Bridge Housing and Affordable Houses - Assignment Example

Affordable Houses Name Professor Institution Course Date Introduction Bridge Housing is a non-profit community housing provider based in Sydney. The firm is on a mission to provide sustainable communities by providing low-to-moderate income earners with affordable dwellings. It is, however, often difficult to find residential apartments of ideal quality, in regard to sustainability, that are also affordable. Clients, regardless of their socioeconomic status, still need to enjoy premium quality dwellings. It is in light of this factor that this report intends to research on such affordable housing across the globe. These houses will be assessed critically and factors that make them suitable for Bridge Housing identified. The relationship between social, cultural, and environmental aspects of the installations analyzed will form an important part of the arguments provided in the paper. The points discussed will be defended with the use of visual images of the different installations. Case Study 1; The Taller de Arquitectura headquarters, Barcelona The headquarters of the Taller de Arquitectura are housed in a repurposed cement factory located in the outskirts of Barcelona. The cement factory was discovered by Ricardo Bofill in 1973, when he noticed that the abandoned industrial complex, constituting of 30 silos, underground galleries, and huge engine rooms could be made into good use. The complex has now been transformed to serve as headquarters of a world-renowned design firm. Although the exteriors are barely renovated, so that they still appear as if they house a cement factory, the interiors are appropriately decorated to provide the atmosphere of a modern office environment. To maintain the theme insinuated by the exteriors, that of renovating what would otherwise be a useless building, the features of the ‘cement factory’ are also preserved in the interiors (figure 1). Figure 1: features of the cement factory are retained in the interiors to keep it thematic An important distinguishing feature of this building is its suitability as a residential and commercial space. The building’s interiors are scaled to provide large free space, implying that they eliminate any feeling of restraint. The large windows provide route for the entry of natural light so that the building’s interiors are always illuminated by natural light during the day. The building is also sufficiently donned with plant material, with trees growing atop the building’s roof. This, together with the endless shrubs around the building creates a cohesive relationship between the built environment and nature (figure 2). Figure 2: through the windows, one would note the interaction between the building and the natural environment Environmentally, the building performs well, given that it requires minimal artificial light to provide occupants with a comfortable environment. Socially, the building is efficient owing to the fact that it requires very little renovation fees, being a repurposed building. Culturally, the building is significant to the firm’s philosophy of design, implying that design exists everywhere. Case study 2: the Cairo Building, Fitzroy Cairo Building was built by Best Overend in 1936, at a time when a desire for minimalist design a major motivation for London dwellers. Cairo Building thus introduced a design that was only popular abroad, and which was met with great acclaim in Australia. The ‘minimum flat’, which was the central principle behind the building’s design allowed Overend to recalibrate the elements of a home. Not only did each unit feature an economic layout, it was affordable, fashionable and comfortable (Marika 2013). These factors rarely intersected in a typical residential space of that time. The curved and cantilevered staircase that joins the building’s multiple floors (figure 3) had not been seen before in the region, setting stage for the building to be considered as a revolutionary work of architecture. Figure 3: the seemingly unsupported staircase was very unique at the time, increasing to the building’s popularity Nearly 80 years later, the building is still popular for not just its uniqueness, but for its suitability as a residential apartment. The shared garden is a major factor that makes the building popular for someone interested in having peace-of-mind when within the building. One of the residents described that the shared garden almost feels like a private garden. Room sizes are quite small, and scaling is not appropriate for use as a commercial space (figure 4). However, for an occupant looking for a conveniently located apartment with a serene environment, Cairo building is quite appropriate. Culturally, the building is significant for its rich history, having introduced minimalist architecture to the region. Environmentally, the building is appropriate due to the interactive manner it relates to its immediate natural environment. Socially, the building is ideal for a low-to-middle income occupant. Figure 4: the scale of the building in relation to human height, indicating that the unit is most ideal for residential purposes Case study 3: Edward Willis’ Residence of 1854, 35 Hanover Street, Fitzroy Edward Willis completed constructing his residence in 1854, having arrived in Melbourne 10 years earlier. He would later sell the building in 1870, and in 1877, it housed the Victorian Infant Asylum and Foundling Hospital. The two storey building is predominantly constructed using bluestone. It has been described as a robust version