The New ARCH Vol2 No3 (2015) by S.ARCH

International Journal of Contemporary Architecture

The New ARCH Peer-reviewed open-access E-journal

ISSN 2198-7688

Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015) December 2015 www.The-New-ARCH.net

Editor-in-Chief Arch. Marina Stosic, GERMANY E: Editor@The-New-ARCH.net

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Cover Illustration ZAHA HADID Architects: Sleuk Rith Institute, Cambodia

International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

ISSN 2198-7688

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF This issue starts with an interview with a young female architect Viviana Muscettola, already working 11 years in the studio of one of the leading architect in the world and one of the most successful female architect, Zaha Hadid. We intend to touch somehow sensitive theme of women deficiency in architecture. Indeed, only small number of women have substantial influence on our profession and thus having significantly improved the female role in architecture. But the origin of this are best illustrated with the facts from the US in 2014: only one in four guest lecturers in architecture schools, one in four working architectural designers, even fewer than one in five deans at the architecture schools and three in 20 licensed AIA members are women. The situation in Europe is a bit better, but in spite of 43% female students at faculties of architecture, only 25% are later doing architecture and only 17% are leading own studio. Founding Editor & Editor–In–Chief Architect Marina Stosic

Thus, a question arises: Are women facing some sort of discrimination in architectural profession or some other reasons are behind. Discussion on women in architecture should not end with motherhood, because why should the mother leave and father stay, when both are parents. Does it mean that being a woman is rather more acceptable as being feminine? Rumour has it that there is no problem at all. Certainly, the most important pillars of architecture are passion, talent and vision and some rumours going around are emphasising that only important is that architecture is good, careless who made it: a woman or a man. However, if we consider numbers and statistics it would mean that passion, talent and vision are mainly characterising men. However, is it really so and could we conclude this theme with this fact? I do not believe … It seems that this could be for now a “never ending story”, which, I believe, is on the way to be changed. Anyway, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

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CONFERENCE

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S.ARCH 2016 International Architecture AWARD

Submit Your Completed Project The First Phase is open and closes on December 31st, 2015. The regular submission fee is 30 EUR per project.

Short-List Jury for the S.ARCH-2016 AWARD Kengo Kuma

Dietmar Eberle

Viviana Muscettola

KKAA Japan

baumschlager eberle Austria

Zaha Hadid Architects UK

Lars Krueckeberg

Wolfram Putz

Thomas Willemeit

GRAFT Germany

Philippe Rahm

Ibrahim Abdelhady

Idis Turato

Philippe Rahm architects France

ARCH2O USA

Idis Turato Architects Croatia

CONTACT & INFORMATION s.arch@renecon.eu

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International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

ISSN 2198-7688

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EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Arch. Marina Stosic, GERMANY E: Editor@The-New-ARCH.net

Editorial Board Arch. Prof. Dietmar Eberle – Baumschlager Eberle, AUSTRIA; ETH Zurich, SWITZERLAND Arch. Prof. Kengo Kuma – University of Tokyo, JAPAN; Kengo Kuma &Associates JAPAN, FRANCE Arch. Rafael de La-Hoz – Rafael de La-Hoz Arquitectos, SPAIN Arch. Philippe Rahm – Philippe Rahm architects, FRANCE / Visiting Prof. at Harvard University, Cambridge, USA Arch. Luca Francesco Nicoletti – UNITED KINGDOM Arch. Jose Luis Vallejo – Ecosistema urbano, SPAIN Arch. Bostjan Vuga – Sadar+Vuga, SLOVENIA Arch. Prof. Despina KYPRIANOU SERGHIDES – Cyprus University of Technology, CYPRUS Arch. Ass. Prof. Tarek Abdelsalam – University of Modern Sciences & Arts (MSA), Cairo, EGYPT Arch. Hassan Estaji – Hakim Sabzevari University, IRAN, University of Applied Arts Vienna, AUSTRIA Arch. Mirjana Uzelac Filipendin – Atelje Krstonosic, Architect & Journalist ArchIntention, Ambijenti, SERBIA Arch. Dr. Haris Bradic – University of Sarajevo, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Arch. Nikola Novakovic – Enforma, MONTENEGRO Arch. Ass. Prof. Wah Sang WONG – University of Hong Kong, CHINA Arch. Prof. Nevnihal Erdogan – Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design, Kocaeli University, TURKEY Arch. Dr. Dina Ahmed Ahmed Elmiligy – Princess Norah Bint Abdulrahman University, SAUDI ARABIA Eng. Ass. Prof. Vincenzo CORRADO – Politecnico di Torino, ITALY Arch. Ass. Prof. Zsuzsanna Fulop – Faculty of Architecture, Budapest University of Technology & Economics, HUNGARY Arch. Dr. Paola Leardini – University of Auckland, NEW ZEALAND Arch. Dr. Manfredo Manfredini – University of Auckland, NEW ZEALAND Arch. Ass. Prof. Laila Amer Al Kahtani – Princess Norah Bint Abdulrahman University, SAUDI ARABIA Arch. Prof. Dusan VUKSANOVIC – University of Montenegro, MONTENEGRO

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Editorial Board

International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

ISSN 2198-7688

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Marcus Stevens Hybrid Infrastructures – Transit Spaces as Meta Urban Environments

Arta Xhambazi Thinking Architecture through the Traits of Extroversion and Introversion: Territory as a Question of Environmental Orientation and Autonomy

Archonti Ioannou Adaptable Urbanism – Reappropriation of the Abandoned Military Camp “TAGARI” in Florina, Greece

Atanas Vassilev Establishment of Modern “Atrium” Buildings as a Model for Sustainable Energy Efficient Architecture

Havva Aksel, Özlem Eren A Discussion on the Advantages of Steel Structures in the Context of Sustainable Construction

Rozafa Basha Disability and Public Space – Case Studies of Prishtina and Prizren

Aleksandar Kotevski Researching Ranges for Reconstruction of a Traditional Timber House according to Principles of Sustainable Architecture

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About the Journal

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Instructions for Authors

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Authors‘ Papers

S.ARCH–2015 Interview with Viviana Muscettola from ZAHA HADID Architects

The Journal

Editorial

CONTENT

S.ARCH-2016 International Conference

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International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

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Global Studio and Global Sustainability Interview with

VIVIANA MUSCETTOLA from ZAHA

HADID Architects

Is there a real good answer to global demands for more sustainable future or should we become more focused on the local problems of sustainability? What was the etymology of the word “sustainability” and what does it mean today? These are just some of the questions, which could appear in every conversation, especially professional. The answers are different, often presented through the prism of some project. The interpretation of its meaning gives the unique seal to each and every creation. The signature that is well known might become the subject of the discussion more often than we think. By considering star architects around the globe it comes out that only few women managed to reserve their place among the greats. One of them is a unique figure that established her practice back in the 90s. The one, that became the busiest global figure and female star architects of the modern era. The Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) studio is an interesting place full of individuals all gathered to produce and research for the best architecture. It is a sort of cluster studio where ideas are born in collective manner and with a high sense of their own philosophy. However, the focus in this article will be on one particular lady who works with ZHA more than a decade. This is a short story about discussion on many topics and try to peak behind the scene of the ZHA studio. Here is how one global studio is managing the global sustainability.

Viviana Muscettola, architect, Senior Associate at ZAHA HADID Architect (ZHA) joined the studio as a designer in 2004, having previously working as an architect in Rotterdam and Beijing. Currently, the Project Architect for the ZHA’s Cairo Expo City project, she holds Italian and American nationality and is registered architect in Italy and the UK. Viviana has an architecture degree from the Università degli Studi di Napoli (2001) and Master of Architecture degree from the Architectural Association in London (2004). Source: Zaha Hadid Architects

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Global Studio and Global Sustainability – Interview with Viviana Muscettola from ZAHA HADID Architects

International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

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You joined ZHA (Zaha Hadid Architects) 11 years ago. That is quite a lot of time. How it looked like working in such a large studio on your first day and how it looks like now? Muscettola: When I started 11 years ago the practice had around 45 employees. In one year time we already had over 100 employees and since then the office has grown almost exponentially. Today we have over 400 architects working mostly in our London office. We are based in a former school, and went from one studio space, which was Zaha’s office and her library. Slowly the office has been able to expand and today we occupied the entire former school and we established a gallery space in an adjacent building. The office is working in smaller groups, called clusters. These clusters are project based teams working in collaboration. ZHA is international practice, an high number of employees are from all around the world, making the practise truly global. Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher are extremely engaged with the world of Academia and Universities across the world, they have been teaching for many years in the US, Austria and Britain. Therefore many of the employees, including myself, come from the line of students of one of those universities. The result is a very vibrant and young practice. At the beginning of every project Patrik and Zaha give their design direction, there is then an open brainstorming session for all the team members working on the project: an in-house competition where people have their chance to do put forward their own proposals. Zaha and Patrik will then revise the selected options and eventually choose the one that fits the best the brief or the location, the so called “winning design”.

competition), how does it feels switching from one role to another? Muscettola: I have been lucky enough to be able to work on small scale projects (like a sofa) to very large scale ones such as huge master planning. This allowed me to not just to experiment one typology but being able to move from smaller to bigger project, it’s really widening up your own perspective. The creativity needs the change of scale, needs to experiment on smaller object like vases and then work on a skyscraper which is much more of a collaborative process but will benefit from the clarity of vision given by a simple concept. What do you prefer? Muscettola: This is a difficult question. The good thing about doing some product design is that you design it today and hopefully in a year time it will be on the market. In the construction industry it takes a very long time to see the results of your experimentations. I worked on 7 residential towers in Singapore for almost seven years. The development is built now and I`m really happy with the final results, thought in 7 years you are already in the next phase of your personal journey.

So, you are giving the chance to young architects to show their works and ideas to grow and to contribute to the whole idea on design of the project. Muscettola: Yes, exactly. The engagement of the team is a critical part in parallel with the conversation we have with our engineers. The built environment is made by the intelligence of many people and the contribution that we can receive from construction engineers, or landscape architects and lighting consultant makes the project what it is. The design proposals from the office are enriched by and pushed forward by this collaboration. A successful project needs also a good communication with the Client. The more we tune in with his aspirations, bringing their idea into our agenda and vice versa, the more a project will be successful.

You mentioned communication, integrative design and team work as key factors of the office. Since your personal position in every project is different (depending on the construction phase, design phase or

Citco Zaha Hadid Collection, Milan Source: ZHA; Copyright: Jacopo Spilimbergo

International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

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d'Leedon, Singapore Source: ZHA; Copyright: Aaron Pocock

When it comes to product design of smaller objects it is nice to conclude the journey and to respond to the specific agenda in a relatively short amount of time. So, for me I would not give up being able to design buildings versus doing furniture. I’ve been trained as an architect and this is what I would like to continue to pursue.

But I believe that working on smaller scale reflects your work at lager one? Muscettola: Yes, that is correct. The office just recently presented in Milan Design Week the series of vases that are part of an ongoing experiment on towers. We’ve been doing many physical models in a search of a kind of geometry setting out and we went through a lot of alternations. We then realized that some of them can be turned into a flower pot or candle. You can see the same resemblance with those objects and with some of the

projects that we are doing now in Australia. The office does a lot of this step-by-step design development, adjusting itself, fine tuning a concept or an idea.

When we are talking about the ZHA and architecture and urbanism that your studio is producing they are made by principles of parametric design. However, when it comes to smaller scale you do not have that required kind of context needed for parametricism to take its place. So, how does your studio transforms its philosophy into those small scale objects? Muscettola: When you work with objects and not buildings you do not have particular context to work with. We have done certain number of projects, pieces that were produced by Alessi as series of pods, which can be reconfigured as you wish. They are separate pieces that you can put together in a different way.

International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

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MAXXI, Rome Source: ZHA; Copyright: Iwan Baan

International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

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There is the idea of the field but Parametricism is not only about component of an object in one field. It is also about finding out the ways to implement it through sets of information data, which makes specific design. For example: it is noteworthy when it comes to tower design how to define the shape of the building that will better respond to the predominant winds or to the thermal conditions especially if is set in a very harsh environment and extreme climates. How to orient the building? How to capture the predominant wind? How to treat the façade in a way that most of the year you can run the building on very low energy consumption. We do actually design of buildings in a way that the shape and orientation of gives the highest contribution to the overall reduction of building consumptions, it’s a passive method which gives the greatest results because we impact on the amount of energy the building needs, before even considering recycling or sources which are more common methods. Of course choosing the right material for the right location is very important component but if the shape of the building is not reacting to the environment for which it is designed then effectively you can achieve so little with just material selection. The design can try to recycle the water, capture the sun and produce some energy but it is a little percentage when it comes to the consumption and most likely will not reach the required level of sustainability.

The sustainability is a complex matter. It is a set of many rules, recommendations and even so much versions of different standards for certification of buildings. But then again, the sustainability is very tightly incorporated into your projects. You mentioned

specific context but how do you work with the historic contexts, heritage and cultural environment? How do you cope with it and make the right dialogue between the existing and new buildings without jeopardizing each of them? Muscettola: The answer to this is not just one. The office has been designing buildings that in some instances are trying to cooperate with the surroundings in a way to moderate their own appearance to the existing environment. In other cases the way is to completely break the bond between the old and the new so that there is no more dialogue in a way of shapes and in a way of materials that we use. We are working on future buildings and we must work with something that is truly contemporary. An example can be the project we’ve done in MAXXI museum in Rome. The location was not in the centre of the city but still the Rome is “the eternal city”. The site was quite tight, including an existing building on one side. The design works with aligning the main facades to the surrounding buildings, the main volumes of the building align with the surroundings creating a sense of belonging. The façades are then built in concrete and glass to mark the difference with the existing. We created new place for people coming to visit. Another project worth mentioning is the Galaxy Soho buildings located in a quite dense and historical part of Beijing. In that case we worked with the concept of the courtyard and court house, typical for the traditional Chinese architecture, and especially residential buildings and then transformed it in terms of scale and also in terms of materials. And again, it was a new icon of city.

MAXXI, Rome Source: ZHA; Copyright: Roland Halbe

International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

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When we are talking about contemporary architecture and pushing the boundaries forward and reaching out to the next chapter or goal we realized it is not an easy task. The public is not always welcoming the iconic architecture. How do you go from a studio that struggle to build anything 20 years ago to the studio that cannot stop building today? Muscettola: We do not build all the time but yes we do have more buildings sites now than 20 years ago. Our office is really putting a quite amount of time in the earliest phase of the design whether it is a competition or the first concept stage, because this is the point where all of the most important decisions about the future of the building will be made. When you look through our website or the publication about the office, you think that every building is one-off, instead I can tell you that all of those came from ideas that have been circulated for a while in the office and discussed with Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher. Only the ideas that have been developed enough through time will eventually get built.

Melting forms and different shapes are extremely dependable from parametric design. Climate, topography, location characteristics and context are the dominate data inputs. What about the users? Are they also a parametric figure or something else? Muscettola: Where the society comes to the picture? Zaha Hadid Architects is designing with the ultimate users in mind. For example for the office building typology we are working with the concept of a new floor plan with no physical barriers and highly connected. The idea is to create physical connection that will promote communication between departments, engage people to exchange their ideas. In this case the agenda is also to encourage the client to drop the typical office planning and try to embrace new ways of connecting people in the office. Creativity is not only for us architects, or artists: every employee will improve its productivity working in creative environment and we truly believe that communication plays a very strong role. When ZHA designed the headquarters of BMW some years ago the brief called for spaces for the production of the cars and offices for the different department (blue and white collars). Before our project car manufacturing and office spaces were completely separated: in our building the actual cars assembly lines runs through the office space. People doing IT, engineers or even marketing and people assembling the car are now together. Our projects emphasise visual and physical connections to provide multiple experiences, looking through the space from different corners at the same time. Our brain is never doing a task at the time: if you look at the painting you are simultaneously thinking of something else and making connections, and this feature sometimes

requires pushing the visitor, empowering him to experience multiple connections at the same time.

So, in a way you are creating that space that engaged the visitors and contributing to the overall experience of the space. Have you ever spoken with some of the visitors of the space and got their reactions to the created space? Muscettola: I’ve been working on the project of residential buildings and the client was a developer who was looking at the square centimetre of sellable area, rightly so. Last year during the opening ceremony we met some of the people who bought the apartments and more than one told us: “We really appreciate that there is over 1700 apartments and I can still explain others where do I live because it has its individuality”. It is difficult when you go to such big scale to give people sense of uniqueness and at the same time feel part of something bigger. It is true that not everyone can have a small country house with the garden and that can say: I live in that house with the red door. Many people are living in massive blocks where is more difficult for them to get the feeling of their own nest, the place of their family and private life, recognition of their status. Therefore, we are very happy when we managed to convince the client that seven towers will not do anything bad to the residents. We are proud when we have an opportunity to work with the clients to achieve the best for the final users. At the end it is the communication between the client and us that makes the project valuable.

You mentioned diverse clients and places on earth where the ZHA designs and builds. Where is easier and where is harder? Where is more welcoming environment and where is problematic? Muscettola: All countries are different and unique. Most of our design is done in London and we then communicate with Clients, consultants and contractors via conference call or site visit. Only real issue could be the time zone difference, but you get used to it.

So, how the public reacts on your proposals and designs in each of the continents? Where is the hardest for your studio to work? Muscettola: Generally the public responds really well to our designs. Curiosity and willingness to embrace the new is what triggers those reactions.

If the architecture is a new religion and we (the architects) are the new priests of this religion do we

International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

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Sleuk Rith Institute, Cambodia Source: ZHA

International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

ISSN 2198-7688

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need to be more lauder or more aggressive in order to get the society and our practice to that sustainable goal that we set ourselves? Are we really on the front line or are we giving ourselves the bigger task than we should have? Muscettola: For sure we are on the front line, but are we alone? I do not think so. I do not think that we should be left alone to scream for better. Unfortunately a lot of responsibility comes from planners and therefore from politics. I have travelled through the wonderful landscapes of Montenegro and all of these green mountains and blue sea and these beautiful stones. Unfortunately there have been many big scale developments not really responding to this beautiful landscape and historical setting. I think that this is the opportunity where planners and city councils should really force themselves to be stricter. Like it happened in Costa Brava, or all the way to the south of France and Italy, I have to say. In the 60s Italy has been heavily destroyed by developments that were just looking on the profit and not even looking at the sustainability. Wherever there was a boom of economy there was devastation of the place and bad response by the architects. I think we have better tools now, better ways to do it right and it is about forcing the investors to make better decisions.

Do we pose the knowledge and the strength to lead the world into the better sustainable future? By your opinion, where are we going to be in 20 or 50 years? Muscettola: We are on the front role as we always have been. Architects are the ones that are engaged with the social and the environment most of all. Our responsibility is really high. Although steps are being made in the right directions we are still moving a little bit too slow. With our inventions, with our progress we can get a better future. We need to push the industry to new generation of materials. Up to now, we’ve been using the materials that are hiring forever but again you have today materials that are more recyclable, greener and more available than ever before. They implicate less row materials into the production process and consequently a reduction on carbon footprint. The industry needs to help the architects and engineers to come up with better solutions whether we are talking about the recycled materials or to find materials that perform better. In the Netherlands, the social housing is demolished after 25-30 years because they upgrade them to incorporate new standards, materials that insulate better etcetera. It is more sustainable to demolish the existing building and rebuilt with the higher standards. In addition, the industry needs to react more by giving us better materials than before and more environmentally friendly ones to work with.

