One side effect of the global coronavirus pandemic in the field of architecture is a reflection on the future of cities and the built environment. Debate on the topic has perhaps never been so intense, with numerous proposals and visions emerging to address everything from social interaction in public spaces to the details of new uses for private ones. Regarding urban dynamics, programmatic changes may offer a way to ensure that commercial and service districts maintain their vitality.
With more people working remotely, commercial buildings face the potential of becoming partially vacant. Driven by this reflection, architects Matheus Marques, Ricardo Goncalves, Luis Favilla, and Rolando Figueiredo, from the São Paulo-based firm Hiperstudio, developed a proposal to convert single-use commercial buildings into mixed-use complexes, incorporating residential units and public gathering spaces.
"Our conceptual proposal seeks to envision new typologies and how we can recreate our cities in the post-COVID-19 world by radically transforming conventional commercial buildings. Our idea is to intensify mixed use, promoting a direct symbiosis between housing and the office," the architects explain.
As a case study, they used the commercial building where their own office is located on Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima—a major business and corporate headquarters corridor in São Paulo dominated by single-use developments. Seeking to encourage new uses and ensure the building remains occupied, the team proposes retaining some office floors interspersed with new residential levels.
"Based on this, we created an interlocking system of different apartment types that connect vertically to at least one office module. In this way, residents are guaranteed an appropriate workspace, free from domestic distractions but directly connected to home. In contrast, the offices can continue to operate with independent access on their dedicated floors, maintaining an atmosphere suitable for professional relationships with clients and external staff," they comment.
To address the human need for outdoor interaction, the rooftops of the converted buildings would feature leisure and gathering spaces, with landscaping to ensure contact with nature. In this way, the project aims to offer an alternative for buildings and neighborhoods that could face vacancy after the pandemic, losing their vitality and becoming unsafe.
We invite you to check out ArchDaily's coverage related to COVID-19, read our tips and articles on productivity when working from home, and learn about technical recommendations for healthcare projects. Remember to also check the latest advice and information on COVID-19 on the Pan American Health Organization PAHO/WHO website.
This article was written by Romullo Baratto. The translation is powered by AI.
