9-SQUARE GRID

Silesian University of Technology, (Politechnika Śląska), Faculty of Architecture, Gliwice

Project idea

Thesis project: 9-SQUARE GRID
Thesis supervisor: Jan Kubec, PhD Eng. Arch.
Type of building: Modular social housing development
Location: Piekary Śląskie, Poland

The idea behind the project is to respond to the problem of the inhabitants of the existing buildings, i.e. the missing apartment - own garden relationship, the effect of which is an attempt by residents to designate private gardens on their own. The concept of a modular building, which is a complex of apartments, is a response to filling the gap in the lack of access to greenery. The complex aims to recreate a lifestyle in which open spaces, gardens are like an extension of the apartment itself.

Project description

In the area of ​​study located in Piekary Śląskie in Poland, there are two existing multi-family buildings. These residents do not have their own balconies or gardens - for this reason, it is possible to observe unlawfully delineated allotment gardens on a plot belonging to the city (presented in the photo documentation). This situation became the main inspiration for this project. Concept of a modular building, which is a complex of apartments, is a response to filling the gap in the absence of greenery available to residents of multi-family housing.

The social housing building is based on a modular mesh with a spacing of 3.15 m, ensuring great flexibility of arrangement. The structure of the apartment consists of a maximum of 9 modules - 3.15 x 3.15 m. In the case of structures composed of a smaller number of modules, they are completed with gardens to create a full 9-component composition.

Due to the adjacent buildings, the shape of the first front line of flats has been adapted to the surroundings to create the impression of an extension of the same buildings. The front line also acts as a natural barrier to the private area of ​​residents, located on the main platform.

The apartments are located mainly towards the south or east-west, thanks to which they gain the best possible lighting parameters. The proposed arrangement of the apartments ensures the creation of open spaces that create an atmosphere of walking along the street among the gardens. Most of the apartments have a private staircase.

The current, illegally separated allotments will be intended for liquidation. In return, residents will have access to a full, green service center located on the ground floor of the building. Due to the demand for services in the area, the entire ground floor has been arranged for them. In addition to services, a private garage for residents has been designed on the ground floor. On the first floor there is also an attractor - a greenhouse in a wooden structure, which will have recreational functions and can be adapted to the circumstances, e.g. transforming the greenhouse into a lecture hall, workshop room, cinema, party organization.

The building is fully accessible from all its sides and forms a green corridor connecting from the south with the nature and landscape complex of Żabie Doły.

Technical information

The concern for rational production was also reflected in the choice of a modular, all-wooden structure that would rationalize construction costs and time. The versatility of the solution allows the building to be adapted to the current terrain and planning conditions, and also provides the possibility of staging the investment. The building was built on a foundation slab. The ground floor was designed as a reinforced concrete structure. The storeys in a modular wooden frame structure (with the possibility of prefabrication) are based on it. This allows the building to be erected in the shortest possible time with minimal interference with the surroundings. The choice of a wooden structure also provides the ability to self-regulate humidity, creating a unique microclimate. The main load-bearing structure has been exposed, thanks to which the building gained a unique, industrial look.