The city above the street
RoofTops · 2020 · Independent research
RoofTops investigates the potential of underused roofs as places for activity, social exchange, and everyday occupation. The study treats the rooftop as part of the city’s lived environment, asking how a space often left to services or neglect might support a more deliberate programme.
01 / IDENTIFY THE OPPORTUNITY
The research begins with the aerial image of the city and the gap between available roof area and the quality of its use. It considers the difference between a private house and a shared residential building, where decisions involve several residents and a more complex set of interests.
The research begins with the aerial image of the city and the gap between available roof area and the quality of its use. It considers the difference between a private house and a shared residential building, where decisions involve several residents and a more complex set of interests.
02 / UNDERSTAND THE OBSTACLES
A market review and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis examine the practical and social conditions around rooftop use. The study does not treat physical design as the only question. Participation, access, maintenance, and the relationship between residents are part of the problem being investigated.
A market review and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis examine the practical and social conditions around rooftop use. The study does not treat physical design as the only question. Participation, access, maintenance, and the relationship between residents are part of the problem being investigated.
03 / START WITH THE RESIDENTS
The proposed process begins by testing residents’ interest and identifying the activities they would value. Research, interviews, and questionnaires are presented alongside experiments and potential actions. The aim is to connect a spatial proposal to the people who would use and sustain it.
The proposed process begins by testing residents’ interest and identifying the activities they would value. Research, interviews, and questionnaires are presented alongside experiments and potential actions. The aim is to connect a spatial proposal to the people who would use and sustain it.
04 / A RANGE OF POSSIBLE USES
The activity studies explore sports, outdoor cinema, reading, gardening, teaching, workshops, and other shared programmes. These are possibilities within the research, rather than a single fixed rooftop design. Their suitability depends on the building and its residents.
The activity studies explore sports, outdoor cinema, reading, gardening, teaching, workshops, and other shared programmes. These are possibilities within the research, rather than a single fixed rooftop design. Their suitability depends on the building and its residents.
05 / QUESTIONS THAT SHAPE THE PROJECT
The final part of the presentation brings together questions about renovation, environmental conditions, shared use, and social and safety concerns. These questions establish areas for further project-specific investigation. The work is presented as a research framework and a set of design enquiries.
The final part of the presentation brings together questions about renovation, environmental conditions, shared use, and social and safety concerns. These questions establish areas for further project-specific investigation. The work is presented as a research framework and a set of design enquiries.
PROJECT RECORD
Year: 2020
Type: Independent architectural and urban research
Author: Mamdouh Hani
Presentation: Research diagrams, resident-engagement studies, programme ideas, and user questions
Year: 2020
Type: Independent architectural and urban research
Author: Mamdouh Hani
Presentation: Research diagrams, resident-engagement studies, programme ideas, and user questions