COOP

Living through the pandemic of 2020 has made us rethink and explore the possibilities of converting parking structures in the city to a mixed-use hub for the community. Aside from promoting a more pedestrian friendly neighborhood and city, we ask ourselves: How do we adapt and reuse these structures to reactivate the community?

In Makati Central Business District alone, there are approximately 15 parking structures within a 1km radius. Will these structures continue to serve its purpose in the next couple of years?

COOP explores how modular units can be plugged into existing parking structures. Units are expandable and flexible according to use. Green spaces are introduced, bringing nature into the heart of a bustling city. It becomes some sort of neighborhood catchment of services for a more accessible city.

There are endless functions that can be housed in each modular unit. From cloud kitchens to pharmacies and clinics, satellite offices, retail to utilities, its flexibility in use and construction presents an opportunity to create a space that can definitely reactivate economic activity within a community.

An essential module is the garden module which provides pockets of nature into the dense urban environment. We explored different types such as active gardens, gardens for relaxation, and edible gardens which can be a source of sustenance, cooperation, and tranquility.

In the not too distant future, there will be less cars, more ride-sharing and hopefully better mass transit. This presents an opportunity for parking structures to be repurposed. With adaptive reuse rather than new construction, we reduce environmental stress while rebuilding and regenerating economic activity within the community.