Despo Panayidou - Brave New World: An alternative densification approach for Limassol

BRAVE NEW WORLD

an alternative densification approach for Limassol

Brave New World an alternative densification approach for Limassol

by Despo Panayidou mentor Marcel van der Lubbe committee members Jurrian Knijtijzer & Hein Coumou Architecture Master Thesis at the Academy of Architecture Amsterdam June 2021

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Introduction p 7

1.

Living in a not so Brave New World p 9 Analysis and research of current situation in Cyprus

2.

Dreaming of a Brave New World An alternative way to design the growing cities of Limassol

p 43

3.

Creating the Brave New World Urban rules and incentives for design

p 51

4.

Living in the Brave New World Architectural elaboration of a possible design scenario

p 89

Conclusion

p 107

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photograph: Molos Lemesou by Angelina Christodoulou

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Introduction This project started as a personal frustration of what is happening at this moment on my island. The ideals which I grew up with seem to clash with the image that the island has now.

I remember the village with the narrow streets, the large verandas shaded by the wine trees and the Easter gatherings by the old school. I remember the neighbours, that were also cousins, who would wave at each other when they met on the street. In the afternoon, when it was time for coffee, the neighbour standing at her veranda and calling my aunt over to discuss the latest news of the village or watch their daily tv-show.

What I see now, in the best scenario, are families gathered at the back yard of their large house in the city. Barbequing, or as we say in Cyprus having their souvla, in a private party, that the only clue from the street that something is going on, is from the so many cars parked on the street or pavement in front of the house.

In a less good scenario, the group is smaller and sits on a balcony, on the first or second floor. If they have space enough, they are also making souvla if

not they just ordered souvlakia from the shop around the corner.

In the worst scenario now, the group is not there anymore. Or if it is there you can’t hear them or see them as they are probably sitting on the 10th floor. Their cars are parked in the covered garage behind the concrete park that is the entrance to the tower they are living in.

But who are we kidding?

They are not in, not inside the apartment, not even on the island. A very rich nonEuropean has bought this apartment to obtain a European passport and possibly left it abandoned. Abandoned apartments in abandoned towers in a growing city on a struggling island.

All my memories seem to be fading.

They become smoke and ashes to the altar of capitalism and individualism that has been burning for decades. This project is my attempt to stop this fire and, in its place, to offer a new alternative of designing our cities. Cities that will not just make us richer financially, but also socially.

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artwork by Marios Siarlis

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1. Living in a not so Brave New World In Cyprus we do not live in a new, neither a brave world. On the contrary, we live in a stagnant and unstable world. A world in a never-ending adaptation journey.

At this moment the island is being transformed for the benefit of the few by neglecting the quality of the many with developments that focus on foreign investments. It is becoming the “chicken with the golden egg”.

Current circumstances reflect Cypriot mentality and culture. From one hand the economic and political situation brought these developments on the island, but on the other hand social notions and our mentality, not only allowed them to exist and perish, but to become dominant in the building sector.

To be able to move towards a Brave New World, one must understand the history, culture and hence the notions that brought the island to its current situation. This chapter looks at a timeline of important events in history that shaped both the politics, economics and shaped the mentality of Cypriot people.

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1880-1960: British Cyprus During the 1880’s the island is liberated from the Ottoman empire and becomes colony of the British empire. During the colonisation the British implemented the first legislations and in the 1940’s the island has its first municipal elections.

These legislations included the first urban planning and zoning laws. The colonisation ends in 1960 when the Cypriots fight against the British and gain their independence.

During that time Cypriots were poor and they mainly worked on the land. Most of them lived in the rural areas, the villages.

The villages were a collection of houses that shaped the streets and created any public space in between them. The cities were very slowly beginning to be urbanised. The inhabitants of the cities were mainly British soldiers, wealthy Cypriots and workers of the industry and the port.

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Rural housing: <1930s

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tipologia orinis katoikias typology of mountainous house

tipologia imi-orinis katoikias typology of semi-mountainous house

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tipologia pedinis katoikias typology of lowland house

Legend 1. Avli (yard) 2. Iliakos (loggia) 3. Sospito/ ergastiri (storage/ workshop) 4. Dihoro (double room) 5. Other spaces for animals or food storage

The traditional rural typology. The main housing typology before the 1930s. In its simplicity was holding the simple Cypriot life of land workers. One, or two rooms, for the living spaces – kitchen and sleeping. Outdoors loggia for gatherings outside in the shade. A storage room and the most prominent element, the yard.

