Site: 100,000 sf

Location: Zona Franca, Barcelona, Spain

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Zona Franca is an industrial area near the port of Barcelona which will in coming years become a hotspot for new development as the city expands. The program we were given was the development of a new Kno-Pro-So (Knowledge-Prodcution-Social) Housing directed towards students, immigrants, and start up business owners. 

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Keeping in mind the neighbourhood and the current conditions, the project made sure to integrate itself into the existing fabric without the need for much demolition. As such the idea of a new above ground pedestrian bridge was suggested which would connect the important buildings on the site together and hold a range of programmatic functions. For the housing portion of the project I chose to focus on a stacking arrangements of containers - which were already available on site - instead of having to fabricate new dwellings. The containers could be remodelled to host housing and different functions necessary for the residents. The containers are also stacked in a manner to promote social interactions and provide outdoor spaces. The new neighbourhood would be situated in one of the existing buildings, where parts of the roof would be removed to provide sunlight and ventilation.