A modular approach to dignified urban housing The UIL Alcântara project in Lisbon addresses the pressing need for dignified housing for vulnerable individuals and families at risk of homelessness. Situated in the parish of Alcântara, the design fills a gap in the urban block, completing the residential fabric with two complementary volumes. The main volume lies to the east, while a smaller one is positioned to the west, with an urban slit between them marking the entrance from Rua Feliciano de Sousa. The architectural solution employs modularity and prefabrication, ensuring efficient and economically viable construction. Prefabricated concrete columns, beams, and hollow-core slabs are arranged on 8-meter grids, optimizing production and reducing waste. Solid reinforced-concrete slabs are used in transitional areas to provide additional rigidity. This repetition in structural elements is mirrored in the façades and interiors, reducing costs and construction time. The modular system allows for flexibility and future adaptations without compromising structural integrity. Hollow-core slabs and transverse load-bearing walls ensure high structural performance, thermal and acoustic comfort, and allow for the integration of technical infrastructures during prefabrication. This approach results in a building that is light in expression, clear in structure, and rigorous in execution, addressing the challenges of affordable housing with energy efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and rapid construction.

Design Highlights

Modular and prefabricated construction Efficient use of prefabricated concrete elements Flexibility for future adaptations High thermal and acoustic performance Urban integration with a clear entrance from Rua Feliciano de Sousa

Key Facts