Prykhystok Skyscrapers

aranchii aranchii architects Computational Design parametric architecture Adaptive migration modular Refugees skyscraper swarm

A skyscraper project to shelter refugees in a short period.

NAME: Prykhystok Skyscrapers
WORK NAME: PRH
YEAR: 2020
PROGRAMME: Modular autonomous self-assembly system for shelter
STATUS: Competition

ARCHITECTURE: Aranchii Architects
DESIGN: Dmytro Aranchii
PROJECT TEAM: Dmytro Aranchii, Anhelina Hladushevska, Vladlena Volhushyna, Natalia Kovalenko, Victoriіa Kuzmina, Anna Sotnyk

The skyscraper is a response to the rapidly growing number of forced migrations around the world. It is designed to build and provide refugees with housing and necessary services quickly.

The tower is made entirely of self-replacing modules in the shape of a truncated octahedron, so the size and program of the skyscraper can be easily adapted to the needs of a group of refugees.

The tower [megacluster] consists of interchangeable structural modules of a truncated octahedron shape (integrated also in such projects as Ukrainian Pavilion EXPO 2015 and Pull&Bear Logo) 8.2 m height and 10 m width, creating enough space for 3 floors. Each floor is divided into 6 parts, 18 pieces in total. For greater unification, units ([sub]modules) can also be placed upside down. Thereby creating 6 units x 3 types, each corresponding to one room or part of a larger space.

The room units can be used to assemble apartments of different configurations. Apartments can consist of sets of just one module's floor and other modules and floors.

If needed, units can assemble different apartments or another function configuration. Units can easily attach and split apart, forming the required assembly at the right place at the right time.

Considering how important it is to provide refugees with housing as soon as possible, the modules are prefabricated to cut in half the required on-site construction time, also reducing labour, costs, waste and environmental impact of the overall construction. Modules are 3d-printed by automated robotic arms, using recycled carbon fibre or fibreglass to create a lightweight, durable structure (microgrid reduces material use and makes it possible to fill the gaps with basalt for hermetic insulation). They fly autonomously on-site, fully finished and furnished, remaining the only on-site construction foundation pouring, module stacking and joining (structure and communications).

Each unit type can contain any room. Also, each room is designed with a universal layout. This approach allows for combining apartments of different sizes from the same units.

Minimal floor area units remain functional while furniture utilizes space that expands vertically upwards.

The interchangeable module system allows for the creation of different-shaped towers and to customize the program of the building to different refugee groups. For example, besides apartments, the default tower includes such services as medical, catering, administrative, and workshops.

3 connected buildings create the current skyscraper. the horizontal intersection serves as a public space where refugees from different towers can work and spend their spare time without going to the bottom floors or even leaving the tower.

Regarding the height of its placement, every module has a build-in copter to transport each module to its place on the tower. The rotor blades are hidden in the top of the module and get out when needed. Because the skyscraper is a temporary structure, it can also be easily disassembled and rebuilt due to the copters representing an online adaptation strategy.

Towers are living organisms based on collective/swarm intelligence that aims to respond to current inhabitants' changing demands and requirements and accordingly reconfigures the body plans [apartments] and mega clusters [skyscraper].

There are two main reasons for forced migration, one of them being due to conflicts, extreme violence and severe economic and political instability. However, most refugees faced displacement due to disasters and environmental change: in previous years climate change and weather-related hazards triggered the vast majority of mass-migration in different parts of the world, including 9.3 million displacements by storms and 5.4 by floods.

Refugees are seeking for a save place, which can provide them with shelter, food, safe water and also emergency relief items, since they are usually fleeing with just few belongings. refugees experience multiple traumatic events and have significant associated health problems, so they need access to essential healthcare services, such as basic medical care, immunization programs, psychological support as well as preventation and control of communicable diseases and epidemics