Precendent Study and Adaptation: PREVI
James Stirling, 1969
Lima, Peru
9/2025
3 weeks
Architectural Design V
Syracuse University
James Stirling's contribution to the Proyecto Experimental de Vivienda (PREVI) were prefabricated, inexpensive units designed to accomodate expansion and versatile configurations. Units were built in groups of four, sharing major walls and centralized plumbing, with the rooms of each organized around their own private, central courtyard. Conceptually, groups of four units could then be duplicated and arranged into neighborhoods around larger, shared courtards.
I adapted Stirling's PREVI units for a higher density context around an urban square, challenged by retaining key elements more feasible in suburban contexts, such as private courtyards in each unit, local courtyards for groups of units, and room for expansion and various configurations in each unit.
Units occupy one of three floors each. Each unit is allocated 1-2 unobstructed courtyards built upon the exess space of the larger unit below, into which the units can expand. Groups of six units share a larger, rear courtyard with the buildings behind, and all units are positioned around a central square.