Barrio Xolotlán

Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, is a fragmented and socially divided city with very poor housing conditions. This project addresses these issues by proposing an incremental housing area in the historic city centre next to lake Xolotlán. It not only creates affordable housing, but also revitalizes the waterfront.

To address Managuas problems this design proposes an area of incremental housing and mixed public use near the historic centre next to the lake Xolotlán. Therefore, it is situated at a prominent place close to the cities historical sights. The revitalization of the waterfront will add to the quality of life of all of Managuas inhabitants. As a new space of encounter, the lake will serve as the connecting element between new and old parts of the city. From the perspective of urban planning, the projects aims at counteracting social displacement and segregation. It integrates a social housing area in a prominent place within the urban structure while at the same time providing privacy for its inhabitants. To achieve this, my design sets a permeable frame around the housing area. This frame is divided in a housing part directed inwards the area and a part of public use (e.g. shops, cafes, market stands etc.) oriented to the opposite direction. The structure of the housing area generates fluid spaces and a clear circulation. The circulation is organized along a sequence of plazas. To be able to adapt the area according to the needs of the inhabitants, the design offers two different types of houses. The first type is the classical incremental type of growing in height. The concept is to offer a variety of modules within a clear structure. These modules can be combined for future expansions. Therefore, the shape of the complex will be in constant motion and development. The second type of incremental housing planned consists of a framework allowing growth to the inside of the building. The concept allows different kinds of dwelling sizes and shapes – a town house, a maisonette or even a multi flat building type. The initial state is again designed with a simple structure to offer many possibilities for expansions. I am aware that it is not completely possible for a foreign architect, while only living a few months in a specific place, to take into account every aspect of local culture and particularities, but I think it is still important to try.