Centered on the theme “The State of the Art of Architecture,” the Chicago Architecture Biennial offers a look at the issues surrounding contemporary architecture around the globe. Featuring interventions from over 100 different architects from more than 30 different countries, the Biennial seeks to “demonstrate that architecture matters at any scale.”
Tatiana Bilbao’s project for the Chicago Biennial offers a solution to Mexico's affordable housing shortage. Her full-scale, Sustainable Housing prototype offers a flexible design that can respond to the different needs of each family. The house can be constructed for as little as $8,000 and up to $14,000 depending on a variety of factors including the location, the construction phase selected, and local regulations.
View images and learn more about her prototype after the break.
From the architects:
Social housing has become one of the most important issues in our present day architectural agenda. Only in Mexico, there are more than 30 millions houses all over the country, but with a total population of about 120 million, and with one of the fastest population growth rates in Latin America, the housing shortage constitutes a total of 9 million homes.
Within this panorama, we have developed a project which most important objective is to create a housing prototype with spatial and material qualities at an affordable price. To be able to achieve such a goal, we needed to know what the people who were actually going to live inside the house needed and wanted in terms of materials, form, function and appearance.
After several in-situ interviews and workshops, and in total contrast from what is being built all around the country in terms of social housing, we arrived to a project adopting the form of the archetypical house (two slanted roofs) which adapts to different geographical, social and cultural variations.
We expanded the minimal federal requirement of 43 sq. Meters (463 sq. ft) per house, by building a central core of rigid materials (concrete blocks) and different surrounding modules of lighter/ cheaper materials (wood pallets) which allow for future expansions in different phases, always preserving the outside appearance of a completed house and adapting to each family budget, needs and desires.
The first phase of the house includes two bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen and a 5 meter height dining/living room. When completed, the third phase contemplates space for the same rooms and 5 separate bedrooms, with the possibility of adapting each separate house according to each family specific needs.
Several Eco technologies were also included in order to achieve maximum energy efficiency, and different interior space arrangements were developed to cope with varying urban and rural habits and traditions, with the final objective of providing every Mexican family with an intelligent affordable solution for a dignified house.
Credits
Principal: Tatiana Bilbao
Partners: David Vaner, Catia Bilbao
Office Manager: Juan Pablo Benlliure
Communication Manager: Gabriela Álvarez
Team Leader: Alba Cortés
Design team: Valentina Marchetti, Enrique Silva, Sonia Castañón, Abelardo Bravo, Alejandro Campos, Karen Díaz de León
Models: Rodolfo Díaz
