Scandinaviëblokken: From Ageing Modernist Condominium Toward a Vertical Neighborhood

Abstract: The "Scandinaviëblokken" in Ghent, dating back to the 1960s, face urgent renovation needs, including fire safety issues, inefficient heating systems, and pest infestations. In 2022, Studio Tuin en Wereld, AgwA, and Domus Mundi conducted a conceptual study commissioned by the City of Ghent and its Master Architect to explore the challenges and opportunities of large scale co-owned buildings. Despite structural integrity and well-planned apartments, economic constraints pose a significant hurdle for renovation. This challenge is especially pronounced for the numerous low-income owner-residents. Participatory workshops emphasized the importance of balancing economic rationality with public spaces and programming. This balance is crucial to ensure the residents' housing security. At the same time, it evidences the delicate position of designing architects. To address this, the study highlights potential evolutions of the collective ownership. These range from property exchanges to housing cooperatives and are aimed at achieving an inclusive energy transition in a diverse living environment. Through the exploration of these models, the authors reflect about the evolution of inherited property models. Will this study serve as a catalyst for a more inclusive approach to renovation and transformation projects of large-scale housing complexes?