Calling Porto OIympico "ambitious" would probably be the understatement of the year. This unique set of condos was designed by JDS architects and NE Arquitetura as a way to create a high-rise housing development that was turned "inside out."
Turning condos inside out may sound strange and a little bit unsafe, but it is actually a great idea once you hear it broken down. Basically, JDS architects and NE Arquitetura wanted to bring life that is normally confined to the inside of an apartment outside. This led to the creation of terraces covered in grass and trees. The terraces instantly create miniature parks in the middle of a big city, in this case Rio de Janeiro, that otherwise would have never existed. You can check out some raw images of the conceptual Porto Olympico development and hopefully see the actual design by the time of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.
Park-Front Patios
The Porto Olympico Concept Condos Replaces Patios in Favor of Miniature Parks
Trend Themes
1. Park-front Condos - The trend for incorporating parks into condo designs presents opportunities for construction and real estate industries to pioneer new construction techniques that incorporate greenery and nature.
2. Miniature Parks - The trend for miniature parks can be explored by landscape architecture firms and designers as an innovative approach to sustainable urban development that brings nature into densely populated cities.
3. Inside-out Housing - The trend for 'inside-out' housing presents an opportunity for architects to experiment with unconventional building designs that break down existing construction norms and cater to new consumer demand for outdoor living spaces within urban areas
Industry Implications
1. Construction - The construction industry can benefit from the trend towards creating park-focussed condo designs by developing new techniques and materials that can be used for the construction of urban, eco-friendly residences.
2. Real Estate - The trend for mini-parks within urban housing designs provides real estate agents with an opportunity to market ecologically-friendly and modern living spaces that cater to the urbanite demographic concerned with quality of life issues and environmental responsibility.
3. Landscape Architecture - Landscape architecture can benefit from the trend towards incorporating miniature parks into urban architecture by designing new types of public and private outdoor spaces that promote sustainable development and green city planning.