Work submitted to the Halina Skibniewskaya student competition - HEALTHY HOUSE
The goal of our project was to create, healthy, functional and ecological multi-family housing estate, which, thanks to the solutions used, would create a comfortable place to live for its residents. At the same time, an important aspect during the entire design process for us was to take advantage of the qualities of the place and create an interesting and valuable point on the city map.
The project development area is located in Wroclaw, in the Szczepin district, formerly used for industrial purposes. The current surroundings of the plot include 20th-century residential buildings, military facilities and large commercial buildings. Our project could benefit the development of this beautiful but neglected part of the city near the river.
The main development of the projected area consists of 7-story residential buildings in a cage and point pattern. Their tallest parts, were varied in height to get the best possible sunlight. An additional advantage of this solution was the possibility of creating usable green terraces for residents. The role of their counterparts on the lower floors is played by balconies and conservatories located on the first floor. Some buildings also have semi-private gardens adjacent to them. The apartments, ranging from M1 to M4, have been laid out in such a way as to ensure two-way ventilation and adequate light in the apartments. Also, the urban layout has been adapted to the natural conditions of the site.
site development plan
© Alicja Popko, Ewa Baranowska, Katarzyna Ledwoń
One of the design priorities was to achieve the lowest possible rate of primary energy use. For this reason, the demand for heating, domestic hot water and electricity would be covered by the heat pump installations planned in the project, as well as modern photovoltaic cells placed in the glazing of each building.
Among the residential buildings there was also room for a number of service facilities, making the whole estate more attractive. One of the most important places of the whole establishment is an orchard area with buildings for aquaponic plant cultivation and fish breeding. It has a connection with an educational facility and a water garden, so that the entire cultivation area has an additional scientific function. The center of the establishment is a square with two service buildings that have a strong connection with the cultivated area. One of them is a commercial facility, allowing the sale of produced food. The other would house a restaurant, also using mainly grown plants and fish. The southern part of the estate has been designated for complementary functions. A multifunctional building and a kindergarten building with a playground were designed there. To further enhance the estate's areas, semi-private and public spaces also included space for an outdoor gym and playgrounds.
projection of the eco-school
© Alicja Popko, Ewa Baranowska, Katarzyna Ledwoń
The entire area was designed to include as much greenery as possible. In addition, the eastern part of the premise, adjacent to the riverside area, was fully designated for park and recreational areas. These would serve as a green link between the estate and the river. One of the important elements of the park is an environmental education path, aimed at shaping sensitivity to nature in the youngest children. There is also a space that in the warm months can serve as a venue for cultural events of the estate (e.g. summer cinema, festivities), helping to integrate residents. It also allows the embankment located there to be adapted as natural grandstands.
plans of the buildings designed for the complex
© Alicja Popko, Ewa Baranowska, Katarzyna Ledwoń
The water motif, emphasized by the proximity of the river - the Oder - is also important for the entire project. The developed area was covered with a network of water paths - narrow canals placed along the main routes. Additional additions to this concept are an open reservoir in the park area, a fountain in the center and a water garden by the educational building. Introducing water to the estate would help create a pleasant microclimate, especially in the summer months.
Alicja Popko, Ewa Baranowska, Katarzyna Ledwoń
Illustrations: © Authors