Depending on the longitude of the mountain, the typology varies. In lowland areas the house spreads on the ground floor, but the higher it is on the mountains the more steep the house it becomes. Separating the functions onto two levels.

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Rule set 1: Economic growth & Real estate X

1. Participatory procedures

X

2. City expansion & sprawl

!

X

3. Taxation & betterment levy

X

4. Commercial street ribbon development

! !

X

X

Rule set 2: Neighbourhood & urban blocks

3m 3m

3m 3m 1. Neighbourhood layout 3m 3m

3m 3m

2. Building typologies 3m

3m

3m 3m

3m

3m

ca. 125 m2

ca. 125 m2

3. Densities &ca. sizes 125 m2

ca. 125 m2

ca. 125 m2

4. Urban green spaces

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Urban rules 1959 (colonial government)

It was under British rule that the first set of urban rules were introduced.

Inspired by the post-war urban and architecture paradigms, the British colonial government made an attempt to organise the growth of the island. The urban model that inspired these rules was the garden city. However, due to the increase popularity of the car and that they gave Cyprus its independence while in the process of establishing these rules, the focus was mostly on the streets for cars.

The main architectural elements from these rules, are the parcellation of plots of approx. 520m2. The house would stand three meters from the edge of the plot, and it would be surrounded by private green. These specific rules have not really changed throughout the years. Current models they follow these

principles and continue this pattern that was set 60 years ago.

The other part of the rules concerned participation and betterment levy, both working for the benefit of the parcellation and plot owner. This is because discussions about participations very rarely reached the concerned neighbours, and no tax was imposed on an empty plot. Allowing owners time and space to develop as they pleased.

Within these rules the Cypriot design its cities, by creating this phenomenon of over-parcellation that spreads throughout the island. It is I believe time to start questioning these rules and redefine them to apply better to current and future urban and architectural models.

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aerial view from typical neighbourhood in Limassol phenomenon of overparcellation

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1960-1990: Cyprus independance It was not until the late 50s and early 60s that more people would move to the city to be part of the growing industrial sector. This created new housing typologies, urbanised versions of the traditional Cypriot home. These neo-classical mansions were a hybrid typology, a fusion between the traditional village house. Due to the climate and the British expertise these houses slowly transformed into entities that would start to appear all around the island. This is the early form of the typical houses we see now around the island. And the reason we see them so much is because the colonial vision of spatial development was unable to escape the neoliberalism principles that aim at the dominance of a free market over common values.

Therefore, the planning report of 1959 and the contemporary planning and urban development in Cyprus is highly concentrated on the economic benefits this “overparcellation” will bring to the island. One of the first ideas expressed in the revised report of 1972 is the need for Cyprus to become an attractive place for foreign investors. The report also indicated that the roots of urban sprawl, uncontrolled city expansion, and land waste were related to land speculation and the absence of any kind of control by the state. And distribution of private land affected almost every social group it was clear that it benefited a large proportion of the population.

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houses in the old center of Nicosia

house in the old center of Limassol

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First urban typolgies: 1950s &1960s

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anixto hall me amesi prosvasi ston iliako & tin avli open entrance hall with direct access to the loggia & yard

klisto hall me prosvasi ston ilikao & tin avli closed entrance hall with access to the loggia & yard

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klisto hall sindetikos horos metaxi ton allon horon tis ikias closed entrance hall connecting all other space of the house

Legend 1. Avli (yard) 2. Iliakos (loggia) 3. Sospito/ ergastiri (storage/ workshop) 4. Dihoro (double room) 5. Other spaces for animals or food storage

These typologies are a direct translation of the rural ones. The rooms are used in similar manner. The main difference is that they are now aligned at the street side forming very closed, introvert lives.

During this period the island is becoming wealthier, and this can be seen through this typology, especially within the entrance hall.

In the first adaptation is an open room that leads directly to the yard, more like the rural typologies. In the second adaptation it becomes a room. A well decorated and protected interior space that opens to the yard. In the third adaptation it becomes a central hall where all rooms are around it. It becomes the connecting link and the most important room of the house.

