06 experimental housing

brief: As part of the Ecological Design for a Sustainable Future group participants were asked to consider a site in Possilpark for the creation a new type of housing which will be more responsive to its environment.

site: Located in Possilpark the site had recently been undergoing demolition for the creation of new detached and semi-detached dwellings. Similar block of flats to those demolished still exist to the south of the site although were almost completely derelict.

design: The proposal questioned whether there may be some value in keeping the existing fabric and through a series of measures improve its aesthetic, social and environment contribution to the local community. For this reason the design moved from the initial site southwards to where existing flats due for demolition still remained.

A holistic approach was proposed which included allotments for inhabitants use, the pedestrianisation of the immediate area along with the introduction of a small car pool, use of solar power collectors, re-use of rain and grey water and Combined Heating Power(CHP).

In addition a series of clip-on prefabricated components would create a patchwork of enhancing mini-facades to the discretion of the individual inhabitants.