
URBAN RURAL
Rosario, Agentina
Urban Rural presents a new dwelling typology envisioned as a sustainable transformation strategy for the future redevelopment of Istanbul. The project imagines a hybrid lifestyle where residents remain close to the city center while simultaneously enjoying the comfort and calm of rural living, enriched by strong neighborhood bonds and community interaction. Unlike conventional residential models, Urban Rural challenges the status quo by seeking long-term sustainability through architectural innovation.
The design is organized around an efficient hexagonal grid, enabling maximum building volume with a minimal number of elements. Each hexagonal module consists of a polygonal living space and an irrigable triangular garden cavity. When combined, these cavities not only provide green space but also function structurally as a truss system, distributing loads to lower members. This approach creates interdependencies between structure, landscape, and architecture, producing a highly integrated whole.
Sustainability lies at the core of the concept. Modular, component-based construction reduces material waste and cost, while locally sourced building materials minimize environmental impact and ecological footprint. Urban Rural is conceived as a vertical urban village: by locating housing in the city center, it reduces reliance on cars and even on public transit, naturally encouraging walking and cycling. This shift not only optimizes the rhythm of daily life but also generates more opportunities for communication, exchange, and human interaction.
The lower floors are designed for social and recreational functions, creating a self-sufficient neighborhood where people can live, work, and recreate locally. By combining flexible modular systems with community-oriented design, Urban Rural transcends the notion of housing as mere shelter. Instead, it serves as a prototype for a new model of urban life—one that minimizes ecological cost while maximizing social cohesion and offering an inspiring vision for the future.