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1990-2011: Cyprus development Thus things were going great and with this power that “overparcellation” has that we see the developers bubble phenomenon. We begin to see that these typical houses are being demolished and in their place generic apartment blocks are being build or even that these apartment blocks are being build instead of the typical stand alone houses.

So when the economy is doing well we see a shift, or possibly, an evolution of the housing typology. An evolution that is however financially-driven rather than socially. And when eventually the bubble bursts these evolution remains. And enhances even more this separation between us and the street life. First because the ground floor is now occupied by cars and secondly because we stack the houses and the physical barrier is now the height. And thirdly your outdoor space is now a small balcony which has no other connection rather that your living room.

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residence in Limassol, pre 1970s

residence in Limassol, 1980s

appartment block in Limassol, 2000s BraveNewWorld 30

modern urban housing typologies: <1970s

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astiki katikia pantahothen eleftheri free standing urban residence

Legend 1. entrance hall 2. saloni (living room) 3. ipnodomatio (bedroom) 4. avli (yard) 5. loutro (washing room) 6. mairko (cooking room)

sighroni astiki katikia pantahothen eleftheri free standing modern urban residence

Legend 1. entrance hall 2. saloni (living room) 3. ipnodomatio (bedroom) 4. avli (yard) 5. mpanio (bathroom) 6. kouzina (kitchen)

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polykatikia apartment block

Legend 1. entrance hall 2. apothikes, techniki hori (storage and technical spaces) P. parking

The difference within these adaptations of the last 40 years has been greater than before. This has once again to do with the increase of wealth, but also to other international models that are becoming more accessible.

The first adaptation is a direct translation of the previous typologies, with the only difference that it is no longer in continuous build, but as a detached stand-alone typology. The second adaptation follows principles from modern architecture with open-plan living room and kitchen. The bedrooms are mostly lying in the back and are separated by a corridor. The central hall

now becomes the guest living room, a very well decorated room that is very rarely used. The third adaptation is the apartment block. The ground floor has no longer domestic functions, but is rather dedicated to the car parking, technical spaces and storage.

With the apartment blocks the relationship with the street has begun to change. People start to live within their own clusters, as the quality of the ground floor is sacrificed for the comfort of the car.

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zoom-in aerial view of Limassol, detatched houses being replaced by appartment blocks

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appartment blocks in Limassol

sections - transformation of neighbourhood and relationship with the street

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2011-2021: Cyprus of today Since the financial crisis of 2011 the island has been struggling to recover.

The government is looking towards attracting foreign investors, and once again the focus is on real estate. They have achieved this with the exchange of real estate for a European passport.

This has created a new driving force and a new typology to enter the Cypriot architecture, the towers. This new phenomenon is visible on the coastline of Limassol as more and more of this luxury real estate are popping up in this past decade.

This new development model appears to be unsustainable for the city.

Environmentally, as not sufficient studies have been made on the consequences of such massive constructions on the coastline, but also socially. As they occupy one of the most prominent and full of potential area of the city.

Their residents are on the majority nonpermanent residents, leaving such prominent elements of the city’s life empty and lifeless.

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top: the OVAL - tower in the coastline of Limassol bottom: Limassol skyline with appartment blocks and towers right: view of Limassol coastline with new towers rising

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Conclusion of timeline This is a conclusion diagram of the periods mentioned in the timeline, at the beginning of this chapter. It is an overview of the growth and development of Cyprus within many aspects. The Cypriot goes, and is still going today, through a search of identity. This is clearly reflected within this timeline, as with every important event he is trying to reinvent himself and the context around him. From the financial sector all the way to its residence.

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2. Dreaming of a Brave New World Meanwhile, not so long ago, when I was growing up in Cyprus, I would spend a lot of time in my village in the semimountainous area of Limassol. There the residential life is intertwined with the street life. This is a result of the urban ensemble. Streets were a result of the houses, and the yards are oriented towards them. Thus, life is very extrovert.

We would follow a similar ritual at my aunt’s house in Limassol. The whole family would once more gather in the yard for the Sunday souvla (barbeque).

This time however it is a more private event as the yard is not oriented on the street side. In the yard we would do the same activities and celebrate our strong family bonds.

