Inbetween...
The concept of community building derives from the idea of creating a well defined space, with rather pure forms but quite denomicierers far ресеор. re but yet tore dyer one relationship with the natural landscape. By using two simple forms, the square and the circle, it produces a multilayered spatial composition. The outer wall acts as a solid shell enclosing the transparent circular space which is more flexible and maintains a changing perimeter.
This gentle tension creates the opportunity for more intimate, dense experiences with various light quality, views and corners. Although designed as a solid frame, the outer wall has many openings, in different sizes, by creating a dynamic relationship with the outer landscape, framing the view and inviting the light in a more controlled way, and providing rich spatial atmospheres at the inner zones.
The small courtyards formed in between the outer wall and the inner transparent structure are small spots that provide transition moments and intimate spaces where the inside and outside are equally perceived. This is an essential element that acts as a flter and which in between creates a microclimate enjoyable in different seasons. Furthermore, it entirely merges the indoor spaces, especially when the inner flexible facade is opened to good weather, farming a larger space defined only by the outer wall.
This design proposal tries to bring together a set of principles which defines not only the philosophy of Spirala Ecological Village but also its aspirations for a better coexistence between nature and human interventions. The choice of mater als blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor while providing a fully functional scheme, and the radia structural system allows for a greater openness which can easily adjust to efferent
scenarios.
More than an archtectural examination, Spirala Community Home revives the practice of woreing with nature and looks beyone what our technological capao lities can actually celiver On the contrary, it sepesfor simple solutions which intend to find a balance between vernaculanty in aren tecture and our modern ways of iving.
At the first phase, based on the given information, we drafted a conceptual master plan, explaining the organizational schema of the Ecological village. A parking road las called in the brief goes through the site by connecting the existing agricultural building with the 'Spirala Community Home, planned housing plots and other zones, following the topography. and forming a small ring that is connected in the lower western part to the main road.
Different zones of the 'land are connected also with pedestrian paths that might be generated in a more spontaneous form, based on the usage patterns of the community in the future. The masterpian is thought to be as a natural system of dense forest gardens, and the built structures are humble components that are loose but yet integrated with this natural system.
The communty home is postioned at the central eastern part of the land, well connected with infrastructure and surrounded with a donse forest garden. In the western part, it is defined by the parking road, vineyards and nousing plots in the north and southern sides it is enclosed by two gentle hills covered by trees and forest gandion, and on the eastern part it is connected to the rainwater reservoir.
The variety of landscape and activities around the community home makes the experience there even more interesting and diversified.
Title: SPIRALA Community Home
Location: Portugal
Type: Competition / shortlist
Year: 2021