conjunction with IMAT) of two developments in the same sector. The scope was as follows: comparative analysis of two residential buildings, one industrialized and the other built with traditional construction systems, using real site data. The preliminary results are discussed in this article. The final conclusions will be drawn after the works are completed. Concrete industrialization (linear or three-dimensional) is one of a number of possible alternatives (composite and steel construction). Other parts of the process can also be industrialized (formwork for instance). Residential building structures can and should, in the author’s opinion, adopt the pattern used in commercial building (today’s industrial bays are made of steel or precast concrete), for this is technically possible. Work site visits have been organized for groups of ten architects and engineers; to date nearly 600 have visited the development.