Will 'Parasitic Architecture' transform placemaking in cities?
A simple yet radical scheme to introduce low-cost housing to dense cities could have major implications for placemaking in our urban environments.
French studio Stéphane Malka Architecture have been creating prefabricated living spaces which lean on and extend from existing buildings in Paris, cantilevering over streets at unusual angles.
The concept – nicknamed ‘parasitic architecture’ – is an environmentally-friendly and economical solution to creating living space in urban areas short of space for new developments.
“The idea is working against the urban sprawl that kills our social links,” said Malka in a statement. “It’s also a contemporary way to discover new perspectives of a city. We have accessed a new Paris above the horizon.”
Malka’s project, called 3BOX, takes advantage of a new city law allowing extensions to old buildings being renovated in Paris.
Steel, wood and glass boxes are quickly forged piece-by-piece in workshops before being bolted together on site and attached to their ‘host’ building.
The architects partnered with construction firm Les Toits du Monde (Roofs of the World) – which provides engineering services for landlords in return for the right to attach the 3BOX structures to their buildings.
The scheme allows the creation of modular housing that is 40 per cent cheaper than the real estate market price and can be adapted according to the needs of users.
While so far used only for housing in Paris, there are many potential leisure uses for 3BOX-style volumes, which could bring low-cost music venues, eateries, bars, shops, sports facilities and museums to busy cities without the need to first tear down old buildings to create space.
Malka has previously proposed such a scheme in 2014. His P9 project visualised art galleries, recording studios, shops, playgrounds, canteens and nightclubs housed in modular volumes attached to public spaces, including bridges.
Paris architecture design placemaking leisure culture Parasitic Architecture Studio MalkaDavid Chipperfield and Sou Fujimoto among the winners in design competition to 'prefigure the Paris of tomorrow'
Zaha Hadid, Kengo Kuma and Daniel Libeskind design prefab pavilions for Robbie Antonio's Revolution Project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
BrunelloCucinelli has madehisfortune from cashmere and has used hiswealthto restoreandrevive theItalian hamlet he callshome. Wefindout more
Tom Walker exploresthe storybehind TottenhamHotspur’sgroundbreakingnew footballstadium