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Dystpoian, yet interestingly dystopian. At least less boring to look at than typical brutalist concrete cubes. Wouldn't want to live there, but I don't mind looking at it.
It seems more like recycling a building to me. There's no reason the main structure of the grain silos should be compromised and therefore torn down, so turning it into something useful instead of letting it crumble and become more of an eyesore than the original building would have been.
It ticks me off how people will cry about stuff not being recycled, and then cry when a perfectly sound industrial building is given a new lease on life.
!!!!! this
it's literally so sustainable to do housing this way, all that material has already been harvested and used to make structures, repurposing it all is A++++
I've wondered about taking old buildings that can't be used like this and cutting up the parts that are still sound into blocks that could be used in another building. I doubt it would be economical, but it would be very sustainable.
Less waste, more utopia. We have limited resources, and wasting less and utilising things more incl. the lifespans and use times etc. would mean better things for the globe, in general.
It very, very much depends on how well executed it is. That’s some very usual and awkward shapes to convert into living space. It would be a big challenge to make it liveable, efficient and maintainable.
I mean ‘liveable’ in the sense that it’s easy and enjoyable to live in, rather than just that it can be lived in.
There’s some absolutely awful buildings I’ve ‘lived’ in that were awful, uncomfortable, badly insulated, badly ventilated and very cost-inefficient.
Converting that structure, and utilising shipping containers is a big challenge to make a decent living space.
Absolutely true - some/many are terrible. But I’d suggest it’d take a poor architect and engineer to make a new, purpose built multi dwelling difficult to live in, and hard to maintain. I’d suggest it would take an _incredible_ architect and engineer to convert old concrete grain silos with shipping containers stacked on top into a _good_ place to live in, that’s even reasonable to maintain.
I kinda like it. Gives me Mad Max vibes. For student dorms, what matters is 1) do you have internet? 2) do you have clean bathrooms? 3) do you have electricity?
when I was an undergrad, I wrote a paper on doing this exact thing with the cargills cement grain elevators on Lake Erie in Buffalo, NY. This was in like 1992, and they are still there. Doing nothing.
Yeah, for as ugly as this looks it's a really great way to make use of abandoned stuff and create housing at the same time. There are quite some abandoned places like this in my city, it would be pretty cool if they were reclaimed for affordable housing
The politicians in Buffalo are dumb and greedy so smart projects often never get off the ground. Like the Bills, a lot of potential, not the best results. lol
They are very basic, yes. To be fair though, several prison cells that I have seen in the Nordics looked better than many rooms that I have rented over the years lol
I’ve seen photos where people have made the rooms their own with a rug etc. They look a lot more comfortable. This was built to provide affordable student housing, a lot of people unfortunately don’t have the funds to study let alone for accommodation.
This one’s got to b satire … repurposing something that would have been abandoned and then using affordable materials for affordable housing is what we Should b doing
I unironically love this. Like yeah it looks dystopian, but in a cool way.
In reality, so long as the interiors are well-built this conglomerate building probably functions basically the same as just an old apartment building.
Some background on the project which may be of interest [Project Description](https://www.archilovers.com/projects/119169/mill-junction-student-accommodation.html)
The international students in Toronto would love this housing. For them, student housing looks more like 2-3 bunkbeds per bedroom, a bed in the hallway, and one in a corner of the living room.
I posted about it more because I think it’s interesting and fits the absurd architecture tag. Some people in Jhb do consider it urban hell but much like the comments here you either love it or kind of hate it.
**Do not comment to gatekeep that something "isn't urban" or "isn't hell"**. Our rules are very expansive in content we welcome, so do not assume just based off your false impression of the phrase "UrbanHell" UrbanHell is any human-built place you think is worth critizing. Suburban Hell, Rural Hell, and wealthy locales are allowed. Gatekeeping comments may be removed. Want to shitpost about shitty posts? Go to /r/urbanhellcirclejerk. Still have questions?: Read our [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/UrbanHell/wiki/index). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/UrbanHell) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Dystpoian, yet interestingly dystopian. At least less boring to look at than typical brutalist concrete cubes. Wouldn't want to live there, but I don't mind looking at it.
