Layers of Life

Project idea

The idea of this project is to create an Eco-Educational Public Center in Stryi, Ukraine, that redefines sustainable community spaces through vertical programming. It aims to integrate commerce, culture, education, and resilience in a compact urban plot using environmentally friendly systems like solar panels, wind turbines, rainwater harvesting, and piezoelectric flooring. The goal is to build a self-sustaining ecosystem that fosters community empowerment, youth engagement, and environmental awareness.

Project description

This project consists of a three-story public building with a basement. It includes:
• A commercial ground floor with a café and retail to ensure financial sustainability.
• A first floor designed for community programs like youth engagement zones, children’s activity rooms, MPU, and workshops.
• A second floor with offices and meeting rooms for eco-social initiatives.
• A basement serving as an air raid shelter and housing technical systems.

The design enables layered spatial programming, blending green infrastructure with public activity zones.

Technical information

• Structure: Compact, up to 12m high, with ~600 m² plot area and ~220 m² floor area.
• Systems:
• 114 solar panels on roof/façade (est. $54,720)
• 2 wind turbines (3kW each, $16,446.64 total)
• Piezoelectric tiles for footfall energy (~$7,725)
• Rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, natural ventilation, and BIPV glass panels
• Materials: Local and recycled materials, wood cladding, green roofs
• Sustainability Focus: Designed to achieve near-zero energy consumption with a 9.24-year renewable payback period.

Documentation

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