Su Myat Wutt Yee

The main features of Familia Heights are the communal terraces, strategically integrated into the design through stacking to offer multifunctional spaces where interactions between residents as well as neighbors are encouraged and supported by communal programs and activities. These elevated green spaces create a soothing environment with open spaces, offering a space for healing and recovery. The terraces also offer opportunities for residents to engage in cultural and educational activities, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment while emphasizing the importance of community and social connections within the housing project.

Refugee families often struggle from multiple problems such as housing and cost of living, mental health, racism and cultural adjustments. Affordable housing can provide stability and a sense of belonging, essential for their successful integration. It not only alleviates financial burdens but also fosters a supportive community, aiding in the recovery from trauma and promoting self-sufficiency. Inclusion in an architectural project for affordable housing can be a transformative step towards rebuilding their lives and achieving long-term well-being and security.

The project predominantly incorporates concrete, timber, and glass materials. Concrete is selected for its exceptional durability and versatile properties. Glass serves to establish transparent connections between the two structures, while timber is chosen for balustrades to harmonize with the greenery on the terraces.

The project's programs are designed with the goal of offering suitable housing for refugee families, focusing on facilitating interactions among themselves and with their neighbors and creating a bustling community in the building itself.

The ground floor of the building and the front part focuses on communal programs and activities to bring the refugee families and neighbors together, while the apartment units are tucked behind in order to provide an appropriate mixture of private and public. The stacking of the terraces can be seen in the plans along with the greenery.

The inclusion of multiple threshold spaces in the building design further promotes communal interactions with moments of pauses, emphasizing the importance of community and social connections within the housing project.