Temporary housing for single mothers in Vatra Luminoasă neighbourhood

Authors’ Comment

The project originates from a study conducted on Bucharest regarding the existing facilities available to the vulnerable group in question, namely single mothers.

A type of free temporary housing aimed at supporting social reintegration and the recovery of autonomy is entirely absent from the current offer; the project thus proposes this type of programme.

Regarding the site, it was chosen in order to preserve an existing functional tradition: Vatra Luminoasă was conceived as a social housing project for workers.

It was also chosen for its existing urban morphology, which generates clear directions for the proposed programme: an existing grid, low height regime, accessible pedestrian circulation, a cosy character, garden housing, and alignment vegetation providing intimacy and safety.

The general concept of the project is therefore the proposal of a temporary housing complex for single mothers, intended to serve as a first step towards social reintegration and the recovery of autonomy and independence. The key principles pursued by the proposal are ensuring the safety and freedom of the individual to choose the extent to which they wish to engage with or withdraw from the community.

Drawing on existing affordable housing projects, several elements have been extracted that will be present in this project as well, the most important being: access galleries and interior courtyards.

The ground floor functions as the generative element of social cohesion, integrating necessary functions such as therapy, daycare, socialisation spaces, a canteen, and vocational workshops.

Two interior courtyards are proposed: one dedicated to children and one shared, the two not being separated by rigid boundaries.

On the upper floors, the complex accommodates 60 two-room apartments, with circulation routes and access points arranged along access galleries that serve as a continuation of the shared spaces on the ground floor and as transitional spaces that support the gradation of the residents' level of withdrawal or exposure.

The facades are treated so as to blend into the existing fabric and avoid drawing attention; towards the street, a screen is created that signals the space is not freely accessible to passers-by, while the ground floor glazing is treated with panels to preserve the privacy and safety of the residents.

On the interior, the complex opens up, with the ground floor glazing communicating from space to space in order to convey a sense of community.

The project thus proposes a complex for the healing of a vulnerable group in crisis, through the creation of spaces aimed at generating spontaneous and organic activities that lead to social cohesion, as well as quality living spaces, housing being the foundation of human life; without housing, one cannot work, cannot sustain oneself, and therefore cannot lead a decent life.