of the Regency style (Anon, n.d). Among its unique features are Doric order pilasters, a prominent doorcase, and a simple entablature. Windows are tinted to match the sandstone, giving the building’s exterior a feel of exquisiteness (figure 6). The building may not have a large accompanying garden, but is accompanied by two tall cypress trees, which date back to the early days when the building was constructed (figure 7). Figure 5: design of the house, showing the bluestone and Doric order pilasters Figure 6: the tall cypress trees, which are also relevant to the building’s history A number of factors give this house its rich cultural reputation. Not only the building one of the earliest surviving buildings of Fitzroy, it has also been used for multiple purposes and still retains its original elegance. The bluestone still retains its original quality and the Doric order pilasters point to a period in history when modernism was unheard of. The fact that it was once a charity hospital, dedicated to women and children, also adds onto the building’s rich cultural history. In spite of all these cultural associations, the building is still affordable and economical for its resident. This is because the small installation cannot be used for commercial purposes as it once did, due to its size and location, and the fact that it is a permanent installation with durable components, respectively. The building is therefore socially appropriate for a low-to-middle income earner seeking for a residence. The only downside with this building is it is not very environmentally sustainable. The building lacks elements that modern elements, such as state-of-the-art efficient ventilation systems and large windows that would allow for maximal entry of sunlight during the day. Case study 4: Freedomky Prefab Units, Czech Republic Freedomky is a series of modern prefabricated buildings designed by Czech architect Marek Stepan. Prefabrication in architecture has often been associated with low-quality mass produced box-shaped houses, instead of unique and high quality architectural installations. This is often due to the fact that architects often prioritize on functionality and affordability of the building, in the process losing an aesthetic touch in the buildings (Kieran 2004, p. 104). Through this project, however, Stepan has shown that portable houses can be admirable, while retaining affordability. The units comprise of a living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette (figure 7). As with most prefabricated buildings, construction of a Freedomky unit takes a considerably short duration and an equally short time to install. Marek Stepan notes that construction takes as little as 3 months and installation can be done in 4 hours, and that the latter does not need expertise. Figure 7: the minimalist design incorporates all basic units in the housing unit The mass produced nature of a Freedomky unit makes it cheaper than conventional housing. This factor does not, however, impact negatively on the functionality, sustainability, or aesthetic feel of the unit. With a modernist design, the building is guaranteed to attract the taste of anyone enthused by visually appealing architecture. Moreover, the building unit is constructed by the best possible standards that help it to be sustainable. Being a portable installation, it does not need to use much underground space. Large windows are used to supply light to the building’s interiors, and LED bulbs are chosen to minimize on energy consumption (figure 8). The building also features premium finishes, with wood texture to reinforce the building’s appearance in the natural environment. Figure 8: within the building, LED bulbs are used to minimize on energy consumption The building unit meets the social requirements of its occupants not only because it is affordable, but also because it has a trendy modern design. Its sustainable nature means that it is environmentally friendly. Its cultural relevance is attributed to the fact that it meets the conditions suggested by Louis Sullivan regarding an ideal prefabricated housing unit. In these, Sullivan believed that an ideal prefabricated installation should be affordable, easy to construct and aesthetically appealing. Conclusion As Bridge Housing seeks to offer affordable housing for low income residents, it is appropriate for the firm to have the best options in the market. These options include the capacity for the housing unit to meet social, environmental, and cultural needs of its occupants. Each of the buildings analyzed in this essay has its advantages that make it appropriate as a residential space (and commercial, in the case of Taller de Arquitectura headquarters). It is noted that, affordability does not simply lead to compromise on the quality or functionality of the building. References Kieran, S, and Timberlake, J (2004). Refabricating Architecture: How Manufacturing Methodologies are poised to Transform Building Construction. New York: McGraw Hill. The Vandalist. (n.d) Taller de Arquitectura – Ricardo Bofill. Accessed March 23, 2013 at; http://thevandallist.com/the-taller-de-arquitectura-ricardo-bofill/ Anon. (n.d). Residence – 35 Hanover Street, Fitzroy. Accessed March 23, 2013 at; https://www.onmydoorstep.com.au/heritage-listing/469/residence Marika, S. (24 Oct 2013). The Cairo Building, Fitzroy. Accessed March 23, 2013 at; https://overland.org.au/2013/10/the-cairo-building-fitzroy/ Stepan, M. (2015). All About Freedomky. Accessed March 23, 2013 at; http://www.freedomky.cz/en/vse-o-freedomku Read More