Communication and collaboration between the politics, developers and designers is crucial. Everyone needs to push the other one in order to make it work. The society, the construction companies, the engineers, the industry or of course the designers, all have to push ourselves to better future of the built environment. I do not think it is going to be in a twenty years of time but we have to stay on that green path. It is a long process and we should be careful that by doing this we are not exploiting other economies, the countries in transition. Most of the building materials and components used in the construction industry are coming from the Fare East and developing Countries because they are cheaper. How do they produce them? By being zero green. But still building in Europe with these materials you can get green certificates. Developing countries are the ones that need to be more careful and go directly with the solutions that are better than those we used in the past. Why they have to do it exactly as we did and to loose time and resources? To make same mistake all over again until collapse and thinking going green. Especially for us it is important since we have been working all around the world and trying always to push a little bit of our clients, contractors and developers to take sustainable solutions on board.

By your opinion, what is the future of architecture and what is the architecture of the future? Muscettola: I hope that there isn’t just one answer to this question. I am lucky enough to work in an office that is creative practice. I wouldn’t want to see the world that is populated only by ZHA buildings because I am all for difference of each place. The most beautiful cities in the world are the ones that are mixture of everything, contemporary and historic side by side.

What is after-parametric design? Muscettola: This you have to ask our Director Patrik Schumacher. I think Parametricism is still an in fieri process and it still needs to be fully established. Parametricism is a quiet wide umbrella. It is about the tools we use for work but also it is related to the way we think about architecture and our environment and how do we work together as a community. ZHA spends a lot of its time to work with students around the world to develop the discipline.

How is it working with Zaha and Patrik? Muscettola: I think they both have the sparkle of geniuses in their mind. They have a way of been connected to the world and to truly do architecture that

International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

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Sleuk Rith Institute, Cambodia Source: ZHA

is quite unique. They are involved in architecture 24/7 as it is their passion and life: they are a source of inspiration for us all. I love working with them because they are as passionate as they were when architectural students. I’ve been there for eleven years and I`m still learning a lot from Zaha and Patrik as well as from my colleagues. We all talk together and make decision from the first week of the project, the first sketch until the last brick. I like the feeling of exchanging ideas and information even when in disagreement on a specific subject. We are really pushing all the architects who we work with at the office, not only ourselves. This collective way of doing architecture and getting to the final building is amazing. It is experiment, dynamic, creative, innovative, and with very nice vibe on the overall.

In some way the architecture is still considered as a “men’s profession”. You are working for the iconic studio and with person that is pushing so much in terms of profession, boundaries, design etc., that even the press is questioning sometimes the Pritzker award winner. How do you relate to that part of Zaha struggle and mission of women’s perspective in architecture? Muscettola: Unfortunately, this topic is more disappointing than the one on sustainability. There are greater steps in that directions than making some sort of equal status for female and male employees whether you are working in London or some other places in the world. If you look at the number of female architects in

architectural schools, that number is very high, even higher than the number of men. Then if you look at the working environment, especially all of the top executives in companies they are usually male. In the reality there are women leaving their jobs because it is challenging to be able to keep up with your work and parenting but has a lot to do with disparity in salaries. In a family is usually the mother to give up the job because she earns less. My recommendation is to keep working despite the heavy burden of balancing work and family. Your children will grow and for you being able to contribute to this society with your profession is important. Parenthood is a matter of choice and each individual should have the right to have a children is they wish so. It is the biggest mistake that our society to ask women to choose between one or the other. It is not “sustainable” for our society to have to compromise it with the work. There are many things that can be done from flexible office hours, better and less expensive child care, home working. I was the first woman in ZHA to have kids and stay with the Company and I have to say both Zaha and Patrik as well as my colleagues have been very supportive.

What is your message to younger, the emerging generations of architects? What is your advice to them how to get from schools to work environment, establish themselves as creative minds of the future? Muscettola: I always talk about this topic because I did the same mistake as most of the people did – I thought

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that when I finished university I was going to be an architect! I’ve done five years of this and even more, I’m done with learning and now I’m ready to do my job! No. Seriously, that is not the reality. I am still learning and that is the part of our way to progress. So, please do as much as you can. As soon as you finish your studies or even throughout your studies do grab whatever there is, competitions, part-time jobs, etc. Your primary goal is not to make money. Architecture in general is not about making money but being able to get knowledgeable of this very complex profession. It is different from what you have done at the university and you must do as much as possible. Always look for a job that engage you in creative way, do as much as you can and get the experience in first few years. Jump from one thing to another or stick with the same office and explore all, it doesn’t matter. Just find something that makes you part of the discourse so that you can work with other people, learn from other people. The more you are exposing yourself at the beginning the more you learn and develop. Take internships, this is what you need to start understanding working in an office or gaining the

knowledge of the profession and be completely openminded when it comes to this. Choose what you want to do somehow, direction or particular field or maybe if you do not know try even something even if you do not like it because at the beginning you have to be experimental. You have to put 100% plus and be hungry for knowledge and practice. When I’ve decided to do architecture none of my parents were in the profession and there are no architects in my family. I did not know much of this practice in the beginning. I’ve been really lucky because I liked studying architecture and afterwards I enjoyed the profession. I still want to grow and develop myself. We (the Architects) are lucky because we are doing a profession that is really engaging. You might have weeks that are less interesting but mostly we are a lucky category of workers: Architects love what they do and do it with passion. How many professionals can say that? I think only a few. I wish to never sit in the office that makes me unhappy or not motivated. Fight for your goals otherwise it will not matter … otherwise you better choose a job that makes your life easier.

Interview: Mirjana Uzelac Filipendin M. Arch.

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International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

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Authors’ Papers

Marcus Stevens

Hybrid Infrastructures – Transit Spaces as Meta Urban Environments 11

Arta Xhambazi

Thinking Architecture through the Traits of Extroversion and Introversion: Territory as a Question of Environmental Orientation and Autonomy 25

Archonti Ioannou

Adaptable Urbanism – Reappropriation of the Abandoned Military Camp “TAGARI” in Florina, Greece 36

Atanas Vassilev

Establishment of Modern “Atrium” Buildings as a Model for Sustainable Energy Efficient Architecture 46

Havva Aksel, Özlem Eren

A Discussion on the Advantages of Steel Structures in the Context of Sustainable Construction 54

Rozafa Basha

Disability and Public Space – Case Studies of Prishtina and Prizren 67

Aleksandar Kotevski

Researching Ranges for Reconstruction of a Traditional Timber House according to Principles of Sustainable Architecture

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International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

ISSN 2198-7688

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DOI: 10.14621/tna.20150401

Hybrid Infrastructures – Transit Spaces as Meta Urban Environments Marcus Stevens Institute of Architecture Technology, TU Graz Rechbauerstr. 12/1, 8010 Graz, Austria, m.stevens@tugraz.at

Abstract

1. Introduction

The paper investigates on the urban dimension in long distance transport hubs reconsidering on-going functional extensions of transport facilities into urban-like spatial environments. Referring to the concept of the “Metapolis” by François Ascher, a conceptual shift in understanding these places, which are still confronted with the stigma of the “NonPlace”, is discussed regarding transit spaces as a continuation of the urban realm. It is shown that transit infrastructures, which operate on different levels and scales in the global network, are of a bi-directional structure, thus shaping interfaces between urban context and transit process. This hybrid constitution has become the framing condition for implementing further urban programs but is simultaneously limited by increasing technical criteria. Starting from aspects reflecting on the socio-spatial role of mobility in the contemporary system of “network cities” it is elaborated what notions of urbanity are evolving and possible to create in such “meta-urban” places and if there are potentials or thresholds for enhancing them. Results from a studio workshop at the Institute of Architecture Technology, TU Graz, illustrate design approaches for a bus terminal in Berlin, Germany investigating potentials to expand transit infrastructure into a “meta-urban” typology.

The aspect of environment to be addressed here is about the production of space as part of our culture of mobility and deals with the understanding and designing of urban spatial qualities appearing within transportation hubs focusing on long distance transport.

Keywords:

Long-distance transport hubs, Hybrid infrastructure, Transit space, Meta urban environment, Bus terminal

Article history:

Received: 13 July 2015 Revised: 02 November 2015 Accepted: 04 November 2015

Traveling as a form of mobility has, nowadays, turned into almost everyday practice in our accelerating network society. Connectivity of distant places has become a profound urban condition changing the perception of places and evolving the urban realm. Complex and refined systems of transport and also communication allow for (almost) ubiquitous access to places and activities and information, services. In regard to mobility there are always points of arrival and departure in these networks, hubs and terminals that organise access, arrival, change and departure. On one side, they are perceived as transitional in the sense of not being actually inhabited by people but passed through following a displayed transport process. On the other hand, they generate gateways to urban places via transport modes accumulating flows and representing spaces of high movement. Stakeholders in facilitating transport, especially in the case of airports and train stations, have made efforts of this potential endorsing transit by implementation of further functions that create benefit, primarily economic, from this flow of movements. This development shows a turn in paradigms of transit being perceived as accumulators of a specific, trespassing public that can be served on their way. During the recent past an increase in adjoining programs can be traced especially in the transit realm, assembling and overlapping diverse activities, fostering economic potentials in transit. Combining programs in one building structure especially in the context of transportation has apparently become a suitable path for development of transport facilities. Maximizing spatial and economic effort bears notions of a process of urbanization in such infrastructures diversifying users, offering opportunities for stay and attracting further

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ M. Stevens: “Hybrid Infrastructures – Transit Spaces as Meta Urban Environments”, pp. 1–10

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programs where people meet, work, entertain and travel. So, it is argued that transportation hubs are increasingly hybrid systems melting transit and urban activities as contemporary urban environments that are contextualised as interfaces between the trans-local network of mobility flows and the local urban context where they are implemented physically. In that sense, it can be stated that transit infrastructures, such as airports, train stations and bus terminals, have increasingly become places of urban culture. But are they urban? This is discussed considering criteria of the social role of mobility in the evolution of urban systems, the urban concepts of the Metapolis and hybridity as structural and programmatic constitution. Phenomena in different transport types, with closer look at a case study for a bus terminal document how developments for hybrid use effects these “meta-urban” spaces. Can transport nodes establish urbanity and urban identity in their notion of being transitional and infrastructural? Is it possible to foster urban dimension in transport hubs by additional and multiple functions beyond commerce? How does cross-categorical programming inform relations between transit space and urban context?

2. Non place becoming place in the Metapolis 2.1. Mobility: An expanding urban culture “Mobility is the key both socially and organizationally to town planning, for mobility is not only concerned with roads, but with the whole concept of a mobile fragmented community”[1]. The constituting role of mobility in transformation of socio spatial relations as well as urban development, gradually emerging in society, has been acknowledged by urbanist, sociologists and urban planners ever since the advent of transport technologies empowered people to pass longer distances by means of mechanical devices. In the era of 20th century modernism transport infrastructures were conceptualised to form a basis of modern society and urban development, which was regarded to improve urban life by spatial segregation of functions connected by infrastructures like roads, railways and air traffic. Highly specialised urban territories developed like industrial zones and social housing districts melting the border between cities and surrounding landscape and resulting in a deterritorialisation expanding spatial patterns of urban movement, perception and activity. The daily travel has become part of urban life far beyond neighbourhoods to allow for individual constructions of spatial relations. Travelling still holds on to be contemporary urban practice while the modern paradigms of a top down city planning have been overcome. Mobility stayed and is a

crucial influence to urban development that is not fixed in one overall system [2]. Architect Bernard Tschumi recently underscored the existential relevance of mobility saying: …”that society has been doing nothing else but move towards increased mobility for the past 2000 years….” [3] Mobility studies have been investigating widely on the complex relationships between the phenomena of contemporary mobility practices like spatiality, temporality, social networks, inclusion and exclusion in mobile media, tourism, migration, but also rights, financial aspects. In the 1990´s social sciences stated a “turn” under “new mobility paradigms” [4] acknowledging the premises of mobility for society, "examin(e)ing both the large-scale movements of people, goods, capital, information (and also culture) across the world, as well as local processes of daily transportation, movement through public and private spaces, and the travel of material things in everyday life" [5]. Creswell underscored the importance of mobility as a key to identity and privilege in contemporary society and for the modern city planning pointing out analogies by using vocabulary like arteries and veins for roads as example [6]. Transportation can be regarded as the technical premise for changing socio-spatial relations with diversified and expanded possibilities of urban activities beyond locality onto gradual scales between local and global levels. The constant technological evolution of individual and mass transport has provided advancing spatial connectivity and interaction reducing the time constraints from preindustrial eras to effectively overcome space distances. By a spatial compression in time transport dissolved the socio-spatial condition of proximity and density as main features of the traditional urban realm [7]. Through transport, especially by means of the car, people deliberated from place and started to act in ever-larger spatial radii, spreading their activities of work, live, leisure in wider contexts, which not necessarily relate in space. Today, people spent an increasing time travelling in their daily work life as well as for vacation. Further, evolutions in communication technologies have overall diminished time constraints in overcoming space completely and shifted the relationship between physical, geographical and social space. So, social urban activities were allowed to exceed local ties beyond physical matter and overcome constraints of spatial encounter for social interaction. Both processes have been creating “network societies” [8]. In these “network societies”, according to Castells, complex “spaces of flow”, operated by information, communication and transportation infrastructure, appear to generate permanent mobility transcending social, economic and political relationships over geographical and even geopolitical boundaries on different scales [9]. This can be recognised in all areas of life: production processes and business organizations

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globalise installing their facilities and branch-offices strategically on a global scale benefitting from local financial or increasingly environmental advantages forcing their representatives to constant travel that becomes work activity. The logistic sector forms a spatial syntax under criteria of distribution distances and proximity to traffic infrastructure. Migration processes establish invisible networks of trespassing national borders; multilocality and multimodality are emerging attributes of mobile urban lifestyles demanding aspects of sustainability, flexibility and budget while contributing to high labour fluctuation, loose family structures and independency from a prior mobility behaviour like a private car. This shows again that mobility is not only a technical parameter in connecting places but is essential part of urban cultural practice. Transport and communication are the means of a mobile society affecting social and economic activities in all areas of life by deliberating urban culture from spatial-temporal constraints and territorial limitation expanding into networks and flows up until a global scale.

2.2. The Metapolis as urban realm of the transitory By the efforts of mobility delocalisation on one side contributed to a spatial independency of socio spatial activities. On the other side it caused a certain casualization of urban culture transforming the spatial structure of the urban realm. So, metropolitan cities have gradually been superimposed by “urban phenomena that free themselves from any territorial medium to base themselves on interconnection networks composed of visible means of transport and invisible means of communication” [10]. French urbanist François Ascher described these phenomena under the concept of “Metapolis”, emphasising that the urban realm of the cities expand beyond the metropolitan scale and that spaces and activities appearing in this expanding realm acquire urban attributes in contributing to the functioning of an expanding urban system. This expansion of the urban realm described by the Metapolis is not to confound with the traditional growth of the metropolitan city, even though it contributes to that, too, but refers to the network idea of society connected by flows, that shape a globalising web of information, goods, knowledge, finances and of course people. Acknowledging the premises of transportation and communication, spatial configurations and patterns result from spontaneous wandering around world relation. Bourdin, Eckhard and Wood described it as a kind of global colonisation and give the example of

Angelina Joly and Brad Pitt owning a house in a selfbranded bio-village in France [11]. So, a main attribute of the Metapolis is its structure of superimposed relational webs reaching from local, regional to transnational levels like a neuronal grid. The city as a compact, dense territorial artefact with an identifiable core area dissolves in that concept into accumulative nodes of urban activities, so the spatial continuity of the metropolitan city is dispersing into urban fragments following the logic of connectivity and accessibility in these webs. Cedric Price established another physiognomic analogy to the urban structure of the Metapolis: the city as a scrambled ham and egg acknowledging the spatial indifferent dispersing of urban fragments [12]. That means the Metapolis is a concept that considers the appearance of those urban elements that authors like Marc Augé and earlier Edward Relph critical identified as places without identity and cultural relation, serving logistics in opposing anthropological aspects of space [13]. Motorways, airports, railways, subways, shopping centers, motels, create an immanent realm of today’s urban society with no or very less contextual relation. In the concept of the Metapolis these places are allocated to a globalising sphere of urbanization by transfer and logistics. Place in the Metapolis encompasses all transitory elements as a socio spatial system beyond a place of places [14]. That means the urban logic of this metapolitan system is characterised by ephemeral attributes of the mobile and the virtual. The form of urbanity appearing from these notions is transitory and rather nomadic. Physical and spatial permanence as traditional categories of urban life are transferred into permanent “space of flows…link(s)ing up distant locales around shared functions and meanings on the basis of electronic circuits and fast transportation corridors, while isolating and subduing the logic of experience embodied in the space of places” [15]. Thus, it can be argued that exactly elements of logistics, transport, touristic spots or places of consumption generate contemporary urban spheres because the perception or “imagination” [16], as Alain Bourdin called it, of urban life and places changed tremendously on behalf of mobility and in a subversive matter, so that still there is a kind of discomfort about these places which often is replaced by a petrified, installed pseudo urban scenery as can be found in shopping centers creating an indoor street scenery or total lack of any spatial quality while obeying to technical, security criteria like at service stations on the road, airports. All these spaces show a dis-connective relation to their context. The experience in these spaces is isolated from contextual aspects: inhabitants, local culture and local landscape. These places are out of place in a physical sense. The

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relations to surroundings are externalised by means of virtual communication or consumption methods that create a clean and filtered perception as a substitute for physical experience of the local and orientation is supported by global codes including generic semantics so that a spatial aesthetic evolved where identification with a place is replaced with identical attributes.

