In transit
In urban contexts, current transient modes of inhabitation vary from seasonal agricultural workers to expat multinational executives. Open dynamic markets force people to move: though online platforms are replacing face to face interaction in some sectors; and automation is increasingly tovertaking physical human labor; in some low wage, low skill sectors are dependent on physical workforce. This, and the rapid increase of tourism, has resulted in alternative temporary housing schemes. Internet based platforms largely increased the possibilities of temporary living introducing extreme short tenancy models that highly impact the stability of communities in residential areas.
These transient forms of inhabitation have opened up local debates in terms of real estate taxes, security, and property maintenance. Yet the number of non-permanent inhabitants increases and temporary housing proliferates. Stable ownership housing models seem to be challenged by rent-to-management and mixed ownership-rental schemes.
Rocketing housing prices, shrinking living spaces, and increasing social disconnects are direct or indirect consequences of the way in which the market caters to transient forms of inhabitation. Could temporary and permanent modes of life be combined so as to take mutual advantage?
Design Operations
Shorten Tenancy
Urban regulations seeking densification need to expand the options in which properties may be adjoined, merged, and reconfigured. Land ownership should expand into more flexible and dynamic administrations so as to recalibrate the relationship between built and open areas, its uses, and the degrees of private and publicness properties offer to the city.
Project Descriptions
Pop Up Housing appears and disappears in the city fabric close to employment opportunities, such as construction sites, temporary industries or fairs. This can increase urban adaptability while decreasing transportation impact. Integrating basic provisions such as food and internet hubs in common areas within the building provides forms of social integration, even during a short stay.
Project Descriptions
24- Pop Up Modules/ “Under Construction” – Shanghai
The prefabricated modules for the temporary accommodation of construction workers form collective housing models for short term tenancy in a variety of urban contexts.
Stacking and clustering the units in a staggered form increases the variety of communal spaces. Clustered modules become minimal studio cells and provide space for shared amenities.
Original Project: Prefabricated Container Compound for Construction Workers, China.
25- Externalised Functions/ “Lived Corridors” – Santiago
Utility spaces, hallways and bathrooms are added to the narrow double loaded corridors, creating a variety of unit sizes with different comfort levels suitable to a range of tenancy lengths.
As a result of this expropriation, the larger corridors become shared breakout spaces, living rooms, workspaces, and kitchens.
Original Project: High Density Slab, Santiago.