Architectural Committee of Azerbaijan, Aghdam, Karabagh, Azerbaijan, July 15, 2022
On July 15, 2022, AIM TEXAS Design Group, submitted design proposals for Developing a Residential Complex near a historical site for Aghdam City, Karabagh, Azerbaijan, within the reconstruction and redevelopment master plan for the city.
The urban insertion of the complex revolves around carving of the blocks into wrapping and cascading series of buildings, occupying their respective block while opening habitable and shaded green spaces as courtyards for inhabitants, this way, the streetside and urban scape connected into the softscape of the park.
The complex is designed so as to be respectful to the tombs and archeological site at Uzerliktepe, as well as providing views to the adjacent park, to this end, the form cascades down in between towards the archaeological site and the park, extending its programming with green parks, sports courts, cafeteria buildings, and children’s playground parks.
The complex is designed so as to give a variety of spaces, beyond the requisite residential spaces, the complex is aimed at providing public programmatic layout in the form of commercial spaces on the first floor.
These commercial spaces will aid in providing a more walkable community, cutting down on commuting needs, and bolster a sense of community via shared public functions, and will range from streetside boutique shops to farmers markets and grocery stores, to public functions such as galleries, gathering spaces, etc.
In addition, within the public spaces allotted, will be placed multiple discrete buildings utilized for cafeterias and bistros, as well as sports courts and children’s parks. Same system of formal design is utilized in this commercial insertion, where their footprint is based on imprint of floors above.
These variants, depending on the floor placement and form of the building, are laid out in variety of systems in which more than one type, and often 2 or 3 unit types, are represented in each floor. Furthermore, these residential units are arranged with comfort of living and efficiency in mind on both, thus allowing for densification while keeping the footprints of the individual buildings rather sparse.
In fact, the building footprint as opposed to green space allotment in blocks ranges between 43- 47% of the total area, giving large spaces for public use. Cascading form allows for formal gesture towards the lower densities, while preserving the urban scale, skyline and streetscape by rising up to 8 stories. The roofing is photovoltaic shingles, so as to contribute as secondary and tertiary energy generation for the complex, along with shading facade which create balconies and also lower active heating need.
