'Formal Outcome', the Tower, Urban Villa and Section Building
'Formal Outcome', the Tower, Urban Villa and Section Building © DCOOP Architects

Housing has historically been influenced by the political philosophy of the country. Several political leaders and movements have left a strong impact on housing in Russia. The Soviet-era Housing has been described through terms like Kommunalki - COMMUNAL HOUSING, Khrushchevki or Khrushchovkas. This mass housing made during the 1950’s and 1960’s is devoid of identity and expression.

Hybrid Building Typologies
Hybrid Building Typologies: The buildings have a possibility of connecting with each other to form Hybrid buildings. Because of the systemic nature of the buildings, they can come together in multiple configurations. The formal outcomes of such combinations can result in interesting forms and can also be useful in varied urban scenarios as needed. We have demonstrated how the Villa, Section and Tower building can be combined to result in Hybrid outcomes. A gallery building could also be included in such scenarios. © DCOOP Architects

People lived in cramped housing which decayed quickly over the next couple of decades. In cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg, large areas have this kind of housing which has a crucial impact on the urban character. Saint Petersburg itself has about 1500 or so Khrushchovkas! The urbanity of a city can shape the way people think, behave and feel. This design proposal is an attempt to create a more distinct, contemporary identity for mass housing keeping systemic processes and design principles as the central idea.

Mid-Rise Section Building
Mid-Rise Section Building: The Section building is a mid-rise building. It is a longer block compared to the urban villa. The most important aspect of this block is the angular form that it is designed with the same set of plans as the tower or villa. This is achieved through creating an angular lobby space. Multiple angular blocks come together to form an oscillating façade. The angle helps to reduce the monotony of a typical linear façade, which in turn, adds to its rich urban presence. Though the apartment plans used are same as the villa and tower, when multiplied, the section buildings come together to create a very interesting interface with the street. © DCOOP Architects
Plans, medium-series Section Building
Plans, medium-series Section Building © DCOOP Architects
Sections and Elevations, medium-series Section Building
Sections and Elevations, medium-series Section Building © DCOOP Architects
Concept: Modular Layouts and Components
Concept: Modular Layouts and Components (1) Modular Layouts: The apartments are designed based on a SYSTEM. The five standard APARTMENT types are designed in a GRID of 3.45 meters for the medium series and 3.6 meters for the large series. This modularity helps ARRANGE them within a grid in different configurations to give varied formal outcomes. The same layout is used in vertical STACKS of varied layout arrangements to result in the tower, urban villa and section building. A range of internal spaces have been achieved though the formal outcomes are similar in both the series. (2) Components: The façade is modulated using three basic PANEL gestures - projection, recess and surface fenestration. These gestures in tectonic expressions for “components” consist of a balcony, loggia, window and a hybrid combination. These four components have variants depending on factors such as climate, privacy and functional usage. These are then arranged and distributed through the vertical surfaces such that they are in sync with the functional requirement of each type of apartment in plan. Conceptually, with a set of fixed components a micro rayon or city district can have a lot of variation. The idea is to create a new vision which avoids monotony and yet has a cohesive feeling. © DCOOP Architects

Winner of 3rd Category Prize: Open international competition for alternative layout design in standard housing, Russian Ministry of Construction Industry, Housing and Utilities Sector + DOM.FR

Download Systemic Diversity, competition entry, in PDF Format 

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