Project Social
A series of commissioned projects for remodeling, fit-out, extension and design for socialized housing projects, mostly dwellings for relocated families or housing provided for by the government.
These projects hold a special place in our philosophy as these required careful consideration of each user's lifestyle, intimate dialogue and urgency not to fail albeit it being experimental.
While balancing the creative and pragmatic approaches, these projects so far have been a positive influence in the neighborhood by introducing the people to the power of design and how a well-planned living space can be achieved despite having a tight budget.
Social Housing Model Unit 01
Project:
Year:
Location:
Area:
Social Housing Model Unit 01
2018
SJDM, Bulacan
20 sq. m.
Brief:
An Architectural Interior design of a socialized housing unit for a family of 4 members. The project required at least 2 bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, dining and toilet & bath. Due to limited space of the entire unit, a mezzanine floor was added, allowed by a 5.00 m. high ceiling. The mezzanine floor was made into a bedroom for children but the area gets too hot due to a lower air space and the unit's orientation. As a solution, a screen was used as the main mezzanine partition instead of a drywall for better air circulation. Curtains were provided to compensate the need for privacy.
Objects and furniture were mostly fabricated by local skilled workers and craftsmen. With the proper combination of pragmatic design solutions and affordable materials and finishes, the overall aesthetic has transformed the unit into a truly dignified space to live in.
NOTE : detail drawings are not to scale
As expected, existing conditions of the housing unit were appalling - materials used, structural, quality of workmanship, etc - and with a limited budget, space, time and a lot of constraints (and problems), providing good design for such a project needed better and creative solutions.
Fortunately, clients were very open to experimentation and unconventional ideas. In this case, architecture and design can only do so much and end-users must also be committed to alter their lifestyles and compromise for user-design to coexist.
Above all, the challenge was how to provide a dignified dwelling for a young family that they will forever call home. This model unit may be used as a study for future compact dwelling projects to come.
Social Housing Model Unit 02
Project:
Year:
Location:
Area:
Social Housing Model Unit 02
2018
Montalban, Rizal
36 sq. m.
The precedent housing project, a design for a Socialized Housing Unit Model 1, opened an avenue for the common people to understand that architecture is not just for the privileged. Housing project entails potentials that are more playful and complex due to spatial and budget constraints. Shortly after publishing the previous model, the team got another commission from a family with a very similar requirement and situation - a dignified dwelling in a relocation site.
The clients, a young family acquired a pre-owned housing unit. The previous owner of the house used the space of the rear lawn(backyard) to its full setback and constructed a bedroom thus, blocking the unit's natural air ventilation. The solution was to dismantle the existing low dropped ceiling to create more air space, and installed gypsum boards aligned parallel to the existing roof slope.
Epoxy paint in a peculiar color was applied on the floor instead of tiles. This proved more economical and ultimately transformed the entire interior into something really different from what the clients were used to, in a positive and uplifting way.
Most of the furniture are bespoke to fit perfectly within the limited space while also providing for the requirements of the client. A daybed was chosen instead of a sofa to accommodate guests who needed to spend a night of rest.
And same as with Model 1, it has gained recognition from neighbors further introducing them to the power of design - the same people who previously thought of aesthetics as a luxury only accessible to the privileged.
NOTE : detail drawings are not to scale
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