Esrat Jahan Promi | Architect | Interior Designer

A conceptual approach to create hybrid spaces to support everyday family life and social interaction.

Case : Communal building in the Aaltokangas Housing area

My diploma thesis is a design-oriented thesis with a conceptual approach. The hybrid building in the centre of the detached housing area of the Aaltokangas, the Northern most parts of City of Oulu, is a communal building for its residents. My diploma thesis aims to create a concept for a communal space becoming an extension of one's own home, being applicable also to other areas beyond Aaltokangas. It is a place to meet neighbours, hold gatherings for friends or family celebrations, and have shared activities such as yoga sessions, hobby circles or pop-up events. There is also room for concentrated working if it is sometimes not possible at home. In this hybrid building, there is also a temporary possibility to have a good night's sleep if, for example, everyday life with toddlers does not allow it.

This diploma thesis touches upon the theme of designing neighbourhoods of social interaction. It is known that the quality, type, and functionality of communal spaces appear to be the key design factors influencing their social interaction. I was also inspired by the idea of co-working spaces and how this theme could be applied and stretched to cover broader contents needed to serve the contemporary housing area.

Developing the design concept

Communal space in the Aaltokangas area - co-working space along with other facilities for the neighbourhood is a response to the shift in working culture that the world faced in early 2020. Such a space provides a formal working environment for those looking for such a solution. The space houses different workstations catering to all, i.e., from small groups to individual stations. To balance the work areas, break-out zones with indoor screening, reading areas, sleep areas, dry café and warming stations, outdoor courtyard, and outdoor working pods have been incorporated.

User scenarios

Functions for the building are derived from the user scenarios, and the building mass is created considering the site analysis. In the later part of the thesis, floor plans are developed with multi-purpose spaces, wooden rectangular boxes with different functions, and flexible furniture which also could respond to the different activities proposed in the space.

Spatial and functional ideas

Several spaces in one

The idea is to develop a ‘capable space’, one that expresses desire and usefulness. This is not a room, either space to be assembled.

The Module

The module can be a single block or repeated side by side. It can be stacked up on each other or by the side to create a space underneath.

Multipurpose Spaces

Space sharing is a concept densely connected to the lifestyle and work habits of upcoming times. The idea is to have a space that can be used for multiple purposes. The single space can be partitioned.

Coworking spaces for the users

Facilities for working remotely should be included in the designed space.

Visual connectivity, natural light and view

Visually connected with each other where needed, motivated to work by seeing others work around them. Make social interactions easier.

Diffuse natural light enhances one's experience inside a building.

A fluid parasite

Such prototypes can be proposed in a place with fewer people and detached houses, or in a densely populated urban setting with high-rise buildings, or even in a place with block houses or row houses.

Site analysis

To design for the diploma work, I have chosen a site in the Aaltokangas area. The neighborhood is rather new compared to other settlements in the city of Oulu; it consists of detached houses, and the site is next to the daycare center of this area. The daycare center is in the middle of the neighborhood, making it more accessible for everyone in this specific area, and that is why I chose my site, the open area, next to this daycare center, something within the walking radius of the users. People living in this neighborhood are mostly single families with family members of all ages; thus, the functions of the design building are derived from the user scenarios so that the space can be used by all.

Built form analysis

Floor plans

All these programs seamlessly flow into each other, giving one freedom to choose and maneuver easily. The natural lighting and the outdoor courtyard connect the users to the natural elements and aid in invigorating them. Being modular in design, the space can be planned in various neighborhoods or nodes in the city center. All that is required is a small parcel of land.