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Cul(ver)ture

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Ultra efficient apartments built in repurposed pipes

Cul(ver)ture is a system of affordable housing units developed from pre-fabricated concrete culvert pipes. The project explores the potential of prefabricated structural systems as an alternative to the labour-intensive in-situ construction methods used in South Africa and around the world. Cul(ver)ture reimagines commercially available prefabricated concrete culvert systems originally designed for water infrastructure as habitable living spaces. Within a space of eight square meters, the unit provides a bed, toilet, shower, kitchen and storage space — designed to be customized by each user. The configurations of the units when stacked allows for shared social spaces on ground and roof levels, while providing relief and interaction within what would usually be a solid housing block.

Challenges

# Affordable housing# Efficient housing# Repurposed infrastructure# Prefabricated structural systems

Trends

# How do we do more with less?

Disciplines

University

University of Johannesburg

Student

  • Cul(ver)ture Housing Restructured

    University of Johannesburg

    ‘Cul(ver)ture’ was formulated within Unit 11 of the University of Johannesburg’s Graduate School for Architecture. Part of the Unit’s aims are focused on finding entrepreneurial means for the private sector to supplement and provide much-needed affordable housing, for which there is a substantial backlog due to a lack of government resources. ‘Cul(ver)ture’, is an exploration of prefabricated structural systems, which work as an alternative to the labour-intensive in-situ construction methodologies predominant in South Africa. The project explores the adaptation of “shop-bought”, prefabricated concrete culvert systems originally designed for bulk water infrastructure as habitable living spaces. The system developed creates flexible, adaptable, economical and modular living spaces, and pushes the limits of the question, “How small is ‘small’?”, when considering micro-apartments. Within only 8m2, the unit provides basic infrastructure and allows for furniture and fittings - beds, toilets, showers, kitchens and storage spaces.more

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