Participatory Architecture

The Bauhausle, built by the architecture students of Peter Sulzer and Peter Hubner at the Technical University of Stuttgart, represents a form of participatory architecture in that the project was developed, designed, and built by the classes of 1981-83 to address the existing lack of housing on campus.  The project, which was part of the coursework encouraged individuality and community by breaking the housing down into several neighboring yet interconnected parts.  Each building was managed by a different class section and held 3-4 bedrooms each of 15-28 square meters, while a large connective communal area was built collectively.  The Bauhaussle provided living space for 30 students, and continues to be maintained by it’s residents.

Arcosanti, is an early experimental eco city located in central Arizona.  It was founded in the early 1970s by architect and philosopher Paolo Soleri, and based upon his concept of Arcology, a cross between architecture and ecology.  Soleri believed that as users, we are active participants in our surroundings, and that our surroundings should incorporate our natural need for a connection to our ecosystem.  Arcology saw that the current rate of sprawl was unsustainable and that the overdependence on the car had generated a culture of hyper consumption where 60% of the built environment was roadscape.  He proposed large scale projects like Arcosanti, that were meant to be walkable, eliminating the vehicle, and sprawl, and incorporating, views, natural light, and ventilation.   The project incorporates a participatory nature, as residents must work on the construction toward the realization of the final goal, building out the project in phases, in a planned growth.  At this point only a small percentage of the final plan has been completed.

Station Alma in Brussells Belgium by Lucien Kroll uses an open design that incorporates natural daylighting and ventilation, while remaining underground, providing the opportunity to occupy the space above.  The underside of the ceiling is made up of tessellated panels in arranged in a Delunay grid, forming vaults, adding a variation to the ceiling heights and the perceived depth of the station.  The interconnected tiles also serve to create a mosaic art piece as well.  During the day the station is flooded with natural light eliminating the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours.  The open design also reduces the need for mechanical HVAC systems.