The Novo Zepelin complex is made up of a variety of unit choices within four small tower blocks and two horizontal buildings that stretch the length of a large communal courtyard.

In both the horizontal and vertical blocks, the structure consists of standard I-beams and masonry walls that are characterised by their low cost, small weight and good acoustic and thermal insulation performance.

On the outer side of the porticos, 1.20m steel beams are cantilevered to create the access walkways to one side and the terraces to the other. Both sides are protected by electro-soldered bar-and-cable steel screens that serve as sun-screens. All units are thus protected against direct sunlight.

There are high level openings on both sides of each unit allowing constant cross ventilation, while ensuring environmental comfort without the necessity of air-conditioning.

Simultaneously, the steel screens provide support for hanging plants, which in turn create microclimates and stimulate cooling through evaporation. These hanging gardens combined with large trees in the central courtyard and along the outer edge of the site provide shade for the parking lots, and are essential for the protection against the sun. There is sufficient space for growth without "traumatic" pruning, which often happens to trees in populated regions.

The generous space allowed between the different housing blocks is an essential part of the design. Vehicles are parked on the periphery of the site, on parking lots allocated for the dwelling units. At ground level, a continuous pavement links the entrances to the blocks as well as the courtyard.

At the first level, a passageway links all the blocks, creating a circuit around the central area. From the second floor upwards, open walkways allow access to and between all apartments in the two horizontal buildings.

Each residential unit occupies three structural modules of 2,90m x 5,00m. The proposal presents two options for the apartment floor plans; one with the access in the central unit and one with access into the side of the unit.

A basic dwelling unit has a terrace as a continuation of the living room - with the possibility to expand the terrace on either side of the bedroom. In the room which corresponds to the utility area, a clothes drying facility can be installed that is protected by steel screens.

The screens can be transformed into vertical gardens by each resident. The fabrication of the screens can vary by using different variations between cables and bars, thus allowing greater or lesser transparency and variations in the shadow they provide. The distribution of units in horizontal and vertical blocks creates large, open garden spaces with communal facilities.

This design exercises rational and economic thinking in terms of its structure and enclosure. It uses durable, low-cost and abundant materials, such as burnt-cement flooring and locally produced hollow ceramic bricks.

Further to this, the rooftops collect rainwater, which is then channelled to a reservoir situated on the roof. The water is then filtered and used for irrigation, lavatory, and even laundry washing. This system and the high precipitation levels of the region during most part of the year guarantee a significant reduction of fresh water use from the public water supply network.

The central courtyard naturally accommodates functions of collective benefits such as the nursery school, playground, and pool. These facilities are surrounded by a small park, which offers benches, barbeques and tables in the areas shaded by the trees.