The Monolith

Participation in the global architectural competition “Micro Housing competion” by Impact competitions:
The proposal refers to a contemporary core of collective housing that aims
at the reintegration of various social groups through their daily coexistence. The idea is based on the primitive structure of the cube which is integrated in a grid system which through additions and subtractions creates a standard example of an urban capacitor. The proposal is detached from the ground leaving the ground floor free to function as a public space of coexistence with commercial uses. The access to the floors is made through a circular ascent which symbolically holds the role of the altar that existed outside the ancient Greek temples. The design of the houses draws inspiration from the structure of these temples. The word temple comes from the verb ‘ναίω’ which means live. The typical layout of the temple as a house is transferred to the dwellings where the propylon is converted into a transitional entrance threshold, the main temple as a dwelling and the backyard as a semi-outdoor space. This three part layout of the house is located in the whole complex transforming it into a larger self-referential temple. More specifically, the houses can accommodate from two to four people. The houses of the four people have double height while the houses of the two people are on the ground floor leaving the roof free for the use of urban crops. Also, the structure of the circular temple pavilion (dome) is transferred to the proposal in the form of hybrid houses where on the ground floor there are variable shops. As a whole, the proposal incorporates elements of a suburban community through the exposed courtyards in communal passages and the wider evidence of the houses between them. In addition, smaller public spaces are created on the floors (eg parks, playground, etc.) which contribute to the social interaction of the inhabitants with each other. The roof of the building is a white canvas which envisages the development of a large free public green space with elements of water, summer cinema and other recreational uses. Overall, the element of green is integrated in the proposal, creating hanging gardens that in the future will give the complex the role of urban jungle.