2.3. Transit as “meta-urban” space and urbanity The Metapolis concept acknowledges that processes and spatial attributes evolving in the context of globalised mobility in general can hardly be described within frames of traditional urban models. Mobility practices have been generating different urban environments but also different demands of users. So, conditions of movement and service have become more important than build mass and territory in defining zones of urban activity in the realm of mobility infrastructures. One aspect that is symptomatic for this shift is the privatization of public transport services in order to run mobility infrastructure. The management of transit spaces through private or semiprivate enterprises has resulted in assemblages of commercedriven public service areas that transformed users into consumers and supporting infrastructure into “selfcontained satellites“ [17] of urban practice independent from urban context and neglecting citizen-like urban perception while rather accounting for distance, speed, frequency and intersection as spatial criteria. The discussion about commercial transformation process still is crucial in the field of transportation facilities. Recently, Meinhard van Gerkan of gmp Architects, Germany released a publication about the new airport Berlin discussing the ambiguity in designing an airport. He argues that the transitional character of transit spaces, in this case: airports, as main function has to be the main experience in space for travellers and must support a reflection on the state of flying itself rather than render as a “mallificated” [18] commercial tunnel of transfer. So, a main question that arises concerning transit spaces is the quality of the urban experience and with it the question of spatial identity in the transitional sphere. The concept of Metapolis, in focusing on the broadening of the urban realm generated by flows and networks of transit and information processes, addresses the spatial phenomena primarily as a virtual accumulation and perception of places [19] and not their physical conditions and qualities. Nevertheless, if contemporary urban culture is a mobile one, the places of its practice, as can be detected in transportation facilities constituting the network of the Metapolis, are consequently metapolitan that means an urban realm

and it that sense also anthropological physical constructions. So, transit spaces are, beyond pure modernistic functionalism, not only matter of engineered transport infrastructure but urban condensers of a specific public activity, too. One only has to look at the growth of flight movements in Europe [20] and the financial reports of airports, like Frankfurt/Main, Germany, to capture this phenomenon. Fostering this evolution doesn’t have to mean to surrender to commercial or pure technical consideration but to consider spatial qualities where people move, connect to transports, socially interact [21], as well as a programmatic opening not only in terms of services but also other economic and cultural programs. So, the production of space as a linking of transport and urban space becomes crucial in its relation to the activities possible through it. The question arises if these implications can generate notions of urbanity as quality that allow for a spatial identity in the meta-urban sphere of transit as a modern, meaningful urban place. It is tried to examine some key attributes associated to urbanity in relation to aspects of transit processes. Minding the fact that there is an own discourse on contemporary urbanity, which shall not be represented itself, 3 common parameters of urbanity are focused closer and discussed concerning their relevance in the realm of transit spaces: presence, diversity and accessibility: Presence of people can be considered a premise to any kind of urban activity because it is a condition for encounter and communication between people. A space without people who stay can be an urban space but it needs a critical mass of people engaging in space to accommodate the space to be urban [22]. Important here is a differentiation between gathering and coexistence, often elaborated in terms of puplicness. While philosophers like Jürgen Habermas advocated for places of meeting and discussion as a gathering public others like Richard Sennett argued for a co-existence of “the other” as public condition. The idea of gathering leads Habermas to a rather programmatic understanding of public space. Sennett´s approach is a rather broader, informal urban character accounting for certain anonymity as “a space where strangers meet” [23]. Both gathering and meeting demand corporal movement in space in order to perceive and experience the others and the spatial context. The basic structure of transportation facilities is constituted by the transfer of passengers from the state of moving to being moved. This transition is processed by functional layers as a linear sequence of spaces in order to guide the traveller through information, checkin, ticketing, waiting, boarding. The condition of the linear spatial sequence in a programmatic understanding generates a setting for the presence of people as passengers, which is characterised by a continuous flow, and also those who manage this

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flowing movement of people in transit. The personal relation is rather characterised by a functional and anonymous “moving through space” than to gather in the sense of Habermas and compares to a channelled funnel where people rather co-exist having a same purpose: travelling, but only temporarily and in a predefined direction. Staying and possible encounter with “the other” are predetermined and limited by the process of transit such as arrival times and boarding times. These spaces are therefor not a destination itself but rather an urban passage stretching the real and imagined experience of the individual journey generating an anonymous community by a continuous presence of different people that come and go, which work through similarity to places, that are referenced in a general understanding of urbanity [24]. In transit space this passage like movement generates the well-known economic potential for commerce activities. Travelling has become a shopping tour as van Gerkan stated but at the same time transit is enhanced by serving programs that produce engagement in the transit. A second parameter to regard when discussing urbanity is diversity. Christopher Alexander identified the most urban spaces at places of overlapping areas with different social structures [25]. Alexander established the metaphor of a tree as opposed to the structure of an urban city, where people, interests, activities and areas overlap. In a similar way as Jane Jacobs he regards incremental growth much more natural than the topdown implementation of segregated large-scale structures with specific programs as common in modernistic city planning. That implies that difference in interests, social groups and programs and spatial openness for gradual transformation, in the sense of a degree of spatial indeterminacy, like Sennett´s demand for an open narrative in the urban system, are activating and diversifying urban space. Transit facilities represent defined entities that accumulate a range of diverse people with an important common ground: the objective of passing through. Transit space is basically determined by a more or less constant flow of trespassing people as passengers. So spatial activities are depending on the frequency of the transportation medium. The main objective of travel and the security aspects of the dispatching process limit interests and reduce diversity to safety, comfort and efficient service. The fact, that transit as a public service is managed by an increasingly privatized operating sector, exclude possibilities of adaption by other stakeholders or even certain groups of people. That means interests are mainly orientated towards economic profit. Precarious social groups, for example the “Bahnhofsmilieu”, are more and more gentrified and diversity tends to decrease. The integration of commercial offers and other services proofed to be a relevant strategy for raising benefits and establishing a

new market, which have become successful with increasing traffic connections producing temporal slots of non-activity especially in the case of interchanges. Activities like retail, gastronomy and entertainment are creating a stimulus for consumption as a form of time compensation. This is directed in line with the transit and reduces activities mainly to commercial benefits. Activities in urban context, however, can be but are not established to fill time frames and are much more diverse and allow for social encounter of different groups as well as political agenda, even though it can be stated that especially European cities upgrade their central areas by enhancing the commercial sector while gentrifying other, cultural or political, activities. “Mallification”, as van Gerkan condemns in transport hubs, is therefor a general trend to establish a scenic impression of urbanity while satisfying individualistic needs. That goes together with an “internalization of the urban realm”, as Alain Bourdin called it, which can be traced back not only in peripheral shopping centers but also in airports, rail station and service station that transformed into suppliers not only for travellers but also including other economics on different urban scales. A third parameter in relation to urbanity is defined by accessibility. According to Richard Sennett an urban public space needs a certain degree of open boundaries to allow people to move through it and engage in space [26]. The location of transportation within the urban context is crucial for such an understanding. Centred or peripheral: the location determines accessibility to place that means in transit to travellers and others not directly engaged in travel. That aspect accounts also for Alexander´s premise of urban space to be overlapped in activity patterns [27]. In the context of transnational transport this aspect is almost impossible to implement. Airports, situated in a peripheral situation when looking from a metropolitan view, generate rather autarkic urban structures referring to the global connections. Thus, airports show high boundaries of access and low connection to the residential realm of the urban context. This is underlined by a high standard in access control. So even if airports present a big range of activities in other economics than travel the spaces are restricted in accessibility to an urban public and hardly interfere so that the presence of people and a possible interaction is limited, too. Train stations, on the other hand, are located more central due to track disposition originating back to industrialisation. Since then the area of the station and the station itself offered low boundaries and easy access for diverse social groups in connection also to residential urban realms which allow them to integrate in everyday urban activities. The transition from urban context is primarily defined by the platforms that are setoff from the ground so that this step in height marks the interface to the transit realm.

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Accessibility as a criterion for urban spaces becomes a crucial factor for transit infrastructures in regard to their urban qualities. The means of physical boundaries and security controls as well as location are defining access and zones of predomination of transport activity and the overlapping of local on global scales. The 3 urban parameters: presence, diversity and accessibility referred to transportation hubs suggest that the primary function of processing transit with security aspects, orientation, distribution has some attributes to acquire notions of urbanity. The potential of engagement and interaction between people, crucial to urbanity, exists but is bound to the aspect of transit as prior function.

3. Hybrid transport infrastructures – Meta urban spaces 3.1. The hybrid structure of transport hubs: Between transit and urban A further implication of the previously described premises can be drawn from recognition of duality in transitional processes itself. Transportation hubs are bidirectional interfaces coordinating flows of people with different motivations and transforming them from citizen to passenger and back between local urban context and transit space. This meta-urban condition addresses the specific notion of transportation hubs as hybrid typologies that are implemented strategically oscillating between the metapolitan realm of urban networks and the metropolitan realm of urban territory. This principle of the hybrid becomes evident when observing different types of transportation hubs based on their transport mode: airport, railway station and modal interchange (Figure 1). Airports represent the most global type of transportation as a network of hubs creating a global city: “Aviopolis” [28] on different scales regarding their hub function and flight destinations. Due to their involvement of the atmosphere they punctual penetrate the territory as dots of a net and due to flight curves they are situated in peripheral position regarded from a metropolitan point of view, making it a necessity to be well connected by shuttle services connecting to the city. Thus airport are perceived as satellites or nodes in the periphery with an impact on their context [29]. International standards in proceeding passengers that are characterised by high security regulation determine the functional structure with high boundary between local context and transitional sphere [30]. This boundary is located in the middle of these two sides: landside – airside leading to a doubling of functions and services acknowledging that a lot of passengers stay in the metaurban context during travel. This highly controlled

sphere is catered with theme shops and gastronomy as well as entertainment. Together with a complex system of orientation and information they create well tempered but artificial indoor atmospheres. The development of “Airport Cities” as business centers, as in the case of Munich and Frankfurt for example, has long exceeded aviation. They are huge logistic enterprises and developers of businesses, entertainment- and conferences centers, hotels, shopping malls etc. extending the traffic node into a business and service district with high economical value for the local context, e.g. job opportunities. Due to their territorial isolation and security constraint, however, airports cannot really merge local and global scale regarding spatial relation. Thus it can be argued that airports tend rather to the metapolitan realm of urban space rather than being integrated in the urban context itself. Railway Stations show a different spatial condition than airports. The boundary between urban context and transit space of platform is low. Meta urban and metropolitan sphere interweave. Due to their mostly central location in cities the open to the local context and integrate programs like convenience stores, business, accommodation, shopping that addresses both the local population and the traveller. Furthermore there is a diversity of social groups present using the station as an urban node rather than travelling [31]. There is a high potential of flow and encounter that create urban quality. A lot of railway stations around the world have been refurbished by today. In that processes the spatial resources of the old halls could be reactivated. The station Atocha in Madrid, for example, was transformed by implementing a huge indoor garden open to the public with coffee shops aside. The new Vienna main Station shows another form of hybridization: the sphere of the transit was isolated on the track and covered with a signal roof structure. The actual station was integrated into an urban block aside integrating meta-urban activities like business centers, shopping and railway services, hotels and modal interchanges. In these cases meta-urban space and metropolitan sphere are overlapping.

Figure 1. Hybrid structure of transit infrastructure

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Another case is concerning rail stations as transit interchanges. Euralille, for example, is a large-scaled node of rail tracks and road transportation. The infrastructure was superimposed with urban programs like entertainment, shopping, hotels, conference centers and even dense residential blocks. Altogether, they form a comprised urban context as a densification of urban programs and open access. A second example can be observed in Stockholm´s “City Terminalen”. This intermodal hub integrates bus services, railway and public transportation, especially metro. Central element is a spine that gives access to all modes of transport and additional programs as a distributor. The whole hybrid complex is situated in the metropolitan centre area with entries on several levels generating a high level of connection between transit and urban space. Both examples can be regarded urban nodes integrating the urban context while extending the traffic function. These examples show an increasingly trend in diversifying infrastructure by means of hybridization. In terms of processing transport, airports have the highest security constraint, which effects also the relation between meta-urban and metropolitan sphere in the hub as interface. Lower boundaries in other transportation hubs exemplified melting processes of the two urban spheres, the metapolitan context and the metropolitan context by means of hybridisation in program and spatial interfering.

3.2. An hybrid bus terminal: Case for a metaurban interface To understand the previously described tendencies of hybridisation and meta - urban relationships in transport infrastructure better a studio design course was held by the author during winter term 2014 to 2015 at the Institute of Architecture Technology TU Graz examining the urban potentials of transit in architectural terms by investigating a further type of transport hub: the bus terminal. The design investigation was based on a statutorily liberation of regulations concerning long-distance road transports to a wider range of distances and providers in Germany 2013. That deregulation of the market allowed bus transport to revive and has led to an immense increase in bus routes, bus providers and users that has been gradually consolidating now [32]. The increasing bus market caused concern especially with the German railway company Deutsche Bahn that had to face strikes during the launching phase of new bus routes which revealed quickly to be a relevant alternative with comfortable new buses, direct connectivity, simple booking processes, web access and most of all fairly low pricing [33]. These advantages led

to an increase of passengers from 2,9Mio to 8,2Mio per year in 2013 equalling a growth rate of +178%: almost 3times more than 2012. The larger German cities have been facing sever congestions at their bus stations since then and, except of Hamburg and Munich, are in need of upgrading their mostly worn out terminals. Especially Berlin´s ZOB (central bus station), a node in European and national traffic, can hardly meet the new capacities and is in need of refurbishment or renewal [35], providing an opportunity to rethink the modern concept of the bus terminal typology as monofunctional traffic infrastructure and transforming it into an urban node. So the following scenario was conceptualised as base for the design studio: The worn-out ZOB, which was opened in 1966, is deconstructed to give extension options to the trade fair Berlin which is situated next to it. A wasteland next to the former plot on the on side and to the Berliner Ring on the other as well as the ICC was chosen to densify and re-use a leftover traffic site and to use the potentials of the close by train station to create potentials for the bus terminal to be thought of as urban and modal interface especially in regard to the trade fair Berlin rather than being transport service solely. The objective was to create a hybrid architectural design that is capable of integrating more convenience for passengers as well as a clear relation to the city´s context. To foster this approach an open structural frame had to be designed to integrate additional but undetermined programs. In this scenario the quality of the urban interface becomes crucial for programs to establish but also an economic potential for the Stakeholder of the terminal following examples of airport cities (Figure 2). The following 4 case studies present basic approaches proposed in the design process that showcase the possibilities of linking transit hub and urban space in an hybrid structure by reconsidering the prescribed criteria: presence, diversity and accessibility with different strategies. The first approach re-introduces the plaza as a spatial type. This plaza is hovered over the terrain making a clear distinction towards road traffic and bridging the exit lane of the A100 Ring motorway crossing the site. Under the roof buses are parked. While other programs can be implemented in a long bar protecting the plaza to the motorway and focusing the relation between trade fair and subway station. The plaza serves as a distributor and transforms the functional platform into an urban element of communication allowing for open access, diverse programs. The orientation of the framing building parts towards the plaza supports the presence of people by overlapping access and the possibility of programmatic extension on the plaza (Figure 3).

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Figure 2. Site between Berlin Trade Fair, Ring Motorway A100 and Railway

Figure 3. Section through Plaza (Copyright: Institute of Architecture Technology, TU Graz, 2015)

Figure 4. Section showing Hall Type (Copyright: Institute of Architecture Technology, TU Graz, 2015)

Figure 5. Section showing passage in block structure (Copyright Institute of Architecture Technology, TU Graz, 2015)

Figure 6. Section showing folding and vertical connection by perforation and towers (Copyright Institute of Architecture Technology, TU Graz, 2015) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ M. Stevens: “Hybrid Infrastructures – Transit Spaces as Meta Urban Environments”, pp. 1–10

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The second case study recovers the type of the hall as a public interface by using the means of mega form. The main entrances are placed in a split-level edge situation in connection with existing bridges towards train station. The bus station is split up. 2 ramps lead the buses from street level to the platforms in the sunken part. An elevated hall on top of the base is configured by an empty space forming a connector between city and bus but also main hall for further programs independent of traffic. Vertical openings establish visual relationships between people and vehicular transport. The hall has the potential to operate as a shared open living room that is despite its split-level access connecting to the context (Figure 4). The third concept is based on the assembling of blocks that create an urban fabric. Taking up the typology of the Berliner Block the structure allows for extending programs to the inner patios. All the blocks are connected by a meandering public zone that allow for a total mixing of transport, commercial and other programs while still being separately accessible by the urban structure of the block that is opened to all sides. This proposal attempts to transfer the mall back to the city as a strategy to link different programs and establish a connective urban passage (Figure 5). The fourth example uses the method of folding to establish a continuation of urban space, which accommodates the transit function as a roof shelter. The strategy of continuation allows for addressing main directions of access and the equal use of the site as traffic and urban node. By a perforating the folded plate both layers: traffic and urban are intertwined and as well visually as physically combined. This connection is supported by vertical towers of different sizes that penetrate both layers and thus can be programmed as mixed-use in terms of service functions or different urban functions (Figure 6). All 4 case studies show the immanent potential of opening up the functional layout of bus terminals to urban qualities addressing the topics of presence, diversity and accessibility in different strategic ways. They are also examples of how known spatial typologies can be re-introduced as tools for this transformation into meta-urban environments.

4. Conclusion

of the functional criteria showed that constraints of the transport procedure are prior due to functional reasons in the transport system. Thus, an urban quality in the sense of established criteria of urbanity is difficult to trace depending on criteria of location, accessibility, economic uses and security aspects. Another implication, however, could be traced in the constituent principle of hubs being interfaces between the metaurban environment of transit and the local urban context. This understanding allowed to define transport hubs as hybrid typologies the communicate flows between two urban spheres. Here examples showed that a crucial threshold for the mixing of urban and transit spaces is the spatial and regulatory formulation of the boundary between transit and urban interface. The example of the design for a bus station in Berlin showed that this typology has high potential of melting with the urban context due to its location and low boundaries. To hybridise such transit spaces can foster urban qualities transforming the transit node into a meta-urban environment.

References [1] Smithson Alison, Smithson Peter, Team 10 Primer, The MIT Press, 1974, p.51. [2] Bourdin Alain, Eckhardt Frank, Wood Andrew, Die ortlose Stadt: Über die Virtualisierung des Urbanen, Transcript Verlag, Bielefeld, Germany, 2014, p.90. [3] Cisar Sasha, Hillreich Jörg, Increasing Mobility: Architecture and Urban Design in the Global Age, An Interview with Bernard Tschumi, in TransIt, 2009, pp.66-69. [4] Sheller and Urry, 2006, New Mobility Paradigms, in Environment and Planning, Vol. A38-2, 2006, pp.207-226. [5] Taylor&Francis, Mobilities, Journal, Aims and Scope, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInfor mation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=rmob20#. VjYEIekzn4w2011, accessed: 15th March 2015. [6] Creswell, On the Move Mobility in the Modern Western World, Routledge, New York London, 2006, p.07.

The paper discussed the urban dimensions in long distance transport. The approach was to understand the structure of transport hubs, their increasing tendency to accumulate multiple programs and with it the spatial character of these technical-anthropological spaces in the urban realm as hybrid structures.

[7] Creswell, ibid., pp.04-06.

By the theory of the Metapolis transit spaces can be defined as “meta-urban” environments. A comparison

[10] Vázquez Carlos García, González Martínez Plácido, Metapolis,

[8] Castells, Manuel, The Rise of the Network Society The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture, Vol.1, John Wiley&Sons; 2. Edition, 2009. [9] Castells ibid.

