Work submitted for the competition
"Best Diploma Architecture"
The subject of the study is the problem of the pursuit of self-sufficiency in a suburban and rural area. For the project team, it was important to reconcile environmental and ecological aspects with economic and social aspects in the creation of a housing model that could work in changing realities.
site development plan
© Aleksandra Rudnicka, Martyna Sokolnicka
The southern part of the village of Mrzezino (Puck municipality, Puck County, Pomeranian Voivodeship) was chosen as the site for the experimental development.
The idea of the project is based on three main pillars:
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New technologies — both those that are very popular nowadays (heat pump, solar roof, green roofs, CLT, among others) and those that are just gaining recognition in the market (prefabricated wooden panels insulated with reeds, recycled concrete).
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Self-sufficiency — considered for all five elements, i.e. food, water, energy, heating, shelter, as well as the additional aspect of exchanging goods and services among residents. To achieve self-sufficiency, special economic facilities were designed, calculating an approximate minimum area for them to accommodate permaculture gardens characterized by high crop intensity and low labor, greenhouses with aquaponics, an orchard, and places for raising animals such as ducks, chickens, sheep and goats.
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Passive ecology — making the most of the site's potential and passive energy-saving techniques, such as the south slope, accumulating energy through greenhouses, building with local materials, including sourcing reeds to heat buildings from the nature reserve, thus helping to provide the right ecosystem for the wild birds living in the area.
top view
© Aleksandra Rudnicka, Martyna Sokolnicka
The entire project includes the development of a new habitat and its connection to the existing village and the surrounding open green areas (meadows, pastures). The development has been laid out in a strip pattern in order to make the most economical use of the land (roadside greenery buffer, residential and public buildings, crops, tall greenery, recreational area by the stream), while taking care of the features of the rural landscape. The new center providing public services includes a restaurant serving dishes made from local products along with a co-working area on the first floor, a building for child care and a workshop with an eco-shop. The new center has been connected by transportation to the existing village center, and the development resembles a traditional Kashubian homestead of the relaxed type.
center
© Aleksandra Rudnicka, Martyna Sokolnicka
The residential part was grouped into five so-called residential nests — each with a common house and utility facilities. The small size of the residential structures justifies moving some functions to the common areas, for example, laundry facilities, meeting places or guest rooms in the common house, and supporting the community in public buildings, for example, by providing day care for children.
various development options
© Aleksandra Rudnicka, Martyna Sokolnicka
The houses are built on a modular basis, allowing residents to freely adapt the building to their own needs, for example, by adding a greenhouse as a conservatory or free-standing, and different types of atriums or private gardens. We can distinguish five main types of development, including houses for singles or couples, thus responding to changing lifestyles. The integration of residents is fostered by the emphasis on common, semi-private space. The entire development is interwoven by a woonerf of organic form running through the residential nests and the center.
house types
© Aleksandra Rudnicka, Martyna Sokolnicka
Aleksandra RUDNICKA, Martyna SOKOLNICKA
Illustrations: © Authors
