With a continuing interest in the exploration of socially important and relevant issues, encouraging the creation of spaces for dialog and the participation of architects resolving concerns through proposed projects; Arquine summons participants to its 15th International Architecture Contest to Re-inhabit the 21st century. Social Housing from the Modern Paradigm.
For this edition of the competition, Arquine joins forces with CANADEVI (National Chamber for the Development industry and promotion of Housing), with the aim of expanding its reach and assuring the participation of the main social contributors faced with the proposed subject matter, Housing in the 21st Century.
Due to the noticeable lack of housing and its ongoing importance, Arquine plans to set the stage for its discussion though an international invitation open to the proposition of typologies for 21st century housing, based on criteria of re-densification, sustainability, flexibility and cohesion to the city. These proposals must offer solutions to uncontrolled urban expansion, as seen under the analysis of modern housing models.
Re-inhabiting spaces in the 21st Century implies creating the necessary conditions of security, comfort and protection for social life to take place, through conditioning urban spaces and cities starting with the prime unit: housing. Housing is a subject of hierarchical importance for society, and according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI, for its Spanish acronym) Mexico will need 20 million new houses in the next years. On this instance we look to propose the same premises that gave birth to projects like the Presidente Aleman Urban Center (CUPA for its Spanish initials) 65 years ago.
This project came about as the first densification project in Mexico, and is regarded to this day as a proposal in which the square footage of construction is minimal, thus designating a large percentage of square feet to activities other than housing, that offer quality services for a better life in a dense city. In the same site occupied by the CUPA and based on the same program, appear the same questions.
On what does the housing problematic consist? What characteristics does Mexico City offer? Which is the most adequate urban criteria? How can we finance these projects? Which rules and laws should regulate this problem? In the 50’s Mario Pani stated that the housing problem is of an urban nature. It is necessary for all of the elements that allow to complete planning. Social, economic, politic and special issues must all be addressed in order to offer not only a space for living but also somewhere that is accessible, economically attainable and that acts within the social, special and political boundaries that constitute the city.
This is why we seek to develop new typologies for 21st Century housing, using as an starting point the revision of the modern housing models, in order to obtain proposals that reinstate the residential project as part of a larger urban approach, based on the modern reference given by housing units today and furthering the achievements obtained over half a century ago in regards to densification, city cohesion, mixed uses and typological diversity. Registration ends on February 15.
For complete information on schedule, jury, registration and objectives please click here .