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http://www.atributosurbanos.es/en/terms/metap olis/, accessed: 20th April2015. [11] Bourdin Alain, ibid., p.91. [12] Oswalt, Phillip, Interview with Cedric Price, Die Freude am Unbekannten, in Peripherie ist überall, Campus Verlag, Frankfurt Main, Germany, 1998, pp. 330-337. [13] Augé, Marc, Nicht-Orte, C.H.Beck oHG, Germany, 2010, pp.83-84. [14] Bourdin, Alain et al., ibid., p.91. [15] Castells, Manuel, Informationalism and the Network Society, Epilogue to Pekka Himanen’s The Hacker, Ethic and the spirit of Informationalism, Random House, New York, 2001, pp.155-78. [16] Bourdin, Alain et al., ibid., p.16. [17] Whiteside, Andrew, Life in the fast Lane: Service Areas and the Emergence of infrastructural Urbanism, Trans, Vol.16, TransIt, 2009, pp.126133. [18] von Gerkan, Meinhard, Black Box BER, 2013, pp.1824. [19] Bourdin, Alain, 2014, p.89-90. [20] Eurocontrol, Five major challenges of Long-term Air Traffic Growth, www.eurocontrol.int/eec/public/standard_page/E TN_2009_1_Growth.html, accessed: 16th July 2015. [21] Edwards Brain, Sustainability and the Design of Transport Interchanges, Routledge, New York, USA, 2011, pp.20-21. [22] De Aguiar Vieira Douglas, ibid. [23] Sennett, Richard, The Public Realm, www.richardsennett.com/site/senn/templates/ge neral2.aspx?pageid=16&cc=gb, accessed: 16th July 2015.

[24] Bourdin, Alain et al., ibid., p.123. [25] De Aguiar Vieira, Douglas, ibid. [26] Sennett, Richard, ibid. [27] De Aguiar Vieira, Douglas, ibid. [28] Fuller, Gillian, Harley, Ross, Aviopolis A book about airports, Black Dog Publishing Limited, London, United Kingdom, 2004, p.11. [29] Hartwig Nina, Neue urbane Knoten am Stadtrand? Die Einbindung von Flughäfen in die Zwischenstadt: Frankfurt / Main – Hannover – Leipzig / Halle – München, VWF, Berlin, Germany, 2000, p.2. [30] Fuller Gillian, Harley Ross, ibid., pp.16-18. [31] Hartwig, Nina, ibid., p.21. [32] Presse des Bundesministeriums für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur, Bundesrat beschließt Novelle des Personenbeförderungsgesetztes, 2011, http://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/DE/Pressemitte ilungen/2012/243-ramsauer-fernbusse.html, accessed: 20th April 2015. [33] Doll, Nikolaus, Fernbusse günstiger und sauberer als die Bahn, 2014, http://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article134950233 /Fernbusse-guenstiger-und-sauberer-als-dieBahn.html, accessed 30th January 2015. [34] Leonard Christiane, Fernbuslinienverkehr in Zahlen, 2014, http://bdo-online.de/themen-undpositionen/fernbus/fernbuslinienverkehr-inzahlen, accessed: 10th March 2015. [35] Neumann, Peter, Der Busbahnhof platzt aus allen Nähten, 2014, http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/berlin/zentraleromnibusbahnhof--zob--der-busbahnhof-platztaus-allen-naehten,10809148,26910196.html, accessed: 30th October 2014.

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DOI: 10.14621/tna.20150402

Thinking Architecture through the Traits of Extroversion and Introversion: Territory as a Question of Environmental Orientation and Autonomy Arta Xhambazi Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Prishtina Dardania 6/9 B4, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo, arta.xhambazi@uni-pr.edu

Abstract

1. Introduction

The paper is a result of a broader research project regarding theoretical groundings of architecture that will hopefully recognize relation between culture, theory and design. The “body” of architecture is understood as a concept defined by the relations of its parts and by its actions and reactions with respect both to its environment milieu and to its internal milieu. Through the traits of introversion and extroversion the “body of architecture” is explored starting from the limits as physical boundaries, continuing further by widening the horizons through different normative position for explaining meaningful environment and finally introducing the issue of “territoriality” and how it is related the to the recent discourse in architecture. The discussion of two different philosophical frameworks toward understanding architecture resulted in reconsidering the notion of boundaries /limits that the traits of introversion and extroversion are linked to. The Territory becomes a concept that overcomes dualities through which introversion and extroversion as vectors of diversity in architecture can be viewed as a single continuum. In this way the question of territory becomes the matter of the autonomy of the architectural body, but at the same time the intensive force that carries it away.

The context of architecture and its discourse in the 21st century recognizes a theoretical meltdown and the vast number of researchers aiming at “an architectural theory”. What becomes evident is that is understandable that a grand theory of architecture is probably a risk and a myth so, a vast number of less detailed terms as mediation, transformation, variation, affordance, territory etc. are used frequently to describe the discipline, process and “buildings” of architecture. In regard of a human body, the traits “introvert” and “extrovert” are used in the psychology for describing a central dimension of human personality. The terms introversion and extroversion were first popularized by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung [1], an influential thinker and the founder of Analytical Psychology. Extroversion is understood as "the act, state, or habit of being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from what is outside the self" [2] and introversion is "the state of or tendency toward being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interested in one's own mental life" [3]. So within the analytical psychology the terms tend to describe the human personality, establishing a “Human Body” to whom the terms intro and extra are addressed. In order to apply such notions to architecture the very first questions to be clarified is: What is Architectural Body?

Keywords:

Architecture, Territory, Introversion, Extroversion, Autonomy, Heteronomy

Article history:

Received: 13 July 2015 Revised: 06 September 2015 Accepted: 12 October 2015

This question is a central issue of the broader research project, which through the “self-reflectance” of architecture tempts to define a whole “the body” as composed from parts, but with its own contradictory elements that are both inside and outside, ordering and disordering. In this research we will refer to the Deleuze concept that the “Body” is defined by the relations of its parts and by its actions and reactions with respect both to its environment milieu and to its internal milieu [4, p.35].

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A. Xhambazi: “Thinking Architecture through the Traits of Extroversion and Introversion: Territory as a Question …”, pp. 11–24

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The paper will argue that in order of understanding architecture, its existence and evolution, it’s important to understand its internal milieu consistency (introversion) and what are the relations and actions to its environment (extroversion). The goal of this research is that through the terms of “introversion” and “extroversion”, to put some light within relations of some parts of the “Body of Architecture” by comprehensive analysis of postmodern theory on meaning and appearing contemporary theories and practices. In order to do so the questions arise as: What does introversion and extroversion mean in terms of physical appearance of architectural buildings? What do the terms mean within normative positions for explaining meaningful environments? How do those terms relate to the appearing notions of contemporary discourse as mediations or transformation? For answering these questions firstly, we will narrow the horizons of our research in the terms of physical appearance of architecture. Secondly, the broadening horizons will be discussed in the framework of normative position for explaining meaningful environment. Thirdly, we will enter to some philosophical concerns of Gille Deleuze, questioning the issue of the “territoriality” and how the concept is related to the recent discourse in architecture.

2. The boundaries Architecture undoubtedly manifests with materialization – formal and spatial definition, therefore being introvert or extrovert can be analysed taking into account this aspect of physical appearance. Priority given physical object has a long history taking into the consideration the ancient concept of techno, recognized as the rational basis for the construction of objects, and medieval ideas of the mechanical arts, which considered built forms as utilitarian objects [5]. The discussion led from the 17th century by Perrault, latter by Boulle, Ledoux, and others tended to establish the new language of form based on simple geometrical forms that would enable people to grasp the purpose and character of buildings. The 19th century introduced the concept of style through which the form was generated due to the objective principles from system, structures and manufacturing techniques. The structural rationalism was furthermore advanced by Viollet-le-Duc which concerned with functional efficiency and the honest expression of structures and materials as the basis of expression of external appearance of forms. From here, latter Luis Sullivan expressed the dictum “form follows function”, whose wide currency in 20th century testifies to the pervasiveness of the of Le Duc’s concept in the context of modern architecture [6].

Despite, historical interest for the architectural form, however it is worth mentioning that when we talk about ancient architecture treaties, we can distinguish that they hardly speak directly for the space, but instead their theory bears upon the physical elements of objects and their reasoning regarding forms. Debate on space began in early 19th century and the 20th century is the one that developed architecture as nonfigurative art and space was exactly a part of this development.

2.1. Architectural space and its limits One of the most important works of postmodern thought is "Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture" of Robert Venturi which was welcomed by the ones who cared for architectural cultural development. This work used together examples from different periods, it emphasised especially Modernism, but the mannerist and baroque corpus constituted the primary matter of Complexity and Contradiction [7]. From this set of buildings Venturi extracted the formal principles characteristic of a complex and contradictory architecture, an architecture whose formal richness invites active interpretation. In regard of contrast “Inside and outside” he states that it can be seen as major manifestation of contradiction in architecture. For him, “designing from the outside in, as well the inside – out, creates necessary tensions, which help make architecture. Since the inside is different from the outside, the wall – the point of change – becomes an architectural event. Architecture occurs at the meeting of interior and exterior forces of use and space” [7, p.86]. Taking a stand from more phenomenological perspective, von Meiss states that from these tensions architectural space is born, from the relationship between objects or boundaries and from planes which do not themselves have the character of objects, but which define the limits [8]. So, if we consider the wall, Venturi’s point of change and the limits of von Meiss, the windows becomes a sign for human life, an eye of the building allowing one to gaze at the outside world without being seen. The window becomes an architectural element through which one could gaze outside world and by this it becomes an element of extroverted architecture, the one that looks to the outside world. So, one of the fundamental oppositions which makes it possible to distinguish types of architectural space is the fact that they can be either closed – introverted concentrated upon themselves or open - extroverted, centrifugal [8]. Where the mass is more concentrated, the space is more closed. If we want to make the opening of a space toward the exterior, then we tend to create forms with less explicit shapes. The opening of the space is made possible through the reduction of the level of definition and the presence of elements that belong to the interior as well as exterior.

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Figure 1. The articulation of a fluid space at the Barcelona Pavilion (drawing by A. Xhambazi)

As an example, the articulation of space at the Barcelona Pavilion avoids the presence of an angle by realizing it with glass, and uses walls that extend toward exterior. This really creates spatial tension and compressions that actually results in shaping a building that articulates s fluid space (Figure 1). What the “window” does, actually its relative sizes help to define the nature of the envelope. The larger the openings become the more they designate the absence of the wall. The notion of the pierced wall diminishes and space opens out. The initial materials of the age of industry as reinforced concrete, steel and glass have made it possible to extend the architectural vocabulary by the elimination of the dependence between structure and opening. The space and façade became liberated and offered the possibility of the new dynamic by the ribbon window, the corner window and the glazed wall which introduced a new spatial dimension consciously exploited during Modern Movement.

2.2. Blurring boundaries So, formal appearance as has been already noted has always been architectural issue. This because architecture is build and that means “first of all to create, define and limit a portion of land distinct from the rest of the universe and to assign a particular role to it” [8, p.148]. So, architecture as “wall between the inside and the outside becomes the spatial record” [7,

p.86] a geometrical limit that creates the interior and exterior. Regarding architectural thought, it can be argued that the geometry of architectural form was based through centuries on Euclidean thought and Platonic solids. Even the twentieth century Le Corbusier, in line with these earlier ideas, advocated the use of simple geometric objects that could be easily grasped, in his book Vers une architecture [9]. The cylinder, pyramid, cube, prism and sphere were not only considered as essential forms of the Egyptian, Greek and Roman architecture but, were also universal geometric “primitives” of the digital solid modelling software of the late twentieth century. But it was actually the fifth postulate of Euclidean geometry that opened the realm of non-Euclidian geometries. The first four postulates articulated by Euclid are considered postulates of absolute geometry, but the consequence of the fifth postulate was that through every point there is one and only one line parallel to any other line. Carl Friedrich managed to successfully demonstrate the existence of non-Euclidean geometries and afterwards Einstein’s “Theory of Relativity” based on non-Euclidian geometry, powerfully showed how Newtonian physics, based upon Euclidian geometry, failed in considering the essential curvature of space [10]. So if we turn our discussion on contemporary Architecture due to the formal appearance, it can be argued that they represent the visions of man and woman of the end of 20th century. As a result of all the changes and developments happening at the time and

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before, at the beginning of 90s Greg Lynn suggested that more than mere motion, animation implies the evolution of a form and its shaping forces; it suggests animalism, animism, growth, actuation, vitality and virtuality and offers examples of new approaches to design that move away from the deconstructivism’s “logic of conflict and contradiction” to develop a “more fluid logic of connectivity” [10]. His concept manifested through “folding,” departed from Euclidean geometry of discrete volumes represented in Cartesian space, and employs topological conception of form and geometry of continuous curves and surfaces. This new approach and ideology was at the heart of architectural critique of 90s that debated along the expression of geometrical appearance of architectural form as “blobs vs boxes” as two diametrical opposition.

adaptive properties of form what is emphasizing intentionally the shift from “making” to the “finding” of form.

So, the 90s were the years when features of topological figures (Figure 2) where transformed to the architectural concepts. Within those complex forms the architectural limits blur within the landscape, while the programs develop without interrupting the continuous surface flow. These conceptions appealed for the aesthetic and technology, in search for the novelty considering the beautiful and marvellous. The digital generative processes are opened new conceptual, formal and tectonic explorations, focused on the emergent and

By taking examples of private houses Terence Riley makes the connections of between them and broader cultural issues, stating that the most important questions are not technical but philosophical. He showed that these houses have challenged many of dialects calcified around the private house during the nineteenth century as public/private, male/female, nature/culture etc. So, topology takes the challenge further by creation of spatial interconnections rather than spatial distinctions. As this philosophical attitude

In the Un-Private Houses, Terence Riley [11] by taking examples of private houses as Cohen’s Torus House, van Berkel’s Mobius House (Figure 2, up), Stephen Perrella’s and Rebeca Carpenter’s Mobius House, Zaera – Polo’s Virtual House (Figure 2 down) states that they all take their primary form and even their names from topological geometries. Such complex geometries resulted as a part of new technologies, new materials and new medium of creation creating possibilities of existence of so many projects that simply could not exist few decades ago. So what is so interesting with topology that has captured the minds of the architects?

Figure 2. Transformation of the topological figures into the concepts of architectural space (drawing by A. Xhambazi) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A. Xhambazi: “Thinking Architecture through the Traits of Extroversion and Introversion: Territory as a Question …”, pp. 11–24

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Figure 3. Contemporary revisions of Mies’s work by Koolhaas and Tschumi: Former with intent of revival of modern principles in the postmodern context and later with reinterpretation of architecture as a media (diagram by A.Xhambazi)

for using single surfaced geometries can be considered non dialectical, then also the differences of what is interior and exterior diminish as any other opposition. The smooth surfaces appeared as blurring the boundaries between the physical appearance of architecture, blurring the notions of physical manifestos of introversion and extroversion, and at the same time creating enormous possibilities for contemporary design. Although in the case of housing design organizational problems could hardly justify complex geometries, the matter of the physical appearance of architectural designs presents broader cultural issues. Another important thing to note is that, as after every “blob” there is a single sided figure published by Albert Mobius, every box is associated with the cardinal work of Mies van der Rohe. The reappearance of Mies at the end of the century was dramatic and unexpected, because thirty years ago his ideas and modernism in general were considered a spent force. We have great contemporary revisions as Koolhaas’s did in Maison à Bordeaux (Figure 3 – up); Herzog and de Meuron, Koechlin House, Basel (1994) and Bernard Tschumi’s Glass Video Gallery, Netherlands 1990 (Figure 3 – down). They all represent some kind of high European Modernism but still it does not make them Miesian in ideologies (Figure 3). Koolhaas puts Mies in postmodern context, Herzog and de Meuron remind us that the architectonics is a visual and ultimately sensual discipline and only secondarily is a technical one; while Tschumi deconstructs and reformulates the Archetypal Glass house, reminding us that architecture is less material and more media. Finally, it can be said that from geometrical point of view, contemporary architectural form replaced the singularity by multiplicity and stable by dynamic. The blurred boundaries of geometrical scale actually have a scientific argument also. Bernhard Riemann, due to the concept of curvature of space, established Euclidean

geometry as just a special point on the infinite scale of bending, or folding that produces “flatness” as a manifestation of an equilibrium that is established among various influences producing the curving of space in the first place. The “boxes” and “blobs” as conceptions of space can be understood simply as instances on a sliding scale of formal complexity – a box could be turned into a blob and vice versa by simply varying the parameters of space within which they are defined. What is said before about geometry of space and the study presented by Terence Riley, does not mean that architectural form expressed through its geometry doesn’t matter, but that the dissimilar forms are not necessarily ideologically oppositional and vice versa. This makes us think that the formal distinctions in architecture are not the most important ones, even though our question about traits of introverted and extroverted architecture can be analysed due the physical appearance of architectural designs. The important questions remain the ideologies or the theoretical frameworks of understanding and interpretation of architecture itself. When we talk about the blurred boundaries it is not that the only blurred boundaries are the physical ones, but also the ideological ones. Obviously Contemporary Architecture becomes a product of the way of contemporary thinking and “if the problems of Architecture are to be traced to their roots, one should be focused on the thinking and the considerations that inform its production” [12].

3. Realms of inquiry of Architecture 3.1. Extroverted and Introverted thinking At the turn of the century, as Neal Leach put’s it the discipline of architecture has gone through a

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metamorphosis, since there is a “clear shift both in the nature of debates within architecture and in its relationship with other academic disciplines. Not only are architects and architectural theorists becoming more and more receptive to the whole domain of cultural theory, but cultural theorists, philosophers, sociologists and many others are now to be found increasingly engaged with questions of architecture and the built environment” [12]. Of course architecture is also interested in this debate, even though sometimes it becomes captured in the mystified philosophical concepts and expressing its self-literary as a physical form. This interest of architecture to look outside of the discipline comes from the fact it is “seeking selfdefinition, and for that self-definition it looks outside of itself, to see what others say about it” [13, p.4] or said in another way “for architecture, paradoxical as it may seem, the most complex question is that of selfdetermination” [14, p.3]. So, along with the physical manifestation of architecture there have always been attempts to describe what constitutes proper architecture. In 1987 Peter Rowe in his book “Design Thinking” [15], gave a range of insight into many theories, and when trying to distinct various normative positions that seek to describe what constitutes a proper architecture, distinguished two realms of inquiry. − In the first realm of inquiry architecture is seen in relationship to a hypothesized society or interpretation of man’s world. One of fundamental concerns here becomes legitimating architecture with a reference to “nature” or to a set of events that “lie outside the architecture itself” [15, p. 153]. − And in a second realm, architecture is seen in relationship to itself and its constituent elements with the locus of inquiry that of architectural object. When looking for determinates of Architectural Space, as for “elementary question: What is man and what is his place in space?” [16, p.3], Ahmet Hadrović mentions two parallel and intertwined courses on man’s attempt to: − Getting to know nature or objectively given realities “in their own merits” where he assumes that there is nature with a predetermined reality where man’s role is essential just as any other living thing’s. (Such teaching greatly feature Eastern Philosophies). − Getting to know man, what he is and what he may be, when he assumes that there is man and there is an image formed as a consequence of

external influences. The peak of this teaching is Hegel’s philosophy of dialectic idealism. If we take into the considerations that talking about architecture is talking about life (and man/woman), by analogy this means that the question of defining architecture and its “Body” could seek: − Getting to know nature (in our case environment) within objectively given realities and − Getting to know architecture what she is and what he may be. We will try to crystalize these positions, which are somehow equivalent to the question of autonomous and heteronomous thinking about architecture, respectively introverted and extroverted thinking in architecture.

