Edificio Pirita

A unique social housing model, codeveloped with residents.

The potential of community-led, sustainable housing is reflected in Edificio Pirita, a 599 m², four-storey residential co-housing project with 11 dwellings and communal spaces. It was co-developed with residents to provide affordable, sustainable housing while fostering social cohesion to the benefit of families in Madrid’s Usera district and the wider community through its participatory governance model.

The building features FSC-certified CLT and glulam sourced from Galician forests, alongside recycled and biobased materials. Passivhaus design, 44 rooftop solar panels, and greywater reuse ensure near-zero energy performance. Pirita sequesters over 400 tonnes of CO₂, avoids fossil fuels, and reduces the need for massive foundations by 50% thanks to lightweight timber. It shows how community-led, sustainable housing can transform urban living while presenting an international social housing model.

 

 

 

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