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- New Road / Landscape Projects + Gehl Architects
- Coop Housing at River Spreefeld / Carpaneto Architekten + Fatkoehl Architekten + BARarchitekten
- Bell Street Park / HEWITT + MIG|SvR
- Punggol Neighbourhood and Polyclinic / Serie Architects + Multiply Architects
- The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art / Morphosis Architects
Urbanisation has accelerated the need for space. 60% of the population is expected to live in urban areas by the end of this decade ? a staggering increase from 47% at the beginning of the century. The increased demand for space has led to substandard living conditions. People have started appreciating the value of shared spaces as a solution to meeting overlapping space requirements. From streets to buildings, here are 5 projects that promote shared spaces:
New Road / Landscape Projects + Gehl Architects
The millions of visitors at Brighton and Hove rendered some parts inaccessible while leaving other areas congested. To combat this, Landscape Projects in collaboration with Gehl Architects were commissioned to study the situation and provide a more walkable environment. New Road ? a street connecting the principal cultural institutions of the city, was the highlight of this project.
Despite the initial brief to prevent vehicular access in the street, the design outcome resulted in a community-focused design venture addressing the traders? fear of removing vehicles completely. By encouraging low-speed driving, the street prioritises pedestrian activities including cycling. Textured surfaces not only help with the navigation of the blind but also demarcate the transition for drivers into the street. A long bench at the heart of the street is a crowd favourite spot to hang out at.
The award-winning project saw a reduction in traffic by 93% and an increase in pedestrian traffic by 162% respectively.
Coop Housing at River Spreefeld / Carpaneto Architekten + Fatkoehl Architekten + BARarchitekten
From its mission to the way it was built ? everything about this project is unique. Consisting of 3 buildings built by 3 different architectural firms, Coop Housing is a collaborative urban initiative to create an environmentally responsible urban unit with ample shared spaces. Communal terraces across the blocks seek to reclaim lost public space. With 64 apartment units, the building also houses 6 cluster apartments to house groups of 4 to 21 people.
By opening up the ground floor with a variety of functions like studios, daycares and co-working spaces, the structure acts as a community hub from the ground up.
Economically challenged individuals could opt to carry out necessary works within their dwellings ? making the project truly accessible to all. The project generates income from the value it provides for the inhabitants and the city alike, keeping the community at the core of its ethos.
Bell Street Park / HEWITT + MIG|SvR
Four blocks of right-of-way were transformed by the City of Seattle into a vibrant linear street park. This provided the residents of the densest neighbourhood in the city with an outdoor sanctuary bustling with life.
The joint space promotion efforts raised the road to the level of the curbs to allow for pedestrian and slow vehicular access. By focusing on pedestrian activity, the new park featured walkways, seating and abundant planting. Local business owners and residents are encouraged to activate the park ? a thriving hub in the heart of Seattle.
Punggol Neighbourhood and Polyclinic / Serie Architects + Multiply Architects
A community centre for its housing neighbourhood, the project titled Oasis Terrace is a shared-facilities development designed by Serie Architects.
Urban farming on the roof helps bring greenery vertically throughout the structure. By encouraging residents to maintain and enjoy these plants, the community comes together. Large open facades allow for sufficient ventilation and light into the complex. The landscaped roof cascades down to the waterway through a series of terraces. This acts as a datum connecting activities from the restaurants, clinic services and the education centres, while also taking on the role of an amphitheatre.
The plaza adjacent to the waterway brings the community together through function and circulation. Not only is it to be used for communal activities, but is also the point where all circulation converges.
‘Our design is informed by the open frames commonly found in the facades and corridors of HDB’s housing blocks of the 70s and 80s. We’ve transformed this precedent into a light and open frame that captures and accommodates diverse programmes for the community in a landscape setting ? it is an architectural framework for communal life to unfold’.
? Christopher Lee, Principal of Serie Architects
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art / Morphosis Architects
The Cooper Union?s new academic building is a cooperative architecture project that houses and fosters interaction between its formerly separated three schools ? art, engineering and architecture. A vertical piazza spanning four stories at the heart of the building serves as a platform for meetings, lectures and gatherings. The stair ascends to the fourth floor into a double-height student lounge. Sky bridges connect the meeting places from floors five to nine. The ?skip-stop? elevators that only stop at the first, fifth and eighth floors encourage the use of the vertical piazza and sky bridges.
The building also invites the general public to share its spaces, including an auditorium and an exhibition gallery. The transparent facade at ground level reveals the activity inside and invites people in. 41 Cooper Square will be New York City?s first LEED-certified academic laboratory building.
The need for space brings forth creative solutions to share spaces across activities. They?re also crucial in fighting isolation among individuals. In a world as disconnected as it is today, shared spaces may just be the path to bring back community.