Exhibition: Social Housing – New European Projects

Across Europe, a new generation of architecture practices are transforming affordable housing. Responding to continued need, changing clients, and new funding methods, architects are once again addressing how homes can be delivered at scale while piloting new methods to achieve high standards of design.

Based on a 2017 publication of the same name, Social Housing captures some of the best and most innovative examples of not-for-profit housing at a critical juncture for the sector. Drawing together 25 European case studies by 20 practices, it looks at a range of building and dwelling typologies, emerging design approaches, and refurbishment strategies. Together, they offer a challenge to housing professionals and citizens in the US to rethink how we build and highlights the vital role of accessible, low-cost housing in the life and function of our cities.

Mecanoo contributes to the exhibition with the project: Osdorp Mixed Use Centre and Housing. This mixed use complex located in Osdorp, a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Amsterdam, forms part of an ambitious urban renewal project. A smart organisation of functions and building volumes ensures an engaged and safe neighbourhood. The fruitful collaboration between Mecanoo, the developer Ymere, the school board, a design studio and an artist resulted in a richly detailed building that contains social housing, a school, sports hall, two playgroups, day-care centre and care support centre.

Across Europe there is no common definition of ‘social housing;’ the projects presented include public projects led by government or city authorities, philanthropic schemes led by charities, and collective schemes led by residents. Common to them all, however, is the idea that there are alternatives to purely market-orientated housing provision. Our brave new housing future will not be born out of siding with any single ideology or ethos, but rather through a variety of means and a shared determination by those willing and able to innovate, to improve, and to raise standards.

Exhibition curated by Karakusevic Carson Architects featuring projects and contributions by:
Adam Khan Architects (UK), Assemble (UK), Avenier & Cornejo Architectes (France), Chartier Dalix (France), Hans van der Heijden (The Netherlands), Einszueins (Austria), Hawkins\Brown (UK), Haworth Tompkins Architects (UK), Karakusevic Carson Architects (UK), Lacaton & Vassal (France), LAN architecture (France), Mae (UK), Mecanoo (The Netherlands), Mikhail Riches Architects (UK), Mole (UK), muf architecture/art (UK), Niall McLaughlin Architects (UK), s333 architecture + Urbanism (UK), Sergison Bates architects (UK and CH), TVK (France), Witherford Watson Mann (UK) and zanderroth architeckten (Germany).

More information at Center for Architecture.