rita topa architects: 'living the outside' reinvent cities competition

‘living the outside’ by rita topa architects image courtesy rita topa architects

‘living the outside’ by rita topa architects is a proposal for the city of yamate, yokohama japan. the portugese firm were awarded third prize for their design in the reinvent cities competition.

their aim was to create a transition point between the housing and the high-density public areas. in the last few years, they noticed the emergence of new commercial centers with shopping streets and indoor plazas, private investing in new technologies and performances have been increasing whilst the city’s public space was forgotten.

yamate topography gives a possibility for a structured network, a new layer has been created and a network of parking and sleeping areas with new programs for the community.

in this case, an art school has been designed and spreads into the area. the formal approach gets changed in accordance with the landscape, but it always uses the same ideology of outside space, the classrooms are independent blocks open 24hrs. together, other small plazas appear for smaller networks, complimentary programs, and all of then are self-sustainable.

nano architecture: an intelligent polymer is used for the floor, it takes advantage of atmospheric conditions and gives a cosy sensation on people’s feet. the fiber material contains micro solar cells, collecting the sun’s energy, during hot weather. a cooling floor system is triggered, by the use of sensors, working together with small water vaporizers. with cold weather, a heating system is turned on. when it rains the polymeric structure retains some of the water, refreshing the air, and drains the rest into a water deposit.

the project aims to invite people to live in the outside space, for a richer network, creative and sharing society.

‘living the outside’ – dance lab image courtesy rita topa architects