A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON HOUSING IN URBAN DESIGN: A REFLEXIVE SUMMARY

Housing alternatives module has been a new learning experience. Exploring habitable spaces in the perspective of urban design has been a very exciting journey. This allowed us to understand the importance of context and stakeholders of an urban housing development. The whole blogging journey has truly been enjoyable. All while understanding the concept of housing like never before.

VISIT TO SITE LOCATION

The module journey started with a very exciting visit to our site location. Gateshead is a very charming neighborhood. The riverbank adds a layer of serenity as well as excitement to explore possiblities in design. Also, the topography of the site was quite a challenge. Overall, Undestanding the industrial site, and reflecting upon its history was a great learning process.

Image 01: Photo taken by Nishita Valli Patti Nataraj at Gateshead, on 10.02.2024

PRECEDENT STUDY: FEILD VISIT

This was followed by a visit to the Staiths South Bank, Gateshead. It is a housing development along the riverside with around 635 houses. It gives a deeper insight on urban housing. This allows to understand the density and circulation in a housing development. Overall, It was a fun and new learning experience.

Image 02: Photo taken by Nishita Valli Patti Nataraj at Staithes Housing, on 26.02.2024

APPROACHING HOUSING IN AN URBAN PERSPECTIVE

Understanding a site’s location and its current users is a key aspect of designing for a future development. However, Identifying cuttent issues and providing a larger solution for the future becomes crucial. The design was approached in a perspective of the ecology of the space. A larger picture is drawn to look at housing as an ecosystem. To provide a self sustained and co exising environment in the development. Furthermore, Functions were identified and solutions were provided.

Image 03: Illustration by Nishita Valli Patti Nataraj.

It is very important to understand the inter relationship between the built form and its surroundings. While, the research in this process helped me to understand the same. This helped in deriving a design language that was both habitable and functional. Overall, A comprensive approach taken to simplify these ideas into functional spaces.

Various types of housing identified and read about. Co Housing, Assisted Living and Community housing to name a few. Rejuvination of the riverfront in continuation to the existing quayside becomes a challenge. Importance of Allotments and urban farming, helps to understand how traditional methods used, even in todays’s time and age.

Image 04: Illustration on riverfront development by Nishita Valli Patti Nataraj

In conclusion, Housing in urban environment, is a rather enjoyable process. Lots of new concepts in urban design approached and discovered. Importance of community and engagement has imacted the way we design. Overall, a new perspective on sustainability and designing for the future of a city.