Social Housing Proposal / MITarh Architecture Studio

Oct 2011

By Alison Furuto — Filed under: Housing ,mini , Belgrade, MITarh Architecture Studio, Serbia

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The complexity of a problem that stands before competitors reflects a contrast that exists between rural surroundings and program demands that refer to a high built-up density in an otherwise non-urbanized (built-up) area of the prairie. This project, by MITarh Architecture Studio represents a model for an anticipated urban development of the area in which the competition task has been set. An initial motive for designing was the distinctive texture of the surrounding fields. Their aim is to establish a rational and useful urban matrix adaptable to the existing area using the dimensions and geometry of the new structure, while establishing continuity of the surrounding area. More images and architects’ description after the break.

By superposition of the texture/image of the agricultural terrain and recognizable density, the built-up Vojvodina’s urban pattern has the new ambiance that has been achieved that includes all layers of a heritage coded in our consciousness. The urban traces of the wider region have defined the strictly geometrical urban pattern of the newly designed complex.

The new structure of the complex consists of blocks where the pattern represents a modified double-tract, where the outer one follows the construction line and the inner one forms an orthogonal matrix that within itself has five equal central atriums (60×60 m). Depending on orientation conditions and mid-spaces’ dimensions in the different sections of the block, three types of organization appear: corridor-type, double-tract type, and gallery type.

The corridor type is the most suitable for competition conditions that refer to spatial organization. The solution of our team represents an attempt for enhancement of this type in order to avoid the dark corridors. On certain distances the skylights have been placed which significance reflects in lighting and ventilation. The quality of the space has been further improved by introducing the longitudinal gaps, which contribute to the better brightness, ventilation, and orientation inside of the structure.

The building is raised above the ground, in order to create continuity with the surrounding terrain inside of the atrium. The quality of being open provides variability and diversity of the ambiances. Covered corridors along the ground floor of the structure provide a connection among spaces and make communications easier during all seasons.

Construction consists of raster with the side lengths of 3.6 m, 3.9 m, 4.2 m, 4.5 m and 4.8 m. They contribute to rationalization of building and to the possibility of space modification at the same time. Particular attention was paid to content distribution. Public content is located in the ground floor, while housing units are situated in the four floors above. People with disabilities are provided with proper conditions for the use of space. The tendency was to achieve a large number of double-oriented apartments.

Possibility of tranformation of inner courtyards is anticipated. School building is located within one of the courtyards and it displays the potential for modification of these public spaces’ character, in compliance with user needs. According to the project task requirements, realization in phases is provided.

Main traffic communication is established along the rim of the block. Inner courtyards are traffic-free, except for cases of emergency interventions. Strip of dense greenery represents a buffer zone between residential area and intensive traffic road. Besides the open parking lot within the complex, additional linear parking is provided along the block perimeter.

Architects: MITarh Architecture Studio
Location: Ovča, Belgrade, Serbia
Authors: Branislav Mitrović, architect; Biljana Apostolović, architect; Jelena Perović, architect; Ognjen Krašna, architect
Designers: Katarina Tešić, architect
Collaborators: Dragana Grahovac, architect; Dragana Jeremić, architect; Jelena Ugrešić, architect; Jelena Kuzmanović, architect; Milica Lambrin, architect
Model: Monika Jovanović, architect; Ivan Alfeldi, architect
Consultant: Siniša Tatalović, architect
3D views: Darko Kadvanj, architect
Timeline: Competition design – October 2011
Prize: Honorary mention

: © Darko Kadvanj

: © Darko Kadvanj

: © Darko Kadvanj

: © Darko Kadvanj

: © Darko Kadvanj

: © Darko Kadvanj

: © Darko Kadvanj

: © Darko Kadvanj

: © Darko Kadvanj

: © Darko Kadvanj

: © Darko Kadvanj

: © Darko Kadvanj

: site plan

: ground floor plan

: standard floor plan

: section 01

: section 02

: block organization scheme

: illumination and ventilation scheme

: utility value of housing units

: social housing apartment typology 01

: social housing apartment typology 02

Cite:
Furuto , Alison . "Social Housing Proposal / MITarh Architecture Studio" 25 Oct 2011. ArchDaily. Accessed 24 May 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/178422>

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Emre Senoglu says:

why is this on archdaily?

# October 25, 2011 at 03:26

Alex says:

This is a jail right? Oh …. wait it sais social housing …. hmmmm

# October 25, 2011 at 05:22

Peter says:

No! Who in their right mind can think about such a scary proposal?! Look at that inner courtyard reminding of “the sails” in Scampia, Naples?!!

# October 25, 2011 at 06:06

Sam says:

“By superposition of the texture/image of the agricultural terrain and recognizable density, the built-up Vojvodina’s urban pattern has the new ambiance that has been achieved that includes all layers of a heritage coded in our consciousness.”

Down-to-earth social housing from a down-to-earth architect.

Frustrated much?

# October 25, 2011 at 06:18

Djole says:

Branislav Mitrovic and Vasilije Milunovic, Branislav Redzic, along with couple of other Belgrade professors are most famous for rigging competitions for themselves, destroying architecture practice in Serbia in that way. This is just the example of non-talent they have, and it may give them jobs in Serbia, but thanks to blogs like this they can’t hide their bad designs form the world.

# October 25, 2011 at 08:24

golorukov says:

to make things worse I think they actually posted this article themselves thinking this would be some kind of promotion for them

# October 26, 2011 at 05:31

Robb says:

..so dated….

# October 25, 2011 at 08:28

Scott says:

Looks like a prison…

# October 25, 2011 at 09:24

Alison says:

Pure intellectual impotence.

# October 25, 2011 at 12:58

swo says:

Have we learned nothing from Pruitt-Igoe?! This building has nothing to do with culture, site, community, or longevity. Ouch… and from MIT?!

# October 25, 2011 at 15:39

AC says:

This is the most exciting motel I’ve ever seen.

# October 25, 2011 at 16:16

dan says:

This is awful in the rural context, but I actually like this as an URBAN master plan, because it handles quite good a very high density of residential units.
It will definitely work as a high density urban block and it reminds me of the russian microrayons.
The facades could look different, the corridors still need a lot of good ideas and also the detailing of the apartments. But again, apart from all of that, this doesn’t deserves such a harsh criticism as in the above comments.
If you know more about the context, please share the details with us. I sincerely hope it’s not another speculative development in the middle of nowhere, where such a density will not be matched by proper infrastructure (think at least at the traffic jams created by the hundreds of people going to work every morning).

# October 26, 2011 at 02:12

Andrew A says: