SOCIAL HOUSES IN LUANDA

Urban
quality Our
proposal is more than architectural an urban pattern.
We
literally put our money on the urban quality of the neighbourhood as a result
of the architecture believing that is in the long run of more value than the
single unit advantages. A decent scheme of a neighbourhood might forgive the
shortcomings of a architectural type. The other ways around we believe is
unthinkable. Therefore one crucial aspect of the scheme is the provision of a
clear front façade and a clear profile that will give the neighbourhood its
distinct character.

ProgressiveAfter
studying cases of restricted budget and progressive construction such as Elemental,
and more specially PREVI 1969 (Chile and Peru) the lessons are clear for
architects. Families with many members will be doing anything to expand; the
expansion though will follow certain spatial logics of advantages and
restrictions. The case of Luanda is no exception to the rule. Families with
average of 9 members will demand more space than the 100 square meters of the
competition since 10m2 per member is rather a low standard for nowadays space
demands.  Intelligent
growth The
expansion if done strategically (Alejandro Aravena’s Elemental or Ernesto
Samper’s PREVI) can deliver great results allowing not only easy expansion but
also the introduction of new programs such as small shop or even a kinder
garden.

  The
danger of a misunderstanding The
misunderstanding of growth however, for example by introducing unusual prefab
construction systems bypasses the common know how of construction leading to
awkward and sometimes miserable results of expansion (specially with prefab
concrete panels). Spatial wise the illusion of the front garden (the
Metabolist’s PREVI proposal) is naïve as shown in Peru since most people will
take all the possible opportunities to make a small business in the street
front. All of these expansions add complexity to the neighbourhood but diminish
spatial quality and therefore housing value.

Our
proposal is composed of 2 main elements, the envelope and the starter core.

  The
envelope and the starting core

  Instead
of a box, which is the easiest to build, we propose a form that although
symmetrical in its composition is distinctive in its shape. With this form we
achieved less square meters of surface. The envelope covers an area of 125m2,
which will contain the development of the 1st phase (100m2) and the possibility
of an extension of the house to a maximum of 220m2. The roof with two slopes
diminishes water leakage problems in the long run and above all when mirror
with its neighbours makes a statement of urban cohesion, an important element
of our priorities.
The
first phase of the house (100m2) consists of the primary functions of the
house, 1 big room in the ground floor (social room but also 3rd bedroom if
needed), a kitchen and a complete toilet. The second floor contains 2 bedrooms
(parents and 3 kids) and a complete bathroom.
The remaining space within the envelope remains open and can play the
role of a covered courtyard and main social area. The house we expect will grow
almost instantly after families move in. We suggest leaving beams connections
ready so as not to make damage to the structure. It is open to each family how
the extension follows but the envelope form suggest a limit to this growth and
discourages vertical extension. Construction
system As stated before we propose to use standard modes of construction
available in Luanda. This will allow simple connections for the extension
phase. The envelope consists of two bearing walls of cement blocks with
reinforcements at crossings and eliminating the costs of formwork. The roof is
a integrated ventilated system consisting of an undulated made of corrugated
onduline sheeting and sandwich panel of 100 mm thickness in total (insolation
of polystyrene 78 mm, facing double wood board 11 mm thickness). The space in
between leaves a space in between that improves ventilation. The roof is supported in two timber beam profiles.

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SOCIAL HOUSES IN LUANDA

SOCIAL HOUSES IN LUANDA

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