Habrá una vez

The project addresses the challenges and transformations of 21st-century living, considering the complexity of human relationships and the evolving dynamics of daily life. It proposes an innovative housing block focused on cooperation and community living, redefining the traditional concept of private ownership and fostering mutual support among neighbors.

One of the main features of the project is the inclusion of “wildcard” modules—temporary multifunctional spaces managed collectively—that can be integrated into homes based on family needs at any given time (e.g., for work, housing expansion, etc.). These modules are managed through a common fund for the block’s maintenance and expenses. This cooperative living concept promotes the temporary exchange or sharing of housing or parts of it for community or private use, creating new forms of mutual support among neighbors (e.g., time banking, collective help networks).

The housing units are designed to ideally cluster around a central courtyard, connected by communal corridors conceived as relational spaces—a transition between the interior and exterior—promoting neighborly interactions and serving as the nucleus of community life. This corridor-courtyard system becomes the heart of the block, the center of communal living. At the same time, all homes maintain a direct connection with the city through their main façade, which opens toward public spaces and streets via windows and private exterior spaces, serving as “eyes” on the city. A central pedestrian passage with mixed uses runs through the block, reinforcing the presence of commerce and community facilities on the ground floor, fostering close relationships, and creating a dynamic urban environment.

The proposed homes are based on 3×7-meter modules, with sizes ranging from 42 m² to 126 m². They feature flexible layouts that allow for customization of interior spaces, while services and wet areas (kitchen, bathroom, laundry, storage) remain fixed along the interior façade.

Narratively, the proposal reflects on contemporary housing through the story of Eva and the changes in her home over 30 years. This narrative thread highlights how the proposed homes can adapt to changes in family dynamics over time.

In conclusion, “Once Upon a Time” is a collective housing project that seeks to integrate private and community life, promoting cooperation, exchange, and new forms of mutual support, while enhancing urban vitality and the quality of life for its residents.