Omar Harb

advisor

Phoenicia University

Lebanon

As an architect and founder of Omar Harb Architects & Associates, my work centers on creating… more

Overall Concept and Vision
Your project idea for Villefontaine is exceptionally strong and timely. The ambition to combine modern housing with community living and environmental principles, all while exploring new approaches to residential and public spaces, is highly commendable. The concept of "scattered urbanism" offers a dynamic and user-centric approach to urban planning, allowing for flexibility and responsiveness to the local context. This truly feels like an "architectural and urbanism laboratory," as you describe, pushing the boundaries of what student housing can be.

Project Description
The urban design elements are well-articulated, creating a clear vision for a lively and interconnected campus. The central pedestrian promenade serving as a "spine" for gathering and relaxation is a classic yet effective strategy for fostering community. Complementing this with small plazas and natural elements further enhances the sense of place.

Your integration of ecological principles is a highlight. Rainwater harvesting, solar energy, integrated greenery, and a dedicated cycling path demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability. Intentionally limiting parking spaces is a bold and crucial step towards promoting sustainable mobility and reducing reliance on private vehicles, aligning perfectly with modern eco-conscious urban planning.

Technical Information
The architectural design and technical parameters provide a solid and practical foundation for your ambitious concept. The modular unit system (3x6m concrete units with integrated sanitary facilities) is a smart choice for efficiency, speed of construction, and future adaptability, which is crucial for student housing. The 2600mm clear height and 200mm thick walls suggest comfortable and well-insulated living spaces.

The translucent polycarbonate shading is a brilliant detail. It not only addresses practical concerns like solar radiation but also contributes significantly to the modern aesthetic and allows natural light to filter through, enhancing the living environment.

The flexible three- to four-storey structures with expandability are key to the "scattered urbanism" principle. The diversification of building types – purely residential, mixed-use with ground-floor services (cafés, coworking, shops) – is excellent for creating a self-sufficient and dynamic community. The inclusion of dedicated study rooms, snack bars, a fitness center, and landmark buildings like a library and gallery enriches the student experience significantly.

Finally, the "prototype village" and the use of an existing woodworking education building are fantastic additions. These elements foster innovation, celebrate local traditions, and create a unique educational and exhibition space, truly making Villefontaine more than just housing.

Overall, this project masterfully blends innovation, sustainability, and community-centric design. It's a progressive model for future student living.

What aspects of this "architectural and urbanism laboratory" are you most excited to see come to life?

1. Refine the Modularity for Enhanced Adaptability and User Customization
You've established a great base with the 3x6m concrete modules. To truly embody the "architectural and urbanism laboratory" concept and respond dynamically to user needs, consider:

Internal Flexibility within Modules: While each module has a sanitary facility, how much flexibility is there within the remaining space? Could a single module be easily reconfigured by students (e.g., movable partitions, furniture systems) to switch between study, sleep, or social zones without major construction? This would empower residents and extend the "experimentation" to their personal living space.
Plug-and-Play Systems for Services: Beyond just the sanitary core, consider if other services (e.g., kitchenettes, media hubs) could be designed as easily pluggable or adaptable components within the modular system, allowing for varied apartment types (e.g., single studios, shared apartments, family units for staff/professors) with minimal structural change.
Addressing Thermal Bridging in Concrete Modules: While 200mm walls are good, concrete can be a thermal bridge. Elaborate on specific detailing (e.g., insulated concrete forms, continuous exterior insulation, integrated thermal breaks at connections) to ensure the energy performance is truly excellent, especially in a varying climate.
2. Deepen the Integration of "Scattered Urbanism" and Green Spaces
Your "scattered urbanism" and integrated greenery are excellent. To elevate this further, think about:

Productive Landscapes & Bioremediation: Beyond aesthetic greenery, could some integrated green spaces be designed as productive landscapes (e.g., community gardens, small fruit tree orchards) for food production, engaging residents in sustainable practices? Could certain planted areas also function for passive bioremediation of greywater from the housing units before it re-enters the natural water cycle?
Microclimate Design: How do the "small plazas and natural elements" specifically leverage microclimate principles (e.g., wind channeling for natural ventilation, shade trees for cooling, permeable surfaces for heat island effect mitigation)? A more explicit description of these strategies would strengthen the environmental principles.
Phased Development and Organic Growth: Given the "scattered urbanism" and "expand flexibly over time," articulate how the urban plan allows for organic growth and adaptation without compromising the initial design intent. How do the connections (pedestrian promenade, cycling path) evolve as the complex expands?
3. Enhance the "Laboratory" Aspect with Data and User Engagement
You've described this as a laboratory. To truly embody this, consider:

Performance Monitoring & Feedback Loops: How can the project gather data on its environmental performance (energy consumption, water use, thermal comfort) and even social engagement? This data could inform future expansions or design iterations, making it a living laboratory.
Resident Participation in Design/Management: Explore mechanisms for student residents to actively participate in the ongoing design or management of communal spaces. This could involve regular workshops, digital platforms for feedback, or even co-creation initiatives for public art or pop-up spaces, reinforcing the "community living" aspect and making the laboratory truly collaborative.
Showcasing the Modular Process: Given the "prototype village" and woodworking education, could there be an architectural element that explicitly showcases the modular construction process itself? Perhaps a visible joint, an exposed material layer, or an interpretive display that explains how the "scattered urbanism" is assembled, further enriching the educational aspect.
These suggestions aim to push the project further into the realm of a truly innovative and responsive living system, making Villefontaine an even more compelling vision for the future of student housing and urban development.