Employing charred wooden shingles and extensive glass façades, this residential development seamlessly integrates beneath urban infrastructure, creating a community-focused living space.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels to promote sustainability and reduce carbon footprint.
03
Designed beneath an existing bridge, maximizing urban space usage.
04
Features extensive glass façades to optimize natural light and river views.
05
Includes community spaces that foster social interaction among residents.
General keywords
The Underbridge Housing Challenge presents a residential architecture project that integrates living spaces into an urban environment beneath a bridge in Bern, Switzerland. This project optimizes a previously underutilized area, addressing housing shortages while fostering a sense of community. The design balances functionality and aesthetics through careful planning, making effective use of the surrounding landscape.
Community-Centric Architectural Design
This project emphasizes community engagement. The design includes common areas that promote interaction among residents, such as shared gardens and recreational spaces. These elements are strategically placed to encourage social activities while providing a buffer from urban noise, thanks to the bridge structure overhead. The floor layout is devised for optimal natural light and ventilation. Each residential unit features ample windows that offer views of the picturesque riverside, creating an inviting living environment.
Material selection is also a critical aspect of the design. The project utilizes materials such as reinforced concrete for durability, glass for enhanced light penetration, and steel for structural support. This thoughtful combination not only supports the necessary structure but also contributes to the overall aesthetic coherence of the building. The surface treatments are minimal, allowing the natural surroundings to play a significant role in the visual impact of the residential units.
Innovative Use of Space
The unique aspect of this project lies in its innovative approach to occupying space under a bridge. By utilizing this area, it contributes to the urban fabric in an unconventional manner while avoiding typical land consumption associated with new developments. This inversion of traditional residential layouts challenges conventional architecture by redefining what a residential environment can be.
The architectural design incorporates green landscaping that enhances the connection between the living spaces and the natural environment. Roof terraces and green walls help to integrate this project within its surroundings, while also providing residents with outdoor space that adds value to their living experience. This attention to the environment indicates a comprehensive approach to urban living, merging architecture with ecological considerations.
Explore the architectural plans, sections, and design details to gain deeper insights into the innovative architectural ideas that define this project. Reviewing these elements will provide a full appreciation of how the Underbridge Housing Challenge stands apart from conventional residential developments.
Community-Centric Architectural Design
This project emphasizes community engagement. The design includes common areas that promote interaction among residents, such as shared gardens and recreational spaces. These elements are strategically placed to encourage social activities while providing a buffer from urban noise, thanks to the bridge structure overhead. The floor layout is devised for optimal natural light and ventilation. Each residential unit features ample windows that offer views of the picturesque riverside, creating an inviting living environment.
Material selection is also a critical aspect of the design. The project utilizes materials such as reinforced concrete for durability, glass for enhanced light penetration, and steel for structural support. This thoughtful combination not only supports the necessary structure but also contributes to the overall aesthetic coherence of the building. The surface treatments are minimal, allowing the natural surroundings to play a significant role in the visual impact of the residential units.
Innovative Use of Space
The unique aspect of this project lies in its innovative approach to occupying space under a bridge. By utilizing this area, it contributes to the urban fabric in an unconventional manner while avoiding typical land consumption associated with new developments. This inversion of traditional residential layouts challenges conventional architecture by redefining what a residential environment can be.
The architectural design incorporates green landscaping that enhances the connection between the living spaces and the natural environment. Roof terraces and green walls help to integrate this project within its surroundings, while also providing residents with outdoor space that adds value to their living experience. This attention to the environment indicates a comprehensive approach to urban living, merging architecture with ecological considerations.
Explore the architectural plans, sections, and design details to gain deeper insights into the innovative architectural ideas that define this project. Reviewing these elements will provide a full appreciation of how the Underbridge Housing Challenge stands apart from conventional residential developments.
