VERTICAL VILLAGE
The concept of this project is creating quality living environment to Chungking mansions’ residents through the reformation of basic elements in a village. Quality living environment does not mean luxurious house with expensive furniture. It is a setting that can ensure people to have good mental and physical health. In order to make use of the space in the site, the vernacular architectures in Hong Kong, such as Dai Pai Dong, can provide appropriate references for this project. New spatial qualities would be generated by giving new meanings to typical spaces that found in Hong Kong. The elements of this self-operation village include exchange space, residential area, circulation, religion zone and plaza. Accommodations and businesses are not the only things that can be found in Chungking mansions, but also fresh air and social area which are rarely seen in the surrounding areas.
Before developing a vertical village, I have to understand the traditional village in the past in order to understand the characteristics of different programs.
It is an exercise that try to reorganize the programs of a village in vertical way. The aim of this organization is to maximize the areas for people to social with their neighborhood and create more green areas.
Agora, temple, market, restaurants, courtyards and residential units are also in Chungking Mansions.
These four floor plans show the interrelationship between residential units and courtyards in each floor. They keep repeating to the highest floor.
Some units are directly connected with the courtyard.