3.2. Postmodern dichotomy Heteronomous architecture The first realm could be considered environmental – extroverted, looking for the truths that lie outside “the body of architecture”. The seek for the substantiation form outside the domain of architecture has tended to look toward human behaviour scientist, social sciences, and production technologies and we refer this extrovertness as natural with in the sense that there is a tendency to describe reality by concepts of “natural phenomena” (Berstein, 1976) and legitimating models of knowledge - natural sciences and formal disciplines as mathematics and logic [15]. Within this realm, Functionalism and Modern Movement are known as complete departures of earlier architectural orientations. The term functionalism was actually coined in order of describing architecture of engineering and planning while being workable, economical and efficient; nerveless it was latter criticized for the lack of qualities such a cosiness, individuality, warmth… etc. The spirit of “form follows function” and the preoccupation with new technologies gave way to the international style. Planning Orthodoxy of the cities emerged with the similar traits to those of modern movement in architecture. System approaches as empirical systems were at the heart of the “scientific methods” for interpreting man and his world for the design purposes were the concept of model and the activity of operational modelling. For example there was a common use of behavioural models that aimed to characterize the behaviour upon a variety of environmental circumstances. For example Lynch’s on the image of the city gave weight to empirically determined concepts of spatial conception

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and the idea of “cognitive mapping” became influential within the urban design. Rowe, also distinguishes the alternative positions that were developed due to the comprehensive and intense criticism of the empirical orthodoxy idea of theory and the possibility of science of the man. One of these positions was the phenomenological alternative whose objective was to address questions about the essence of the things and Humanist critique who draw the distinction between what is “outward manifestation” of human activity and “inward believe” that indicates directly this activity and structuralism which had similarities with the theoretical ideals of the empirical orthodoxy, but still due to opposition to Cartesian and other mainstream it concerns with the irrational nature of the man. So, when we speak for the first realm it can be described as a tendency to sustain to deductive systems of theory construction and empirical observation favoured by social sciences, by which the horizon of interpretation and design is designed by a “scientific view” of getting to know nature (and by this to know the man/woman).This realm could be considered environmental – extroverted, looking for the truths that lie outside “the body of architecture”. The seeking for the substantiation form outside the domain of architecture has tended to look toward human behaviour scientist, social sciences and production technologies. Autonomous architecture Within the second realm there was a tendency for adhering to rhetorical domain of architectural objects and organizing compositional principles. The proposition for Autonomy of Architecture was a notable shift toward the architectural discourse happened after the Second World War, emphasizing the world of “architectural” objects and the use of its elements as the primary design focus. The pluralistic thought of postmodern movement undoubtedly was a reaction to the avant-garde of the modern movement, with its concentration in abstract formalism and the denial of stylistic references or figural qualities. Within the autonomy, Michael Graves characterized architecture as “invention” that makes up its own “text” from myths and rituals of society – a text that in turn provides impetus to further inventions. This kind of preoccupation is seen as exception since every epoch has had its share of introspective interest in its own constituent elements and their meanings. Looking inward, introverted toward the elements that constitute Architecture itself, the different strategies of interpretation evolved as work on the Language as formal and figural interpretation (Eisenman and Venturi); Bricolage (Colin Rowe) and the Use of Type

(works of brother Krier), which by putting forward grounding on meaning of architectural work dissembled the confidence placed in the doctrine or dictums as “form follows function”. Nevertheless, also within this kind of autonomy, problems of interpretation arise as the questions of the use of “architectural language” or that of confusion of “significance” and “meaning”. So, this second realm emphasised architectural discourse towards the world of architectural objects referring advocating a kind of autonomous architecture. It is characterized by a tendency for adhering to rhetorical domain of architectural objects as for organizing compositional principles.

3.3. Contemporary environmental orientation or autonomy? Post Modern Dichotomy, elaborated through the two realms of inquiry can be more crystallized through the analyses of David Gissen [17] for the writings of Reyner Banham and Manfredo Tafuri. As he puts it, Benham advocated the environmental architecture and Tafuri architectural autonomy. Banham called for the architecture that would be a direct outcome of a technical and natural environment, aligning the concept of environment with the resource driven, technological techniques of post-war period, and in our terms extroverted. In the other hand, Tafuri was advocating architecture that was restrained from this given context. For Tafuri architecture was perceived as a humanist discipline and disengagement from the environment was understood as the sum of external pressure (human and natural), refusing to become a tool of expanding economic development, in our terms introverted. This contemporary Dichotomy continues not only within the writings but with designs also. In one hand we have concepts and designs that are undertaken from theory of environment, so the works are emerging form social and ecological data, but in the other hand we have a new architectural autonomy (mostly digital) that confronts any involution with environment. So, dozens of concepts of postmodern theory appear in contemporary writings and among them the concept of “environment – extrovertness” and the other of “autonomy – introvertness”. The former concept “erects” buildings into the mechanics of its settings, and the at the latter architecture stands as counterpart to its given contexts. This means that the environmentally oriented architecture attempts to emerge from its natural, social and technological contexts and autonomous architecture is answerable to itself alone. “One is about world, and the other is about architecture” and seen from the contemporary position this autonomy can be typified “as architecture’s refusal to integrate into the surrounding conditions of a capitalist world” [17, p.8] at

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the time when expanding economy was transforming nature into a resource, urban environments into investments and ideas into consumerist spectacle. Among the ones that are exploring the new dynamics of contemporary architecture is Ole Bauman by advocating “Unsolicited Architecture” [18] and the reason for practicing it is because it keeps architecture autonomous and autonomy is in the drive and not in the territory. One of his objectives is to aware architects of the boundaries of their profession meaning that to go beyond language, beyond disciplinary frontiers – is the new motto for architectural research. For him the dynamics “affect everything that we consider architecture or architectural: its definition, its mandate, its output, its corpus of knowledge, its education, its inspiration, its legitimacy, its techniques and methods, its social status, its communication” [18, p.83]. In summary, we can say that the latest environmental explorations repeat the problems of the postmodern era with passive acceptance of settings and in the other hand a call for a radical autonomy or a moderated one as Gissen advocates the “strategic category of thought in dialogue with key post-Second World War architectural debates”. According him, the concepts of a territorial architecture attempts to move us out of the traps of either environment or autonomy in their most recent manifestations; meaning that “territory is both an alternative way of working and a space of thinking about architectural things and their socio-natural surroundings” [17, p. 8]. Recently, Idis Turato’s speech for “Designing the Unpredictable” at the recent Conference of Architecture and Environment [19], used the notion of Territory, while presenting his work, the process of the designing and his understanding of architecture. It seemed like it was appropriate notion for describing the overflow of issues regarding the contemporary question of Architecture. So what are and what is so interesting about the “territories” that Bouman (2009), Gissen (2010) and Turato (2015) talk about? In order to answer this question we will firstly take into consideration some philosophical influence in architecture and how does this reflect in the discourse of contemporary architecture.

4. Defining the question of territory 4.1. Philosophical influence in architecture From the 17th century onward, Leibniz (1646–1716) to Deleuze (1925–1995), philosophers began to challenge the transcendental tradition in philosophy and the critiques maintained, in one way or another, the fundamental distinction between ideas and matter.

Contemporary approaches to architectural design are influenced and informed by the writings of theorists and philosophers. In the 80s architectural theory, appropriated for the most part from a Continental philosophical tradition and “if one were to glance back through the archive one would discover structuralist or semiologically informed architecture, deconstructivist inspired architecture, and folded architecture, after the motif of the fold discovered by curious architects in Deleuze’s book The Fold: Leibniz and The Baroque” [20, p.110]. The Fold, aimed at describing baroque aesthetic and thought, by representing the Folding as a concept of an ambiguous spatial construct, through the concepts of “a figure and non-figure, an organization and nonorganization, which, as a formal metaphor, has led to smooth surfaces and transitional spaces between the interior and the exterior, the building and its site” [10, pp.4] that was presented in the first part of this research. Deleuze demonstrated a multiplicity of positions, a thousand “plateaus” (Mille Plateaux) [21] from which different provisional constructions are created. The manner is essentially nonlinear, meaning that the realities and events are not organized in orderly succession. Such a conception was adopted by a number of contemporary avant-garde architects to challenge the pervasive linear causality of design thinking. Deleuze offered the conceptual framework of the virtual and the actual. The world according to him is composed of virtual forms and actual forms, where virtual forms are not just ideals detached from reality, but abstract ideas that are not yet actualized. Owing to their abstractness, they can be interpreted in a variety of ways to produce a variety of sensible forms. Even though his work was directed primarily towards processes of thought and not practices of building, “too often his sophisticated theory has been appropriated in a simplistic fashion and translated crudely into a manifesto for complex architectural forms” [12, p.292]. It is not only that the contemporary discourse is influenced by postructuralist writers and the thoughts of French Philosopher Gille Deleuze. Architecture, in order to grasp within generative means of form making which are determined by novel design processes, has turned toward digital tools and rule based procedures, and in particular the investigations are undertaken coupled within the computational realms ant the morphogenetic researches. Still, by contradiction “the risk of such exploration involves the possible evacuation or reification of those elusive and fragile qualities of a life toward which Deleuze has directed our attention” [20, p.110]. Deleuze recognizes that the creation of the system is the only way for one to live-nonsystematically, that is far from believe that one might return thought to life and overcome the submission to the system [4, p.5]. In order to understand the

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materialistic theories of Gilles Deleuze’s and Felix Guattari corpus, some of the terminologies are further discussed in order of revealing the question of territory in architecture.

4.2. Deleuze and assemblage in architecture Space for Deleuze and Guattarii is “occupied by events or haecceities more than by formed and perceives things” and thus is more a space of affects or sensations than properties [21, p.479]. They offer the opposition between smooth space which has no boundaries and striated space which is structured and organized, where lines and points designate their trajectoriesii. It is important to note that Deleuze and Guattari, have no generalized concept of space; they tend to foreground localized concepts of territoriality over spatiality. Smooth space according them can be perceived in and through striated space, in order to deterritorialise given places. The concept of “territory” avoids easy categorization because [4, p.280]: − Rather than being a stagnant place maintaining firm borders against outside threat, the territory itself is a flexible site of passage, − It exists in a state of process whereby it continually passes into something else, and

− Manifests a series of constantly changing heterogeneous elements and circumstances that come together for various reasons at particular times. An explanatory abstract diagram of the smooth and strained space in architecture is shown in Figure 4 on the left. The same picture on the right adopts the relation of architecture with other disciplines as defined by Julia W. Robinson [22, p.70, Figure.4.2] in order to illustrate the different views on architecture that are as a result of different fields of knowledge. As shown at the diagrams of Figure 4 and Figure 5, the deterritorialisation should not be understood as the polar opposite of territorialisation or reterritorialisation. In fact, in the way that Deleuze and Guattari describe and use the concept, “deterritorialisation inheres in a territory as its transformative vector; hence, it is tied to the very possibility of change immanent to a given territory” [4, p.69]. In order to overcome the dualistic framework underpinning western philosophy, Deleuze introduces the notions of assemblage that “swing between territorial closure that tends to rest ratify them and a deterritorialising movement that on the contrary connects them with the Cosmos” [21, p.337]. The concept means the processes of arranging, organizing, and fitting together that. Assemblage consists and develops around two axes that are:

Figure 4. Left: The smooth and the strained space in regard of notions or territorialisation deterritorialisation as the vectors of transformation. Right: The abstract map of horizontal assemblage of architecture with related disciplines (diagram by A. Xhambazi) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A. Xhambazi: “Thinking Architecture through the Traits of Extroversion and Introversion: Territory as a Question …”, pp. 11–24

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Figure 5. The diagram of assemblage in architecture in regard to horizontal axis (of content and expressions) and vertical axis of territorialisation and deterritorialisation (diagram by A. Xhambazi)

− The first, horizontal axe (Figure 4 on the right) where assemblage comprises two segments, content and expression. The first as “machinic assemblage of bodies, of actions and passions, an intermingling of bodies reacting to one another….(and second) a collective assemblage of enunciation, of acts and statements, of incorporeal transformations attributed to bodies” [21, p. 88]. − The vertical axe (shown in Figure 4 on the left and figure 5) has both, “territorial sides, or reterritorialized sides, which stabilize it, and cutting edges of deterritorialisation, which carry it away” [21, p. 88]. Assemblages are presented as complex constellations of objects, bodies, expressions, qualities, and territories that come together for varying periods of time to ideally create new ways of functioning. Using this concept of assemblage we can rethink the dualism between an introverted and extroverted architecture. An architectural assemblage (or the architectural body) as a dynamic and consistent multiplicity, swings between territorial enclosure (its autonomy, introversion) and the deterritorialising movement in the other (extroversion). This means that architecture as the assemblage “involves both territorial and architectural elements and deterritorialising nonarchitectural elements” [4, p.21]. For architecture each

“first state line of assemblage” (Figure 5) would present a paradigm, a theory or a design (e.g. Green architecture, computational architecture etc.) that operates in certain fields of knowledge, defines different point of view and has certain belief systems. Having in mind underlined concepts of materialistic philosophy, we can easily understand the Gissen’s call for a strategy of Territory which “suggests a role for architecture as a strategy of tinkering versus one of accommodation with or refusal of an external technonatural environment” [17, p. 8]. He resists the notion that nature is “external to architecture and architecture can better emulate or mimic”. According him the modern society, including architecture has reworked all of nature, so what he believes is a new type of architecture that uncovers and projects this reality, doing this through the strategy of Territory. An important element to distinguish here is “the time” which allows territories to expand.

4.3. Territories, boundaries and abstract machines Toward Defining Architectural Space (ADS) Ahmet Hadrović [16] distinguished three basic components: − Environment (ADS1) – with natural and social layer

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− Man (ADS2) – to whom the notion space is related since it only makes since when it is related to man and

to the notion of territorialisation of Deleuze’s concept of territory and the strained space - a first state line of the assemblage as conceptually presented at figure 6.

− Boundaries (ADS3) – that actually enclose but they also integrate man in the states of environment.

Now, let’s question the notion of perspective (ADS4). We introduced the Deleuze’s notions of deterritorialisation as a movement that inheres in a territory/boundary as its transformative vector and it is tied to the very possibility of change immanent to a given territory /boundary. This makes the notion of perspective tangible to the deterritorialisation by which one leaves the territory and transforms the existing boundaries.

These components are shown within the Hadrović’s diagram presented at figure 6 on the left. The broadest prerequisite for space’s existence is gained by adding the concept of perspective (ADS4). With these components the conceptual diagram of ADS (figure 6 left) illustrates the “form” of architecture as not defined statically or said in a better way there are multiple states of its portrayal as a result of interactions of components definediii. We will distinguish the concept of boundaries and perspectives and compare them with the notion of territory, assemblage and deterritorialisation (figure 6) that are discussed previously. Hadrović, defines boundaries as states controlled in compliance with man’s need, where states are all discovered and undiscovered phenomena in space affecting man. He underlines that “a question inseparable from the nature of boundaries is the question of their scope” [16, p.19] since the boundary can encompass a more or less of man’s needs. This is the reason that a boundary can so turn, from its entirely concrete physical determination, into an immaterial suggestion. Because the boundaries “may be subjectively suggested and observable (from a fixed man’s position) and vice versa: a physically consistent boundary does not have to be observable (from a fixed man’s position)" [16, p.20]. This makes boundaries close

So, when we question the Architectural Body, we are actually attempting to recognize a system of an abstract machine or using Deleuze term “Body without Organs”, as it’s defined through its contents and the inner relations as well the relations of its environment. As this research went from the physical appearance of architectural object to the notion of assemblage in architecture and the question of the territory, we can conclude that “boundaries” of Ahmet Hadrović are the same with “territories” of Gille Deleuze. Although the above distinguished notions (Figure 6) come from two different ideologies they both offer means of understanding the multiple forms of portrayal of architecture. They also are an argument that even different ideologies, when attempting to answer complex questions of architecture are not necessarily oppositional. In search of what constitutes proper definition of architecture or what constitutes it’s body, no matter in what realms we inquire, or what philosophy strains our thoughts, the results are on the both sides of the same coin.

Figure 6. Comparison of “Spatiality and territoriality”. Conceptual diagram of architecturally defined Space by Ahmet Hadrovć [16, p.75, figure 10] and “Body without organs” (diagram A.Xhambazi) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A. Xhambazi: “Thinking Architecture through the Traits of Extroversion and Introversion: Territory as a Question …”, pp. 11–24

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Talking account the materialistic thinking, it is worth mentioning that 21st century architecture used the possibility “of the computer programs known as “genetic algorithms”—evolutionary simulations that might replace traditional design methods and result in the “breeding” of new forms” [23, p. 338]. By using genetic algorithms architectural form could be formed and deformed, folded and unfolded due to the concept of an “abstract machine” of Deleuze. With this the signs of creative philosophy began reconfiguring within the discipline and one could argue that the adaption of the generative concepts for the contemporary field of architecture appears to promise so much within the practice of creative ethos. But in seeking to qualify itself through the inner workings of life as conceived through the sciences, architecture has to recognize that it also unavoidably partakes in so many hidden and revealed guiles of power. So, “an ethos of creativity must also allow for the slow time of contemplation, and in the case of architecture the daily rhythms of inhabitation appreciated not in an instrumental fashion but as mundane and simple life.” [20, p. 116].

