The dizzying pace at which today’s society is developing, rapid urbanization, migration or demographic problems force us to redefine the main human needs and to find new solutions that will shape the cities of the future. The transformation must be subject to thinking about building space, the role of the environment, transport, functional structure, or the role of man in new realities. An unquestionable reaction to the changing social needs is the initiation of the process of mass housing construction for rent.

Social program

The basic assumption of the program is to create a new quality of social housing estates, which are to be open, accessible spaces that support the development of social relations, while ensuring a high standard of housing. When designing this type of housing estate, it is necessary to skillfully combine economic and ergonomic solutions with the social dimension of the planned common spaces and to connect the future buildings with the surroundings with attractiveness.

Spatial assumptions

The planned investment is located in a picturesque area, on the bank of the Odra River in the immediate vicinity of the Popowice Park. A modern residential district will be immersed in nature and inscribed into existing natural sequences. Location of the estate directly at the waterfront, open both to the park and the water, guarantees the existence of a unique place on the map of Wroclaw. The open coastal area will offer very attractive park and walk areas on the Odra to the inhabitants of subsequent planned investments. Designed, simple and extremely economical – thanks to its structure and repeatability – development was shaped in such a way as to complement and strengthen potential spatial relations. Perpendicular to the river, the location of the buildings leaves 36m wide belts designed as a natural extension and connection of the northern and southern green areas. The smooth flow of residents, random passers-by or cyclists moving along the Odra River will result in a unique community exchange. Lack of physical separation of the area in the form of volumes or fences will be conducive to the creation of new, natural walking routes that cross the planned housing estate, which will facilitate the interaction between residents, neighbors and walkers. In order to achieve this objective, additionally, from the Odra side, the ground floors of the buildings have been undercut, which will provide easy parallel communication to the river.

Community

The most important issue for a healthy developing community is to create an environment that supports all interpersonal relationships. The diversified age and social structure of the inhabitants of the newly designed housing estate supported by the common spaces located within it, or complementary functions such as a neighborhood club or a cafe, has a chance to develop into a well-functioning community. For this to happen, interpersonal relations must be regularly stimulated. For this purpose, various and attractive common and public spaces are planned within the housing estate, which will become an activating and concentrating element of the local community, where both children, young people, their parents and grandparents, as well as disabled people will find their place and with whom they will be to identify.

Common spaces

The places in which new community will function will be characterized by the high quality of the proposed solutions, openness and accessibility, high functional, spatial and natural diversity. All forms of use of common areas, such as parks, gardens, playgrounds or amphitheaters, will contribute to the strengthening of neighborly bonds, as well as to a better comfort of life. Public spaces will additionally use the advantages of a specific location. By highlighting and opening attractive views, links with existing natural sequences, or enhancing the characteristic features of the area, there will be places with an evident and unique character. And so, in the developed undercuts of buildings, the concept proposes an arrangement of common spaces and services, such as a café, a neighborhood club, a roofed climbing wall or a nursery. In order to make the area around residential buildings more attractive, differentiated and thematic spaces have been proposed on the pedestrian route. Thanks to the spatial arrangement of buildings shifted relative to each other, they turn out to be spacious park spaces or climatic corners.

Nature

Nature will play a very important role in creating the ideal living environment. In addition to the creation of a diverse, environmentally rich system of common spaces, particular attention was paid to the appropriate selection of the proposed vegetation creating the character of each space. The greenery will become the dominant element and will fill the whole estate. The biggest inspiration of whole site project was the river and its character.