parasites - sustainable urban communities

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Parasites are lightweight assembly structure that use resources from their hosts — in this case the existing condition of the block. Parasites are generally considered as destructive, but our goal was to implement their non-destructive aspect and thus render hospitable places that used to be hostile. Our proposal is more of a principle then an actual development project that has an end in terms of a concrete physical manifestation. Inhabitants of the project location are active participants in the design process, and they consist of “natives” and influx of new, mostly young, people. The goal of this project is to achieve a symbiosis between nature, function and economy.

Parasites are frugal structures which means they have a low ecological footprint in terms of required resources — ones they are made of and ones they use from their host. Thanks to the use of vegetation, our parasite improve micro climate of the block and create relaxing ambiances. These interventions are not drastic — degradation of existing values is avoided and compatibility is prominent. Easy assembly and disassembly of parasitic structures enables them to appear and disappear according to the needs. Users themselves submit a request for parasite, directly or indirectly. When choosing and designing their parasites, users are assisted by mediators which help them in the process and who educate them on the topic of maintenance. The end result is a place where native and new inhabitants, together, build a stronger local community.

studio project 02A (4th semester) - urban planning
sustainable communities - location : donji dorćol
authors : Ognjen Milićević / Mina Jeremić / Lazar Žikić / Krsto Mandušić
mentors: v. prof. dr Marija Maruna / doc. dr Danijela Milovanović Rodić
student assistants : M. Arch Aleksandra Milovanović / M. Arch Jelena Radosavljević