5. Conclusion Even 21st century manifested a theoretical meltdown, still a vast number of researchers aim at an architectural theory. At the same time a number of less explicit notions are used within the discipline coming from outside the discipline. In the search of what is inside or outside, formal appearance has always been architectural issue since it presents limits between the interior and the exterior. The research showed that the traits of introversion and extroversion can be analysed due to formal appearance of architecture although the boarder of what is interior and exterior diminishes due to complex geometries of temporary – the forms that could not simply exist few decades ago. Through the topological understandings the discourse “boxes” vs “blobs” resulted in interpretation of those formal conceptions as instances on a sliding scale of formal complexity. By putting forward a question of what is so interesting in topology that captured architects mind, the research showed that the most important questions are not technical and formal but philosophical, since the dissimilar forms are not necessarily ideologically oppositional and vice versa. This makes us think that the formal distinctions in architecture are not the most important ones. As the research points out that the architecture is the product of our thinking, in regard of the question of “what constitutes a proper architecture”, two realms of inquiry are distinguished within the postmodern period. The first realm tended toward the horizon of interpretation and design by a “scientific view” of

getting to know nature. As such the realm is considered environmental – extroverted, looking for the truths that lie outside “the body of architecture”. The second realm emphasised architectural discourse towards the world of architectural objects advocating a kind of autonomous – introverted architecture, which is characterized by a tendency for adhering to rhetorical domain of architectural objects as for organizing compositional principles. This kind of dichotomy is also evident within the contemporary context. The environmentally oriented architecture is somehow “about world” with an attempt to emerge from its natural, social and technological contexts and autonomous architecture is about architecture and is answerable to itself alone. Taking stance from the discourse and theories of some contemporary architects, the concept of Territory is presented and elaborated presenting some insights of Deleuze’s conceptions. Using his understanding of “territory” the diagram of assemblage in architecture is produced (Figure 4 and figure 5). Territory becomes a flexible site of passage, a process whereby it continually passes into something else and manifests a series of constantly changing heterogeneous elements and circumstances that come together for various reasons at particular times. Apparently as such the concept of Territory was used by Idis Turato’s at the Conference of Architecture and Environment [19] where the first version of this research was presented [24]. So, Territory as concept overcomes dichotomies. It becomes the matter of the autonomy of the architectural body, but also the intensive forces that carry it away in new territories. The introversion is about the logic, cognition, rhetoric, argumentation and the extroversion is about “expending territories/boundaries” for understanding the mundane life. In this way the Architectural Body becomes close with the concept of assemblage that swings between territorial closure and a deterritorialising movement that connects with the complexity of Architecture. Even the parallelism between two different thinking frameworks (phenomenological and poststructuralist) as discussed at subsection 4.3 showed that when it comes to complex questions of architecture and its body, the results are not necessarily oppositional. This makes us think that is really important to understand the widening horizons of architecture, its expending territories within environmental space. Because of this expansion of territories as a matter of time and intensive forces, the corpus of knowledge, practice, technology, awareness, appear intertwined within the both realms, that of autonomy and environment. As Jung suggested, everyone has both, an extroverted and an introverted side, and the research showed that the use of less explicit notions of contemporary

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discourse (e.g. mediation, transformation, assemblage, territory etc.) are probably considering a more expensive autonomy for more considered environment, and vice versa. This actually opens another question: Why are we in constant search for other theories in Architecture? The answer might be because theories act as tools toward capturing the smooth space in architecture. They tend to create a system in order to allow the creative ethos to live non-systematically. Problem appears when they grasp within the dictums as “form follows function”, “the architecture of the machine age”, “green architecture” etc., since the meaning of each of the words from the dictionary (nor the syntax of the sentence) does not reveal the other meaning – that of the context of architecture. In the age of theoretical anxiety it is important to “know that” the strained spaces of architecture are a result of intensiveness of its autonomy and heteronomy, rather than “know how” to build strained space whose slave the architecture might become.

Acknowledgement This research is inspired by the lectures at the course “Architecture in Context” and is a segment of a broader project of doctoral thesis under supervision of Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hadrović to whom I express my gratitude.

References [1] Jung, Carl. G., Psychological Types, Collected Works, Volume 6, Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 1971 (first published in 1921). [2] Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Extroversion. http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/extroversion , accessed on August, 2015.

[7] Venturi, Robert, Complexity and Contradictions in Architecture (2nd ed.), The Museum of Modern Arts, New York, NY, 1992. [8] von Meiss, Pierre, Elements of Architecture: From Form To Place, Spon Press, New York, NY, 2008 (1990 first English ed.). [9] Le Corbusier, Towards a New Architecture, Dover Publication INC, New York, NY, 1986 (republication of the work originally published in 1931 as translated from thirteenth French edition). [10] Kolarević, Branko, ed., Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing, Spon Press, New York & London, 2003, p.11. [11] Riley, Terence, The Un-Private House, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, 1998. [12] Leach, Neil, ed., Rethinking Architecture: A Reader in Cultural Theory, Routledge, London and New York, 1997. [13] Grosz, Elizabeth, Architecture from the Outside: Essays on Virtual and Real Space, The MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England, 2001, p.4. [14] Hadrović, Ahmet, Architecture in Context, Faculty of Architecture in Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosna and Hercegovina, 2011. [15] Rowe, Peter G., Design Thinking, The MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England, 1987. [16] Hadrović, Ahmet, Defining Architectural Space on the model of Oriental Style City House in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Macedonia, Faculty of Architecture, Sarajevo, Bosna and Hercegovina, 2006. [17] Gissen, David, Territory: Architecture beyond Environment, Architectural Design, 80 (3), (2010, May/June), Territory, pp.8-13.

[3] Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Introversion. http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/introversion , accessed on August, 2015.

[18] Bouman, Ole, To Go Beyond or Not to Be: Unsolicited Architecture, [interview: Guido, L.], Architectural Design, 79 (1), (2009, Jan/Feb), Theoretical Meltdown, pp. 82-85.

[4] Parr, Adam. (Ed.), The Deleuze Dictionary (revised ed.), Edinburg University Press, Edinburg, Scotland, 2010

[19] Turato, Idis, Designing the Unpredictable, Keynote Speech at the 2nd International Conference with Exhibition S.ARCH – Environment and Architecture, Budva, Montenegro, 2015.

[5] Moussavi, Farshid. The Function of Form. ACTAR and Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Barcelona, Spain and Cambrinidge, Massachusetts, 2009. [6] Hearn, Fill, Ideas That Shaped Buildings, The MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England, 2003.

[20] Frichot, Helen, “Showing vital signs: The work of Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari’s creative philosophy in architecture”, Angelaki journal of the theoretical humanities, 1 (1), (2006), Creative philosophy theory and praxis, pp. 109-116, DOI:10.1080/09697250600797971.

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[21] Deleuze, Gilles, and Guattari, Felix, A Thousand Plateaus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia (11th ed.). (B. Massumi, Trans.), University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2005, pp. 474-500. [22] Robinson, Julia W.,”The form and the structure of architectural knowledge: From practice to discipline” in The Discipline of Architecture, (Eds. Piotrowski, Andrzej & Robinson, Julia W.), University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, London, England, 2001, pp.61-82.

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[23] DeLanda, Manuel, “Deleuze and The Use of the Genetic Algorithm in Architecture (2000)” in Rethinking Technology: A reader in Architectural Theory, (Eds. Braham, W. W., Hale, J. A. and Sadar, J. S.), Routledge, London, England, 2007, pp. 388393. [24] Xhambazi, Arta, “Introverted and Extroverted Architecture: The question of Territory”, presented at The 2nd International Conference with Exhibition S.ARCH: Environment and Architecture, Budva, Montenegro, 2015, ISBN 978-3-9816624-5-0.

Deleuze’s detests Hegelianism and is concerned with overcoming dualistic framework underpinning western philosophy (Being/nonbeing, original copy etc.). His philosophy is a materialistic meaning that “the world exists without us” and he recognizes “geology” as the beginning of Non-Human Expressivity, seeking for otherness through the disciplines of geology, chemistry and biology. He applies styles of thinking of evolutionary biologist (the concept of populism – positive idea of variation – difference of variations), thermodynamics (the concept of thermodynamic – intensive forces – intensives differences drive processes) and mathematics (topological thinking – differential calculus - Abstract body map, the connectivity). Consider that the concept of strained space becomes more tangible in regard to architectural objects, since it becomes measurable It is worth to be mentioned that there is a strong influence of phenomenological paradigm, the writings of Heidegger and Norberg-Shultz, what makes us assuming for the essentialist believes

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DOI: 10.14621/tna.20150403

Adaptable Urbanism – Reappropriation of the Abandoned Military Camp “TAGARI” in Florina, Greece Archonti Ioannou Department of Architecture (Postgraduate program), University of Thessaly 38334 Volos, Greece, archonti.ioannou@gmail.com

Abstract

1. Introduction

In the present paper an effort will be made to examine strategies which can be used in tackling abandoned military sites, taking as an example the military camp “TAGARI” in Florina, Greece. Taking into consideration the evolution of the urban space in Greece what can be assumed is that large quartering areas are integrated in the city’s fabric. Consequently, the forsaken bases impose an extensive land with a peculiar character, due to their formal use [1]. Regarding to “TAGARI” camp, it is situated in a nodal point, disrupting the urban canvas, representing an impressive example of an enormous monofunctional enclave in the urban landscape. The coping strategy of the project is to integrate the former military site seamlessly into the complex urban fabric and create a new identity for the city. The idea is to engage the Department of Fine and Applied Arts by revitalizing the dilapidated infrastructure and activating the entire region as an open educational hub that interacts with the residents. The project doesn’t offer a finished, static solution but approaches a design aspect which emerges from the reciprocally influencing factors that participate in the process which leads to an improvisational and adaptable urbanism. Finally, emphasis should be given in how the hierarchical structure of a military camp can be associated with the spontaneity of the proposed process.

This project highlights an indubitable trend that is now pervasive throughout architecture, namely the increasing focus of urban development on the re-use of existing sites. It is also sets the question of abandoned camps which have to reinvent themselves, as their basic parameters have change. The military quarters offer the opportunity to compensate for the shortage of open space and simultaneously they could become a focal point of the surrounding areas. Furthermore, what are considered necessary are the respect and the preservation of the unstructured space and as a consequence the inclusion of existing buildings is required.

Keywords:

Military camp, Urbanism, Reappropriation, Adaptable, Educational hub

Article history:

Received: 21 July 2015 Revised: 16 September 2015 Accepted: 04 November 2015

The forsaken military bases combine open space and building stock, thereafter they represent a canvas where new functional facilities can be derived. However, the existing infrastructures are an evidence of a past activity that had defined a part of the city life and they constitute a remarkable architectural reserve. Therefore, the abandoned shells form a separate chapter in the space management. Infrastructure with quartering destination and hierarchical structure of the military camp follows an architecture type which is subjected to the functional requirements and with a coping strategy they could integrate seamlessly into the complex urban fabric and create a new identity for the city. Focusing on the evolution of the urban space in Greece what can be assumed is that large quartering areas are integrated in the city’s fabric. Areas which at the time of their establishment were situated outside the city nowadays, following the urban extension and illegal building, they have become open spaces able to be reused. Without doubt, the forsaken bases impose an extensive land with a peculiar character, due to their formal use, but their exploitation poses a major social and economical challenge [2] that is to be met with a long-term conversion strategy. On the other hand, these

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A. Ioannou: “Adaptable Urbanism – Reappropriation of the Abandoned Military Camp “TAGARI” in Florina, Greece”, pp. 25–35

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camps constitute an important challenge whether the release from the current fragmentation in the urban fabric and their integration into local life would be achieved or not. Moreover, the current state of the Greek city (densely built) longs for a breath, an urban void, therefore the reuse of the existing building stock is an urgent need. Taking into consideration the Greek policy of the urban planning and design concerning the forsaken military bases, what can be easily assumed is that many aspects are brought in the table but none institutional tool has been activated. However, the questioning that has not been explored is that the camps are not empty spaces but they constitute functional facilities, such as building complexes, embedded in a natural environment. Thus, this project tries to pull the trigger in this issue, redefining their operational function, even in parts, by depositing a documented proposal, which incorporates an integrated assessment of building infrastructure.

2. Methodology The choosing study of the abandoned military camps in Greece is not an issue that receives a simple an unambiguous interpretation, on the contrary the range of the optical response is wide. In the framework of this work the approach will be made in order to achieve a smooth integration of these areas into the urban fabric and daily life, taking into consideration the former military camp TAGARI in Florina, Greece. Initially the first parameter is setting, in other words the issue of the abandoned military units remains a wide issue due to the large number of inactive sites worldwide and their hierarchical typology. The proposal is based on the relativistic theory, which focuses on discovering patterns and relationships between specific variables in a given context. In this case the variables are setting by the city dwellers, the students and the authorities. The latter ones create the framework that organizes the utilization of the facilities. According to literature sources what is shown that the urban planning is nowadays characterized from continuous modulation standards. Instead of an oriented design, the project raises the issue of procedure management. The intention tends in this place where the organizational structure and its application has been concentrated in the conventional design and set of processes and actions which approach an extensive derelict surface, such as military camps. This study is addressed in the necessary transformation of spatial planning and it is related to the terms “change” and “adaptive capacity”. Currently, the project is a position that highlights the alternative attitude towards the urban planning, a programmatic action

which concerns the reappropriation of an inactive surface with a particular characteristic due to its prior use. Objective of this proposal is the preparation of the spatial design in such extent that it determines the future development intention. The design modifies the restrictions by setting a new vocabulary in order to accede to the inactive surface in the city’s day life. The reflection of the study refers to the city’s links with the urban gaps that contain a considerable building stock to be exploited and it poses ways to harness through programmatic in real conditions. The purpose of this management is not to propose a final and static solution, instead is to establish the framework and the impulses in such a way that at anytime the involved parties can interact and they can produce a variety of solutions which are adapted to the available resources. The advantage of this type of planning, in comparison to the integrated design, is that is has the possibility of transformation in response to the needed changes. What is important is to this issue is that sets the framework of a clear strategy in order to ensure the flexibility of the program. At the same time, the space management is carried out through a procedural course of actions, without this being blinding. In other words, the procedure consist a tool that falls within the strategy. Nowadays, networking and the fast pace of development of the society requires adaptable areas, therefore the society needs a way to address that is based on the design and the management of the existing building stock.

3. Inactive camps in the Hellenic space According to the inventory of the real estate of the Defense of Greece [2] approximately 1500 properties are owned and divided into the following categories: 1. Military camps 2. Traing fields 3. Military houses 4. Officer’s club 5. Rehablitation Health Center 6. Outposts in the frontier zone 7. Land within and outside the urban fabric 8. Legacies The total area of the military properties stands at 251.536.177m2 . In comparison with the total area of the Hellenic space (132.000.000.000tm) what is indicated is that these properties hold the 0.19% of the Greek territory. Regarding the inactive camps in Greece

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numerically run up to 114 and their surface reaches 14.000.000 m2.

4. Spatial analysis 4.1. Location

Undoubtedly Florina is considered as the city of artists as it features dozen of painters, professionals and amateurs. It is characterized as the inspired city where the modern life alternates with the tranquility of romance and the gorgeous landscapes. It creates a contrasting picture that enchants and inspires those who live there and those who visit it.

The town of Florina lies in a mountain valley, which is crossed by a river from West to East. The longitude of the city is 21°23'59'', the latitude is 40°46'58'', and the altitude is 662 m. Florina belongs to the region of Northwest Greece, the population is 19,985 people (2011 census) and it expanses in 150.6 km2. It is located south of the international border of Greece with the Republic of Macedonia and Albania. Due to its position two (2) military camps were established in the town and four (4) more in the Municipality. Nowadays, the majority of the quartering areas are abandoned and only two camps operate normally (Figure 1).

The mentioned reasons were those which contributed to the establishment of the the Department of Fine and Applied Arts in August 2006 in Florina. However, the action was conducted without strategy, without proper facilities that could house over time the needs of the Department. Instead, the main facilities are located in school facilities and other functions such as laboratories are scatters across the country side in various regional communities (Figure 2).

As regards the life in city a part of the University of Western Macedonia and the Technological Institute of Western Macedonia are located in Florina including the Department of Fine and Applied Arts.

“TAGARI” camp is one of the two quartering areas which are situated in the city of Florina and it expands in 0.17 km2. At the time of its establishment in 1952, it was situated outside the city but nowadays, following the urban extension, it has been integrated in the urban landscape. In 1998, 46 years since its establishment, the camp was transferred, which means that this large tract of land has become available for new uses.

4.2. “TAGARI” Military camp

Regarding the building infrastructure twenty-three (23) buildings exist, one (1) chapel and two (2) football

Figure 1. Location

Figure 2. Photographic survey

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Figure 3. Building typology

courts. Most of the infrastructure is deprived of decorated facades and elaborately decorated interior, their age reached maximum fifty (50) years; however, they still form a unity with special qualities which are important for the memory and the form of the built environment, posing validity in the request of rehabilitation (Figure 3). Furthermore, another feature of the military camps is typology both in architectural characteristics and spatial setting, which could be obviously considered as an integral part of the complexes. Taking into consideration the architectural characteristics, they follow the plant operation, administration buildings, warehouses, dormitories are some of the sheltered military installations, which in our case define a variety in architectural style. It has been already mentioned that the architecture of military buildings isn’t defined by extensive refinement. Indeed, the strict geometry and diffuse austerity pace the basic framework of the building volumes. They don’t depart from the volume’s symmetrical principle and the configuration of the individual façade is based on central axis. However, in both sectors individual differences lead to interesting forms, which cumulatively attribute remarkable forms. It starts from the floor plan, where the sovereignty of the rectangular is detected, but in cases the rectangular is pointly modified and new shapes derive, such as T shapes, Γ shapes. As it concerns the spatial settings, they are based in the homogeneity of the individual units and in the manifold. Those two parameters are derived, likewise, from functional classification. In case of “TAGARI” at the main entrance (east side) are assembled the administration buildings, the chapel and the dormitories, while in the west side lie subordinate facilities, such as warehouses, courts etc. According to the mentioned principles, which were just outlined, it is considered that the preservation can be

implemented with significant degrees of freedom. In other words, the rehabilitation of the building infrastructure is certainly necessary and could be achieved with modern small-scaled intervention and purely utilitarian character.

5. Project analysis “TAGARI” camp is situated in a nodal point and it disrupts the urban canvas meaning that this large tract of land has become available for new uses. It represents an impressive example of an enormous monofunctional enclave in the urban landscape. The coping strategy of the project is to integrate the former military site seamlessly into the complex urban fabric and create a new identity for the city. The idea is to engage the Department of Fine and Applied Arts by revitalizing the dilapidated infrastructure and activating the entire region as an open educational hub that interacts with the residents. The project doesn’t offer a finished, static solution but approaches a design aspect which emerges from the reciprocally influencing factors that participate in the process which leads to an improvisational and adaptable urbanism. Finally, emphasis should be given in how the hierarchical structure of a military camp can be associated with the spontaneity of the proposed process.

5.1. The program The key of the project is the drawing up of a comprehensive and inclusive program, and spatial solutions that would provide accessibility. It brings the street and public life into the camp, attracts interest from all age groups and social classes, without discrimination. The idea is to strengthen and promote creation, innovation and participation (Figure 4).

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Figure 4. Procedure diagram

Moreover, the initiative issue is to integrate the quartering area to the city and to embrace all the current users of the area. As it was mentioned above, the camp is situated in a nodal point of the city and as a consequence many activities are placed nearby in km radius. Those activities include facilities and users, such as residences, university campus, sports courts and pedestrian area. The main idea is to provide in many different target groups (elderly, young people, kids) a range of activities, including the existing ones, by vesting influencing factors. The latter participate in the process and they will lead to an improvisational and adaptable urbanism. In the first place the project is intended to foster conviviality as an infallible formula for cultural production by providing the suitable infrastructure for the Department of Fine and Applied Arts. The students and the associated are considered as open-minded, creative and innovative. They have the instinct for new discoveries and constantly they are searching for opportunities to distinguish. Thus, they are called to open the gate and explore the seclusive area. Subsequently, the concept is to conflate the Department of Fine and Applied Arts into military infrastructure which has as a consequence the revitalization of dilapidated infrastructure and activating the entire region. The coping strategy of the project is to refine the monofunctional enclave in an open hub that interacts

not only with the students but involves also the residents. A balance between the necessary rules and standards and the greatest possible freedom for future uses in the design is the prevailing goal of project. It is designed for citizens from citizens; it encourages the involved parties to contribute their ideas to the planning process. “TAGARI” camp becomes a place to interact, to intervene, to lean and to communicate (Figure 5).

