27/11/2025
Exhibition of “FORCED REUSE” research in Dropcity in Milan is a result of a two-year-long research that investigates the phenomenon of adaptive reuse driven by acute community needs and conducted by users independently from architects and designers. The project uncovers the driving force behind non-professional reuse of building elements and spaces. In particular, it is interested in the reasons that push communities to rethink conventional building practices in regions where necessity overrides formal systems — where people are forced to reuse.
A refugee shelter made from old oil containers, a house built with used car tires, an old bus repurposed as a countryside barn, a bridge constructed from a train wagon, a war bunker transformed into a car repair shop, and a cooperative garage converted into an improvised gym — these are just a few examples of unique typologies discovered in the research. Structures built not from what is traditionally meant for building — built from scarcity and poverty, and at the same time always smartly reusing something that is in excess, what is conventionally considered “waste.” These structures are crafted with immanent smartness, wit, and beauty, making them inherently ecological.
This exhibition lasts for five weeks after the opening on November 1st. Publication of the research results will follow next year.
The scenography where the exhibition takes place — is a 1:1 replica of the case study FO012, where a greenhouse was used as a shelter for humans after the earthquake in Japan. The design of this exhibition is zero-waste: the greenhouse will be reused after the exhibition as a real greenhouse for the agriculture purposes in the Venice region; the tires — will be returned to a car tire storage.
The research was realized by KOSMOS Architects, HEAD — Genève and Gili Merin.
Photos by Niko Miloradovic.
CREDITS:
Project developed at HEAD — Genève and conducted by KOSMOS Architects, Valentina De Luigi and Gili Merin.
Research core team: Leonid Slonimskiy, Артем Китаев Artem Kitaev, Gili Merin, Valentina De Luigi. Exhibited at Dropcity Milano.
Research team: Janna Aleksanyan, Alex Alyaev, Cuadrado Laure, Natasha Krymskaya, Kristina Kramarenko, Melina Meyer, Dmitrii Prikhodko, Manuel Rossi, Kateryna Shushynska.
Research contributors: Anadis González, Asif Salman, Blanca Garcia Gardelegui, Suzan Abu Kosh, Damir Faizulin, Patcharada Inplang, Ernesto Oroza, Malkit Shoshan, Grigoriy Sokolinskiy, Mitul Desai, Robert Heckmann.
HEAD – Genève students: Biache Aurore, Crettiez Mathis, Cuadrado Laure, Dupraz Ian, Gidi Mireille, Giraud Hippolyte, Hemidi Stéphanie, Negro Luca, Sushynska Kateryna, Théophile Matton, Trouvin Marie, Tshala Noemi, Verrillo Matteo.
Dean of the Department of Space Design / Interior Architecture: Javier Fernández Contreras. Head of IRAD, the research institute at HEAD — Genève: Anthony Masure. Financing: HES-SO RCDAV; Co-financing: HEAD - Genève, Haute école d'art et de design – (HES-SO)
