SUQ: A Sustainable Community Housing Model Reimagining Intergenerational Living

In an era where cities are rapidly expanding yet socially fragmenting, the need for inclusive and sustainable community housing has become critical. The project SUQ, a shortlisted entry in the Co-Lifecompetition by Ondřej Slunečko, proposes a forward-thinking architectural response rooted in traditional urban typologies. Drawing inspiration from desert landscapes and historic souq markets, the project reinterprets community living through a contemporary, human-centric lens.

This sustainable community housing model focuses on integrating the elderly population into the everyday life of the city, rather than isolating them. It creates a spatial framework that encourages interaction, dignity, and continuity between generations.

Concept: Reinterpreting the Souq

At the core of SUQ lies the reinterpretation of the traditional souq. Historically, souqs were dense, vibrant networks of narrow streets that fostered both economic and social exchange. This project adopts that spatial logic and transforms it into a residential ecosystem.

The development is structured around two primary axes:

• A commercial spine, activating the site with shops, workshops, and daily activities
• A recreational green axis, offering calm, shaded spaces for relaxation and social gathering

This dual-axis system ensures that the elderly remain embedded within the social fabric, engaging with both community life and nature.

Urban Integration and Context

Located in Temara, part of the Rabat-Salé-Témara conurbation in Morocco, the project responds to a suburban condition characterized by dispersed amenities and fragmented urban identity.

Rather than creating a closed community, SUQ operates as a self-sufficient yet porous urban system. It connects seamlessly with surrounding neighborhoods while providing essential services within walking distance. The absence of a single dominant center in Temara is addressed by creating multiple localized hubs within the development.

This approach transforms the site into a micro-city, where living, working, and socializing coexist in close proximity.

Spatial Organization: Neighborhood Clusters

The development is divided into four distinct neighborhoods, each functioning as an independent yet interconnected unit. This phased strategy allows gradual growth while maintaining coherence.

Each cluster includes:

• Shared social spaces
• Local services and support functions
• A mix of dwelling types

The arrangement promotes familiarity and identity, allowing residents to feel part of a smaller community within the larger urban system.

Housing Typologies: Type A and Type B

A key strength of this sustainable community housing model is its dual housing typology, designed to accommodate varying lifestyles and social preferences.

Type A: Independent Living Units

Type A dwellings are outward-oriented and designed for individuals or couples seeking autonomy. These compact units:

• Accommodate 1–2 residents
• Feature private living spaces with access to surrounding alleys
• Maintain a strong connection to the street and neighborhood

These units are ideal for residents who prefer independence while still being part of a broader community.

Type B: Collective Living Units

Type B dwellings are inward-oriented and emphasize shared living. Designed for groups of 4–6 people, they include:

• Private bedrooms with individual bathrooms
• A large shared kitchen and living area
• Spaces that encourage daily interaction and collective routines

This typology fosters companionship, reduces loneliness, and promotes mutual support among residents.

Climate-Responsive Design and Landscape

The project integrates climate-sensitive strategies inspired by desert environments. Narrow alleys, shaded pathways, and green roofs help regulate temperature and reduce heat gain.

A central oasis landscape plays a critical role in environmental performance:

• Rainwater is collected and directed into water features
• Vegetation improves microclimate conditions
• The landscape acts as a social and visual anchor

This water-sensitive urban design not only enhances sustainability but also enriches the sensory experience of the space.

Social Infrastructure and Daily Life

SUQ is not merely a housing project but a social ecosystem. Ground floors along the main axis are activated with shops, workshops, and community services. These functions:

• Encourage interaction between residents and visitors
• Provide opportunities for elderly residents to remain economically and socially active
• Create a dynamic public realm that evolves throughout the day

Informal alleys between dwellings further enhance social connectivity. These semi-private spaces allow spontaneous encounters, fostering a sense of belonging and familiarity.

Addressing Aging and Social Isolation

One of the most critical challenges addressed by this sustainable community housing model is the isolation of the elderly. Instead of segregating older populations, SUQ integrates them into the everyday rhythm of urban life.

The design recognizes that elderly individuals:

• Possess valuable knowledge and experience
• Seek connection, purpose, and visibility
• Benefit from intergenerational interaction

By embedding them within active urban systems, the project ensures that aging becomes a shared societal experience rather than an isolated condition.

Capacity and Density Strategy

The site accommodates approximately 700 residents within a carefully balanced density. With a total floor area of around 20,000 m², the allocation includes:

• 83% for dwellings
• 10% for commercial use
• 4% for social spaces
• 3% for services

This distribution ensures that housing remains the primary function while still supporting a vibrant and functional community.

SUQ demonstrates how sustainable community housing can go beyond environmental performance to address deeper social challenges. By merging traditional urban wisdom with contemporary design strategies, the project creates a resilient, inclusive, and human-centered living environment.

It offers a compelling model for future cities, where architecture becomes a tool not only for shelter but for connection, dignity, and shared living across generations.