Co-housing complex

Idea projektu

Co-housing is more than just a residential model—it is an architectural and social concept designed to foster community, interaction, and shared experiences while maintaining personal privacy. In a world where communities are increasingly fragmented and neighbors often remain strangers, co-housing offers a powerful solution to combat social alienation. This model creates a living environment where individuals and families of different generations can connect, support each other, and build stronger social bonds, overcoming the isolation that many people face today.
Unlike traditional housing, co-housing communities are intentionally designed to promote connection through shared spaces such as courtyards, communal kitchens, living areas, and gardens. These spaces serve as meeting points, encouraging social engagement, mutual support, and intergenerational exchange. Elderly residents benefit from a vibrant, active social life, while younger generations gain mentorship and community support. This collaborative approach to living reduces isolation, fosters cohesion, and strengthens the overall sense of belonging.
The co-housing complex in Niš is envisioned as a multigenerational living space, where individuals, young families, and elderly residents coexist harmoniously. The complex is designed to integrate private living units with communal spaces, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and resources between generations. This collaborative living model also presents a sustainable solution for resource optimization—by sharing facilities such as gardens, kitchens, and recreational areas, residents can reduce waste, lower individual costs, and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

Popis projektu

The co-housing complex is designed as a multigenerational living space that caters to individuals, families, young couples, students, and elderly residents, offering a range of private and shared spaces to foster interaction, connection, and community living. The building consists of individual houses as well as multifamily houses designed for 1 to 6 residents. The design is tailored to suit all generations, ensuring that each resident can find the perfect living space.
On the ground floor, the complex features a variety of common areas aimed at promoting social engagement and supporting diverse lifestyles. These include a kitchen and dining area for communal meals, a gym, cinema, and an indoor playground to accommodate both physical activities and entertainment. Additionally, outdoor spaces such as a playground, a greenhouse for growing vegetables, and an open gym are provided to encourage an active, healthy, and sustainable lifestyle. On the ground floor, the layout is specifically designed to accommodate elderly residents, with their living units positioned on this level to avoid the need for going up and down. The ground floor also features facilities and communal spaces that are easily accessible, allowing the elderly to engage with neighbors and be part of the community without difficulty.
The upper floors are dedicated to families with children, young couples, and individuals, offering a variety of living spaces that cater to their unique needs. These floors feature multiple apartment designs, with multifunctional layouts that allow for flexible use of space to suit different lifestyles. On the top floor/attic, duplex apartments are designed specifically for students, providing them with private living areas while maintaining easy access to shared spaces below. The design of these apartments allows for efficient use of space, with flexible configurations that can adapt to the changing needs of students.
To enhance safety and minimize conflict between cars and pedestrians, parking is located in the basement, ensuring that the ground floor remains a car-free zone, fostering a safer and more accessible environment for residents. Additionally, the rooftop features a green roof, providing a shared space for students and other residents to spend time together, promoting community interaction and environmental sustainability. The design also incorporates multi-pitched roofs, a traditional feature often seen in Serbian houses, which enhances the building's architectural character and ensures proper drainage, while blending with the modern, sustainable aspects of the project.
The building is designed with an open, gallery-type layout, where greenery is integrated on all floors. Comfortable seating areas with plants are provided to create a welcoming atmosphere, encouraging relaxation and social interaction. The overall design aims to create a harmonious balance between private living units and communal spaces, fostering connections between residents of all ages and backgrounds.

Technické informace

The building's structure is based on a skeletal construction system, providing flexibility and efficiency in organizing the spaces while ensuring the overall stability of the complex. This construction system allows for open, multifunctional spaces and is integral to the project’s ability to adapt to different needs.
Green roofs are incorporated into the design, providing a sustainable solution while enhancing the environmental quality of the complex.
The materials selected for the project are inspired by both traditional construction methods and modern innovations. The facades feature elements of traditional craftsmanship, particularly focusing on brick, drawing inspiration from the Glasgow School of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the traditional Serbian house with its characteristic multi-pitched roof. This choice of material not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also ensures durability, energy efficiency, and a timeless, warm quality to the exterior. In addition to brick, the design incorporates modern, sustainable materials to make the complex energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The green flat roofs and simple white facades blend traditional and contemporary trends, creating a harmonious fusion that supports a sustainable, community-oriented living environment while maintaining a connection to the local heritage.

Dokumentace

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