Elemental

by Alejandro Aravena (editor), Andrés Iacobelli (Editor)

Recently awarded the Venice Biennale 2008 Silver Lion for Most Promising Young Architect Elemental is a Chilean initiative creating innovative solutions for subsidized housing. The program's urban projects aim to improve social housing for poverty stricken families. Elemental organized an international architecture competition which resulted in seven constructed projects throughout Chile as hybrids between house and building, pushing the limits of expansion and density. Built in central areas, these houses are half-constructed, offering inhabitants the infrastructure to extend the house to personal needs. This is a fascinating study of the successes and failures of the "Element Houses." Elemental is a Do Tank affiliated with the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and COPEC, implementing urban projects for social interests.

Genres: Architecture, Urban Planning

340 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2010

Reviews

[Wei Cho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. His idea of making half a good house is very inspiring.

[Ronny Gonzalez]

Tools and ways of approaching the economic envelope that surrounds the theme of the house and its accessibility, translated for the designer and the user