斯塔基特大厦丨巴西丨Bee Breeders

STACK-IT HOUSE

Microhome 2020 Architecture Competition

Beatriz Chudzij, João Pedro Reguim, Maria Luiza Ballarotti, Sofia Moresca for Bee Breeders

In Brazil, in order to get accepted into any university, it is necessary to pass an admission program. Thus, a national test is available for any who are interested. Consequently, Curitiba is opened and welcomes students from many different states that come to live and work by themselves. However, the high cost of living still is a large issue for many undergraduates.

To solve this problem, this project intends to make use of any empty piece of land that is close to a public university campus and could be filled with small village-like, stack-it houses. Considering that they are small in size and could be composed of gardens and community spaces, the cost of living automatically decreases,  students do not waste as much money on transportation and there is a larger incentive to use alternative ways of locomotion, such as bicycles.

The stack-it houses have a modular wood structure, which makes them more affordable and light. The openings are strategically placed to provide cross ventilation and natural lighting in any of the houses of the village. The panels are made of demolition wood, that helps when controlling the lighting and giving each student their own privacy. Plus, this material was chosen due to it being reused from other constructions, which gives each house an unique aspect.

Every living space has a small porch, in which bicycle support installations can be placed, or even a gardening space that reutilizes rainwater. The structure allows modules to be stacked, which inspired the name of the project itself. This is a benefit in terms of space utilization and allows more people to live in the village.

The house itself is very well sectorized, and contains a kitchen and an eating area, a bathroom with a washing machine, a study/work desk, two spaces for resting purposes - the bed, which is more private, and the living room, with the couch. Each area is given its own storage space, even with the small house area.

Lastly, it is crucial to add that the house's basic structure allows the installation of equipment, including green roofs and solar panels, which shows that the project cares deeply about, not only the improvement in students' way of life and economic barriers, but also takes sustainability as a main cause.