We live in an increasingly centralised world, stimulated by neoliberal awakening and the autonomy of the free market. These socio-political and economic structures serve as a catalyst for our placement into social structures such as identity, ability and social agency.
Ultimately, this project answers how we can connect the nodes of identity, ability and social agency amongst the variety of users of social housing, and provides a model for a peaceful coexistence through the use of collective efforts amidst our increasingly centralised systems.
Collective efforts such as vertical farming, construction, upkeep and resident employment schemes are used as a medium of collaboration between residents across the site to help decentralise our existing ways of living.
A distributed network of communal facilities is scattered across the site to encourage permeability, flow and interaction of site users between the spaces as well as within them. These facilities include a communal launderette, mailroom, café, flexible community hall, library, market and vertical farming structure.
The concept for the housing blocks was to stagger the T shape units vertically to increase their daylighting footprint, allow for sizeable private outdoor spaces and increase dialogue between users of each flat. The staggered concept allows for green roofs which help to passively insulate the blocks.
The structural concept for the housing is extremely simple, low budget and eco-friendly. The minimal components of hemp, lime, water and timber are consistent across the site. The bright coloured internal and external finishes are produced by dyed limewash renders, using pigments grown on site to create a lively, colourful and diverse community amongst the dense urban fabric.
