Social Housing is a principal element for a more democratic city. These housing structures provide decent dwellings for all citizens in urban areas and connect them to the rest of the city and its services.
Unfortunately, in many countries, the term “Social Housing” still has a negative connotation. It is often seen as a project that seeks to build the largest number of units with cheap materials, and little-to-no concern for the quality of life of its residents. Often times, it is designed for monetary reasons, as opposed to a project that serves the city and its people. Although this fact is recurrent, there are several examples that portray the opposite, in which architects manifest their political point of view through exceptional projects with innovative solutions that improve the urban experience.
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To highlight these projects, we’ve gathered 60 examples that portray different modes of social housing. The diverse selection begins with small-scale, single-family residences that integrate public subsidy programs to large public enterprises for multifamily units.
Casa dos Caseiros / 24.7 arquitetura design
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
House for Someone Like Me / Natura Futura Arquitectura


Gutter House / Núcleo de Arquitetura Experimental
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
Casa Coberta / Comunidade Vivex


Social Housing in Pinotepa Nacional / HDA: Hector Delmar Arquitectura + M+N Diseño


Self-Produced Rural Housing / JC Arquitectura + Kiltro Polaris Arquitectura
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
Social Housing Production: Exercise I / Inhabitants of Tepetzintan + Comunal Architecture Workshop
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Bogerse Velden Social Housing / META architectuurbureau
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
6 Social Housing Units / Atelier 56S
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
Life Reusing Posidonia / IBAVI (Instituto Balear de la Vivienda)


Villa Verde Housing / ELEMENTAL


Ruca Dwellings / Undurraga Devés Arquitectos
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- Social Housing and Settlements: Potential Promoters of Community Living
- Addressing the Intersecting Challenges of Climate Crisis, Housing, and Social Equity
3+2 Social Housing / Antonio Holgado Gómez
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
Novo Jardim Social Housing / Jirau Arquitetura
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Social Housing Refurbishment in Izegem / Architect Lieven Dejaeghere
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
San Ignacio Houses / IX2 Arquitectura
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
Social Housing Klein Rijsel / Abscis Architecten + A2D

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Les Hallates Senior Housing / Agapé
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
L’Equatoria Apartments / Christophe Rousselle Architecte


35 Social Housing Units / mobile architectural office


46 Dwellings in the Former Fabra & Coats Factory / Roldán + Berengué


Social Housing in Bairro Padre Cruz / Alexandre Dias + Bruno Silvestre + Luís Spranger


Shelter for the Homeless / RKW Architektur +
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Chauveau – 26 / ODILE+GUZY architectes
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Jardim Vicentina Urbanization / Vigliecca & Associados
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
5 Social Housing Units in Navez / MSA / V+
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
Hargood Close / Proctor and Matthews
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
58 Social Housing in Antibes / Atelier PIROLLET architectes
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
Social Housing + Shops in Mouans Sartoux / Comte & Vollenweider
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
White Clouds / POGGI & MORE architecture
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
Morangis Retirement Home / VOUS ETES ICI Architectes
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Social Housing in Nice / Comte & Vollenweider
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
Social Housing in Pamplona / Pereda Pérez Arquitectos
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
Social Housing / Vous Êtes Ici Architectes
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80 Viviendas De Protección Oficial En Salou / Toni Gironès
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Social housing for people over 65 in Girona / Arcadi Pla Arquitectes
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
Social Housing Residence / PetitDidier Prioux Architectes
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30 social dwellings in Gavá / Pich-Aguilera Architects
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
Social Housing in Belleville Street / Atelier du Pont
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
La Fontenette Social Housing / frundgallina
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
60 Social Housing Apartments in Rive-De-Gier / Tectoniques Architects
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
38 Social Housing / Avenier Cornejo Architectes
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
Boulevard Ney Social Housing / ITAR Architectures
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
Fontainas Island Reconfiguration / B612 architectes
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CODHA Apartment Building / Dreier Frenzel Architecture + Communication

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Transformation of 530 dwellings / Lacaton & Vassal + Frédéric Druot + Christophe Hutin architecture
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
Herold – 100 Social Housing / Jakob + MacFarlane
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Rive Seine / Tetrarc Architects
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317 Social Housing Units / SV60
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Social Housing / Atelier du Pont
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Corruíras Residences / Boldarini Arquitetura e Urbanismo
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Social Housing in Vallecas / Vázquez Consuegra
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Heliópolis Social Housing / Biselli Katchborian Arquitetos
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Rue Du Chateau Des Rentiers’ Housing / Explorations Architecture
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Mix Dwelling Building at 22@ / Coll-Leclerc
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177 Social Dwellings in Valdebebas / Francisco Mangado
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Social Housing in Paris / Bigoni Mortemard
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FULTON – A5 A1 / Agence Bernard Bühler
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Cascina Merlata Social Housing / B22
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Jardim Edite Social Housing / MMBB Arquitetos + H+F Arquitetos
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Source: Archdaily