5.2. Design principles As it was mentioned above, the integration will be held in stages and according the city’s needs. Thus, as a startup for the inclusion of the former military site into the urban fabric, fundamental principles and proposals are posing. In other words, primordial conditions are setting in order to activate the enclave and shape the form of the influential factors, which consequently will lead to the improvisational and adaptable urbanism. The coping strategy of the underlying theory is to draw a parallel between the university and the military life. This parallelism relies on Michel Paul Foucault’s theory, heterotopia. Michel Foucault introduced the tentative term heterotopia to point to various institutions and places that interrupt the apparent continuity and normality of ordinary everyday space [3]. The heterotopia refers to a set of really existing inversions

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Figure 6. Reveille

Figure 7. Military debrief

(1) Reveille

Figure 5. Diagram

because they inject alterity into the sameness, the common place, the topicality of everyday society. According to his article both military camp and universities constitute heterotopic and as a consequence they set conditions for parallelism. In the first place the main intervention expands in the forehead of the quartering area, where the majority of the infrastructure lay. It extends in 500m length along the central axis of the city and follows the hierarchical structure of a military camp. This hierarchy constitutes the key of the project, through it, the influential factors will be established and spontaneity will rise. Taking into consideration the military services which are held in compulsory military services’ daily life many similarities can be detected to the daily life of a student. The project borrows terms of the military vocabulary and it transforms them into spatial conditions. Moreover, the military terms, which are embraced, define military services and they are paraphrased in order to fulfill the purpose of the integration. Thoroughly the terms [4] are as follows.

The definition of reveille (Figure 6) is a given signal on a musical instrument (such as a bugle or drum) in the early morning to awake the soldiers. This definition is rephrased metaphorically in a standup event and the signal is given once a week and invites users to wake up, stop all activity and gather in the reveille square where the party starts. In this way the emphasis on personal relationships and contacts of users.Military training In the compulsory military service the training defines the systematic instruction of individuals in subjects that will enhance their knowledge of the science and art of war. Also it includes the instruction of personnel to enhance their capacity to perform specific military functions and tasks. Instruction may include correspondence courses; technical, educational, or informational publications. This term works as a reference to the curriculum of Department of Fine and Applied Arts.

(2) Military debrief According to the definition in the military life, the report is a covey of collective verbal practices with a feature of ritual. These practices are used in a barracks with dual function personal and thematic, such as the way of recommendation to the superior and the way to formulate an issue. The ritual involves the assemblage

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Figure 8. Quietism

Figure 9. Patrol sentry boxes

Figure 10. Ephemeral uses

and the formation of the barrack. It is addressed to a reporting stage. Moreover, the ritual impose the troops disciplined alignment and hierarchical formation. The debrief constitutes a competitive communication model in which the existence of the audience is crucial who is divided from the public display of its members [5]. In the proposal the term is using to define the exhibition room, where all the students are in public display and through their work pull the trigger in many issues and divide the crowed. Furthermore, the disciplined alignment and hierarchical formation are forming a spatial pattern which can be transformed according to the needs (Figure 7).

camp from invaders. Therefore, a specific route is followed by the soldiers in order to watch over the area and check the guards in the sentry boxes. The patrol is an integral part of life of soldiers. At this point, the project proposes the reversion of the terms from protection sites in projection areas of activities which take place in the former camp. Since the typology of sentry boxes is in this way, the partial transformation and proliferation is indicated according to the needs alongside the designated walk.

(3) Quietism By definition in military vocabulary means the last trumpet which is translated as the end of each noise challenge (even discussions) and imposing strict nocturnal silence (Figure 8). The reference to the term and the relationship with the existing study is the retention of the term and its conversion of the spatial conditions. In other words, the region needs a quiet place, isolated from the daily hubbub, an inspiring and concentrative area. This area marks the disruption of heterotopic action as it contributes an isolated spot where exist optical contact but any kind of function is stopped.

(4) Patrol sentry boxes In the perimeter of the camp, in nodal point sentry boxes are established and their purpose it to protect the

5.3. Framework The concept propagates a balance between the necessary rules and standards and the greatest possible freedom for future uses in the design of their environment. At the same time, it supports the reuse of the cam as an urban tool. This urban tool has double role, first of all it contributes to the creation of a new kind of knowledge production while on the other hand displays a series of incentives which encourage the group members to express their ideas during the planning process. What should be noted is that the present study does not offer a finished, static solution but approaches instead describes a process of growth and change which drives to chart new perspectives (Figure 10). The described process is proposed to take place over time by combining ephemeral, tactical and ongoing strategies. Initially, the implementation phase starts from the elimination of the fence and the evaluation of the building stock. While, at the second level, what is

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essential is the design of new road axes in order to achieve smoother connection to the urban fabric as well as the expansion of cycle path in the study area.

premises with direct effect to the reappropriation of the region and its integration into the spatial planning of the city (Figure 11 and 12).

The beginning of the reappropriation is conducted from the semi-outdoor spaces which adjoin to the eastern boundary of the plot. What is noteworthy is the apparent structural grid of these infrastructures which area paralleled with the syntax of the army, while the goal is to become the reference point for the city. At this point the inauguration of the region is placed by conducting artistic events under the auspices of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts. This action aims in activities which will motivate the visitors while improving the public perception of the area. In the second level the flea market – bazzar is transferred. This transaction may result in the involvement of the residents and the integration of banal action in the region.

The third stage lies in creating two zones which pertain to recreation and expansion of the proposed activities and they reflect the borrowed military terms. More specifically, on the one hand in the center of the buildings an open square is proposed where leisure activities are sited and they are addressed mainly to the capacity of Reveille, recommending the starting area. It is about to become the central point from where there are connections to all building and activities. While, on the other hand, the diametrically opposite aspect of the term Reveille is implemented, namely it is quietism. Since the region needs a quiet isolated place, from the daily hubbub, an inspiring and concentrative area. This area marks the disruption of heterotopic action as it contributes an isolated spot where exist optical contact but any kind of function is stopped (Figure 13).

Thereafter, an impetus is given for the sentry boxes’ exploitation and the expansion of the pedestrian network. The purpose lies into the promotion of the students’ work and the simultaneous development to Leisure Park and promenade. Subsequently, part of the building stock is granted in order to integrate the department. The building stock requires rehabilitation and in the case of a university building the necessary interventions – additions area made. The project aims to revitalize the area and enrich it with daily activities and continuous movement. Simultaneously, the intention orients in the activation of

Afterwards, in the context of building usage the transportation of the municipal library is suggested and the establishment of the new wing of the university library, with special reference to the city’s artists. At the same time and according to the appropriate rhythm the building infrastructure are used following the inquired restoration changes in order to include all the need of the building program of the Faculty. Indicatively, these needs include management offices, staff offices and dormitories.

Figure 11. Building program ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A. Ioannou: “Adaptable Urbanism – Reappropriation of the Abandoned Military Camp “TAGARI” in Florina, Greece”, pp. 25–35

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Figure 12. Department of Fine and Applied Arts

Figure 13. Quierism square

6. Conclusion Nowadays abandoned quartering areas still constitute marginalized enclaves with peculiar character within the urban fabric and they don’t interact with the surrounding urban structure. However, they should not be treated as isolated open fields or as potential commercialized real estate. This perspective would lead to environmental degradation and the programming operation of these extensive areas. The military units in Greece are not an

issue that receives a simple and unambiguous interpretation, so the approach was guided by the smooth integration of land in the urban fabric. According to the relativistic theory the creation of patterns and relationships between variables in a specific context is proposed. In this case the variables are set by the dwellers, the strength of the students and the intention of the relevant authorities and the creation of the framework that organizes the exploitation facilities.

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Due to the continuous variations of the standards nowadays the proposal raises the issue of proceeding management with regard to man and the processes of change and development instead of a result-oriented planning. A plan where structures and their application have been concentrated in the conventional design and all the procedures and actions on the harmonization of extensive surfaces, such us military camps. The words "change" and "adaptive capacity" characterize the transformation of spatial planning. At the same time, the study highlights the changing attitude towards land use planning, a programming action concerning the ownership of an inactive surface with particular characteristics because of the prior use. Aim of this proposal is the preparation of spatial design to the extent that it determines the future development intention. The design modifies the restrictions, setting new vocabulary in dealing with the proposal so to join the city's daily routine. The project refers to the relation between the city and the urban voids when the latter include large building stock which can be exploited. The advantage of this programme is that it has the possibility of transformation according to the parties’ needs or the influences. What is important in this aspect is that it sets the framework of a clear strategy in order to ensure the flexibility of the program. The space management is performed through a flexible procedural / optional course of action. In other words, this process constitutes a tool that appertains to relativistic theory. Such development strategies are essential in this era which is defined by fast-paced society. The design of modular space is imperative; in other words a way that is based increasingly on the

management of the existing building stock and not only in the design. Nevertheless, the management of the military building stock raises the issue of maintaining in a broader aspect and the preservation of a lean infrastructure that form a unity with special qualities, they can also embrace the needs of the city. Finally, what should be noted is that the rehabilitation, the reuse and the management of such areas certainly creates expectations, concerns, complaints, and sometimes disappointments. In any case, it triggers the interest of both specialists and citizens (Figure 14).

Acknowledgements The author would like to thank the Greek State Scholarships Foundation (I.K.Y.) for supporting the completed master programme, of which this project formed part.

References [1] Thanasis K. Pappas, “For a new architecture in the management of military camps”, Camps in Thessaloniki Enhancement and Utilization, Conference of TEE, Thessaloniki, Greece, 2006. [2] Zygomalas Dimitrios, “Notable buildings and complexes in camps in Thessaloniki: recording, documenting, perspectives through international experience” Camps in Thessaloniki Enhancement and Utilization, Conference of TEE, Thessaloniki, Greece, 2006.

Figure 14. Debrief square ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A. Ioannou: “Adaptable Urbanism – Reappropriation of the Abandoned Military Camp “TAGARI” in Florina, Greece”, pp. 25–35

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[3] “Des Espace Autres,” and published by the French journal Architecture /Mouvement/ Continuité in October, 1984, was the basis of a lecture given by Michel Foucault in March 1967. Although not reviewed for publication by the author and thus not part of the official corpus of his work, the manuscript was released into the public domain for an exhibition in Berlin shortly before Michel

Foucault’s death. Translated from the French by Jay Miskowiec. [4] All the terms have the reference in the Greek Army. [5] Moschonas S. “The ritual of the military debrief”, Studies in Greek linguistics, proceeding of the 14th annual meeting of the department of linguistics, Faculty of Philosophy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 1993.

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DOI: 10.14621/tna.20150404

Establishment of Modern “Atrium” Buildings as a Model for Sustainable Energy Efficient Architecture Atanas Vassilev Higher School of Civil Engineering “Lyuben Karavelov” Suhodolska St. 175, 1373 Sofia, Bulgaria, bureau_vassilev_ltd@abv.bg

Abstract

1. Introduction

Introduction. Atrium communication spaces combine together separate functional spatial volumes to form a complete working structure. Covered communication spaces play a principal key role in improving and optimizing the bioenvironment for performing the fundamental human activities. Analysis of the problems in the design of “atrium” building structures. Urban architectural spatial structures initially occur in regions with favorable climate – the Mediterranean Region. Climate conditions in the established public spaces - streets, squares, Agora did not differ significantly from the climate comfort in private living spaces. The same urban communicational model is applied later in areas where natural conditions are very unfavorable for performance of outdoor public functions - even impossible. The first covered public spaces are built in areas with extreme climatic characteristics. Communication atrium spaces develop progressively based on the following factors: 1. Historically determined urban structure of European cities with neighborhood block buildings. 2. Persuit of functional utilization of large area urban structures. 3. Tendency to build a modern energy-efficient built environment. Conclusion. With the building of the historically determined "atrium" area in Ancient Rome, the atrium space appears as a general spatial architectural element to overcome society's dependence on external social and natural climate factors. Contemporary "atrium" communicational spaces are a sustainable spatial model for building a functional and energy efficient architectural environment.

Atrium communication spaces combine together separate functional spatial volumes to form a complete working structure. Covered communication spaces play a principal key role in improving and optimizing the bioenvironment for performing the fundamental human activities.

Keywords:

Article history:

Atrium, Communication, Function, Energy efficiency, Sustainable architecture Received: 13 July 2015 Revised: 31 July 2015 Accepted: 04 August 2015

2. “Atrium” as the spatial unifying core in overall architectural composition of all large-area buildings and dense urban building structures "Atrium" communication spaces not only unite in a comprehensive working structure separate functional spatial volume elements, but play a key role in improving and optimizing the bio environment for the execution of the basic human activities. Ever since the "atrium" space was historically determined in Ancient Rome, the atrium is seen as a general spatial architectural element, which is meant to overcome society's dependence on external natural climatic factors (Figure 1). The big height of the atrium – 12/15 m retain heat only in the upper air layers, creating heat air ‘pillow’ equally useful in hot and cold weather. The interior spaces of large-area building volumes are illuminated through an opening in the roof while using the reflected light from the water mirror, located in the middle of the atrium space. Since the creation of the drainage system "compluvium" – "impluvium" a regulation of the humidity in the building volume is achieved. The "atrium" space is an example of creating a model for sustainable energy efficient architecture.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A. Vassilev: “Establishment of Modern “Atrium” Building as a Model for Sustainable Energy Efficient Architecture”, pp. 36–45

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Figure 1. Atrium “domus” building

The three-dimensional spatial form of the atrium actively influences on the design and monitoring of the airflows in the building.

3. Energy efficiency of contemporary “atrium” public buildings The energy efficiency of atrium buildings is determined by the balance between the following factors determining the quality of the microclimate in the living environment.

3.1. Elements of energy efficient architecture (1)

Natural lighting of the atrium buildings in minimizing heat loss;

(2)

Heating and cooling atrium buildings with minimal energy consumption and utilization of solar radiation;

(3) (4)

Ventilation based on the natural convection of air flows; Use of renewable energy sources complementary to conventional energy carriers.

3.2. Advantages of “atrium” buildings over traditional building structures in terms of their architectural and energy sustainability (1)

Increase of natural lighting without increasing heat loss and overheating, which is characteristic of traditional building facilities;

(2)

Reduction of the heat losses by using double-glazing of the atrium as additional fencing;

(3)

Improvement of the heating and ventilation of the building through appropriate volumetric design solutions of the atrium space. Shape and orientation of the atrium space contribute to keeping inside the solar heat, or as a passive measure of overheating.

3.3. Factors that determine the initial parameters for the design of “atrium” buildings Observing the energy expediency of construction of atrium buildings, we are confronted with two functional problems: (1)

Protection from external adverse effects;

(2)

Economic expedience.

The level of comfort of the living environment depends on the energy loss of the facility. Losses are divided into expenses during the construction and operational costs. Atrium buildings are strategic model to reduce energy losses and increase the comfort of the public built environment.

4. Regional, climatic and urban factors 4.1. Cities arise in areas with favourable climate – the Mediterranean. Climatic conditions in the created public spaces – streets, squares, agora – do not differ significantly from climate comfort in private living spaces The same town-planning model is applied later in areas, where natural conditions are much more adverse for carrying out the public functions outdoors - even impossible. Architect B. Fuller compares traditional town planning with the engine radiator with internal combustion - a huge surface divided in individual cells through which heat shall be conducted faster in space. It is a fact that

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the first fully covered public spaces appear in areas with extreme climatic characteristics – Minneapolis, Atlanta, Houston (USA), and the Northern European Scandinavian countries. Studies carried out in 1980 of Heysting and Rubens for glazed passages (covered streets), unequivocally prove the energy efficiency of "atrium" spaces. The glazed coatings of streets (passages) decrease by 57% heat loss in the buildings adjacent to them. The glass coatings allow penetration of natural solar radiation on the facades of buildings, streets and squares. In the same time, the heat loss from the surrounding structures is reduced. During the summer, months these coatings overshadow the internal walls while open air "hatches" ensure the necessary air exchange. In the 80s is created the scientific model of "buffer" space (intermediate space) based on architectural practice - "arcades", "passages", "galleries", "atrium". The covered "intermediate" public space protects the enclosing structures of private building structures from the direct influence of the environment - sun, wind, rain.

4.2. Economic factors for the application of indoor public spaces The factors determining the economic efficiency of an architectural object is the balance between the expended material and energy resources during construction and reducing the operating costs of nonrenewable energy sources. The main criterion is the time to recoup the initial investment, after which one would really begin to consider the economic impact of implementing "atriums" - covered public spaces. The use of glazed public spaces - "gallery" or "atrium" reduce the costs of heating or cooling the adjacent functional structures. "Buffer" space is a key component of the "passive" energy efficient architecture.

5. Construction factors to reduce energy costs through the use of the architectural model of the "atrium space" (1)

(2)

(3)

Energy efficiency of the "atrium" spaces is economically justified only when using unheated "buffer" areas. In many countries there has been introduced a normative basis for the use of unheated public spaces. It is normal in the cafeteria, located in glazed passage visitors to wear outdoor coats, but comfort of well-being is significantly better than in the open streets and squares;

(4)

In cases where public activity requires optimal climatic conditions, the application of the atrium is energetically unjustified. In these cases, the atrium space has only an organizational function and an emotional aesthetic role;

(5)

The use of patios – "atriums" for natural lighting of large-area buildings - inevitably leads to cost savings for the lighting of the working and residential spaces;

(6)

Models of "buffer" spaces and their specific application in architectural practice.

In 1980, arch. Terry Farrell and eng. Rolf Lebens formulate the basic principles for the effective use of "glazed buffer" space. o

Solar energy is accumulated in the "atrium" space and is used for heating and natural ventilation.

Intermediate "buffer" spaces are oriented north-south along the length of the building structure.

The north side of the building is dug into a terrain sloping to the south or could be protected through a shaft and high vegetation.

The east and west side of the facade are protected with open arcades (sunscreen devices).

Based on these principles are designed and constructed many innovative projects (Figure 2-8).

The application of covering public spaces streets and squares, combines in a single volume entire urban structures neighbourhoods. This construction process leads to a reduced external facade of the building volumetric surface that is exposed to direct impact of external climatic conditions. Smaller surface, less heat losses;

6. Shape and orientation of the "atrium” space

The application of glazed atrium spaces reduces costs for heat insulation and waterproofing of internal facade walls;

For all geographic latitudes, the sunlight enters from above and therefore "upper" lighting of the atrium area is the most appropriate.

