Palestinian housing project
In January 2017, the award-winning architecture and urban design practice Weston Williamson + Partners (WW+P) released designs for an innovative incremental apartment model in response to the growing need for affordable housing in the West Bank and Gaza.
An estimated 70% of households cannot afford the average house price and neither do they require the size of property that is generally on offer.
Using data collected from surveys commissioned by The Office of the Quartet and the World Bank, WW+P developed a conceptual design to provide people with long-term homes.
The Palestinian housing marketing is currently characterised by over supply at the high end and under supply at the lower end; large-scale affordable housing schemes are needed to satisfy demand.
The WW+P apartments are designed to grow with their inhabitants. The basic units are placed around a central circulation core and include generous outdoor spaces. Floor slabs are constructed to allow for expansion into these outdoor spaces as the family and its income gets bigger. Pre-fabricated panels allow different configurations to create exciting forms and massing, and deep overhangs provide necessary shade.
Units have been designed around the needs of family structures - from one to three bedrooms, with space that is flexible but segregated. Living spaces have generous daylight and views of the terraces.
The ground floor of the units could contain communal facilities and areas for larger gatherings, creating a real sense of community.
Images and content courtesy of Weston Williamson + Partners.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Walter Segal: self-built architect
A definitive book on a pioneer of green architecture.
Funding for heritage on the high street
Using heritage as a catalyst for reviving historic centres.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting update.
Declaration prioritising sustainable urbanisation adopted.
A small hidden, often distant but key building component.
Some brief words about the actuator.
CIAT Chief Executive steps down.
After 34 years at the Institute.
Volunteer opportunity launched by the ICE
To support the next generation of engineers.
Provisional findings show illegal cartels in the industry.
CIAT reporting from the Competition and Markets Authority.
Making sustainable construction number one priority.
The future of construction report.
Interview with ECA CEO.
Many provisions came into force on June 28, 2022.
With room to expand.
An information packed session at the BSRIA conference.
Refurbishment, Energy Efficiency, Indoor air and process.
Considering building acoustics with the AT Journal.
Why building acoustic considerations must be non-negotiable.
Create a profile, write informed product articles and share.
Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) is one example.
Top 50 Women in engineering 2022.
Inventors and innovators at ICE.
Life, death and art at the Stuart court. Book review.
Real estate, place adaptation and innovation.
Review and comment on the revised draft before July 11.
We are indeed now 10 years old, so go on and be bold !
Write about something you know, help us build and grow !
IHBC's 25th anniversary 2022 Aberdeen School.
A blended event and triumphant return.
New Construction Leadership Council Co-Chair selected.
Mark Reynolds succeeds Andy Mitchell as Co-Chair of CLC
Designing Buildings is 10 years old.
Types of work to existing buildings.
From alteration to deconstruction on DB.