In those yards we would set up long tables, that the family would gather and on the street we would set up the foukou (barbeque). We would play football in the street or take long strolls around the neighbourhood and greet our friends who were following the same rituals with their families. Many times, at the end of the day different families would group together at one house to play until exhaustion, both adults and kids.

Our friends and neighbours are no longer part of this narrative. By closing off our collective spaces from the street, we are becoming more introvert. This is highlighted even more in the typology of polykatoikies (apartment blocks). They are focused on making profit instead of creating space for everyday life. Their ground floors are reserved for parking spaces and the identity and strong community-life rooted in the street life are slowly disappearing.

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current & future needs of Cypriot cities: DIVERSITY

+ quality of Cypriot lving: IDENTITY

DIVERSITY + IDENTITY= PROXIMITY

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2. Dreaming of a Brave New World Dreaming in this design project was the translation of the research by design methodology.

This methodology allowed me to push the boundaries of existing values (ie. Density and parking) with incorporating social ideals of daily life that can be found in both the timeline of housing typologies of Cyprus, as well as architecture literature.

The combination of the pragmatic aspects (ie. Numbers and values) came as a means to investigate the social aspects, and more specifically the collective domain. In this phase I investigated different typologies and looked for the full potential of one plot.

The aim was to make it both financially and socially comparable to existing models.

The conclusion was that collectivity became a solution: the less space we need for our houses, the more space we can share with our neighbours. This became profitable as people can gather resources and together build what alone could not afford. Possibilities like shared parking, cars and outdoor spaces begun to appear, giving the opportunity to a high density project to have values of low density villages.

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A liveable street creates IDENTITY

A liveable building creates PROXIMITY

A liveable neighbourhood brings DIVERSITY

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existing situation in a typical block •

no. of plots:

18

•

no. of dwellings:

18

•

no. of cars:

36

•

size of dwellings: 125 m2 / 250 m2

•

density (FSI):

0.2 / 0.5

expected situation in a typical block •

no. of plots:

18

•

no. of dwellings:

144 (x8)

•

no. of cars:

144 (x1)

•

size of dwellings: 70 m2 / 120 m2

•

density (FSI):

0.8

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Livable neighbourhood

Livable street

1. more pedestrian connections - walkable neighbourhood 2. human deisgn-oriented 3. diversity of spaces and new ownership models that promote different soial interaction

1. connector paths and spaces 2. livability of the ground floor for human activities 3. less prominant presence of the car

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Livable building

1. sense of identity within smaller clusters 2. accessibility of the dwellings to provide social interaction 3. fluent transition from public to private domain

proposed situation in a typical block The new proposal has the ambition to challenge the existing values. Increase density, lower the number of cars, and add extra programme. The values I am proposing have been extracted from a research-by-design method. An investigation within an existing situation with aim to stretch these values to the maximum and maintain a good quality of living.

•

no. of plots:

18

•

no. of dwellings:

216 (x12)

•

no. of cars:

86 (x0.4)

•

size of dwellings: 55 m2 - 120 m2

•

density (FSI):

•

collective & commercial programme

2.0

This quality is also an ambition of the proposal. It lies within the goals of livable neighbourhoods, streets, and dwellings.

Both values, pragmatic and intuitive, are of equal importance in the ambitions of this new plan.

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3. Creating the Brave New World This is the journey on how a new world can be created based on the dreams and goals set during my research. A new set of urban rules are needed to promote a new way of building and developing each plot. These rules have also the responsibility to control density and the quality of living of every neighbour, even those who decide not to join.

It is also my aim that this method of development does not stop after one plot. Therefore, I have designed, along with the rules, a set of incentives that will make neighbours to engage in a game of development. The more people they convince to join, the more benefits they get. If they manage to achieve certain configurations, then the benefits are even greater. The game can keep on going, and the scenarios for the future can be numerous.

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development model - 1 simple, directly from parents to children

development model - 2 (current) complex, with a developer as an in between person with focus on profit

development model - 3 (proposal) simple, with a group of individuals coming together to build their homes in the city by keep on growing and sharing the knowledge

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Generation expectations & development models The most important value in the Cypriot culture is family. Parents work very hard to be able to provide for their children when they will be ready to start their own families. It has been embodied so deeply into the culture, failure in life is synonym to the failure to provide dowry for your children.

