Housing Infill is a dwelling prototype with a compact, flexible and adaptable construction model proposed for the city of Córdoba in Argentina where housing demand is constantly challenged by the scarcity and high cost of land.

A modular structure for these units ensures that homes will remain suited to different users over time, providing an affordable, eco-friendly solution that lasts. The solution can be adapted for other cities, thereby solving the problem at scale.

The scheme proposes a compact and dense urban fabric, made up of multiple cubes, each 16 m² in area.
© Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction

The primary strength of the prototype is that it works with dense urban conditions that otherwise have little room for large-scale interventions. In the city of Córdoba, for instance, there are many available small land parcels. Here, compactness and ease of assembly are necessary strategies as they permit optimisation of land use without disturbing existing urban fabric.

By proposing insertions within urban centres, the architects also envision the regeneration of neighbourhoods.

Exploring incrementalism

The modularity of the proposed system enables expansion, addressing the changing needs of growing families.

Designed as agglomerations of 16 m² cubes, each home starts with 64 m² and is able to expand to 128 m². The trade-off is that these units, though malleable, do not offer a strong spatial hierarchy, which is commonly seen in residences.

A summary of the form logic of the prototype, showing urban fit, flexibility and environmental design.
© Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction

Each 4 by 4 m cube includes services in its perimeter. This ‘thick’ facade is a functional and climactic filter between indoors and outdoors.

The plans show the organisation of functional spaces over two phases.
© Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction

Using low-cost and recyclable materials and techniques

The prototype is built with wood, a recyclable natural resource that can be extracted through simple, low-cost and low-impact processes. Small wood sections are used to reduce waste.

Materials used in construction include wood, a local material which has low carbon emissions.
© Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction

Each home will deploy active and passive systems to create comfort indoors. Landscaped roofs and cross ventilation allow for pleasant thermal conditions at low energy costs. Additionally, rainwater collection and greywater recycling systems are incorporated to conserve water.

In the wider context of Latin America, the demand for affordable housing in urban centres is high. However, most housing proposals do not sufficiently account for growth or urban context, creating to obsolescence and congestion.

Through its compact and modular design, Housing Infill provides an alternative approach that meets present and future needs in ways that are human-centric and sustainable.

The design for Housing Infill in Argentina was awarded the Acknowledgement Prize at the 2020-21 Holcim Awards for Latin America.

Post sponsored by the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction