03 social housing
brief: To design new housing on
a gap site in the north-west of Torino, Italy.
site: The site has existing buildings
on it in varying condition. The north west and south east corners of
the site are vacant and currently used for parking. Facing the north
western corner is a church of historical importance.
design: The proposal of two strips
of housing, differing in layout and treatment of facade mask the 'back'
facade of the existing housing. In turn two public squares have been
created which directly relate in funtion to the strip of housing that
looks out onto them. The square which on one side has the church and
other the new housing with a more regimented facade has a formal square
lined with new cafe/restaurants. The other square acts as a local park
and is lined by the new housing with prefabricated facade types chosen
by the occupents of each unit. At ground level communal space is allocated
for such things as housing meetings and after school care. These activities
could spill out onto the park weather permitting.