Collective Terrace House
Surpassing the constraints of restrictive spatial standards in terrace houses presents a unique challenge for future home-making. It prompts us to explore questions like, “How can a row of houses be more than just individual units sharing side walls?” and “How can future living and nature be harmoniously integrated through both communal and private spaces?” This design approach examines the interplay between architecture, community, and emotions.
By transforming idle oil palm estates without clearing additional forest, this scheme proposes that the design of terrace houses should revolve around three key factors to overcome contemporary limitations: a shift towards centralized communal living, a blend of intimate spaces that connect man-made structures with nature, and the use of regional regenerative materials from the agricultural sector. This approach creates a sustainable development model that reflects the balance between human and natural habitats, forming a continuous cycle of life that begins and ends in harmony.
Iceland Greenhouse Restaurant
Honorable Mention
In what ways can folklores be integrated into the design of greenhouse farming, and how can a greenhouse be elevated to embody an Icelandic statement?
This project explores the intersection of symbolic cultural beliefs and agricultural techniques, translating them into an architecture that is both contextually intimate and meaningful. To highlight the value of locally grown food beyond its technical aspects, the greenhouse is inspired by the benevolent traits of the thirteen Icelandic troll creatures known as Yule Lads. This playful and mystical architecture aligns with Icelandic folklore, making the greenhouse not just a functional space but a narrative-rich environment.
The design embraces the site's vast quarry landscape and surrounding terrain by proposing a subterranean approach to greenhouse farming. Rather than being visually prominent, the greenhouse integrates discreetly into the landscape, echoing the cautious and enigmatic nature of the lore. It aims to subtly impact the territory at a macro level through its food production.
The architecture further emphasizes its connection to the landscape by using excavated dark-red quarry stone as its structural skin, blending seamlessly with the surroundings. This design choice enhances the building's integration into the landscape and evokes a dialogue between education, context, folklore, and spatial dimensions. Inside, the architecture’s atmosphere reflects a sense of scarcity and urgency, mirroring the challenges of regional food supply. Different geometrically crafted caverns within the structure create spatial narratives, each corresponding to diverse vegetative categories with unique traits and personalities, enriching the greenhouse's role as both a functional and symbolic element.
