Didden Village: A Parasite That Helps

Didden Village: A Parasite That Helps

By Rachel Gamble

The term parasitic architecture suggests a kind of structure that, like a parasite, grows off a host building and absorbs its energy, yet gives nothing to the pre-existing structure in return. The term seemed initially exploitive to me. However, the works discussed during the lecture proved that parasitic construction does not damage existing architecture, but can actually allow older buildings to evolve and retain their relevance. In some instances, like the Didden Village by MVRDV, we see that a parasitic addition to a building can provide a fresh and contemporary perspective to an existing structure. This “parasite” allows the host building to progress and fit its time, rather than become antiquated.

The Didden Village in Rotterdam is a rooftop addition to a residential building. It was designed by MVRDV to collaborate and mesh with the existing residential building, rather than damage it as the name “parasite” suggests. Instead, the addition is an example of complimentary architecture – architecture that respects what already existed in the site. By layering a pre-existing older building with a modern structure, the rooftop structure gives a fresh and exciting feel to the less interesting older building. Painted in bright blue to mimic the sky, the building revolutionizes the old traditional skyline of the surrounding homes. Here we see how parasites can be applied to older architecture to revitalize and awaken the aesthetics of pre-existing buildings.

The parasitic addition to the Didden house also provides alternative ways of living for the family in residence. The addition to the older structure consists of new bedrooms for the family, which take the form of three separate smaller houses on top of the building - one for the parents and two for the children. A miniature out-of-scale village is thus produced on the roof by way of the implied plazas and streets that exist between the small houses. Park benches and tree were added as well to create a pseudo-park. Parapets divide the new “village” from the streets blow. By studying the addition, we see that parasitic structures can successfully increase the living space within their host buildings. The result of Didden village addition, for instance, is a building that is larger than the original but still takes up the same amount of space on the streets of Rotterdam, due to it being a vertical addition that rises rather than spreads. Thus, the addition allows the pre-existing building to be used more intensely and effectively. This leads me to wonder whether parasitic vertical additions such as the Didden Village can help solve the need for more space as the population of urban areas continues to expand. Parasitic architecture can lead to innovative new methods for employing space, as we can see in the Didden Village.

The Didden Village shows how effective parasitic architecture can be, in more ways than one. The placement of the bedroom on the roof of the Didden residence solves the need for more space, providing new ways of living for the family, and also establishes an exciting new roofline to the area. Due to this addition, the Didden residence has become a pastiche of different structures from two time periods. The result is a versatile, adaptive building that tells the architectural story from more than one part of history. The new addition makes the old building fit contemporary needs. It brings to mind a quote from famous urban planner Jane Jacobs: "Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings." We should not disregard older buildings as architecture becomes increasingly advanced, but instead look for their potential and consider how we can make them relevant again. The Didden village shows how parasitic architecture can impact older buildings in positive ways – by allowing them to expand to satisfy changing needs in society.

New skyline

New living spaces

Sources

Jacobs, Jane. "The Death and Life of Great American Cities." New York: Random House, 1961.