The central idea of h3o’s Hybrid Parliament is the creation of a landmark, green community by converting the large urban void of Kop Dakpark near Marconiplein, into a nexus at a local and larger urban scale that supports a harmony between nature and architecture. This reduces environmental impact by incorporating ecological design tools and affordable construction processes, reducing the environmental impact of building, and supporting a climatic response. The building will offer an innovative means of living in the city and in the park, and will interact with its surroundings. Themes and key questions explored in this webinar’s discussions included: the integrity of the original pilot, wide-scale implementation, and affordability. Key questions formulated for the discussions were the following:

Key question 1: From pilots and test sites, to implementation: why didn’t / how did these concepts gather speed?

Key question 2: How can we implement this approach to development on a larger scale in city making? How does it facilitate interaction between M4H and Visserijplein?

Key quesiton 3: How does this innovative way to live in a park remain affordable?

Ökohaus

Architect: Frei Otto

Case Study Expert: Kim Forster, expert in environmental histories, and building energy transition

Experimental architect Frei Otto created an ecological housing tower called Ökohaus, or Eco House, in which 18 inhabitants designed and built their own, personalized housing pods within a larger, open structure. It was conceived as a system that could evolve based on some ecological principles. The façade acts as a complex membrane or transitional zone between interior and exterior, where sustainable technologies allow energy collection. At the same time, the in-between zone this creates shelters the biodiversity of the park.

Pilot integrity – The success of the project demonstrated that it is possible to generate unique dwellings within a multi-family residential context and while still addressing sustainable and communal spatial and technological initiatives. It also demonstrates a flexible building process, bringing both architects and inhabitants to the table.

Wide-scale implementation – The experimental nature of the project, and its personalized spaces require “continuous flexibility” as well as a “whole new idea of home ownership,” according to Dutch architect, Caro van Dijk. For wide-scale implementation, changes in business models and municipal governance may be required.

Affordability – On the one hand, community effort meant that individuals would be supported by the larger organization of individuals if they had financial problems. Individual inhabitants had to invest more than initially planned.

De Zonnetrap, Rotterdam

Architect: E. Hartsuyker, E. and L. Hartsuyker-Curjel

Case Study Expert: Ruben Ferwerda

Designed in 1967, De Zonnetrap is a multifunctional building for active seniors, with flexible houses and connected to community amenities to encourage interaction with the greater neighbourhood. The social dimension was fundamental at the initial stage of the design. Therefore, the project combines livable common spaces as well as generous terraces for the elderly.

Pilot integrity – De Zonnetrap is a smaller version of two previous studies the housing corporation had already developed: “Biopolis” on the beach at Wassenaar, and “Hydrobiopolis” by the sea.

Wide-scale implementation – A densified, mixed use community with ground floor program open to the public can foster a strong sense of community, but it’s no longer accessble due to criminality.

Affordability – The hyper-dense concept is complementary to city initiatives to increase housing stock. Placing seniors in a vibrant city centre, surrounded by amenities which also serve the wider community creates a win-win situation.

57 student dwellings, Barcelona

Architect: Josep Ricart

Case Study Expert: Josep Ricart

Realized in 2012, this student residence achieves an ecological surplus in numerous facets of its design. A green house covers a central courtyard system, it is heated by excess heat from the nearby school of architecture, and, given the proximity to the school, the architects chose to limit redundant program, reducing the building to only bedroom units, so it works in complement with the school on numerous levels. It is also constructed from prefabricated elements. Though built within a limited budget the student residence’s affordable construction process enables investment in sustainable technologies. Cost savings meant resource conservation, and therefore made a more sustainable project.

Pilot integrity – The architects teach at the architecture school next to the building, and the students living in it are positive about their experience.

Wide-scale implementation – As it is comprised of prefabricated elements, it can be reproduced elsewhere easily; however, what’s more important, is the clear strategy and lean approach to the design (limiting redundant program, responsiveness to site landscape conditions).

Affordability – Sustainability measures have been implemented through affordability (cutting out excess program requirements, heating from nearby school), making the prefab model more affordable.

Takeaway 1

Sustainability and affordability in symbiosis

Ensure that sustainable measures and affordability measures complement and reinforce both agendas to create win-win solutions.

Takeaway 2

Build communities through collaborative processes

Implement collaboration in the broadest sense to build resilience: people, disciplines, and natural systems.

Takeaway 3

Ensure a mixed-use of spaces to generate community, and obtain buy-in from municipalities

Creating multifunctional, dense cities challenges the current system and way of working, in terms of zoning regulations, and building permits. Think alongside the municipality to facilitate this, while meeting their objectives for density, and increasing the housing stock.

Photo: Fred Ernst

h3o is an architecture studio based in Barcelona. Founded by Joan Gener, Adrià Orriols and Miquel Ruiz, it aims to foster excellence in architecture and urban design with an approach that confronts today’s challenges through a deep understanding of the current complex globalized society. Climate change, social responsibility, and hybridization of new human and non-human realities lay at the core of every project.