THE ADAPTIVE CITY
Social Housing Urban Regeneration
4th Year Architecture Studio
by Nikita Chaudhary, Chris Koustoubardis and Andy Chen
[THIS PROJECT IS BEST VIEWED ON A DESKTOP]
The Adaptive City is an urban regeneration proposal for the Turanga and Matavai social housing towers in Waterloo. Our proposal is an alternative solution to the existing LAHC's master plan for the Waterloo precinct that leaves already disadvantaged residents uncertain about their future, faced with the prospect of demolition and dislocation. Our alternative proposal aims to adaptively re-use the precinct to retain the residents in their community, and also facilitate for a socially, environmentally and economically conscious development; one that is affordable and can adapt over time to meet future market needs, and potentially exemplify a model that can be applied across the entire city.
An action plan was surmised with three main areas of development explored in detail:
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Refurbishment of Towers
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New Residential Developments
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A Common Ground.
AERIAL VIEW OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT VS. EXISTING DEVELOPMENT, illustration by Chris Koustoubardis, animation by Nikita Chaudhary.
WATERLOO PRECINCT STEP-BY-STEP ACTION PLAN, illustrations by Chris Koustoubardis
PLANS, SECTIONS AND ELEVATIONS OF PROPOSAL, by Chris Koustoubardis, Andy Chen and Nikita Chaudhary.
VISUALISATIONS OF PROPOSAL OVERVIEW, by Chris Koustoubardis, Nikita Chaudhary and Andy Chen.
01 REFURBISHMENT OF THE TOWERS
EXPANSION OF CORNERS + MODULAR ADDITIONS + RETROFIT FACADE
EXPANSION OF CORNERS
ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION DIAGRAMS, drawings by Nikita Chaudhary.
MODULE ADDITIONS
A highly customisable kit of parts were developed for interior module additions to allow for residents to curate them to their individual needs and hobbies while allowing for future flexibility for new residents. This intends to give them a sense of independence, autonomy and ownership of their homes which is particularly important for a population that resides in social housing.
APARTMENT PLANS AND ISOMETRIC DIAGRAMS WITH MODULES, drawings and animation by Nikita Chaudhary.
KIT OF PARTS 3D VISUALISATIONS, by Nikita Chaudhary.
TYPICAL FLOOR PLANS AND SECTIONS by Nikita Chaudhary.
APARTMENT MODULE RENDERS, by Nikita Chaudhary.
RETROFIT FACADE
A modular double facade system is retrofit to the towers to improve thermal performance and revive the existing facade. Precast concrete panels fixed to a steel frame are utilised as a base module to protect against solar heat gain; this intends to create a strong repetitive language, reminiscent of the existing Brutalist aesthetic. The curved edges of the panels emphasise the rounded bay windows, a defining feature of the existing towers. The use of coloured external blinds takes inspiration from the #welivehere2017 project. This was a statement of protest against the state governments plan to redevelop the estate and a gesture of solidarity and community. The campaign included an art installation that placed various coloured lights around residents windows, as a beacon to its place and people.
FACADE VISUALISATIONS by Chris Koustoubardis.
02 NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
The addition of new residential apartments within the precinct, intends to address the growing need for affordable housing by increasing density surrounding the towers. The apartments are situated in a manner that activates the street front to increase passive surveillance and safety, while also being sympathetic to sun access. Under-utilised land is provided as leasehold titles for development with variations of alternative housing models explored in Europe. The new developments facilitate for the future by providing flexible apartments that can adapt to changing resident needs and market demands. Funds generated from the developments will also provide financial assistance to the tower refurbishments.
OVERVIEW OF NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, diagrams by Chris Koustoubardis.
CO-OPERATIVE RENTAL APARTMENTS
RENTAL APARTMENT RENDER, by Chris Koustoubardis.
DIAGRAMS, PLANS AND SECTIONS, by Chris Koustoubardis.
BAUGRUPPE PRIVATE APARTMENTS
DIAGRAMS, PLANS AND SECTIONS, by Chris Koustoubardis.
03 COMMON GROUND
A 'Common Ground’ is established between the developments, introducing much-needed services and amenity including a grocer, childcare, library, aged care centre and workshop space. It intends to activate the ground plane, provide more communal space and link all resident groups together to foster an intergenerational community. A modular system of notched columns allows for future flexibility of spaces.
TOWER BASE
DIAGRAM OF COMMON GROUND AMENITIES AND NOTCHED COLUMNS, by Andy Chen.
TOWER BASE PLANS AND RENDERS, by Chris Koustoubardis and Andy Chen.
MATAVAI TOWER AMENITY
MATAVAI AMENITY DRAWINGS AND RENDERS, Andy Chen.
TURANGA TOWER AMENITY
TURANGA DRAWINGS AND RENDERS, Andy Chen.