Urban interventions in student dormitories

     The main point of our interventions was to create an urban intervention into the student dormitories. We made a workshop based on finding out where and how to connect the urban spaces inside or near the dormitories with the students. The workshop was divided into 3 groups: group for student dormitory in Bitola, Shtip and Skopje.

1. Urban Intervention Bench / Line Capacitor in Bitola

This urban intervention aims to enrich the existing space in the yard of the student dormitory in Bitola, North Macedonia. It is an integral one-form /one-line intervention, a move that connects two pairs of concrete boxes, containing vertical expressions for aim to suggest more functional units such as seating, rest, relaxation, meditation, observation, conversation, etc…

This urban intervention aims to connect these preexisting concrete boxes and to give life to space and invite students outside. Intervening in this way, the proposed object possesses the necessary monolithic to follow in the immediate context, while at the same time being formally cautious not to disturb the visual harmony formed by the natural and constructed elements of the surrounding. 

The vertical element as a line often is connected with the human and his upright vertical body, while the horizontal with the horizon along like a basis on which we are walking. By merging these two key elements, a secure horizontal linear seating area and vertically placed elements in different rhythms are obtained.

Vertical elements divide the horizontal line into several segments, one of the reasons why they appear is the visual division of space so that these elements indicate different fields / surfaces that can be used by different groups or by multiple people at a distance.

The materialization of this seating structure consists of horizontal wooden scaffolds with dimensions of 5×20 centimeters and vertical 5×10 centimeters and different lengths depending on the usage scenarios. Wood as a natural, warm material is desirable for the materialization of small urban interventions due to the easy connection of the elements, mobility and also the spatial integration of the elements with the immediate natural environment.

The chosen location is in the courtyard of the Koco Racin Bitola Dormitory, on the north side of the complex, part of the courtyard of the home known as the “Front Park”, an access zone in the complex that is a green area. The concrete mounds that already exist serve as a solid foundation on which the wooden intervention is placed.

We are happy to announce that our idea for this space is realized. Students, but also the surrounding residents of which most the kids did not remain indifferent to this intervention and immediately ran to try it.

2. Urban Intervention Buffet in Skopje

The intervention called Buffet, is located in the student dormitory Pelagonija in Skopje, North Macedonia. It is set in an atrium space enclosed with 4 walls and half covered with a roof. It is characterized by a dynamic structure that allows sitting on multiple levels, reading a book, learning on a laptop, drinking coffee and hanging out at a distance.

The design decision is quite simple. The main focus is on the half-covered space – where the intervention is located, but also there is a possibility of the part of the intervention to be movable in order to use the rest of the space, especially the one that is uncovered with roof. 

The atrium in architecture is a very important and unique space for the users of the building. But this space in the dormitory was not fully used and visited by the students. The idea with this small spatial intervention was to reinforce the usage of this inner yard. With inserting a new spatial intervention it is injected new creative energy into this space that can give birth to new innovative ideas, activities and adaptation in whole student dormitory. 

The intervention is an angular sitting position located in the corner of the covered part. It is created through a system of joining cubes and their free placement in space depending on the needs.

The shape is the result of a spatial net inspired by pre-existing ceramics on the floor. The occupation of the space is determined by finding the diagonal of movement when accessing the space from the main entrance.

The cubes that make up the small spatial intervention are pyramidically placed in one corner of the atrium. Part of them are freely placed and can be easily relocated for the user to create a new space according to their wishes. This enables the space to be used simultaneously by several groups of people, each within its own limits, using the freedom to interpret the space or to use the space of several people at a distance.

The purpose of the spatial intervention is to enrich this atrial space, to initiate a point for group socialization as well as to enable separate individual use and comfort in one’s own isolation.

Material used is a raw plywood which has a very pure look and it makes the boxes look solid and continuous from one to another.

3. Urban intervention STRIP in Shtip

Strip is an urban intervention with recognized by its orange color. The lack of an open public space is the main initiator for the realization of this intervention in front of the entrance of the student dormitory “Braka Miladinovci” in Stip, North Macedonia. Using a shape that is dynamic emphasizes the uniqueness of the space that can be used by students and the surrounding residents. This small urban intervention is a gesture towards a public space that is accessible to all.

The concept design consists of a linear tape that fills in the existing concrete pockets and continues on the ground, finishing at the façade while creating a standing element (bar). This element allows sitting on a lower and higher levels. The tape color is orange, it continues from the street profile to the façade of the building. The touch of the intervention with the façade of the building is emphasized by placing a standing counter in the form of a bar for storing drinks like water and coffee. This dynamic intervention provoke different kind of activities like : reading a book, studying on laptop, drinking coffee, chatting with a friend etc. It is believed that this intervention could enhance more vibrant connection between the dormitory and the city, since it is located on the street façade of the student dormitory. 

The dormitory inside contains a space, called a hang out room which is characterized by closeness and purpose for relaxation and socializing of students. The new intervention has the same purpose, but it is characterized by complete openness and use of space by several people. The idea for the orange color comes from this interior space, colored in orange.

Prior to this intervention, the building was characterized by a monolithic front that did not indicate at all the entrance to a dormitory where mostly young people stay. With this intervention, the entrance is complemented by a unique space that can be enjoyed by students and other residents of the city.

The chosen material for this urban intervention is wooden decking. It is suitable for open areas where different weather conditions can occur. It is colored in orange. Under the decking structure there is a metal substructure over the existing asphalt and concrete of the pavement.