This family model has also inspired, and in many times, has been a driving force for development in the building sector.

For example, during my grandparent’s generation, they would provide a piece of land (mainly in the cities) and money to their children to build their house when they get married. Subsequently, my parents would have a solid base to start their family, the modern housing typology that I grew up in.

Now, however, times have changed.

Parents work very hard to provide for their children’s’ education. Thus, we end

up in a moment where my generation is highly educated but have no provisions to start our own family. This though, in the Cypriot culture does not reflect on us but on our parents. Their need to provide a home for their children is not satisfied.

Hence, they have created the most recent form of real estate development.

They sell their plot with their house in the city to a developer in order to obtain the money for their children’s dowry.

The developer then builds an apartment block on the plot and makes quite some profit.

And where does this leave us? With not enough money to buy or build a house that we end up renting one of those apartments in the block that is standing on our parents’ plot…

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urban rule 1 divide plot into 4 unequal segments min. 100 m2 (incl. in-between zone) max. 200 m2 (incl. in-between zone)

urban rule 2 Declare 2 zones; zone 1 (green): housing programme zone 2 (pink): collective programme

urban rule 3 Housing programme with possibility of bulding 4, 3 or 2 volumes on the ground floor; min. size of dwellings 55 m2 max. size of dwellings 120 m2

urban rule 4 In-between zone for collective prograame min. size of in-between zone 1.25m blind facade on the side facing the in-between zone, for closed programme

urban rule 5 Shared cars and shared parking Parking norm. = 0.4

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Urban rules and incentives To build this new development a new set of urban rules need to be established.

These rules have as a goal to maintain quality of living in a shared environment and control density. The first rule is to divide the plot into 4 unequal segments, with minimum size of 100m2 and maximum size of 200 m2.

The four families, or individuals, who purchase the plot will take decisions together on the development of the plot. They will establish the size of the in-between zone according to their needs. The owners can also be less, two or three, leaving one or two segments open for collective programme.

Living will become smaller, but the shared spaces will be big enough to hold activities that families would do together. For example, building a collective kitchen that everyone can have dinner together.

Another shared programme, that is also new to the Cypriot culture, is the parking.

Living in this development requires that tenants share their cars. In an attempt to reduce traffic in the Cypriot cities my project aims to reduce distances.

This is possible due to the allocation of collective programme on the plots. The collective programme can also be used for commercial purposes.

One of the major traffic pressures in Cyprus is the afternoon classes that a high percentage of the children attend after school. By renting these spaces for this educational purpose the project helps in releasing traffic pressure.

These rules are merely the beginning of building up the Brave New World. In order to make sure that this is a everlasting process I have introduced urban incentives that who will drive people to keep on developing.

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configuration 1

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Configuration 1: The first plot added is build with 4 volumes on the ground floor The second plot added is build with 2 or 3 volumes on the ground floor The outcomes are:

1. The first plot achieves maximum number of dwellings (12) and maximum density of 2.0 FSI

2. The second plot achieves current number of dwellings (8 and minimum density of 0.8 FSI.

3. The two plots are connected with a second ground level

The third plot dded is build with 4 volumes on the ground floor The new outcomes are:

1. The second plot achieves maximum number of dwellings (12) and maximum density of 2.0 FSI. 2. The third plot achieves current number of dwellings (8) and minimum density of 0.8 FSI

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configuration 2

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Configuraion 2: The first plot added is build with 2 or 3 volumes on the ground floor The second plot added is build with 4 volumes on the ground floor The outcomes are:

1. The first plot achieves maximum number of dwellings (12) and maximum density of 2.0 FSI

2. The second plot achieves current number of dwellings (8 and minimum density of 0.8 FSI.

3. The two plots are connected with a second ground level

The third plot dded is build with 2 or 3 volumes on the ground floor The new outcomes are:

1. The second plot achieves maximum number of dwellings (12) and maximum density of 2.0 FSI. 2. The third plot achieves current number of dwellings (8) and minimum density of 0.8 FSI

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configuration 3

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Configuration 3: The first plot added is build with 4 volumes on the ground floor The second plot added is build with 4 volumes on the ground floor The outcomes are:

