04/08/2026
Common Grounds
Our proposal for the Cyprus Affordable Housing Competition reimagines social housing as a network of small, connected neighbourhoods rather than a collection of isolated apartments.
The project combines communal gardens, shaded walkways, shared terraces and active rooftops to create a gradual transition between public, shared and private life.
The buildings respond to the site’s topography while providing naturally lit, cross-ventilated homes. Repeated housing types and conventional construction ensure affordability, while varied façades, planting and communal spaces give each residential cluster its own identity.
The result is a contemporary model of collective living inspired by Cypriot spatial traditions, where courtyards, shade and outdoor life become tools for social connection and environmental comfort.
Design Team: Christos Gourdoukis, Xenia Papastergiou, Maria Mprikou, Anuja Joshi