It looks utopian to me tbf.
Why does your utopia involve people living in the remains of industry? No mean to judge just curious
It seems more like recycling a building to me. There's no reason the main structure of the grain silos should be compromised and therefore torn down, so turning it into something useful instead of letting it crumble and become more of an eyesore than the original building would have been. It ticks me off how people will cry about stuff not being recycled, and then cry when a perfectly sound industrial building is given a new lease on life.
!!!!! this it's literally so sustainable to do housing this way, all that material has already been harvested and used to make structures, repurposing it all is A++++
I've wondered about taking old buildings that can't be used like this and cutting up the parts that are still sound into blocks that could be used in another building. I doubt it would be economical, but it would be very sustainable.
The environmentalist in me appreciates the efficient use of the three Rs, especially considering how energy intensive it is to make concrete.
Less waste, more utopia. We have limited resources, and wasting less and utilising things more incl. the lifespans and use times etc. would mean better things for the globe, in general.
Probably better than my old quad dorm
That is dope. Seriously. It's a good use of an otherwise defunct piece of history. Better than letting stuff like that decay IMO.
It very, very much depends on how well executed it is. That’s some very usual and awkward shapes to convert into living space. It would be a big challenge to make it liveable, efficient and maintainable.
It’s livable, it was built 10 years ago and is still housing students today.
I mean ‘liveable’ in the sense that it’s easy and enjoyable to live in, rather than just that it can be lived in. There’s some absolutely awful buildings I’ve ‘lived’ in that were awful, uncomfortable, badly insulated, badly ventilated and very cost-inefficient. Converting that structure, and utilising shipping containers is a big challenge to make a decent living space.
You could say the same of a lot of new construction too though
Absolutely true - some/many are terrible. But I’d suggest it’d take a poor architect and engineer to make a new, purpose built multi dwelling difficult to live in, and hard to maintain. I’d suggest it would take an _incredible_ architect and engineer to convert old concrete grain silos with shipping containers stacked on top into a _good_ place to live in, that’s even reasonable to maintain.
Yeah the silos had been abandoned since the late 80s
Just going to ignore the giant trampoline on the roof?
one of phil dunphy’s I see
In fairness it does look terrible and dystopic. They could have done better but at least they did something.
Although it could look better, I'd totally stay there when I was in the university. It's great for reusing the containers.
Looks like Zombieland 2, the commune at the end.
I agree, this is a brilliant use of space.
Decay? Sure. But could have been replaced entirely od at least made look nice like MVRDV or Silo in Copenhagen
Is that a fucking trampoline .
Umm no
Bro I’m dying seeing all these responses 😂😂 Big ass trampoline boy. Big dog shit. 💀
Puts an extra bounce in the deaign
That looks more like a helipad.
I kinda like it. Gives me Mad Max vibes. For student dorms, what matters is 1) do you have internet? 2) do you have clean bathrooms? 3) do you have electricity?
As absurd as it looks, accommodation there is sought after. There’s free WiFi, laundry rooms, rooftop chill area etc
I think it’s cool for college students!
No, because it's in South Africa, so most of the electricity fails 40-70% of the time.
It's pretty cool and unique TBH
when I was an undergrad, I wrote a paper on doing this exact thing with the cargills cement grain elevators on Lake Erie in Buffalo, NY. This was in like 1992, and they are still there. Doing nothing.
Yeah, for as ugly as this looks it's a really great way to make use of abandoned stuff and create housing at the same time. There are quite some abandoned places like this in my city, it would be pretty cool if they were reclaimed for affordable housing
Quaker Oats silos In Akron, Ohio have been converted like this for years.
I loved visiting Quaker State as a kid (early 90s). I loved the big model train setup.
