In response to an increasing population and the perpetual decline of viable sites for construction, this design utilizes the notion of vertical dwellings to construct an interconnected community that integrates into the natural environment. The edifice is composed of numerous single family modular homes, turning mountainous terrains into accommodating opportunities by employing offsite construction methods. Sinuous shading devices, evoking the shifting protrusions of the alpine landscape, are amalgamated to the established structure to ameliorate the intense sunlight at high altitudes, inhibiting solar radiation and enhancing the internal environment to provide greater comfort for residents.
Today, approximately 720 million people inhabit mountain regions despite the harsh climate, high levels of erosion, excessive exposure to sunlight, and food insecurity. This rectilinear structure proposes a residential paradigm that can incorporate 22nd century technology to mitigate the living conditions in such elevations.
This concept envisions a distinctive topological geometry with an alternating composition of windows to exhibit the unique scenery of arboreal animals amongst the verdant paths. The complex consists of a steel frame in which prefabricated modules are appended tor, providing a suitable living space for not only families, but also shelter and respite facilities for traveling hikers by using locally sourced materials.
The exterior cladding is primarily made of biocement. One challenge to building with concrete is the material’s propensity to crack, but the developing solution of bacterial biotechnology allows this structure to reconstruct itself in highly varied sunlight and weather conditions. As for the interior space, timber is used as an inexpensive, light, and easy material to work with during construction.
The interior provides an inclusive and flexible space that adapts to the occupant’s needs. Each module propounds the idea of open rooms which can also be isolated based on one’s preferences. Moreover, in contrast with the tenebrous exterior, an interior composition of wood floors and plaster walls aims to create a congenial atmosphere. While the corner of the proposed layout is occupied by the staircase and elevator, the remaining 300 square meter area is utilized as the living space with other floors are designated as communal spaces, bringing people together in this vertical community.