1. The first plot achieves current number of dwellings (8) and minimum density of 0.8 FSI

2. The second plot achieves current number of dwellings (8 and minimum density of 0.8 FSI.

The third plot dded is build with 4 volumes on the ground floor The new outcomes are:

1. The third plot achieves current number of dwellings (8) and minimum density of 0.8 FSI

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configuration 4

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Configuration 4: The first plot added is build with 2 or 3 volumes on the ground floor The second plot added is build with 2 or 3 volumes on the ground floor The outcomes are:

1. The first plot achieves maximum number of dwellings (12) and maximum density of 2.o FSI

2. The second plot achieves current number of dwellings (8 and minimum density of 0.8 FSI.

3. The plots are connected with a second ground level

The third plot dded is build with 2 or 3 volumes on the ground floor The new outcomes are:

1. The second plot achieves maximum number of dwellings (12) and maximum density of 2.0 FSI

2. The third plot achieves a minimum number of dwellings (8) and minimum density of 0.8 FSI.

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step 1

step 2

step 3

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Urban rules incentives: possibilities step 1 Build 4 volumes on the ground floor, details: plot approx.

520 m2 max, no. of dwellings 8 density (FSI) 0.8

step 3 When the more plots of 4 volumes are connected, then still only the minimum values can be achieved plots approx.

1560 m2 max. no. of dwellings 24 density (FSI) 0.8

step 2 When the 2 plots of 4 volumes are connected, then only the minimum values can be achieved plots approx.

1040 m2 max. no. of dwellings 16 density (FSI) 0.8

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step 1

step 2

step 3

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Urban rules incentives: possibilities step 1 Build 4 volumes on the ground floor, details: plot approx.

520 m2 max, no. of dwellings 8 density (FSI) 0.8

step 2 When the second plot added has 2 or 3 volumes then things change, and possibilities increase.

step 3 When a third plot is added the first 2 plots achieve their maximum values of density FSI 2.0 and no. of dwellings 12 (per plot).

The third volume that is added has 4 volumes, so it only achieves the minimum values as a first step, density SFI 0.8 and no. of dwellings 8

The first plot achieves maximum density of FSI 2.0 and no. of dwellings 12. This is achieved by having a second ground level connected by bridges.

The first plot, even though has less volume on the ground floor, still has the possibility to achieve the minimum density FSI 0.8 and no of dwellings max. of 8

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Urban rules incentives: position of open spaces Stratigic positioning of the plots with less volume can have different outcomes.

When they are place in a row, only small programme on the street level can be created.

The most fun is when you start thinking about the combination of the plots with outdoorspace on the ground floor Below are some example spaces with a private character, but placed on the street side.

A first attempt to bring people back on the street side.

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Urban rules incentives:position of open spaces When they are place in a cluster, the position can be chosen, to be more private for example, and even get combined with the in-between zone Creating clusters means increasing proximity, and that is why neighbours are now allowed to create their collective outdoors space that can enjoy within their own cluster.

Below are some example spaces with a collective character..

A first attempt to make people work together to build their community.

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Urban rules incentives:position of open spaces When you manage to have 2 of them next to eachother, they can ba combined and create an even larger outdoor space.

This is a great example of how much more people can gain when they work together.

Below are some example spaces with a collective character, that neighbours can keep within their own cluster, or decide to expand with more distnat beighbours.

Making a big step on collective living.

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Scenario A The development penetrates the existing fabcric only in one block.

The density increases on the given location and there is more programme than only houhsing.

Scenario B The development starts to spread all over the neighbourhood. Not only the immediate neighbours are intrigues, but also neighbours from surrounding plots decide to join

Scenario C The entire block gets transformed. The denisty increases to the maximum. There are 216 dwellings, 86 cars and lots of open space for collective activities.

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Neighbourhood is not a place, is a state of mind.

Neighbourhood is a state of being in a relationship.

David Sim, Soft City Building Density for Everyday LIfe, Island Press, 2019, p.11

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Neighbourhood identity

Plot diversity

Thinking about the large scale and create a sense of belonging on the neighbourhood level

On the level of the plot the choise of materiality can diversify the design of the ensemble

Large scale and long-term thinking is necessary in this level.

Collective collaboration is needed at this level.

Neighbourhoods at this moment do not have a unique characterstic that allows its inhabitants to tell them appart from other neighbourhoods.

