Motherwell Jumping

SHARED FIRST PRIZE R80.000, Lindström Walldén arkitektkontor AB (Kristina Lindström, Lars Walldén), Stockholm

From the Jury Report:

The proposed housing model of this scheme is based on a system of “row houses” with double-sided access and tightly planned service cores. The cores are built within the internal party walls leaving good flexibility in the arrangement of the living spaces. Internal courts in each dwelling ensure light and ventilation within the middle of the deep sites. The service cores are lit and ventilated via tall shafts, which provide a poetic solution to a practical need. These shafts and party walls provide the complex with an identity and coherent whole. The jury enjoyed the efficiency of the units, which provide for maximum flexibility using an economy of means. The courtyards provide for private inside/outside living common to the township “”yard”” and opportunity for different uses including private space for cars, business etc against the park or street edges. The density is seen as appropriate with live edges presented to the public realm.

Concern was expressed about the possible repetition of the housing unit design and the limited use of references from outside the site. The imposition of the external stairs to the street was also an area of concern and alternative solutions that would permit the provision of duplex units need to be explored. This entry provides for an interesting typology of medium density low-cost housing with limited means and provides an appropriate balance between order and flexibility. The typology can be replicated on other sites and will provide lessons for the future. The practicality and efficiency of service runs under the cores needs to be tested.

The jury recommends that funding be sought to implement this scheme.