# Balcony-Focused Housing The Collective Housing Project by Vitor Vilhena Arquitectura Aids People By Jamie Danielle Munro | Published 2014-05-12 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collective-housing References: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/collective-housing-vitor-vilhena-arquitectura-revamps-city-block-portugal-05-11-2014/) & [vitorvilhena](http://www.vitorvilhena.com/) The Collective Housing project was done in Portugal by Vitor Vilhena Arquitectura. Before reconstructing these buildings, the [housing units were completely run down](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/85-social-dwellings-in-cornell) and dilapidated. With a little bit of creative initiative, the team at the Vitor Vilhena firm were able to update the space with plenty of balconies and even a pool. There are three different sections to the buildings, which all come together through a central courtyard. Even though the apartments look small from the outside, they can actually hold up to three bedrooms, allowing for certain families to live in the area. From the rooftop section one can see views of the ocean, and relax next to the pool. For a space that used to be run down, Vitor Vilhena firm did an excellent job with updating the Collective Housing project. Photo Credits: [designboom](http://www.designboom.com/architecture/collective-housing-vitor-vilhena-arquitectura-revamps-city-block-portugal-05-11-2014/), [vitorvilhena](http://www.vitorvilhena.com/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 37% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Balcony-focused Housing:** Create housing projects with an emphasis on balconies to provide residents with outdoor space and enhance the living experience. - **Update and Redevelopment of Run-down Buildings:** Revamp dilapidated buildings to create modern, functional spaces suitable for living. - **Central Courtyard as a Unifying Element:** Design housing projects with a central courtyard that connects different sections of the building and promotes a sense of community. ### Where This Applies - **Architecture:** Architecture firms can explore new design approaches and strategies to create innovative, balcony-focused housing projects. - **Real Estate Development:** Real estate developers can find opportunities in transforming run-down buildings into attractive living spaces with modern amenities. - **Urban Planning:** Urban planners can incorporate the concept of a central courtyard in housing projects to foster a sense of community and connectivity among residents. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Triangular Social Housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lady-raval.md) - [Lush Garden Housing Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/volante.md) - [Social Housing Unit Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/54-social-housing.md) - [Bright Balcony-Defined Apartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nightingale-village.md) - [Slopped-Base Green Tiled Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bak-gordon-arquitectos.md) - [Gridded Urban Apartment Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-carboneria.md) - [Orange Tonal Concrete Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colien-house.md) - [Planted Balcony Home Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-of-greens.md) - [Sculptural Inverted Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-house-with-an-inverted-roof.md)