Contextualization Timber Construction ¡Vamos! Holzbau
TU Graz with the Universitat Politècnica de València
Acclimatise -just push your box
Group work with Anna Edelhover & Valentina Lang
This project tackles Valencia’s seasonal climate needs by designing a flexible living hub that adapts to summer and winter without requiring residents to rearrange their interiors twice a year.
Each floor accommodates around five people, with residents leasing 16m² slabs. Sleeping modules, modular furniture, and office units allow customization. In summer, modules shift inward to open up balconies for airflow and shade; in winter, they move to the facade, creating an indoor living space that retains heat through thermal mass.
The communal spirit is key—residents share kitchens and facilities while maintaining privacy. A ground-floor workshop supports sustainability by allowing on-site construction and repair of wooden modules, also serving as a community space.
The structure features a solid wood frame with ribbed slabs and fire barriers. Concrete cores provide stability and house utilities, while a central core distributes cool air, inspired by traditional badghirs. Movable, insulated wooden box modules (each 400kg) slide along ceiling railings to adjust the space as needed. The facade integrates shading for upper floors and a foldable glass system at ground level.
Despite construction challenges, the final prototype demonstrates a promising low-tech solution for adaptable, climate-responsive living.