The first images that came to
my mind were: a corn cob, the classical Greek columns, the Neue Vahr tower
houses in Bremen designed by Alvar Aalto, the Price Tower in Bartlesville
designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the arrangement of its segments of an orange
and, finally, the Tetris game.
I thought it should be a
simple object in its perception, but complex itself, as it is analogous to a
person. It should also be economical in its construction, so its main
constituent elements should be repetitive, modular and industrializable, as I
believe that this is an important variable in the concept of sustainability.
Housing and leisure time
functions must be close enough, located in the same building or nearby,
especially for children, so allow the social relations of its inhabitants.
From the building trafficking
networks and footpaths and open spaces could be accessed, without interference
between them. Both relate the building to its surroundings and network
equipment.
The proposal aims to
facilitate the choice of the housing units for each unit of living according to
their composition, desires and possibilities. In addition, if you choose to
live in a tall building, the natural aspiration is to live as high as possible,
so it is believed that housing units should be located at, at least, a fifth
level.
I think it is important to
provide common living spaces within the building (social club) and give it
space for the location of public facilities (child care, laundry, etc.).
At street level, giving the
building premises for the installation of small business (café, newspapers,
etc.) strengthens its relationship with the environment.
Another important provision is
the parking for vehicles, no less than 1,5 parking spots per housing units
overall, with direct access from the residential units. In our case, the
forecast is for 400 parking spots.
The proposal aims to
facilitate the choice of the housing units for each unit of living according to
their composition, desires and possibilities. In addition, if you choose to
live in a tall building, the natural aspiration is to live as high as possible,
so it is believed that housing units should be located at, at least, a fifth
level.
I think it is important to
provide common living spaces within the building (social club) and give it
space for the location of public facilities (child care, laundry, etc.).
At street level, giving the
building premises for the installation of small business (café, newspapers,
etc.) strengthens its relationship with the environment.
Another important provision is
the parking for vehicles, no less than 1,5 parking spots per housing units
overall, with direct access from the residential units. In our case, the
forecast is for 400 parking spots.
I locate my proposal in a
particular plot of New York, knowing that you cannot build on it, but that is
an example of its ideal location.
The building volume is a
cylinder (maximum volume content with a minimum area of enclosure), which
communicates on one side with the access to the traffic network, leaving the
rest free for footpaths and open spaces networks. Both will give us access to
the local facilities system.
One of the aspirations of the
proposal is the better use of sunlight, and it will reach all residential units
(direct input and greenhouse effect). Cross ventilation is guaranteed by the
vertical vents.
Another challenge was that the
building was integrated into the surrounding vegetation, so that has become a
hanging garden in its first’s levels.
On the upper floors is located
the social relationship area (gym-social club) and by incorporating a green
area we could create an almost tropical setting with direct solar input and the
greenhouse effect.
