Parasitic Architecture 2020

Img 1: Dense Urban Fabric of Mumbai, New York and Barcelona all differently defined from each other.

Premise

Today, 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 68% by 2050. Projections show that urbanization combined with the overall growth of the world’s population could add another 2.5 billion people to urban areas by 2050.

Living in these densely urbanized pockets is not just ridiculously expensive, but also substandard for average and low economic groups. Moreover, the cost of living increases so rapidly that being at the same pace with it becomes almost impossible for most households, resulting in an abysmal quality of life.

Although implementing population control policies and developing satellite cities as an urban alternative are good long term solutions, they are time consuming and market dependent. Possible solution thus is to smartly increase the availability of liveable spaces in the cities that are already thriving with people.

 

Introduction

As we seek to increase the availability of spaces in cities or structures already thriving with people we resolve the crisis of lack of space in dense urban fabric. New structures and functions now feel obligated to be nurtured by the existing ones acting as selfless hosts. New architecture now feels obligated to be the parasite! Parasitic architecture is defined as a building that is attached to an existing larger structure.

 

Img 2: Parasite can respond to context, acting as an extension (left) or act as a landmark by standing out (right). Source

Context

As parasitic architecture serves as a solution to an urban problem, the proposal has to be based in a densely populated urban context. More densely packed the city is, more effective the role of the parasite would be. Additionally, the parasite should be serving a typological purpose that is public in nature and resonates with the function of its host and its immediate context. Thus the parasite will embed itself firmly into the urban fabric with a basic economic relevance.

The host should also be functionally relevant and ideally have a function of public nature, so that the parasite can take a much leading role in providing public respite. Moreover, it would be great if the host already has some socio-cultural relevance in the context, as it will help the parasite to be more iconic in its outreach.

Practically, the context plays the most crucial role in the existence and success of the parasitic architecture project, as this entire exercise highlights an effort to solve the problems of the context, with the context.

 

Img 3: Future of cities, with the new form architecture serving as an agent of social change.

Inquiry

As a Parasite, what if this new architecture :
●       relied on a host architecture for its structure, services, and access?
●       grew on and around an existing architectural, infrastructural element?
●       served as an agent of social change, that promoted architecture to be 

 

Brief | Criteria

Location : Densely populated City

Density of the City (at neighbourhood/district level) is to be 10000/sq.km

 

Typology : Over a Building or Infrastructure

Could be a residential, commercial or civic building or infrastructure such as bridge.

 

Function : Public interest and relevant to host

Functions such as in the informal commercial sector such as ice-cream kiosk or pop-up library.

 

Size : Should be between 10 m3 and 100m3

For small ice-cream kiosk of 3m X 3m, there could be some outdoor seating without exceeding overall volume.

 

Materials : Contemporary and available

Successfully tested experimental techniques could also be implemented.

 

Other restrictions : Fire Safety

As it’s a public place, fire safety and any contextual design risks should be thoroughly considered.

 

Brief | Overview

The WHAT

To be identified as parasitic, the architecture should serve at least 2 of the following criteria:

1. Be structurally supported by a host architecture.
2. Be typologically relevant to the original function of its host architecture.
3. Be accessible through the host architecture.

 

The WHERE

The parasitic architecture must fulfill all the following criteria when choosing the location:

1. Be located in a city with a population density of at least 10,000 people per km2.
2. Be located on an existing residential/commercial/civic building or civic infrastructure such as bridges.
3. Be serving a public function whether the host is a public building or private property.

 

The HOW MUCH

Although growing organically, parasitic architecture should adhere to all of the following restrictions:

1. Be between 10 m3 and 100 m3 in volume.
2. Be able to be constructed by available materials and contemporary construction techniques.
3. Be respectful of fire-safety regulations.