To promote the use of wood in the construction of mid-rise social housing, the winners of the international competition "Wood: Innovation for Social Housing" have been announced. Organized by the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning (MVOT) and the National Housing Agency (ANV) in Uruguay, with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the participation of the Municipality of Durazno. Much like previous wood competitions, such as the one focusing on single-family housing typologies, the goal is to promote the development and implementation of innovative timber construction systems. This approach improves climate comfort and energy performance while reducing environmental and economic construction costs.
For the architectural design and construction of a mid-rise residential building in the city of Durazno, national and international construction firms were invited to design between 24 and 30 housing units in a building over six stories tall. The brief includes a multipurpose room, parking, and public and semi-public spaces on the site. Notably, the winning firm will construct its proposal in the coming months.
The jury comprised Marcia Croci (MVOT), Ariel Beltrand (ANV), Ignacio Ferrari (ANV), Mariela Martínez, and Elena Orte, founding partner of Suma Arquitectura. They were supported by a technical commission including Carolina Pérez Gomar (MVOT), Gabriella Boiani, Guillermo Rey (ANV), Bernardo Martin (Universidad de la República), and Andrés Sierra (Tallwood, Chile). Discover all the award-winning projects below.
First Prize
Project description provided by the design team. The project consists of a freestanding, six-story tower designed using a Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT/mass timber) system, set upon a podium that forms a plaza connecting both sides of the site. This configuration facilitates pedestrian access and enhances the building's integration into its surroundings. Designed with a gradual stepping-back effect toward the city, the building blends naturally into the urban fabric. The tower itself is positioned toward the main avenue, giving it a prominent presence in the area and maximizing its visibility.
The main objective is to create a sustainable, energy-efficient building that provides an inviting experience for its users. Integrating the building with its context, creating public spaces, and promoting the well-being of the residents and their community are key drivers of the design.
The building proposes two distinct construction systems. The podium will be constructed using reinforced concrete columns and beams, while the upper floors will utilize CLT slabs and walls, alongside glulam columns and beams. Thanks to off-site prefabrication, this system reduces manufacturing and assembly times. At the same time, it minimizes on-site schedules and waste because it requires no field alterations and generates zero construction refuse. Furthermore, carbon sequestration in the timber helps mitigate the greenhouse effect.
Second Prize
Project description provided by the design team. The project's primary challenge is to successfully integrate the building into a uniquely characterized city block, surrounded by distinctive local landmarks with which it must establish a balanced dialogue. The building is situated on the western side of the lot within a designated "buildable zone," leaving room for a potential second building. This strip is flanked to the west by Bicentennial Park (Parque del Bicentenario) and opens up a new park to the east to serve both the building and the surrounding neighborhood. At the same time, the building is set back from the existing silos, avoiding volumetric competition while gaining visibility.
The ground floor serves as a transition between public and private space, where an open area without perimeter fences leads to a covered zone housing lounge, recreation, and social spaces. A metal screen provides security and controls access to the vertical circulation cores, while also linking this circulation to the multipurpose room, barbecue area, and utility rooms. Resting on a large concrete slab are two virtually symmetrical housing blocks connected by an open-air common corridor, distributing four apartments per floor. The residences are organized in 6x3-meter modules. The one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts result from a sequence of modular spaces of equal hierarchy, accommodating a wide range of occupant types and family configurations. Grouping, opening, or closing off spaces are all options enabled by these flexible typologies. The units open toward the facades through long balconies that extend the indoor living spaces to the east and west.
The project incorporates several green building, healthy design, and energy-efficiency criteria. The proposal outlines a compact complex that minimizes site impact and optimizes unit distribution. Two separate volumes define a central circulation space that serves as both a lightwell/ventilation shaft and a connection area. A key objective is to maximize indoor comfort with minimal energy consumption to lower overall utility costs for each unit. Consequently, all apartments feature cross-ventilation through the central circulation core.
The structural approach is one of the project's key design tools. The system of CLT panels, columns, beams, and slabs integrates directly into the interior spaces, defining the textures, acoustics, light, and shadow of each room. Simultaneously, various engineering disciplines are integrated into the architecture with a single objective: efficiency. From the typological layout, all building systems are routed through central shafts, ensuring that servicing, utility supply, and drainage for each apartment are as straightforward and effective as possible.
Third Prize
Project description provided by the design team. The building is designed with energy efficiency in mind, consuming less energy, which translates to lower utility bills and reduced carbon emissions. This is achieved through a combination of strategies, such as high-performance insulation, efficient heating and cooling systems, and energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
As an energy-efficient project, it is designed to provide optimal indoor comfort for its occupants while minimizing energy consumption. This is achieved through measures such as natural ventilation, optimized building orientation, and shading systems that reduce heat gain and loss.
The project will be constructed using durable, energy-efficient materials and systems with a longer lifespan than traditional alternatives. Built to withstand the rigors of daily use, they require less maintenance and fewer repairs over time.
We consider the project to be highly resilient against extreme weather conditions, such as heatwaves and cold snaps. This is achieved through strategies like high-performance windows and insulation that withstand temperature extremes. By reducing energy consumption, improving indoor comfort, and enhancing both resilience and value, our energy-efficient project offers a sustainable option for the future building.
This article was written by Agustina Iñiguez. The translation is powered by AI.
