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Almudena Rodríguez Hortigüela

Almudena Rodríguez Hortigüela

Madrid, ES

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PFC (Final project for ETSAM)

L’Unité Flottante is a mixed use facility built in order to commemorate the centenary of the Voyage to the East of Le Corbusier. The aim of the project was rehabilitate an old cargo ship moored near Piraeus Port. Sited in one of his most representative stops, the project hosts both a Le Voyage d’Orient foundation and a summer accommodation for backpackers.

The chosen place to tie up the cargo ship approaches the city as once did Le Corbusier, from the sea, besides focusing on one of the topics that mark his work: the boat. The existing structure of the cargo Alexander becomes the perfect modular scheme to design a flexible new plot based on cross beams that rest on the hull. These beams host the accommodation facility and are used to shadow the facilities on the deck.

The Foundation Le Voyage d’Orient is set inside the hull, designed as a public open space. The existing structures of decks and holds are modified in order to create a sequence of terraces. The public space is encloused by the upper beams and the descending terraces that lead the visitors to the core of the facility in a dynamic promenade.

Overlooking the shore, the accommodation facility is shared out among the new beams. Each one hosts a three stores dormitory organized in sleeping moduls working as capsules. The basic beam unit is shaped as a regular prism and houses just sleeping modules and rest-room facilities. The basic unit can achieve deformations related to complementary spaces such as kitchen, living room or workshops. In order to show an unify picture of the development, all the beams are cover with the same skin made of nautic ropes as a façade. This kind of façade becomes a good cooling system based on shadowing and constant airing in the indoors while keeping control of confort space inside the sleeping moduls.
 

 
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Status: School Project
Location: Piraeus, GR

 
idea
idea
access plan and longitudinal section
access plan and longitudinal section
cross sections
cross sections
general plans
general plans
beam cross section and construction details
beam cross section and construction details
structural plan
structural plan