RESILIENT / SOCIAL HOUSING IN POST-EARTHQUAKE PERI-URBAN RIVER-SIDE CONTEXT OF TIRANA
LOCATION Tirana, Albania
YEAR 2021
PROGRAM Residential Complex
STATUS Academic Project
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PROJECT BRIEF
A key function of social housing is to provide accommodation that is affordable to people on low incomes. Social housing is let at low rents on a secure basis to those who are most in need or struggling with their housing costs. The objective of the project is to propose a new Resilient and Social Housing solution that integrates the design of common goods, applies the transect and mega-blocks model, reflecting the new urban values: compactness, participation, 24/7, pedestrian friendly, mixed use, and self-sufficient in terms of consumption and production of energy, information, goods and services.
DESIGN IDEA
The project is titled "Communitas" which in fancy social science is a way of saying "Spirit of Community". This residential area is the catalyst that ignites the desired change from mono-functional zone to a lively, multifunctional city district. Our objectives are to generate new connections and facilitate social space that inspires it users. Openess is a keyword that is reflected through the complex. There are two categories for the residential as Young Families and Midclass Families. Stepped shape creates human scale and good orientation. There are built new connections road linked with the inner courtyards, the routes are in relation to squares which have various functions and activities.
DESIGN PROCESS
Our design process started from the demands as Housing, Public Spaces, Green Spaces and New Functions. After that we had the initial hypothesis, "By adding a new variety of functions we aim to create a well functioning centre that attracts different people and strength Tirana's community". Then we tried to have some architectural answers as Affordable Community Housing connected with exterior platforms and adding some values as Playgrounds, Greenery, Workshops, Restaurants, Studio and Gallery. Based on the analysis of wider context of Tirana, we decided to provide functions that are currently missing.
Midclass Family Housing cluster has the scenario of Resilient houses proposed with outer core and inner courtyards. Ground floor is used only for activities as: Kindergarden, Restaurant, Workshops and Gallery. Every apartment can access easily the central core. There is also an open space in each storey dedicated to activities. In this cluster we placed 1+1, 2+1 and 3+1 apartments.
Young Family Housing cluster has the scenario of Social Housing proposed with ground floor use for commercials and the terraces for gathering place. Every apartment can access easily the central core. In this cluster we placed 1+1, 2+1 and 3+1 apartments.
