PIXPORT LAGOS

bird’s-eye view

Keywords

AI generated images, prompts were based on the keywords

Site

Moodboard | Colors and materials

Concept | Transforming the movement into the form

Concept | Growing system

Perspective view from the lagoon

Program | Before and After

Program | Transforming economy from linear to circular

Program

Perspective view on the courtyard

Perspective view on the market

Perspective view on the recycling laboratory

Structure scheme | CLT supports and CLT modules

Structure scheme | Solar panels on the green roofs and ETFE pillows as walls

Modular system

Modular system | 6 types of the modules

Perspective view on the embankment

Creating diverse transport system

Inflatable platforms (boats) | Using rivers for creating shortest ways between different city areas

Inflatable platforms (boats) | Options of colours that highlight routes

Cable cars | Using cables to connect different parts of the city

Phygital platform | Connecting citizens, business, and stakeholders

reimaging cities with self-driving cars

🤍

reimaging cities with self-driving cars 🤍

Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Size: 11 600 m2
Programmatic: city prototype
Architects: SA lab
Industrial designer: Santiago Sánchez
Status: competition
Awards: 1st prize in the competition
Year: 2023

Press kit

SA lab and industrial designer Santiago Sanchez recently won the first prize in the HackCity Competition, using AI to address modern city issues and plan a "15-minute" community ecosystem. PixPort is an open design system that offers worldwide implementation, allowing multiple modes of transport to coexist and fostering economic growth, job creation, and business resilience while contributing to a more resilient local economy.

PixPort Lagos is a prototype city that rethinks the structure of the city and mobility, which is being changed by self-driving cars, called “moving space” by Pix Moving company. The competition is aimed to use 100 moving spaces to reimagine existing cities. Lagos city was chosen as a pilot site.

The site is located close to the bridge and the Lagos Lagoon. Land use is intense, a local market now occupies streets, parking areas, and pavement. By 2050, 68% of the world's population will live in urban areas, driven by India, China, and Nigeria. Cities consume over 75% of the world's material resources. Africa is at the forefront of global urbanization and growth, with Lesley Lokko, the curator of the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale, calling it "the laboratory of the future".

PixPort design uses generative methods to break down the design process into smaller, more manageable sub-issues. We used AI to identify relationships in the city and developed two options for vertical communications: elevators and ramps. AI-generated pictures convinced us that the elevator system was the better choice. We expanded the transport system with cables and floating platforms for complex, flexible routes. In search of aesthetics and design solutions we also have generated pictures of inflatable modular structures resembling ETFE pillows for mobile sustainable constructions that protect against rain and wind. The modular design also allows for flexibility and incremental changes in city buildings.

PixPort Lagos transforms the local market area using the principles of a circular economy. The goal is to foster economic growth, job creation, business resilience, better use of finite resources, reduce emissions, protect human health and biodiversity, boost economies, and create more jobs. Additionally, the circular economy principles suggest reducing the use of non-renewable resources, lowering carbon emissions, aiming for zero waste, and providing benefits to consumers. Vertical farming facilities, recycling labs, community centers, co-working spaces, cafes, and shops enhance the local market area.

CLT and ETFE are advantageous as construction materials. Modular CLT construction provides improved stability, faster installation times, and greener options. ETFE is durable, fire-resistant, and transmits more light than glass or plastic.

The structure consists of modules assembled into a complex structure spreading in multiple directions, allowing for free transport movement and interconnectivity of various functional zones.

Different modes of transport coexist in PixPort to allow for more efficient mobility. Mixing multiple transport options helps cut costs and deliver effectively, provides mobility options for disadvantaged people, transforms public transit, and contributes to a more resilient local economy.

Additionally, a "phygital approach" with custom PixPort apps enhances Lagos city life with improved user experience and increased reliability.

PixPort is a flexible, sustainable, and scalable approach to city development, allowing for resilience, preserving biodiversity, and boosting local economies.