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William Okpi
William Okpi
Project Description
Project Description
Xochimilco Affordale Social Housing
The Xochimilco Social Housing project serves two purposes. Due to the exploding population and poverty in Mexico City, many unplanned or poorly designed illegal settlements keep taking root in different parts of the city and the Xochimilco world heritage site is not spared from the encroachment. Rough estimate puts the population of people living in shanty houses in this area at about 94 thousand residents. As CDMX is already facing serious housing crisis, ejecting all these people from the heritage site will create more problem for the city. Xochimilco Affordale Social Housing
So, on one hand, the purpose of this housing proposal is to provide affordable and conducive living quarters for residents living in deplorable conditions on this historic land. This proposal will be situated on series of islands at the edge of the site and this brings me to the second purpose of this proposal. The housing project will act as a clear boundary for the heritage site, prevent further encroachment into the land and help clean up the contaminated canals.
The development will incorporate the famous Chinampas - floating gardens - which will not only serve as some form of employment and provide income for residents but will also help to preserve the history of the land.
Design approach: modular units that can be combined in many different ways to create homes from one bedroom units to multiple bedroom units or a whole complex of either individual detached single family homes or apartment complexes. This approach will also ensure minimal impact on the land and help maintain the preserved heritage of the site.
3 Bedroom Unit
3 Bedroom Unit
1 - 2 bedroom/ Communal Units
1 - 2 bedroom/ Communal Units
These units have a centralized kitchen and TV room. This may be suitable for single or younger folks who do not need extra rooms or spaces. This arrangement will conserve space and resources and encourage communal living.
2 - 3 Bedroom Unit
1 - 2 Bedroom Unit
Chinampas (floating gardens) as part of the design. The chinampa is a traditional method the indigenous people deployed in farming the wetland. Making this as part of the design will help preserve the culture and as well provide a means of livelihood
Chinampas (floating gardens) as part of the design. The chinampa is a traditional method the indigenous people deployed in farming the wetland. Making this as part of the design will help preserve the culture and as well provide a means of livelihood
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