Addressing Crowded Loneliness: A Recomposed Residential High-Rise Typology

Abstract

The demand for density in today’s urban environment has created the ideal condition for the residential high-rise typology as it increases land density and prevents urban sprawl. However, the rapid implementation of the typology has revealed its shortcomings in fostering social connections, relating to context, and creating utilized spaces. The conventional typology neglects the characteristics of a connected environment with its exclusivity, scale, isolated circulation, and concealed common spaces. Residents in high-rises have never been closer, yet loneliness and social isolation have never been more prominent. This phenomenon indicates the significance of one’s environment on whether they feel connected. This thesis aims to address the social and typological issues by introducing public spaces amongst the private, creating micro communities within the macro, embedding program within the circulation, and using transparency to promote utilization. These will facilitate opportunities for social interaction and create a community of social cohesion.