DESIGN FOR A CLEAN PLANET
Nº 1A Problem
Shared
Realizing the negative impact of households on
the environment, ANDREAS TJELDFLAAT suggests
a co-living environment to lessen the load.A communal space suspended above the street in an
urban neighbourhood consolidates household amenities
while strengthening bonds between residents.How would people access shared facilities?
Multistorey volumes suspended above city
streets could feature bridges that con-
nect households in adjacent buildings. The
centralization of the various functions would
allow the installed fixtures and equipment to
be upgraded to high-efficiency units – water-
less toilets, for example – while the supply
of food and resources could be consolidated
and products chosen for their low environ-
mental impact.You’ve also made the building itself more
efficient... Yes. The optimized interior space
targets water pollution, soil contamination
and interior air pollution. The exterior fights
air pollution with a titanium dioxide coat-able, high-efficiency fixtures and equipment;
and tying into social programmes and civic
services, we could minimize the total impact
of household pollution, while strengthening
bonds between residents with communal din-
ing, co-ops and community board meetings.What kinds of sustainable fixtures and
equipment do you propose? Everything
from water-recycling bathroom fixtures and
induction cooktops to internal waste- and
recycling-management facilities. Smart
ventilation and heating/cooling systems and
wind-turbine energy collection would reduce
energy consumption. Civic services could
include drone delivery, urban farming and
food subscriptions.How did you prepare for ‘The Challenge’?
ANDREAS TJELDFLAAT: I studied reports
by the World Health Organization and Euro-
stat that identified households as the single
largest contributor to emissions of ozone
precursors. As the most significant sources of
domestic pollution are closely connected to
the city's infrastructure, utility services and
air space, it was clear to me that the effec-
tiveness of a solution would depend on the
extent to which it interfaces with a building’s
envelope – and with the city as a whole.
What’s your solution? A communal space
suspended above the street in an urban
neighbourhood. By consolidating household
amenities among residents; utilizing sustain-
36 THE CHALLENGE