Architect: Herzog & de Meuron, San Francisco, USA / © Herzog & de Meuron
Consider a concept where different disciplines come together, exceeding the boundaries of space and triggering creativity: Mixed-use projects. These projects are special projects that bring together many fields, from interior design to architecture, or from industrial design to healthcare facilities. Elements such as functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, and user experience become whole in these projects. Unique design elements such as creativity, innovation, and fun can come to life in this way. Mixed-use projects take the building complex beyond the ordinary. It opens the door to unusual experiences for people.
In this week's blog post, we take a closer look at the concept of mixed-use, the purpose of that project, the benefits, and examples of projects that have had a worldwide impact.
Purpose of Mixed-Use Projects
Mixed-use projects build skills and expertise from different disciplines in strong collaboration. To the project complex, various spaces can create. These spaces aim to offer innovative and effective solutions. Usually, experts from different fields such as architecture, interior design, industrial design, psychology, and engineering work together for mixed-use projects. As a result of collective work, features such as functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, and user experience are included in these projects.
In mixed-use projects, spaces are used more efficiently and for multiple purposes. For this reason, user needs can supply theirs efficiently in this project. Principles such as innovation, technological integration, and sustainability are at the forefront. Thus, solutions that improve the quality of life and spatial experience of users can emerge.
Benefits of Mixed-Use Projects
Mixed-use projects offer different benefits in many areas. Thanks to the coming together of experts from various disciplines, these projects enable more innovative and effective designs to be realized. The multi-purpose and efficient using spaces is one of the most important advantages of mixed-use projects. In these projects, the multifunctional spaces add more flexibility to living spaces by increasing their usage value.
Sustainability principles are one of the main focuses of mixed-use projects. Considering the challenging conditions brought by the increasing global climate crisis, it is seen that energy efficiency and environmentally friendly practices come to the fore.
Mixed-use buildings can create interesting and impressive atmospheres as they are created by the cooperation of people from different disciplines. The combination of different perspectives in these projects allows the development of more comprehensive and integrated solutions. Thus, better solutions can emerge that supply users' needs and prioritize sustainability.
Architect: ODA, Buenos Aires, Argentina / © ODA
Conversion from Old Parking Lot to Mixed-Use Project
World-renowned American-based architectural design office ODA has signed a mixed-use project in Buenos Aires. The project involves the opening of a former parking lot to the public. There are cafes, parks, shops, and indoor parking in the building complex. The project is aiming to benefit the public. The project candidate is to become the symbol of the city.
Architect: Urban Platform, Tienen, Belgium / © Steven Massart
Immac² Mixed-Use Project
The mixed-use project, which is located in an old school district in Belgium, draws attention to the combination of the new and the old. The project area includes residences, restaurants, and educational units. In fact, the restaurant, included in the project, has been converted from an old chapel. The design approach that does not interfere with the existing urban texture increases the value of the Immac² project.
Architect: MVRVD, Rennes, France / © agrob-buchtal.de / Ossip Architectuurfotografie
Project The Power of Ceramics on the Facade: An Example of Mixed-Use
The mixed-use project, which is located in Rennes, France, was designed by the Netherlands-based architecture office MVRDV. The project includes residential, commercial, and community areas in accordance with the mixed-use concept. The project draws attention to the impressive decisions taken in the building design.
The building complex, which is located among natural beauties, has a form reminiscent of the mountain typology. The building rises by narrowing from the ground floors to the upper floors. The gray-tone ceramics used on the façade are specially chosen. While there are darker tones on the ground floors, there are lighter shades of gray on the upper floors.
The project examples included in the blog post are impressive examples of mixed-use concept projects. Mixed-use projects have great freedom and encourage creativity. These projects create unexpected and innovative solutions thanks to the synergy created by bringing together different disciplines. Since it has a human-oriented approach, it prioritizes user needs and experiences. These projects not only transform spaces, it is also improving people's quality of life.
Do not forget to visit the ASPEN blog page to access other content in addition to our related post that touched on mixed-use projects that combine flexibility, multi-purpose use, sustainability, and user-oriented designs!
*Images taken from archdaily.com.
