C R I T I C S
HOUSE SYSTEM
- the frame system that work as walls=doors=windows, can bring some insecurance feelings
- the 2x3 unit could be too small, for instance a bathroom+a kitchen = 6sqm
+ this 2 choices allows a huge variety of house typologies, asking for a real participation of each family
PROPOSAL 1/2 . defending urban logics
+ clear urban structure and hierarchies that can handle not so clear private logics
+ the urban elements: squares, streets,...are the dynamic elements of this urban draw
+ all streets participate to the work of the settlement as a whole, connecting the inside with the outside
- a lot which doesn't allow so many house variations
+ controlling the infrastructure and green units allows a clear green network and 5m between the houses
+ a draw which takes advantage of the physical conditions
+ a green network which works for private needs and at the same time to all settlement
- the band structure doesn't allow clear groups of houses
+ "equal" lots
+ fire is prevented with 2 water points plus the green lines of each street
- 149 houses
PROPOSAL 2/2 . defending and stimulating private logics
+ clear urban structure and hierarchies
+ - a geometry game that doesn't take in account a special surrouding or particular physical conditions
+ a lot which allows many different house variations, just controlling the infrastructure unit
+ working with back-to-back lots make possible to build houses around patios
+ 4 "equal" quarters
+ 5 squares: 4 to each group of houses and a bigger one to all the settlement
+ the car streets are not working as short cuts
+ fire is prevented with 6 water points located in the squares 
- this lot freedom and the 3m streets can bring light and air problems
-144 houses
REFLEXTION ABOUT THE PROJECT DECISIONS
the unavoiable importance of the green in Chile, and the search for a "flexible" and participated scheme
made us explore other directions rather than the proposed in elemental competition,
because 1FAMILY=1LOT could bring clear advantages

because the places are always different like people…both proposals show different levels of people freedom…
because architecture by its own, cannot put everything working…but always has to contribute…
even recognizing that the elemental strategy is a cleaver one to optimizing the soil use, we prefer to explore
a 48sqm lot per family, where 2green units work as a self production area and as a city green layer
a basic block of rules allows:
many different human interpretations and with that many urban solutions according to each specific situation
the rules try to reach good answers concerning:
infrastructures, which should be optimized and conscious about their importance for the urban design
fire and earthquake protection:
each house works independetly and it can reach 75sqm just in 2 leveles
the stair is a physical strong point in concrete which allows people to go out safetly in case of fire
there are different groups of houses avoiding that the settlement goes on fire at the same time
the stair choice allows:
the optimization of the roof area, which makes the house useful area twice bigger
and with its structure all the ways to go in a house have a covered area
it is also a symbolic element, speaking about the expansion process: - until where each house can go
if we use a 3level stair, we reach a very strong element in the settlement which always be recognized
if we use a 2level stair - a more cleaver solution in terms of a low cost settlement,
this element will be absorved and maybe a cover element made by their own will appear
the stair is an expensive element, a situation which could be managed with the participation
of some companies in the project, working as sponsors who could use them as advertisment plans,...
in both proposals there is a lack of houses but architecture is about choices, or ???... and what should we choose?
a more qualified solution, trying to assure a better environment for all the families that will live in that place
OR assure a place for the exactly number of families, sacrifying the urban space...
WE CHOSE THE 1ST POSSIBILITY!