Everthing sort of blends together, creating an urban fabric that is continuous and repetitive.

Owners of one plot must decide about the materilaity of their plot.

Even though they have their own piece from the plot, they all have the responsibility to build and maintain the permeable, walkable path that makes the neighbourhood walkable.

This scheme suggests that each neighbourhood has its own identity, a differentiation that can enhance the sense of belonging.

They also have to decide on the material of their cladding, and with the different use of the material, they diversity can shine.

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Designing for identity, diversity & proximity Block proximity

Dwelling proximity

The goal is to bring people closer together by designing one structure, one building that can unify the diversity

Thinking about the large scale and create a sense of belonging on the neighbourhood level

In this level the individuals can shine. With the detail intervensions of the entrance zones and the shading devices they ca show their idenity and their approach to this new collective living.

On the level of the dwelling the plot owners can design their own tyopology. The combination of these different tyopologies in a dense urban environment is what will create the proximity and the sense of neighbourhood.

A uniform structure that binds evrything together, included the diverse character and evrydaylife of all inhabitants.

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4 20 196

2.360 2.128

116

prefabricate facade element 1:20

196

20

40

116

A

B

prefabricate facade element 1:20 2.500 2.360 290 2.500

196

290

140 116

B 116 80

230

116 80

230

A

140

1

140 116

196

230

290

196

196

290

116 140 116 372 116 80

290 196

116 80

1

196

140

230

2.360 290

CLT structure 1:2

prefabricated facade element 1:20 116 glulam 140 116 with construction 372

Designing for diversity:individual infill

CLT structure 1:2

Façade elements must be done off site and be placed on the structure smoothly.

As this project suggests a continuous growth of the development, these are essential characteristics.

That is way prefabricated elements are used in this project. They are light wight timber frame structure with insulation package. These elements have wooden grips that get directly attached to the existing structure and become watertight.

The cladding material is open to the choice of the tenants. Same applies for the materiality and size of the window openings. What it is important, is that the façade is offset and fall within the exposed structure.

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FLOOR MATERIALS - PAVEMENT POROUS SURFACES

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Designing for diversity: permeable paving for walkable neighbourhood Making the neighbourhood walkable and human design oriented was an important goal from the beginning of the project. One of the most essential ways to achieve this is by creating paths that allow navigation throughout the block.

The project is designed in such a way that there is a continuous path.

It is very important that a group of plot owners have the choice of the materiality, but it must be permeable pavers. This makes the path less formal and possibly more welcoming to outside neighbours.

Also, in such high-density areas and with the high temperatures this kind of pavements allow the coolness of the microclimate of the block.

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Designing for proximity: one structure To create the sense of proximity I have designed one structure that spreads all over the plots. For my design I chose to design an exposed glulam timbe construction with thickness of 140 mm.

This thickness allows the construction to go as high as 6-storeys.

The structure has both structural and aesthetic properties. It is placed on site with an insulation on the inside and wooden elements on the side that are ready to get attached to the prefabricated façade element and make it watertight.

The structure belongs to the high level of collective thinking of the project, as all neighbours have the responsibility to maintain it. It is possible that in future projects or other plots, that the owners will choose a different material for their construction. The choice of wood comes from its sustainable nature, clear construction site and the fact that it is a method not so well known on the island with the opportunity for this project to bring new knowledge of building techniques on the island.

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Designing for proximity: entrance zones The transition between the private domain and the collective domain are very important for my project. In the current typology the entrance hall acts as the connector between the 2 domains. However, it is most of the times a well-dressed room that is empty of life.

It is only used for formal guests and the rest of the time is empty.

With the new typology I wanted to transform this space and make it more functional, find a way in which it can be embodied in the everyday life.

Thus, it became a functional façade, a display of the dwelling from the collective spaces.

The second variant offers an interior window sit with a window that only opens on the top for ventilation. In this instance this entrance zone penetrates the collective domain The third variant offers an exterior window sit with a window that only opens on the top for ventilation. In this instance the collective domain penetrates the dwelling.

They are materialised with wood, a high maintenance material. In this way the tenants still have the space to shine on how well they maintain the entrance to their houses.

The first variant is flat and opens entirely towards the outside.

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Designing for proximity: different dwelling typologies These are three examples of housing typologies that exist in my plan.

