BDES1020 'Continuous City' <Sebastian Tiong>

Abstract

Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, Tunis is a city with a long and rich history dating back 2000 years. The urban fabric in the medina, the historic centre, is unique in its architecture and irregular grid system. In the modern era however the social fabric of the medina has deteriorated in part due to urbanisation. The historic quarter faces acute housing shortages with residents living in substandard conditions. The brief responds to the social challenges confronting the medina. The Tunis social housing and government service centre project is a modern development consisting of a government shopfront and 30 living units accommodating 60 rural immigrants. The design aims to be low cost, functional and sustainable. While contemporary the complex is sensitive to the historic urban fabric with local architecture features incorporated into the design.