Matěj Bálek

advisor

VSB - Technical university of Ostrava

Czech Republic

Navrhujeme udržitelnou organickou architekturu. Zabýváme se návrhy občanských staveb, ale i… more

The issue of social housing has existed here for a long time. There are multiple approaches to addressing this problem. I find your ideas very interesting. I particularly appreciate the connection between different social groups, ranging from families to residents living in shared housing. However, it is important to be mindful of the varying needs of these groups, as they may differ and, in some cases, even conflict with one another. It is essential that the needs of all groups are met; otherwise, there is a risk that the area will not fully realize the overall potential of the proposed space.

A fundamental prerequisite for a well-designed project is a thorough analysis of the site in which it will be located. It is necessary to identify existing issues and respond to them with appropriate modern solutions. An idea is always the foundation of a design; however, not every idea is suitable for a specific site or location. In practice, this phase represents a crucial part of the design process that precedes the actual proposal.
Based on this information, it is possible to determine the appropriate height and mass of buildings that can be placed on the site, as well as to assess whether the proposed architectural style is suitable for the given location. An analysis of the surrounding greenery is equally important, along with understanding the housing conditions and patterns of coexistence among local residents. At this stage, local inhabitants can also be involved to gather individual opinions and ideas. In the case of social housing, the age structure of the surrounding population and potential future tenants is another important factor to consider.

From an architectural perspective, the project is designed with great precision and has a visually appealing quality. When designing large residential districts or blocks, it is essential to also consider public amenities. I positively evaluate the inclusion of sports facilities, which I perceive as an integral part of developments of this scale. I also greatly appreciate the multiple access points connecting the area, as they allow for flexible movement and improve overall permeability. The incorporation of a substantial amount of greenery throughout the site is, in my view, a good choice, particularly due to its positive environmental and social effects. From an urban planning perspective, the space is used very efficiently, and no empty or unused areas are created that could deteriorate over time. Pedestrian routes are clearly and directly defined, making orientation within the area easy and intuitive.

An important part of such a large-scale development is parking, which I did not find adequately addressed in this project. For a development intended for such a high number of residents, the required number of parking spaces must be carefully calculated. I would also draw attention to fire safety requirements, which may be particularly challenging in this case due to the close proximity of buildings and the necessity of ensuring access for firefighters and emergency vehicles in the event of a fire.
Given the extensive amount of roof surfaces, I would recommend the use of green roofs. These not only return to the soil what has been taken away by construction, but also provide significant positive effects on the local microclimate. White façades have an aesthetically pleasing character; however, when selecting materials and technologies, it is important to consider that the northern façades will be more exposed to external influences and may therefore change color relatively quickly. For this reason, appropriate materials should be chosen to preserve the architectural quality and appearance of the site for as long as possible.

The visualizations are very well executed and clearly illustrate what is happening within the space. They are clean and visually appealing. I appreciate that you did not focus solely on the visualizations, but also addressed the design of the overall urban structure as well as the individual buildings, which I consider to be very important.
The only aspect I feel is missing from the presentation is a comprehensive summary board that would bring together all key information and clearly describe the overall issue, including the site analysis and the subsequent design proposal. A site analysis is a fundamental basis for any new architectural design.



From my perspective, I would recommend continuing at the same pace in future projects, as I consider this proposal to be very successful. At the same time, it is important to keep in mind that architects contribute through their work to the direction of society and therefore must also bear responsibility for their designs.
02.01.2026