COHOUSING IN THE PANDEMIC: a proposal in a downtown neighborhood of Recife, Brazil - B.Arch final thesis
(Author: Beatriz Bueno / Advisor: Ana Rolim)

This project presents a proposal for cohousing aiming to deal with the problem of infection control in collective living. It seeks to create spaces that ensure social distancing with safe interaction while avoiding social isolation, a recurrent challenge throughout the COVID-19 pandemic seen in many traditional residential complexes.

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BUILDING SITE

The site is located in the downtown neighborhood of Boa Vista, in the city of Recife, NE Region of Brazil, which is considered by the Municipal Master Plan as a Moderate Built Environment Zone (Moderate ZAC). With rich typological diversity that combines the legacy of 19th century townhouses and modernist buildings, despite being served by extensive urban infrastructure, the neighbourhood presents low population density and a short supply of residential units, caused by the phenomenon of people leaving inner-city areas that increased in the last three decades of the 20th century.

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THEORETICAL APPROACH

The study focuses on the systemic notion of cluster, an approach based on its ability to adapt to different conditions, centered on growth and the possibility to uniquely place elements in urban contexts. Important references on the idea of cluster include the work of the British architects and theorists, Alison and Peter Smithson and the studies of Laura Mardini Davi and Josep Maria Montaner. Regarding cohousing, the works of Chris Scotthanson and Kelly Scotthanson, Emily Darling and Jessica Bittencourt are explored. As for the pandemic context and architecture as a means of controlling infections, the studies from the MASS Design Group and Flávio Bicalho are discussed.

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THE IDEA

The architectural parti reinterprets the striking architectural elements in the site by seeking to recover the aesthetics of modernist buildings in the surroundings. Back then, architecture used to employ protruding elements to protect façades from extreme sun exposure, a positive strategy to tackle the demands of tropical humid weather, which has been replaced with flat and monotonous solutions. Thus, the design seeks to recover the dynamic volumetric nature and strong expression of the structural elements of such legacy.

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In order to achieve a total construction area closer to the maximum utilization coefficient allowed (value = 3.0), the flootprints were defined by sections of denser and more permeable layers. The latter would house accesses to the residential units, therefore operating as disinfection areas. The building envelope encompasses a series of terraces, balconies and green roofs.

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The proposed modules value the spatiality of the layouts, creating routes with diverse visual experiences. Three unit types are proposed: type ‘A’ is located on the 2nd floor (with apt. access on the 3rd floor), with staggered vegetable gardens. Type ‘B’ is placed on the 4th floor, (access to apartments are on the 5th floor), marked with a chamfered top portion located above the vertical staircase module. Finally, type ‘C’ is a one-story unit.

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THE ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAM

In addition to housing units, a set of shared areas are spread throughout the building: shops, collective laundry, vegetable garden and reception desk (ground floor); collective spaces for residents, including games, dining, kitchen and storage (first floor); housing units (upper floors) and room for produce harvesting from vegetable gardens (5th floor); a large living area with two greenhouses and a green roof on the rooftop.

 

THE STRUCTURE

The structure was designed based on sustainable parameters, aiming at a clean and dry construction system with minimal assembly time. Due to its high resistance allowing for efficient  cantilevering and load support, cross laminated timber (CLT) was adopted.

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SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable components include green roofs, which provide thermal and acoustic comfort, minimizing penetration of heat and noise, improving residents’ well-being. The use of vegetation reduces air pollution, upgrading air quality, a beneficial aspect to human health. Vegetable gardens are placed on the ground and 5th floors, and on the roof, stimulating the consumption of healthy pesticide-free food. Community gardens add value in promoting a sense of community, a strong characteristic of the cohousing style of living. Circular shafts house a treatment system that allows water reuse for residents’ consumption, irrigation of green areas as well as rainwater harvesting.

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