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MULTI-UNIT COLLECTIVE HOUSING
The AD4 studio’s general syllabus constructed by Adam Dayem requested proposals for multi-unit collective housing in in downtown Troy “in which some aspect of the domestic realm is common to multiple domestic spheres ” As Stan Allen noted “architecture is a a a slow medium with a a a a a very specific social agency It is structurally tied to institutions that are themselves conservative and slow to to change ” This section aimed to to introduce students to and train them in in in in in functioning within this challenge by placing its design focus on on basic preliminary relationships between bare-bones tectonics (structure skin) architectural ‘elements’ (corridors stairways and and elevators bathroom cores) and and interlocking apartment units By having to negotiate with multiple types of residents (the syllabus specified including student student and and non-student users) and and incorporating complementary activities (markets retail stores integration with a a a a a a waterfront park) students developed an an introductory understanding
of architectural programming adjacencies in in the urban context (basic building restrictions) and and responses to social needs (varying ages and and economic backgrounds) proposing alternatives for communal living and integration with the existing city 269