| Title | ‘Weiterbauen’ 2.0: the art of altering |
| Tutor(s) | Mechthild Stuhlmacher |
| Campus | Ghent |
| Language | EN / NL |
| Engagement | Craftsmanship |
| Semester | 3 |
Description of the studio:
The courtyards of the densely built-up neighbourhoods near Antwerp’s historic centre have traditionally been labyrinthine places for a colourful mix of different structures and functions, such as workshops, small factories, gardens and schools. These places are located in the second row behind the street facades. The redevelopment of these partly monumental partly less valuable buildings offers interesting opportunities for urban densification. On the other hand, the demolition of selected buildings creates more air, greenery and quality for local residents.
The studio begins by visiting several of these inner courtyards and exploring their very different potentials and qualities. Some need revaluation with new programmatic infills and refined architectural means. Others are more robust and offer room for large or small, cautious or even radical architectural interventions.
The studio revolves around an exploratory study for the redevelopment of a complex site that contains an existing factory building from the early 20th century, a slightly younger school building and several secondary buildings with and without monumental value. In the past few years several plans have been developed for this densely built building block. The most recent project assumed the realisation of a new school on this site, a programme that ultimately appeared far too heavy for the location. In the studio, we therefore turn the design task around: it is not the programme that is central, but the site, the existing buildings and their possibilities that determine the redevelopment and the architectural strategy. What infills lend themselves to this site? How can we deal with a valuable building with an intricate column structure and little daylight? How much density does the site tolerate?
After the analysis of the entire site, we work on proposals for a reinterpretation of specific places within the site where we see opportunities for expressive and contemporary architectural interventions. Here, each student individually or in small working groups can choose his or her own focus, fragment and project. The possibilities are diverse and can be designed in different ways, from pragmatic and technical, to experimental, poetic and visual.
Architecturally, the assignment focusses on the discovery and (re)interpretation of existing qualities, internal conversions and extensions, subtle and bold new-build interventions and fundamental sustainability. From an urban planning perspective, we examine the spatial possibilities of the existing site, possible (renewed) relationships with the surroundings and the role and meaning of public and collective spaces and gardens. Programmatically, we focus on the design of programmes such as a school, a community centre, collective housing for different target groups, ages and sizes; childcare and care institutions, facilities for sport and fitness or a combination
Our work in the studio is linked to current studies about the site that take place outside the academic world. The studio is intended for motivated students with an interest in transformations and a focus on the relationship between interior and exterior spaces, to unusual interiors and detailed elaborations. There is room for exploring and developing a specific architectural relationship between existing and new, for (circular) use of materials.
The necessary structural and programmatic interventions require artistic flair and conceptual intelligence. Enthusiasm for craftsmanship, tectonic aspects, materiality, model making and spatial quality are prerequisites.
Expected output:
Analysis and presentation of reference projects
Design of a programmatic and architectural masterplan for the entire site (preferably in smaller groups)
Architectural design of a fragment in detail, image research, structural research, model making
Presentation
Reflective, illustrated essay or ‘project journal’
Excursion/study trip/…? (+ timing):
Several spontaneous study trips and site visits within Belgium and/or The Netherlands
Optional: excursion to Berlin, Munich and/or Nürnberg
References/Further reading:
Umbaukultur, The Architecture of Altering, Grafe, Rieniets
Reference for the image:
Collage competition entry Everaertsstraat KSA.nl, 2018, with illustrations by Rotraut Susanne Berner