COLLABORATIVE HOUSING
NEW TYPOLOGY OF RESIDENTIAL LIVING IN ALBANIA Student: Supervisor:
Ejola Doçi Elvan Dajko
The main goal of this project was to reestablish an old style of interaction between residents, in order to have a social life during which we, interact and help each other through the concept of “Cohousing”. The concept of residence was born simultaneously with the need of humanity to be sheltered and protected from familiar and foreign hazards. New constructions were mainly concentrated inside the urban areas due to the high number of population and migration from the village to the city. Census statistics show that the rural population has decreased by 13 % compared to 1989 statistics, while in urban areas it has increased by 15%. Because of these population movements, unemployment in urban areas has been on a steady rise. Unemployment directly affects housing, since the possibilities of owning a private residence are too low. Given the economic level of Albania, which is lower than the European standards, a new typology of buildings is needed that is unlike the usual residential typologies dominant in Albania. “Cohousing” is a new typology that should be implemented, new to us but well-known and highly successful in many other European countries. The definition of “Co-ho” and “cohousing” means “Collaborate Housing”. It encourages so| 208
cialization in a shared residence, the inhabitants of which are of various ages. The facilities are owned and managed by the people who live in it. In order to reduce the cost of construction an already-existing building was chosen, one from the former “Uzina e Autotraktorëve”, on the eastern outskirt of Tirana. The chosen building is surrounded by many informal residential buildings, which can be integrated in the project, by changing their function, namely creating green public spaces instead. The main facade of the facility is northeast oriented in order to have proper sunlight during winter and summer season. The “Co-Ho” building will have the shape of 3, 4, 5 and 7-story towers with separate different accesses. The 4-floor tower is oriented towards the main entrance and has shared facilities on the first floor. The same organization is also used for other towers; the first floors are service floors since these towers will be a continuation of the existing building. This research study and the project as its final product wants to show that the creation of a “Co-Ho” corporation in Albania will restore architectural values by giving life to old existing abandoned buildings. This kind of architecture will create a new residential typology in Albania and will encourage social interaction among residents.