Viable Economics

The Nantes School of Architecture in France is a multi-functional and adaptable space, built with prefabricated built elements, and optimized thermal performance, reducing the construction costs significantly. The increased load bearing capacity of the structure makes the building flexible and adaptable to virtually and future use. One of the most interesting features has been the doubling of the school usable surface, by adding double-height unprogrammed spaces and external terraces and balconies. All of which makes for an economically viable solution.

The Hydropuncture in Mexico establishes an uplifting public space with great social impact, while realigning the community with the traditional water culture. While the main purpose of the project is acting as an infiltration and flood management system for a water stressed area, the public structure is created with a new commons mentality, becoming a green oasis as well as a space for organized social activities and leisure.

Developing countries face the challenge of population growth and crescent urbanization, often resulting in informal settlements with little infrastructure and dignity. This poses challenges in terms of affordable quality housing. Incremental Construction in Ethiopia pilots 56m2 housing units that can be self-built by the homeowner in only nine days. Structures are locally sourced, modular, require minimal construction know-how and are therefore largely democratic and affordable. A modular extension option is also available as economic opportunities rise.

RE-Converting in Spain is a catalog of potential construction systems suitable for reused materials. The project targets a sustainable approach to regional transformation in Gijón, proposing three mixed use housing typologies that are designed with reused materials. Materials are investigated, mapped and available at a maximum of 40km from the former industrial plot. Urban landscapes are revived from pre-existing infrastructure, through integration of water, landscaping, and urban agriculture. The project demonstrates the possibilities of post-industrial resources in an economy of both carbon and means.

Large scale urban demolitions are costly, discard material and thus carbon intensive. They also irreparably affect the historical tissue and impact the identity of cities. A targeted “acupuncture therapy” in a historical district of Shenzen demonstrates sustainable alternatives to demolition, while enhancing a weakened neighborhood by providing a range of services, sanitation and civic spaces. Ancient Rejuvenation in China saves high demolition and reconstruction costs by proposing alternative low-cost strategies.

House as Garden in the USA proposes a multi-family residential building that is self-sustaining, off-grid, manages its own water and energy flows, as well as enables urban agriculture on site. Passive strategies are used throughout, like super insulation, thermo-mass, cross ventilation, and seasonal shading. A photovoltaic system powers the heat pump, rainwater and greywater are collected and used. This makes the project a viable economic proposition, based on sharing available heating and cooling resources but also common indoor spaces, gardens, produce, and mobility opportunities.