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CELLULAR COMMUNITY
How can we live closer together,
in a symbiotic relationship with nature, whilst upholding a desired sense of privacy?
Programme: Multi-Unit Dwelling
Site: Brunswick West, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Year: Semester 2, 2021
Cellular Community is an architectural proposition that mimics the biological structure of agglomerating cells to provide for co-housing that strengthens connection to the collective realm and nature. In order to provide an efficient and affordable solution, the project utilises the natural principles of cells which relatedly, operates at a multitude of individual scales to perform effectively as a functional whole. This project involves maintaining the security of each individual unit or ‘cellular component’, as well as the intensification of the ‘extracellular matrix’ that constitutes of dynamic and vibrant interstitial space for resident interaction and connection to the outdoors, thereby increasing presence of mind and countering the negative effects of static indoor lifestyles.
The architectural techniques employed to deliver this project vision include the agglomeration of units and blocks at multiple scales to create multiple levels of community within the wider project site. These units and blocks are connected through a variety of fluid interstitial spaces that support resident interaction and communal lifestyles. The outdoor-orientated hexagonal unit block arrangement is informed by natural access paths, a grid system and the surrounding context.
The incorporation of natural elements and environmental design both horizontally and vertically throughout seeks to realise buildings not as simply inert physical structures, but rather as living breathing entities. Finally, load-bearing structural exterior construction is utilised to allow for flexible interior space through non-load bearing internal partitions, resembling cellular structure, allowing for increased spatial adaptability by residents.
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