Treetopia

Project idea

Treetopia: Built to adapt, Designed to change.
" Enhancing Informal Settlements through Flexible Design"

The proposal design is response to the global issue of destruction of natural landscape and loss of greenery in cities due to rapid growth of population leading to high demands for residential accommodation facilities, causing RAPID URBANIZATION leading to the construction of many new buildings and the demolition of older ones.
The percentage of agricultural land in Egypt decreased from 4.9% in 1990 to 3.6% in 2015, representing a decrease of 26.5% over 25 years. Where the percentage of informal settlements increased from 40% in 1990 to 61% in 2015, representing an increase of 52.5% over 25 years.

Due to constant change the world faces and development, we need architecture that responds to these changes. Buildings don't last forever and at the end it has no value.
our approach is using the same adaptive principles in nature to design more intelligent buildings systems that are adaptive and flexible.
by mimicking tree behavior as the tree grows gradually the project is expected to grow Aswell. It proposes a novel approach to urban development that embraces flexibility, adaptability, and sustainability.

Goals and Objectives:

1.Enhance Quality of Life: The primary goal of the project is to enhance the quality of life in informal settlements. This includes improving housing conditions, access to basic services, and creating a sense of community and well-being.

2.Foster Flexibility and Adaptability: The project aims to introduce flexible design principles that allow for the adaptation and expansion of housing units over time. By embracing adaptable structures and modular components, residents can modify and expand their dwellings as their needs change.

Site: Mansheyiat Nasser, Cairo’s Garbage City
Cairo, Egypt

Project description

"Our approach involves applying adaptive principles found in nature to design intelligent building systems that are adaptable and flexible. By mimicking the gradual growth of trees, the project is expected to grow Aswell .

Utilizing prefab elements provides the project with the ability to be assembled in various ways, removed, or relocated, achieving a high level of flexibility.

The project scenario unfolds in two parts:

First part: It entails replacing demolished buildings with more flexible housing units while preserving the existing urban fabric that includes recycling warehouses, garbage collectors, and garbage vendors.

Second part: The research facility for construction technology serves as a central hub for advancing construction practices and exploring innovative approaches. Its primary objective is to enhance the construction process through in-depth research and development activities. The facility aims to identify and implement flexible approaches that address the evolving needs and challenges of the construction industry."

Technical information

The project relies on the utilization of prefabricated units specifically designed for easy assembly, disassembly, and relocation for reuse. The dimensions of these units are carefully planned to align with the architectural grid.
The assembly process takes place on-site, involving the following five units:
1.Telescopic column unit: Inspired by tree structures, this unit mimics the gradual growth of trees and provides structural support, where the unit it designed to be opened for 4 floors.
2.Core unit: Comprising two main parts, these prefabricated concrete units form the core of the structure.
3.Box section steel units: These units are assembled to create truss structures, adding strength and stability to the overall design.
4.Prefabricated slab units: Designed to be easily installed, these units serve as floor elements within the residential units.
5.Recycled bricks from waste materials: These bricks are designed to resemble LEGO blocks, facilitating easy assembly and enabling the creation of diverse residential units.

By combining these units, multiple residential units can be generated, all of which have the ability to expand based on current needs and requirements."
IN THIS SCENARIO THE PROJECT AIMS TO REPLACE THE CURRENT STRUCTURES WITH MORE ADAPTABLE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS. HOWEVER, IT I5 NOT THE SOLE SOLUTION. IN THE FUTURE, IF THE SITE UNDERGOES FURTHER DEVELOPMENT, THE UNITS CAN BE DISASSEMBLED AND REPUSED TO CREATE NEW STRUCTURES WITH DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS.