A modular, incremental model for urban housing
An affordable, eco-friendly solution that lasts and adapts over time
Last updated: November 09, 2023 Cordoba, Argentina
A modular structure for these units ensures that homes will remain suited to different users over time, providing an affordable, eco-friendly solution that lasts. The solution can be adapted for other cities, thereby solving the problem at scale.
The primary strength of the prototype is that it works with dense urban conditions that otherwise have little room for large-scale interventions. In the city of Córdoba, for instance, there are many available small land parcels. Here, compactness and ease of assembly are necessary strategies as they permit optimisation of land use without disturbing existing urban fabric. By proposing insertions within urban centers, the architects also envision the regeneration of neighborhoods.
Exploring incrementalism
The modularity of the proposed system enables expansion, addressing the changing needs of growing families. Designed as agglomerations of 16 m2 cubes, each home starts with 64 m2 and is able to expand to 128 m2. The trade-off is that these units, though malleable, do not offer a strong spatial hierarchy, which is commonly seen in residences.
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