the 'hive' project envisions honeycomb-shaped residential complex for 2030

heavily inspired by the structure and organization of honeycombs, design studio gianluca santosuosso has introduced the ‘hive –  human-inclusive & versatile ecosystem’, a shared living proposal for 2030. combining the properties of the beehive with the shape of the archetypal house, the project creates a new hybrid type of living space, able to merge nature’s efficiency with the ingenuity of humans. 

all images courtesy of gianluca santosuosso

considering the new challenges that our society will face in the next decades, gianluca santosuosso intended to develop a system rather than a defined design solution, focusing on social cohesion and nature regeneration. ‘our ambition is to introduce a new ecology of place where human does not damage the ecosystem but enriches, supports, and vastly benefits from its regeneration’ the studio shares. here, the notion of home extends beyond human beings to include animals, trees, the wind and rain. humans have as much of a privileged status in it as the rest of the natural world.

diversity and inclusion are the key aspects that the hive project aims to promote. the flexibility of the beehive modular system allows for huge customisation so that people tailor their homes to specific circulation, accessibility, lifestyle needs. for example, in double-storey homes the same module is designed to accommodate either a stairwell or an elevator. ramps and smooth paths replace conventional steps and obstacles.

on higher floors, open hexagonal modules allow inhabitants to own and share gardens, orchards and playgrounds. a mix of private, semi-private and shared spaces offer residents the opportunity to preserve their privacy, but also socialise with others. soundproofing and noise control are easily managed by the well insulated and structurally independent prefabricated modules.

this socio-eco-system includes a wide range of components from residential modular estates, shared services buildings, energy and food-production facilities, shared e-vehicle premises, urban connectivity components and wild nature habitats. the intent is to provide the hive with a wide spectrum of co-owned and shared facilities that will empower individuals, families and communities to be self-sufficient while allowing local authorities and administration to limit the need for public investments.

the presence of several generations in a single nest, the strong sense of belonging that hugely benefits all and the purpose-for-everyone make them a community paradigm. it is fundamental to enable inhabitants of all ages to feel comfortable, safe and truly useful to the community through their individual role, contribution and purpose in it. the design creates a biophilic home with place and meaning for all.

project info:

name: hive project / human-inclusive & versatile ecosystem
architecture office: gianluca santosuosso
in collaboration with: roman pomazan (urban design/architecture at urban sustain design), eri pontikopoulou (architect/designer at EPDS), buro happold (shrikant sharma and becky hayward – analytics team), davide frati (sustainability consultant), loris a. di benedetto (architect), richard holmes (community development consultant), hempire ltd (sergiy kovalenko – hemp construction consultant), marlegno s.r.l. (marco crippa – prefabricated timber structures consultant)