Typology 1: Apartment ca. 65 m2 2 bedrooms, bathroom, open plan kitchen & living room Entrance zone allows the living room to open directly into the living room and the apartment to become part of the collective domain

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Designing for proximity: different dwelling typologies Typology 2: House ca. 115 m2 3 bedrooms, bathroom, open living space for the children to play Entrance zone allows for parents to sit outside and look at the children when playing outside

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GSEducationalVersion

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Designing for proximity: different dwelling typologies Typology 3: Working loft .70 m2 ground floor with office space and living room, upper floor for sleeping Entrance zone allows the living room to open directly into the collective domain Entering the house straight into the living room is very common in Cypriot residential architypes. This is an element of my design. Also, the dwellings are stripped from kitchen or storage spaces as they will be in the collective zones.

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4. Living in the Brave New World

Brave New World is a high-density lowrise bottom-up urban development in the heart of Limassol. One structure with custom infill to satisfy the residential needs of every inhabitant who dares to be brave and inhabits its city in a different style.

Houses build on the edge of the street, just like the first urban residential typology. The relationship with the street is transformed. Along with some of the entrances that are placed on the street side and this new element of walkability, the streets become part of the everyday life. The collective activities easily expand towards the street and allow engagement not only with one block, but with the rest of the neighbourhood.

My final design is a composition of 7 neighbours who came together to design their own version of urban living.

There are 63 dwellings of different sizes and typologies that fall under an exposed glulam timber structure. The prefabricated façade elements are also adapted to the different typologies. A sense of uniformity is also found in the think metal structures of shading in the collective spaces and the permeable pavements, that even though they are different for every plot they make the block walkable.

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ground floor - view of collective/public outdoor space

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ground floor - view of collective/public outdoor space

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1st floor plan - clusters of swellings and some collective spaces

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2nd floor plan - second ground level with indoor and outdoor collective spaces

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collective outdoor spaces of the uppder levels

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collective outdoor spaces of the uppder levels

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floor plan fragment - souvla and park

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floor plan fragment - back yards coming togehter and small office on the street side

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floor plan fragment - swimming pool

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The neighbours are gathered once more around the swimming pool, to cool down from the long hot day. The youngsters find a place to show off their swimming and jumping moves. The families take a moment to relax in inside the small coffee place they have created, while they can still watch their children playing in the water. The swimming pool becomes a hub not only for the 3 plots that surround it and the one plot owner who build it, but for the whole community. The benefits of collectively and shared living is manifested in this image.

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floor plan fragment - swimming pool

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Two entrances meet in front of a narrow street that leads to the upper floor. The neighbours stand in the shade of their entrances and play with their children on a Saturday morning. While a neighbour is passing by she waves and asks if she can also come bay and bring her children to play. On the other entrance the young couple are carefully listening to their neighbours’ conversation, and possibly planning to go away for the day.

Meanwhile, life goes on on the second floor, where the youngsters are slowly gathering in the hobby room.

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Conclusion

With this project, I presented you, my dream. A place that has space for the Cypriot everyday life within the existing social and urban structures. It conveys solutions on how the Cypriot culture can perish within our growing and densifying cities. It gives emphasis on our sharing nature, and that if we invest in those values, we will come richer on the other side. Richer not only financially, but socially too.

Others may translate it as a modern dystopia, a place in which people’s true nature is but sharing. Where ownership and personal space will begin to increase in importance. The relationship with their neighbourhoods and their neighbours would be one of a constant claim of private space.

Nonetheless the conversation has begun.

Some may share my dream and see themselves as brave enough to enter this new world, to experience what it has to offer. They are willing to create a new relationship with their neighbourhoods and their neighbours. Share knowledge and property. A place where they can possibly create their utopia.

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Special thanks to: My mentor Marcel van der Lubbe for always supporting me and never stopped believing in me and my project.

My committee members Jurrian Knijtijzer and Hein Coumou for their guidance and critical questions.

Alexis Papadopoulos for all the knowledge and excitiment he shared for this project.

Davey for the great models he helped me make and for all the discussions, feebacks and moral support.

Philippe, Kuba, Bastien, Anna, Justyna for the so many discussions and feedback sessions.

My cousins, Despina and Nina that no matter what they are always by my side.

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