Formal intervention in the urban landscape : designing a culturally-responsive framework for housing in Mexico City

Abstract

This thesis explores an alternate approach to designing affordable housing. Housing is presented not just as physical shelter but as part of a larger socio-economic and cultural context. Implicit in this thesis is the belief that who builds is just as important as what is built. When people are involved in the act of building their homes and their living environment, whether directly or indirectly, a richer and healthier urban environment will result. There are two main parts to this thesis. The first is an exploration into the urban context of Mexico City and an analysis of dwelling transformations in a low-income neighborhood. The attempt is to observe and understand the patterns of dwelling transformation as clues to successful and culturally-appropriate housing. The analysis serves a base of understanding and informs the second part of the thesis. The second part explores and proposes of a physical support framework for a specific site. The framework is meant to allow the· user over time to build incrementally using the design "clues" as a reference. The built framework is a formal manifestation of different levels of control by the designer corresponding to the opportunities and specific circumstances which the site presents. Also proposed are design interventions in which architects can have more control such as the design of a neighborhood church , a commercial-residential complex and a design intervention in the street.