As a ritual, spring announces the return of a practice that only Russians have the secret : dacha living. Having seduced city dwellers for almost two centuries, the dacha offers a piece of land that can be personalized according to one’s own taste. It also allowed Russians to survive several food crises during the XXth century, by deploying an alternative network of micro-farmers, the dachnikis.
Unfortunately, this way of living is only possible in summer and it is often difficult to leave the dacha and come back to a flat living condition in town. Therefore, no escape until the next mild season.
Imagining a permanent and urban housing typology which is inspired by the dachnik culture, means to rethink our relationship with our soil and regain a certain autonomy meanwhile living in the city.
Charles Duwig / MA Diploma, 2020
Prof. Jeffrey Huang / Teaching assistant : Georg-Christoph Holz
Supervision by Florence Graezer Bideau and Philippe Thalmann
The project explores the emergence of a parallel society, based on the collaboration of urban dachnikis, who are eager to develop local and domestic economies enriched by synergies between their different skills.
A bioclimatic housing (inspired by the «Naturhus» concept) or microcosm, composed of a network of adaptable and flexible greenhouses, will house semi-autonomous and customizable tiny houses that will share the garden and the community spaces.
Copyright © 2020-2022 Charles Duwig
This prototypology will find expression in the interstices of downtown Moscow, as for instance in the «Red October» district.
Formerly a famous chocolate factory, this experimental ground today covered by parking lots will be taken over by these new proactive communities.
Copyright © 2020-2024 Charles Duwig
