Moshe Safdie: How to reinvent the apartment building

Reinventing Urban Living: A Vision for Housing

The Journey Begins: Observations from North America

• In 1960, the speaker received a fellowship to study housing in North America, observing public high-rise buildings where those with no choice lived.

• The speaker concluded that there was a need to reinvent apartment buildings, emphasizing sustainability and the qualities of a house for each unit.

• The concept of "Habitat" emerged, focusing on gardens and contact with nature instead of traditional corridors.

Reflections on Urban Development in China

• During a trip to China in 1973 amidst the Cultural Revolution, the speaker noted the absence of high-rise buildings in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

• Fast forward thirty years, urban landscapes transformed dramatically with high-density living becoming prevalent across cities like São Paulo.

Rethinking Habitat for Modern Densities

• The speaker's team aimed to make housing more affordable while maintaining quality of life amid increasing urban densities.

• Key elements identified included light, sun exposure, nature integration, and building surface fractalization for better exterior contact.

Innovative Urban Planning Concepts

• A reconfiguration model for Lower Manhattan was proposed where office buildings serve as bases for residential apartments above them.

• This design includes community streets at elevated levels featuring gardens and open spaces that promote permeability and light throughout the structure.

Realizing Quality of Life in Housing Projects

• Recent projects across Asia have begun implementing these concepts successfully; examples include middle-income housing in Qinhuangdao ensuring sunlight access.