Cody Housing Block

I. Open form

A free and open-source combinatory architectural and structural system is proposed, allowing the project and its typological configurations to evolve throughout its development while maintaining its original architectural conception and formal expression.

II. Urban aspects

The urban aspect of the tower has been put together from a common and essential element, but usually concealed: the bearing structure. This solution facilitates to completely free up the floor of structural elements inside, placing them in the core and on the perimeter, and also provide the building with a clear and recognisable identity within the cityscape.

III. Dual landscapes

The structure faces four directions in an isotropic manner, providing outdoor spaces with uninterrupted and spacious terraces, which do not count towards the built up area, serving all the apartments on two of the four sides facing East and West. The layout of these two enjoys distant views, avoiding the proximity of the Cook tower in the North, and South in the future.

Corner and two directional units have been designed rather than housing units with two parallel facades overlooking a frontal landscape. Thus apartments open up to two landscapes diagonally. Each residential unit becomes a space comparable to an aboveground detached house with its own courtyard -a terrace with an excellent relationship with the landscape. Each apartment enjoys a private and intimate external landscape.

IV. Prefabrication

The building’s vertical structure combines in-situ concrete columns below grade and internally, with prefabricated façade elements along the East–West elevations. These façade components serve both architectural and structural functions, ensuring material continuity and precision in execution.

A system of textured prefabricated concrete panels defines the façades, incorporating edge beams and structural columns into a unified expression. The panels, finished with a subtle ribbed texture in alternating orientations, create depth and rhythm while their interlocking assembly guarantees the façade’s tightness and refined appearance.