Architectural Design V-IX: 33.3% – re-thinking-re – re-zu-rich – home owner zones (J. De Vylder)

Abstract

The 33.3%-STUDIO explores the possibilities of a humble but precise act. In FS23 we look at zones of small-scale houses that will be replaced by multi-family houses. If this tendency continues, the consequences for the city are drastic. How can we intervene into these zones with a smaller but more precise act? How can we project a future beyond the well-known strategies of total replacement?

Objective

All in all, one can say that the LEARNING OBJECTIVES—humble ambitions—and LEARNING OUTCOMES—possible answers—can be summarized by the next 3 EXPECTATIONS: *
As the studio explores the ECONOMY of LESS ACTION in the perspective of a better ECOLOGY of LIFE; the RESEARCH attitude is to find REALISTIC REALITIES for RE-USE—the ALTERNATIVE. RE-THINKING-RE gives RE-USE a chance to be more than a TENDENCY. *
Because the studio believes that it is not only a matter of project, but also a matter of URGE, the pedagogical ambition is not only to make ARCHITECTURE—the ACT—but also to raise THE ARCHITECT—the ATTITUDE. UNIVERSUM as a CARROUSEL and as a JOURNEY. *
As the studio second life is the drawing and the model, the writing and the debate, the FORM will be given to all unseen outcome when the METHOD of RESEARCH has no limit on the MIX of MEDIA from analogue to digital.

Content

The 33.3%-STUDIO explores the possibilities of a more restrained, humble but precise action. This is in many ways an attitude of economy of means. Less energy of action, of course, means less economy and ecology, but it could also require changing the attitude of use effectively today. This could also make it a question of ergonomics: how to USE the given context differently and yet act less. In this 33.3%-STUDIO we will look at zones of small-scale houses. Home owner zones. Usually they consist of a group of single- or multi-family houses, some built as multiples of a specific typology, others in various styles. Most of them have hosted families over generations, with a close connection to the ground and the social network they are embedded in. They provided a suburban way of life within a growing metropolitan area. If these houses have not been replaced already, then they have somehow been maintained, altered, adapted, renovated, transformed and extended over the decades. Step by step changes, often done with a cautious attitude. Recently, these plots are being redeveloped in a more drastic manner: It has become usual to replace a single- with a multi-family house, often even adding an underground parking. A transformation of this housing stock seems inevitable—but if everyone replaces in that way, what does it make to the city? 33.3% shall be more than ever an attitude: How can we intervene into these zones with a smaller but more precise act? How can we project a future beyond the well-known strategies of total replacement?

Resources