24/06/2008 In Architecture, Design by argikon

You’d never know from your first glance that this building in the district of Izola, Slovenia, is actually a public housing project. We’ve grown accustomed to the usual stale and oppressive concrete bunker-like structures when we think of public housing.

Enter a team of Slovenian designers, who’ve taken their cues from the modular honeycomb clusters of a beehive, putting together a structure of brightly colored shells, staggered balconies, and eco-friendly features.

The striking development boasts beautiful views and makes smart use of solar shading and natural ventilation to regulate its interiors all year-round.

Designed to mimic the rhythmic structure of honeycomb, the layout creates “dynamic elevations and offers privacy to the neighboring owners.”

Each of the balcony modules is topped with a colorful textile shade that provides for efficient solar shading and ventilation: “Textile elements fixed on the front of the balconies block direct sunlight and accumulate ‘air buffer’ zone. In the summer, hot air accumulated in the area behind the shadings is naturally ventilated through (10 cm holes) perforated side partitions of the balconies. In the winter the warm air stays in the area and provides additional heating to the apartments.”

Absolutely brilliant!

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