MinaCuina is a project in the last, most South-Eastern neighborhood of Barcelona- La Mina. The area is a residential type of high density consisting of major social housing blocks developed in the late 60s, a civic center with communal gardens, and a church. The rapidly built neighborhood was a necessary reaction to the housing crisis of the time, but with it followed uncontrolled voids and little shared space.
Extensive research unveils the complex dynamics of a population of widespread demographics, rich community bonds, and the fight against negative stigma, organized drug crime, and a lack of support.
"(...) in La Mina, if your blinders are not up by 09:00, a neighbor will come to check on you, if you had a good night."
- Montserrat
Homogeneity does not reflect the range of needs in a 'small city' of 7000 people- neither in the built environment, its programme, nor the space we share in between. By breaking up and scaling down when we have the chance, we can set the stage for more stimulating surroundings.
Seeking connection to the surroundings, a new axis connects La Mina Rambla with Sant Adrià de Besòs, splitting the plot into a social side with an expansion of the existing civic center, and an opportunity to introduce production on the less favorable side. The public space is carefully molded into an intriguing type, offering views, pockets, tension, and relief, in a permeable and mixed ground floor composed around comfort pockets in all seasons.
Taking every chance to break up the public space, the capacity of the civic centers' communal gardens is expanded through two greenhouses. A third volume, a new facility named MinaCuina, aims to connect these with the neighborhood as a social kitchen, combining the inherited gastronomic knowledge of its international population and the front research of the neighboring algae lab. After playing a social role as a local canteen during the day, MinaCuina transforms into an intriguing restaurant in the evening, activating the new plaza in front. By using the global language of food, accessible work opportunities are created for the local inhabitants.
A developed version of the typology of the existing civic center is repeated to reinforce its presence amongst the huge housing blocks. A generous patio offers exterior dining and ventilation of the interior space. The increased height and reinforced wooden structure move loads to the perimeter, opening a 600 m2 free second floor, only 'interrupted' by the tree crowns of the patio. The dimensions of these pillar beams permit a double-skin roof to host all installations. The chamber ventilates in summer and works as a heat exchange during winter.
Increased quality of life is at the center of the social housing renovation. Going from one to a range of apartment typologies, the building offers the necessary variation for the different stages of life. Each dwelling has a minimum of two fronts to the exterior and proximity to shared spaces. A system of self-sustained balconies is added, extending all living rooms with 12,5 m^2 with quick assembly.
The ground floor suffered from poor maintenance and informal sheltering. By placing all shared facilities surrounding a rich internal patio, inhabitants have a shared interest in the space and an enhanced experience of entering their homes.
Energy
The renovation is only the first step in a complete urban regeneration. An efficiency analysis shows that the scalability of energy reduction gives huge economic opportunities. Optimizing the free envelope reduces the energy demand with 70%. A smart grid with PV panels produces 3,4 mill kWh/year, making a positive 'consumption' of +6,77 kWh/m^2. The savings amongst all inhabitants is translated into a budget 1180% higher than the public budget for La Mina since its construction, which is spent in the next phase of the regeneration of the area. The full renovation is paid for in 45 years of energy savings only.
Water
An extensive system for water harvesting collects more than 6,1 mill L/year at disposal for the regions 310 dry days. In addition to a 35% increase of permeable surfaces, the new master plan reduces the load on the public sewage system by 45%.
Published
Badalona Comunicació
https://www.bdncom.cat/notice/el-model-territorial-del-besos-a-debat-en-els-treballs-finals-de-grau-destudiants-darquitectura
Europa Press
https://www.europapress.es/comunicados/sociedad-00909/noticia-comunicadoestudiantes-arquitectura-uic-barcelona-presentan-proyectos-regenerar-barrios-besos-20240716123903.html
Concorci del Barri de La Mina
https://www.barrimina.cat/index.php/notes-mainmenu-41/1375-la-universitat-transforma-a-la-mina-des-de-l-urbanisme-social-i-la-innovacio-tecnica
masters thesis in Universitat Internacional de Cataluña, Architecture
w. Adriaan Gravendeel