The Red Voids

How can a residential building complex enforce a sense of identity, aesthetics and sustainability? Our proposal for the parcel in Gjakova, comes from the nickname the city has: The Red Gjakova.

Gjakova is one of the most affected cities after the '99 war hence there are not a lot of residential buildings. The constant need to build more has resulted in buildings with no public spaces or shared areas to built community. Our solution for this parcel, comes from using the maximum of the parcel by orienting the two main buildings East-West and creating a shared space in the middle of the 4 volumes. The shared space has 3 zones: kids, youth, the elders. A red line follows the whole complex and also creates the hierarchy of the spaces.

Voids are created in the facades which allow the passing of firetrucks and ambulances in case of an emergency inside the complex, since there are no future planned roads around the parcel for the moment. They also give the facade a sense of assymetry and dynamic.

Green roofs and terraces are added on the buildings. The 2 roofs of the smaller buildings will be used as community gardens, where people can plant and grow their own fruits and vegetables.