Colonia del Pico del Pañuelo, Madrid

Colonia del Pico del Pañuelo is a residential architectural complex in La Chopera featuring 74 buildings arranged in a triangular pattern, housing approximately 1,585 apartments with pale yellow facades. Each unit was built using innovative concrete construction techniques and contains about 50 square meters of space with three bedrooms, a bathroom, and a naturally lit kitchen.

The complex was designed between 1927 and 1930 by architect Fernando de Escondrillas as a housing project for workers at the nearby municipal slaughterhouse. This development marked a turning point in how Madrid approached building affordable homes for working-class residents.

The settlement represents early social housing in Madrid that shaped how working families lived in the city. The design focused on making compact spaces functional, and this approach influenced housing development across the region for decades.

The site is best explored on foot, allowing you to walk through the narrow streets between buildings and understand the layout from ground level. Take time to observe the building details and how the triangular pattern shapes the streets and common areas.

The buildings feature curved silhouettes due to the triangular plot layout, a practical solution that later allowed space for elevator installation. This distinctive form emerged from adapting to the land constraints rather than purely aesthetic choices.