Government of Rioja
gives green light to MVRDV's Logroño Montecorvo Eco City
(Rotterdam, September 23rd, 2008) The government of the Spanish province
and autonomous community Rioja has decided to go ahead with the development
of the extension to Logroño. The Eco-City designed by MVRDV in
collaboration with GRAS foresees the construction of 3,000 social homes
and complementary program. The new neighbourhood achieves a CO2 neutral
footprint by producing renewable energy on site. The total investment
is 388 million Euro.
MVRDV Logroño Eco-City, this being a masterplan the displayed facades
are only impressions:
image © MVRDV 2008
The 56 ha site, just north of Logroño on the two small hills of
Montecorvo and la Fonsalada, offers views over the city and vast south
facing slopes. The masterplan is designed in a compact way occupying only
10% of the site: the linear compact urban development meanders through
the landscape, providing every apartment with views towards the city.
In addition sports facilities, retail, restaurants, infrastructure and
public and private gardens are part of the plan.
The remaining landscape becomes an eco-park: a mix of park and energy
production. As the slopes are south facing solar energy is easily generated.
A tapestry of PV-cells clad the mountain, covering the hills in golden
reflection. On top of the two hills, windmills generate part of the energy
needed for the 3.000 social houses and at the same time they work as landmarks
for the development. 100% of the energy demand is generated on site by
a combination of solar and wind energy. A greywater circuit and on site
natural water purification are parts of the plan that combines dense urban
living with real ecological improvements. All these measurements will
allow the new development to reach a CO2 neutral footprint and the highest
Spanish energy efficiency rating.
MVRDV Logroño Eco City view towards Montecorvo, this being a masterplan
the displayed facades are only impressions:
image © MVRDV 2008
Next to this, by building as compact as possible (following the optimal
height line of the hill) the building costs are minimized. A further part
of the plan is the construction of a funicular accessing a museum and
viewing point hidden in the top of Montecorvo which will also house a
research and promotion centre for renewable and energy efficient technology.
The on site production of clean energies and the quality of construction
will allow to save an excess of 6,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
The total sum of investment is 388 million Euro of which 40 million will
be invested in renewable energy technology. MVRDV won the competition
in collaboration with Spanish architecture office GRAS. Client is the
city of Logroño; the project will be developed by Spanish firms
LMB and Grupo Progea and was conceived in collaboration with Arup.
Spanish Architecture
MVRDV
GRAS Arquitectos is an office based in Madrid and Palma de Mallorca producing
designs in the fields of architecture and urbanism. A wide range of projects
are under design at the moment from housing to offices and hotels; in
Spain and abroad. Collaboration and multi-disciplinary is a must in GRAS
designs. GRAS has an active collaboration with MVRDV developing projects
and competitions in Spain.
La Rioja technology transfer centre, Logroño, La Rioja
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Comments / photos for the Logroño Montecorvo Eco City Architecture
page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk
Logroño Eco City Spain: page - adrian
welch / isabelle lomholt