Pandemic Architecture, an International Ideas Competition curated by the Design Ambassador for ARCHISEARCH.gr, invited the creative community to open up a dialogue and create a think tank, looking for ideas from the architectural and design community about the future of the living, the workspace, the public space and the tourism industry after the outbreak of Covid-19.
Vertical Village – Domestic Space was shortlisted in top 50 out of 440 projects.
-text by the authors
PROLOGUE
How could we live healthier (physically and mentally) a future quarantine? How can we live together? How can we combine nature into the dense city? What is important for our lives? These are some of the main questions which drives to the creation of the Vertical Village.
CONCEPT
Vertical Village is a proposal for the future living space, which provides solutions for a future pandemic. Vertical Village cannot predict the generation or appearance of a virus but it can help the elimination of it and the healthy (physical and mental) life of people during this period. It has three main goals and one principle. The goals are to avoid social isolation, to enhance the nature elements at the living spaces and to find ways to continue the personal productivity during pandemic periods. The main principal is the community.
The Vertical Village is constructed by clear defined elements: a grid(a), a metal structure(b), units(c), vertical connection(d), a community system(e) and platforms(f).
- A grid of 5×5 will be the plan where the proposal city will evolve.
- A metal structure at the form of scaffolding is following the grid and is populated at the z axis by 4m height. A light metal 3D cloud is created which allows the sun to trespass and the optical connection.
- Different units, with different sizes relevant to the different inhabitants are generated following the 5×5 grid. Each unit consists of a closed space and an open space. The open space, it does not only provide the inhabitant with sun projection but it is also a productivity area for either agricultural or livestock farming. This element provides both the ability to obtain fruits, vegetables and meat during pandemic period as well as a productive occupation, crucial for the mental and physical health.
- Vertical connection, elevator and stairs, allow the inhabitants to access their units. Vertical transforming system allows them to exchange goods from their agricultural and livestock activities between each other.
- Community system is an organization system which divides the city community into smaller communities. If for example a Vertical Village consists of 100 units, during the first level of a future quarantine it will be divided to 2 comunities of 5 units. At the second more emergency level of the quarantine it will be divided to 4 communites of 25 units and so on, with the smallest size of finally community the 3 units. By this way, the social isolation will be avoided and the vulnerable groups disabled will be helped.
- Platforms are the common areas between the units. Light furniture are placed, such as benches, seats and tables, to enhance the sharing between the inhabitants.
EPILOGUE
Architect is a dreamer and at the same time is a problem solver. The role of architect during public health emergencies does not change. His role is to recognize human needs and to transfer them in space, to make a proposal for a healthy way of living.
Facts & Credits
Participants: Maria Petsani
Country: Greece
The project was shortlisted in top 50 out of 440 projects.
The impact of Pandemic Architecture competition on the international architectural community was astonishing, with the number of registrations to exceed 800, with the final proposals to exceed 400 and with participants from more than 60 different countries.
Results will be officially announced on the 25th of September.
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Check out the open call and the jury here!
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