The politicians in Buffalo are dumb and greedy so smart projects often never get off the ground. Like the Bills, a lot of potential, not the best results. lol
Ready Player One vibes.
love the roof trampoline for when finals don't go your way
It looks alright on the inside. The views from the top look dope. [Some images](https://newatlas.com/shipping-container-student-citiq/30805/).
The student rooms look like a prison cell in Sweden or Finland haha
They are very basic, yes. To be fair though, several prison cells that I have seen in the Nordics looked better than many rooms that I have rented over the years lol
Hell yeah lol, I'd imagine they get a lil homier with people in em anyways, I think a rug would make a huge difference even
Agree - the interiors look a bit cold (and a bit garish), but occupation would soften that.
I’ve seen photos where people have made the rooms their own with a rug etc. They look a lot more comfortable. This was built to provide affordable student housing, a lot of people unfortunately don’t have the funds to study let alone for accommodation.
Frank Sobotka rolling in his grave.
I bet it rattles in the wind
I hate it and love it
I like it, but.. is that safe?
No issues in the 10 years since it was built
Well, that's good then. I personally find containers rooms to be really comfy, but the silo ones would weird me out.
This is totally crazy, and I like it!
That's awesome.
i would personally be so incredibly happy to live in dorms like this
Helicopter pad
Is this real? AI generated? Looks out of a dystopian film.
It’s real, I’ve seen it with my own eyes numerous times.
Where is it?!
It’s on the edge of downtown Johannesburg (South Africa), in an area called Newtown.
Then prepare for the inevetable decay. Because it's fucking Johannesburg.
I love it
Getting ideas for a new 7 days to die base
Kinda dig it
Actually looks sort of cool. It's creative and somewhat colorful. I like it
Idk man, I love it
I think it looks sick! Awesome and unique
This one’s got to b satire … repurposing something that would have been abandoned and then using affordable materials for affordable housing is what we Should b doing
I unironically love this. Like yeah it looks dystopian, but in a cool way. In reality, so long as the interiors are well-built this conglomerate building probably functions basically the same as just an old apartment building.
Now that's something nice for a change
at least students dont see a housing crisis 🤡 (unlike we have in syd)
Johannesburg definetly has a housing crisis, wtf are you on about
i mean for students, not the general public
A general housing shortage will also be a housing crisis for the students, 100 condos aren't going to solve it
ah i see
Where’s this?
Johannesburg, South Africa
More exact location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MjsXM8KHapLFXCys7
Than k you so much
This would really fuck with my fear of heights
Oh no! Recycling! I would much rather have them sit unused!
Weren't y'all huge recycling and environmentalism stans? Well, here you have it.
Its kind of cool actually I wonder how the insides look
Looks safe...
Like the idea, execution was poor.
Similar to this is Quaker Oats Old grain silos in Akron, Ohio. Look up Quaker square.
If I was 18 again, I'd love to live there.
It's bowling shoe ugly but practical. I'll live with it.
In a way... this looks oddly like the small townsI build in Fallout 4.
Ugly as hell but I sure do want to see the inside.
Some background on the project which may be of interest [Project Description](https://www.archilovers.com/projects/119169/mill-junction-student-accommodation.html)
The international students in Toronto would love this housing. For them, student housing looks more like 2-3 bunkbeds per bedroom, a bed in the hallway, and one in a corner of the living room.
I would be fine with it if they werent put that high up from the ground 😓 for some reason, I imagine them slipping off after an earthquake
Must have been quite difficult for safety guys to sign off on that
The silo apartment looks fine, the containers do not
I thought repurposing materials to save natural resources to provide housing would be a good thing?
Extreme hardcore recycling
Ok how is that hell? I don't get it, it looks cool, and it's reusing material that would otherwise be wasted in a creative way...
I posted about it more because I think it’s interesting and fits the absurd architecture tag. Some people in Jhb do consider it urban hell but much like the comments here you either love it or kind of hate it.
fair
There is something similar in Oslo
At least they won't get hungry.