Slab in the face (Slab Urbanism)

Renovation of Brutalist post-war housing complex in London

A bit of insight into the social climate of Chicago in the early 20th century that later gave birth to the city's public housing crisis.

The surrounding neighborhood consists mostly of apartment blocks that date back from the 70's. The buildings are large with enough space in-between and plenty of greenery. Because the whole area is built in relatively short period of time and not very long ago, it lacks the typical historic layers of the city center.

Structural Engineer: Bouwadviesburo Strackee Constructor: Van Ieperen Groep Contributors: Odette Olde Wolbers, Merel Martens, Alexandra Peters, Santiago Baltar From the architect. The reason for the transformation of Kralenbeek, Kempering, Klieverink, Kouwenoord at The Karspeldreef in Amsterdam Zuid - Oost is the renewal of K - neighborhood.

This renovation of a crumbling 1960s tower block in Paris nicknamed "Alcatraz" topped the architecture category of this year's Designs of the Year Awards and is in the running for the top prize to be announced tonight (+ slideshow).

Anecdotal account of the history of Chicago's "Plan for Transformation" and it's effect on former public housing (Cabrini Green) residents

Mei Ho House which is the first generation of public house in Hong Kong, is transformed into a hostel.

The original building was built in 1993, concrete frame structure, level 1-4 was used as office, level 5-9 was used for apartment.

The renovation project of one of the most significant prefabricated housing estates in Poland.

This project is the renovation of the former Brumétal dealer of old iron into a social housing complex composed of a 4-flat building connected by a large common open space to 3 maisonettes at the rear of the site.

This project involves the renovation of three Baroque block houses with an enclosed internal court in the old city center. The brief required to connect the houses into one single unit with implementation of 12 apartments around the small internal court.

Standard low-rise housing is introduced that replaces the 10 storey apartment buildings but also the green spaces in-between them. It is quite a surprise that amidst the new ideology of the small scale such a large new building is projected.

In addition to the restoration of the existing façades the project foresees the creation a new front that faces the adjoining garden. At the center of the façade, a recess is created which integrates a loggia that runs the height of the building.