EUROPAN8

HOUSING This proposal contains the required number and size of dwellings, as set out in the brief. Larger dwellings are located at ground level, with gardens for larger families. In order to obtain the required number of dwellings inside the proposed area, we have based our design on a comb-plan for better use of the site’s surface area. HEIGHT The buildings have different heights with variable heights within each building. Height varies in proportion to the proximity of neighbouring homes. The back of the buildings are lower than the façade in order not to dwarf neighbouring homes. The tallest building on site B acts as a landmark. The number of floors varies from 3 up to 8, the latter being found in the landmark building. PRIVATE OPEN SPACE Each dwelling located on the ground floor has a garden, while the other dwellings have been provided with a balcony. These spaces have been designed with a degree of privacy in mind. CAR PARKING We believe that underground parking poses a security risk and therefore we decided to incorporate parking above ground by the park and close to the buildings. SECURITY For security reasons, large internal communal spaces have been avoided, like the long corridors in the buildings to be demolished. These only encourage drug dealing and allow criminals to escape easily from the police. Within our scheme, communal spaces have been kept to a minimum and those which are incorporated, open up on to the park in order to give a clear view of people coming and going. The park itself has been designed as an open space, without any concealed areas which might encourage criminal activities. ENERGY CONSERVATION We propose smaller windows in order to minimise energy waste. Windows incorporated into the south facing balconies could also enhance solar potential with additional solar heating on the roof. This would obviously increase cost. DESIGN QUALITY The main aspect of the Project is the relationship between the interior and external space. The façade of the building has been inspired by the traditional bay window which helps to connect the interior to the outside. This also allows inhabitants to see the landscape from different angles. The components of the overall façade create a variation of volume and light. BUILDING MATERIALS As set out in the master plan, we have used bricks to clad the building. In our scheme the bricks help create a solid volume like a rock face – a natural element. The structure is in reinforced concrete with pillars positioned on a 4x4 metre grid. The structure is of a modular composition which keeps costs down. WIDER APPLICATION The buildings have been designed for urban living but with a dynamic contemporary façade connecting the interior to the exterior. Our design is to preserve city traditions but to adapt these to contemporary living. The façade is a modular design which can be applied in various forms to all the residential buildings. FLEXIBILITY Some parts of the buildings are easily divisible into dwellings of different sizes. All the ground floor dwellings could be joined to form units of 4 or 5 bedrooms. At the back of the building, 2 apartments each with one bedroom could be easily adapted to form a 3-bedroom apartment. LEISURE AND RECREATION With regard to external space we have tried to create the feel of a traditional English square. This is bordered on three sides by (I) the kindergarten (II) the new building and (III) a wooden reticulated structure, creating a triangular space. In relation to the lower part, we thought of placing a stable platform with a glass covering to be used for musical performances also in wet weather. Music is an important aspect for people living in that area.