HANGING
GARDENS v1.0 is a prototype for residential buildings: -system of
components obtains considerable variation on an urban as well as on
the building scale by different assembly .The
understanding of sustainability challenged us to achieve not only an
ecologically sustainable building, but one which is also economically
and socially sustainable, implying architectural quality as an
important aspect in this context.Under
this guideline the six major components are developed:-a
structure that uses steel in its optimal performative state: tension,
and that is so simple, it enables the application of the prototype in
various urban situations; -a
circulation system that, by the use of balcony accesses allows the
connection of two single staircases, thus creates a second escape
route and offers much larger flexibility in layout;-two
basic layouts, that can be mixed to achieve a variety of possible
configurations;-a
set of three basic units with different spatial characteristics,
bound to a grid that can be freely combined according to changing
market-demands; -an
overall skin, that serves multiple purposes: aesthetic, functional
and ecological and involves the user in its actual appearance.-the
internal void, conceptually developed in favour of its ventilation
property, becomes the most architectural space in the building.
Instead of the common typology of a central corridor, this space
receives pleasant skylighting with direct sunlight. It changes during
the course of the day, from actually permitting light into the
apartments to receiving indirect lighting from activities behind.