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'ReSpace'

Designer(s):

Leda Demetriadou, Evgenia Malamoglou

Type:

Competition

Theme:

Architecture in the Aftermath of Disasters

Issuing organization:

International Union of Architects

Year:

2026

The RESPACE strategy is rooted in a spatial design approach whose primary characteristic is the reuse and regeneration of places across all scales of intervention. The initial objective focuses on the reuse of water resources through a rainwater collection system consisting of reservoirs that follow the natural topography of the site. The overflow of these rainwater reservoirs is directed toward irrigating the cultivated land surrounding the village.

A similar rainwater reuse system is implemented at the scale of the residential units. Through the slope of the roof.

In addition, to strengthen connectivity with surrounding areas, a network of roads is created using debris fragments generated by the earthquake. This strategy ensures safer and more resilient connections with neighboring regions.

The proposed way of living also incorporates a long-term, sustainable tourism strategy. Visitors reside with local families and participate in the daily activities of a typical household. This “live as a local” model aims both to economically support the village and to foster closer interaction and exchange between visitors and residents.

 

Regarding the residential organization, habitat components have been developed, consisting of two main rooms, a kitchen–storage space, a guest room, and a stable. The primary construction materials are rammed earth, with straw used to partially insulate the roof. These are placed on opposing walls at different heights to enhance the internal microclimate, improving cooling during the summer months and thermal comfort during the winter.

Beyond the housing units, a community center is proposed as a key element of the settlement. It serves both as an emergency gathering space and as a meeting place for residents during collective activities such as handicrafts and weaving, thereby strengthening social cohesion and shared identity. The building is structured around two rammed-earth walls that accommodate a communal kitchen and storage areas. The remaining space is designed with a flexible layout, incorporating movable perforated panels that allow for adaptable configurations and multiple uses. Additionally, the community center includes a small internal courtyard, which can be used for cooking and natural lighting, enhancing both functionality and environmental performance.

Contribution to Development

This project was an incredible opportunity to rethink urban housing in a Dutch neighbourhood, integrating both user needs and the municipality's strategies for a more connected, sustainable future. In this course, I had the opportunity to delve into strategic design in the Netherlands, combining the user-centered mindset I am developing in Industrial Design with my background in Architecture. I approached the project on multiple levels, community and individual, considering users’ privacy, needs and expectations through interviews and contextual research. This was also a valuable moment for me to re-experience architecture in a new setting, in an individual level rather than in teams that I was used to, with a different working culture. Here, the focus was more on feasibility, aligning with the city’s strategic plans, listening to users, and following a more structured, iterative design pace.

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Leda Demetriadou

Architect Engineer (BSc & MSc) AUTH

Industrial Designer (MSc) TUE

Eindhoven, Netherlands

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