A story about a site, 3 strangers, a vision, and an architect. The idea ... a community living complex founded on the cooperative principles of mutual aid, autonomy, and freedom. Private and public merge to create an atmosphere of collaboration, sharing, and positivity. The unlikely pairing came together to build something new from something dilapidated, creating special place where community, individuality, and autonomy coexist.
While walking in the Cadix district, in Antwerp, Three visionaries saw potential and dreamed of a place where community and individuality could coexist.
Community
Connection
Creativity
We could design a place where we all have autonomy
... the ability to create,
... and connect with a diverse community
KHUN - the creative
lives in a 2bd apartment
Natasha - the Healer lives in an tiny house
i’m so far from people
PEPIJN - the free spirit lives in a van
I wish i had was a larger community close by i still need a base camp
First Design Meeting: Conceptual phase and brainstorming
I want a workshop to create jewellery
Can everything be public?
A community kitchen is very important
I would love a productive garden to grow food
How can we make it sustainable with minimum impact on the site and the environment?
What type of shared spaces are very important to have in the complex?
That is all definitely possible within the site!
Could we have courtyard for gatherings and play?
We can use the exiting warehouse structure as the base for the new building. Only half the site is build-able, so the other half could be a public garden.
Favouring deconstruction over demolition, the steel frames and bricks can be re-used
We will use compressed earth bricks made from the excavated soil on site
The steel frames will then be reassembled vertically to create masses
Within the steel frames scaffolding will further divide the masses
modular infill panels placed within the scaffolding make up walls and floors
i love how These spaces will encourage creativity and collaboration, with the public
so cool! i see how all the communal areas will bring everyone together, ehh
The garden looks like so much fun to play on and dig in. The walls look perfectly spaced for parkour!
The urban camping tower will be so cool to stay in
I love the trees inside greenhouses!! Lekker!
Everything is included
THe coworking space will be amazing for my business and meeting with clients I like that idea, keep some separation between areas the hostel will be located on the public side correct?
yes, its flexible That’s the beauty of of it — no limits, just possibilities
Here is the hostel, its on the ground floor, with most of the public functions
We could plant these using permaculture gardening techniques
the kitchen is so spacious, its designed so that 18 people can cook at once, plus some
The workshop space looks big enough for all types of art and crafts
the greenhouse doubles as an event space.
the cafe is connected to the hostel, it acts as a check-in point and breakfast bar for guests
The living area is directly above the kitchen and dining room. Its open and modular
This workshop will be a great space to keep working on my van! The direct access to the road is super helpful! The living room is so versatile too.
I think it is really important for the complex to be run by the community. The greenhouse will act as a collective meeting space. This adaptability is awesome. this flexible co-working space will be perfect for large and small collaborations
this level has smaller apartments, but each has access to an open common area too
The rooms on this floor are organized around bathroom cores. Smaller units have direct access and larger rooms share facilities.
These split level units would be great for families since you can easily add rooms with the vertical and adaptable space. Maybe you could fit a climbing wall?
the use of skylight to illuminate the interior spaces, it will help cut down on energy
these double height units are the most open and free, each is unfinished and completely customizable. They have a kitchenette on the first floor and private bath on the second.
I think that would be possible. Everything is modular so you can be creative!
the wet cores have two bathrooms each with a shower, toilet, and sink
Since these units have access to a kitchen and a private bath, they have a higher buy-in cost as well?
Exterior rooms have great views of the harbour and/or the garden beneath. all the windows have low-e coatings and are triple glazed
we were thinking that The base price of the units would be set based on the number of modules you have access to, not strictly your square meterage
I really appreciate the circular systems in place, like the compressed earth bricks, and the structural reinterpretation
june 10th, 2022 09:00
it’s finally done! i can’t believe how far we’ve come
Khun’s Apartment:
I’m so ready to move in and begin our journey
come on! let’s go look around, and see our new places!
I’m so excited, to make this place feel like home, it’s going to be great this is my room! holler if you need any help moving in Thanks Kuhn!
Me too, i can’t wait to settle in same for you see you later then!
Apartment:
Pepijn’s Apartment:
As founding residents, they got first pick
Pepijn chose a double height unit with a garden and sunrise view. He also wanted a unit that he would be able to build a climbing wall inside
Natasha chose this unit because of the views of nature, the water, greenhouse, and courtyard ... As well as for access to her own kitchenette
Khun chose the corner unit close to the public functions. IT has a lot of morning light and access to a private bath
june
Goedmorgen, Hoe gaat het?
Kuhn contributes by working at the cafe and checking in hostel guests. He enjoys meeting new people and being the face of the community
Pepijn is head of the gardening committee, which runs the public community garden adjacent to the complex, and all other community plants well Here i am! What’s up? That will be 3 Euros i was just looking for ya one cappuccino
Natasha gives back by being a helping hand in the kitchen, cleaning up, keeping the community pantry organized and, giving people advice
After their morning chores, the three each set off to do something different.
pepijn chills in his room and gets ready to go to work
khun prepares in the workshop
natasha heads to the coworking space
Pepijn is a climbing coach at a nearby gym Kuhn prepares for the benefit concert
khun winds down with friends in the bar ...
Natasha with a book, and a cup of tea ...
as they each head back home
And pepijn, hanging around with friends, savoring the moment
Anarch holds a place for all who walk inside its walls.
they reflect on the day, and realize that
It was so fun!
Thanks guys Yeah!
Amazing show Khun!
have a good night khun!
see you tomorrow, for another great day! so many people showed
Sleep Well!
goodnight! slaap lekker!
khun retreats back to his room ready to relive the night again
natasha gets cozy in her unit settling down for the night.
the day came to an end, and they headed home tired and happy
pepijn, looks out over the garden view and thinks, “what a day”
As Another day passes at Anarch the building rests, ready to support all its’ inhabitants in a special place where community, individuality, and autonomy coexist.
“The most important thing with freedom,is that 100% of freedom wouldn’t work as well you need to find a balance in working with other people and being able to compromise.”
“I would like a cat.”
Art by : Zoe Holiday
Copy by : Zoe Holiday
Editing by : Molly Holiday
“Nature had it right”
“I wanted to live free from constraints”
here are some quotes from the interviews that began this project
a very big Thanks to the real life people this story was based on Khununrtol, Natasha, and Pepijn.
Your input and perspectives gave life to the building
“freedom to be able to choose to go to your community”
“I think it’s very important to be in community”
“I run my life.”
“I wish I could like connect more to like even neighbours in the block”
Special acknowledgements to all my friends who helped me finish this project along the way.
You know who you are :)
“find the balance”
“Have everyone participate in the decision making process. “
“have my own garden, to grow my own food, and have the possibility to be separated from, the big businesses”