6.1. Location and orientation of the “atrium” space depending on the need for heating or cooling of the internal spaces inside the building volume

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For all geographic latitudes, the sunlight enters from above and therefore "upper" lighting of the atrium area is the most appropriate. The use of solar energy for heating of buildings is the most effective when sunlight penetration occurs from above (through the glass roof covering), although there

is a risk of overheating in the summer months for our geographic latitude (Bulgaria). From constructional and operational perspective, sunscreen devices (blinds) are implemented and are much more effective when placed on a horizontal surface.

Figure 2. Architect Henning Larsen, Trondheim University, 1979

Figure 3. Architect Henning Larsen, IT University, 2004

Figure 4. University in Golden, Colorado, USA, for the study of sun energy, 1984

Figure 5. Architect Grimshaw

Figure 6. Garibaldi Exhibition Building

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British Pavillion, EXPO 1992 in Sevilla

2008, Milano

Figure 7. SANAA, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Figure 8. SANAA, Rolex Learning Center

In areas with cool (cold) climate it is appropriate to use peripheral glazing on the south (towards the equator) in order to benefit from the rays of the sun inferior to azimuth.

7. Peripheral atrium spaces – “arcade”. Peripheral communication spaces

Western and eastern glazed surfaces of atriums are recommended only when directed towards remarkable natural and architectural (urban) views or representative urban axes and squares.

6.2. Definition of the shape of the “atrium” space Urban-determined environment and real parameters of the construction site – absolute dimensions and configuration: o

It is used in buildings with a great depth more than 60 meters.

The type of the covered glazed space is determined by the geometric dimensions of the site. Different configuration requires the use of different types "atrium" spaces.

Figure 9. Parthenon, Athens/ St.Peter square, Rome/ Mondadori, Milano/ Beaubourg, Paris/ Cartier Foundation, Paris/ Olimpic Center, Athens

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Figure 10. EPIK 3, Botevgrad /arch. A. Vassilev

Figure 11. Covered swimming pool, Borovets /arch. A. Vassilev

8. “Passing-through” atrium spaces – “passages”. Linear communication spaces – “galleries”

Figure 14. Crystal Palace, London Figure 12. The city of Isfahan

Figure 13. Palais Royal, Masarini, Paris

Figure 15. Passage ‘Vittorio Emanuele’, Milano

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Figure 16. Passage ‘Petrovski’, Moscow

Figure 18. Architect Massimiliano Fuksas, Milano

9. Closed atrium spaces. Centripetal communication spaces

Figure 17. Architect Cesar Pelli, New York

Figure 19: House of the Faun

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Figure 20. Villa Rotonda by Palladio

Figure 21. Architect Helmut Jahn, City Hall in Chicago

Figure 22. Architect Atanas Vassilev, First Mall of Benghazi ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A. Vassilev: “Establishment of Modern “Atrium” Building as a Model for Sustainable Energy Efficient Architecture”, pp. 36–45

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Figure 23. Pantheon, Rome

Figure 25. Architect Norman Foster, Honkong and Shanghai Bank, HongKong

The size of the built area and the need for natural lighting. With normal storey height lighting reaches a maximum of 6 -7 m in depth of the premises without the use of reflective systems.

Constructional development of sites with small depth requires the use of simple basic forms of peripheral atrium structures. It is used the principle of "double enclosure" in order to reduce the costs for heating and ventilation ("Ove Arup").

In constructions with a big depth are used "closed" atrium spaces or "passing-through" passages. (Figure. 23, 24).

With the price of land in central urban areas increasing and with the development of building technologies there appears a new building type - "the skyscraper". In contemporary high-rise buildings are applied

Figure 24: Shopping Mall, Dubai

Figure 26. Architect Atanas Vassilev, Gazprom Headquarters, Surgut

atrium spaces located on different levels in the building structure. In this way the pattern of "the black box", which defines isolated spaces on each floor, is broken. o

Modern high-rise buildings are getting close to the futuristic models of the "Clusters" – urban structures, developing in height. (Figures 25, 26).

10. Conclusion With the building of the historically determined "atrium" area in Ancient Rome, the atrium space appears as a general spatial architectural element to overcome society's dependence on external social and natural climate factors. Contemporary "atrium" communicational spaces are a sustainable spatial model for building a functional and energy efficient architectural environment.

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References

[5]

Corbusier,

Modulor.

Bulgarian

Painter

Publishing, 1982.

[1]

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DOI: 10.14621/tna.20150405

A Discussion on the Advantages of Steel Structures in the Context of Sustainable Construction Havva Aksel, Özlem Eren Faculty of Architecture, Building Technology Department, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Meclis-i Mebusan Cad. 24, 34427 Findikli, Istanbul, Turkey, havva.aksel@msgsu.edu.tr

Abstract

1. Introduction

The various studies were revealed that the environmental impacts such as global warming, the depletion of natural resources, waste generation and pollution etc. increase day by day due to rapidly increasing population of the world which creates a large number of building and construction demand. As a resource-intensive industry, construction industry puts enormous pressure on natural resources and constitutes an important part in all these environmental effects which have badly influences on natural balance, human health and survival. There occur various environmental impacts in construction, operation, maintenance and even at the end of life cycle of buildings. From this point of view, to reduce the environmental impacts of buildings, “sustainability” and “sustainable construction” concepts get importance. It is important to select environmentally friendly building material to implement principles and methodologies of “sustainable construction”. Steel is the unique structural component which has almost a closed-loop material cycling and can be reprocessed without quality losses. This study discusses the advantages of steel structures in the context of sustainable construction. This paper provides an overview on “sustainable construction term” and its common criteria and focuses on the advantages of steel structures and examines steel structures through the life cycle stages according to the sustainability criteria.

It is required natural resources (energy, water etc. to construct human-made structures such as building, bridges, roads etc. [1]. These human activities which requires material and energy to develop have irreversible effects on ecological systems and environment and most of these impacts have long term results and hazardous consequences for human health and survival [1, 2]. Due to the world population growth there occurred a large number of building construction demand [3]. In parallel with ever-expanding economies and populations of the world, the demand for many construction materials which puts enormous pressure on natural resources increased [4]. It is a fact that, during construction, operation and maintenance and eventually at the end of life cycle of buildings there occur a wide range of environmental impacts such as global warming, waste production, depletion of natural resources, pollution to air, land and water and also human health impacts etc. [1]. According to OECD 2003 data, the construction industry is responsible 44% of the total material consumption; 40% percent of greenhouse gas emissions which results global warming the human race’s greatest environmental impact ever challenged on the Earth [3]. It is also estimated that, operation of buildings constitutes 40% percent of total global energy demand and resource consumption on the earth [1]. According to Kibert (2005), buildings are also responsible for over 10% of the world’s freshwater withdrawals, 25% of wood harvest, and 40% of material and energy flows in global scale [5]. According to Sayal et. Al, it is estimated that environmental impacts of buildings will increase to 60% by the year 2030 due to the increasing population of the world [6]. Since there occurred different concerns and have been made various scientific researches about environmental impacts of human-made structures which created awareness in different scientific groups and also in society. The integration of built environment with natural environment; efficient use of energy, materials,

Keywords:

Sustainability, Sustainable construction, Steel, Life cycle

Article history:

Received: 03 July 2015 Revised: 22 July 2015 Accepted: 04 August 2015

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ H. Aksel: “A Discussion on the Advantages of Steel Structures in the Context of Sustainable Construction”, pp. 46–53

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water and other biological resources and reducing the impact on ecological systems got importance [3, 7, 8, 9]. According to these raising awareness various approaches and concepts have taken place in the construction sector such as; sustainable construction; energy efficient design; ecological design etc. [3, 7, 8, 9].

such as large quantities of waste, energy consumption, noise caused by construction operations etc. (see Table 1, “Impacts of the built environment”) [5,14]. The first definition of sustainable construction was declared during the First International Conference on Sustainable Construction which were held in Tampa, Florida, in November 1994, by Kibert [17]. According to Kibert, Sustainable construction is one component to create an sustainable environment and means “insuring that we leave the world in a condition that will allow future inhabitants to enjoy at least the quality of life we have experienced” [14]. At first International Conference on Sustainable Construction six principles of sustainable construction, which later amended to seven principles by CIB also defined [12].

This paper discusses the advantages of steel structures in the context of sustainable construction. This study provides an overview on sustainable construction and its common criteria and focuses on the advantages of steel structures and examines steel structures through the life cycle stages according to the sustainability criteria. As the conclusions this paper highlights the key points.

2. What is sustainable construction?

The sustainable construction was defined as “...creating and operating a healthy built environment based on resource efficiency and ecological design.”. Seven Principles of Sustainable Construction, which would be a guide for decision making during each stages of the design and construction process throughout the building’s entire life cycle were also articulated by the Conseil International du Bâtiment (CIB) In 1994 [12]. Principles of Sustainable Construction which can be applied in whole life cycle of building, from planning to end of life (refers deconstruction rather than demolition) follows [12];

The sustainable development movement has been evolving for almost 25 years all over the world [12]. The United Nation World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED-1987) defines Sustainable development as the “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” in the report “Our Common Future” which is also known Brundtland Report [13]. After Brutland report, an environmental movement of sustainability began to affect all segments of society including construction industry and the concept of sustainability became a part of the environmental vernacular [14]. The construction industry, in which large number of actors occupied in the process of activities from the design and development phase to the end of life deconstruction or demolition is defined as “all parties that design, build, alter, or maintain the built environment over its life cycle: developers, planners, architects, engineers, builders, and operators” by Kibert [14, 15].

Reduce resource consumption (reduce);

Reuse resources (reuse);

Use recyclable resources (recycle);

Protect nature (nature);

Eliminate toxics (toxics);

Apply life-cycle costing (economics);

Focus on quality (quality).

In Agenda 21, Sustainable construction is referred as a holistic process aiming to restore and maintain harmony between the natural and built environments and defined as “means that the principles of sustainable development are applied to the comprehensive construction cycle from the extraction and beneficiation

The requirement for sustainable development in the construction industry has got importance in the last decade due to the major resource consumption and contamination buildings generate and other damages

Table 1: Impacts of the Built Environment [Adopted from 16] Aspects of Built Environment:

Consumption:

Environmental Effects:

Ultimate Effects:

• • • • • • •

• • • •

• • • • • • •

• Harm to Human Health • Environment Degradation • Loss of Resources

Siting Design Construction Operation Maintenance Renovation Deconstruction

Energy Water Materials Natural Resources

Waste Air pollution Water pollution Indoor pollution Heat islands Storm water runoff Noise

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Deconstruction Modification

PHASE

Maintenance Use & Operation Construction Design Development Planning

RESOURCES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Reduce Reuse Recycle Protect Nature Eliminate Toxics Life Cycle Costing Quality

Land

Material

Water

Energy

Ecosystems

PRINCIPLES

Figure 1: Framework For Sustainable Construction [Adopted from 12]

of raw materials, through the planning, design and construction of buildings and infrastructure, until their final deconstruction and management of the resultant waste” [18]. (See Figure 1 for the framework for sustainable construction) The Sustainable construction which should balance human needs with the natural and cultural environments is a vital agent to preserve the resources on the earth and promote quality life across the globe [5, 19]. Achieving the goal of sustainable construction doesn’t mean restricting the total amount of construction, it is about paying more attention to the design and selection of sustainable building materials which also improves living quality, user health and comfort [24, 25]. It is stated that for implementation of energy efficient design not only to the operating energy of a building but also to the material choice in other words embodied energy is very important by Thormark (2006) [24]. The materials used for the structure represent generally, more than 50% of the total embodied energy of the building [24, 25] There occur various environmental impacts during the whole life cycle of building and the choice of materials that is used in building will impact the overall performance. According to Franzoni (2011), the building material selection plays an important role for sustainable development in construction industry [24]. Environmentally Friendly Building Material and product Selection for sustainable building projects is used to be a major challenge for project teams. Usually the

characteristics of Environmentally Friendly Building Material and products for sustainable building are the ones such as locally and regionally available, including high recycled content and reused building materials. However, to prioritize and combine these attributes into a project for product selection were a problem which should be deal with [12]. Although there are various studies managing sustainable materials selection in construction industry, there is no globally accepted definition of “sustainable building materials” which makes it very difficult to establish principles and guidelines to implement the principles and goals of sustainable development for building components and materials [24, 28, 29]. In order to make appropriate decisions that will improve the creation of the built environment, there is used technical criteria for material selection process of buildings (See Table 2. For “Sustainable Construction Strategy”). According to Kibert these criteria are [14]: •

Embodied energy content;

•

Greenhouse warming gases;

•

Toxics generated/content.

Although there is no clear consensus about criteria for the environmentally preferable building materials and products. There are several tools to assist environmentally building material selection process, the most familiar of these tools is LCA which is also used in

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Table 2: Sustainable Construction Strategy [Adopted from 12 and 27] Sustainable Construction Strategy

Descriptive Information

Maximize Durability

Minimizes use of new materials in connection with minimize resource depletion; transportation; and processing energy, waste, and other environmental effects. Using the minimal amount of materials also reduces the environmental impact of products that is manufactured from raw materials. Using the materials and components which is created from renewable resources that enable the opportunity to close materials loops. Mechanical fastening should be preferred to adhesive/solvent welding and connections should be easily disassembled. Design for deconstruction (DfD). Deconstruction and reuse of building materials and components reduces the environmental impacts due to the requirement minimal resources for production and reprocessing.

Minimize quantity of materials Maximize The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resources Maximize Future Recyclability Maximize Future Reusability

Maximize the maintainability Maximize the recycled content Maximize the use of local materials/regional material Minimize embodied energy Minimize the use of hazardous natural and of synthetic chemicals

Maximizing the recycled content of building material and products the closes materials loop in construction Locally manufactured products reduce the transport and the overall environmental impacts of materials. Efficient use of a material avoid wasting the embodied energy. Minimize the use of noxious chemicals (asbestos, lead, etc.)

crafting EPDs which is a verified document which include environmental data of products based on life cycle assessment (LCA) and other relevant information, the commonly accepted approach for comparing products in the decision-making stage [12, 30].

3. Steel structures and sustainable construction Today, the steel is a widely-used material in buildings such as multi-storey residential buildings, skyscrapers, bridges, commercial buildings etc. due to the strength, durability, usability, low cost, flexibility, aesthetics, low weight and performance characteristics. Therefore, the widespread usage of steel makes it an important issue to evaluate steel structures in life cycle on environmental aspects. Structural system constitutes often more than 50% of a building’s embodied energy which is a standardized quantity and an important indicator allows you to make a comparison in terms of environmental impact [3, 26, 39, 40, 41]. In this context, it can be also said that for sustainable buildings and to reduce environmental impacts, reducing the embodied energy of the system plays an important role [3]. There also occur considerably energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during the production process of steel. On average, it is known that during the production of 1.8 tons of steel, there occur one ton of CO2. According to International Energy Agency’s 2010

data, iron and steel industry constitute 6.7% rate in total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on the earth. Steel industry is also responsible for a significant amount of resource consumption on the earth. According to US Geological Survey (held in 2009), 2.2 billion tons of iron ore is extracted from the ground on an annual to produce steel used in buildings, bridges and other infrastructure and also It is estimated that current accessible iron ore reserves are 150 billion tons on the earth. According to Brown’s estimates, accessible iron ore reserves equates to 64 years based on an annual steel demand rate in extraction. As well as depletion of iron reserves, in literature survey, it has been found that the production phase of structural steel plays an important role in energy consumption and environmental impacts. For this reason, evaluation the recovery facilities of structural steel is thought to be so significant in environmental burden [1, 3, 42]. The advantage of structural steel is can be grouped as: Architectural Advantages, Structural Advantages, Constructional Advantages and Sustainable Advantages [3, 43]. In this study it is found adequate to mention the sustainable advantages of steel in the context of study. For sustainable development, it is declared that cyclic processes must replace linear ones in UNESCO Conference (1992-Rio). Steel is the unique structural component which can be reprocessed [44]. Steel is a material which has almost a closed-loop material cycling [2, 45]. Closed loop refers a process of keeping materials in life cycle by reuse and recycling rather than disposing

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them at the end of the product or building life cycle [12]. For sustainable buildings, material should be kept as long as possible in their own cycle. This can be implemented in two phases which are; during “the design stage” and “demolition stage” [2, 46]. For this reason, increasing the of structural steel reuse and recycling possibilities become more of an issue. The sustainable advantage of steel can be summarized as [2, 47]; Material efficiency which means less natural recourse consumption, less transports, less energy consumption and less emissions; Durability; Recyclability which means less natural recourse and energy consumption, less waste production and less emissions and Dry and lean construction which means less energy consumption, less emissions, less waste, less health hazards and better construction conditions (See Table 3 . Attributes of Steel in Sustainable Construction).

3.1. The sustainability of steel structures through the life cycle The sustainability of steel structures will be evaluated in four phases in life cycle as (See Fig. 2 For the Sustainability Criteria in Life Cycle Of Steel) [47]: Design Phase; Construction Phase; Operation and Maintenance; End of Life Phase. Design Phase: The proper design is fundamental for sustainable construction. The decisions made at initial design are directly related to impacts of buildings and have effects on overall sustainability [47]. In this phase creating flexible architectural plans, efficient and environmental building friendly material selection should be aimed and efficient use of natural resources and energy consumption should be also taken into consideration [48]. It is widely known that generally operational energy of buildings is higher than embodied energy. For instance a 60 year design life air conditioned office buildings the operational energy is 10 times higher

than it embodied energy. It is possible to decrease the operational energy in design phase by creating optimum shape and orientation [49]. There are also two main approaches for sustainability of building materials and components in design Stage These are “Design for Deconstruction” (DFD) and “Design for Recycling” (DFR). DFD is an approach which aims to reuse building component and materials by choosing a dismountable building system in which component can easily be separated and directly reused. DFR is an approach which takes in consider what to do with the building materials after demolition in design phase. Demolition stage covers all the precautions which is taken in demolition site to improve recycling opportunity [2, 46]. Construction Phase: In construction phase There occur various environmental impacts such as waste production, noise, dust, pollution and traffic congestion. One of the most effective ways to reduce these site impacts is to maximizing offsite prefabrication. All steel components are manufactured offsite and brought to site as ready for assembly. Steel prefabrication not only reduce environmental impact but also provides safe, efficient, high quality and fast construction. Prefabrication and factory based production also enables waste reduction on site and during the manufacturing process depending on the computer aided design and semi or fully automated production lines [3, 49]. Operation and Maintenance: Operational energy of a building is the key issue of environmental effects in life cycle sustainability in construction and also sustainability. Thermal efficiency should also supplied for sustainable buildings by reducing the heat loses in building envelope; reducing cooling loads, using energy creation system etc. Steel structures can supply wellinsulated details and solutions. Durability is another important factor for sustainability in operation and maintenance phase of building. Durability supplies long

Table 3. Attributes of Steel in Sustainable Construction [47] Attribute

Comment on Steel Construction

Usability

Steel Construction is prefabricated in efficient factory processes with minimum use of resources and enables long-span, high-rise and flexible buildings. Steel structures are installed rapidly on site which reduces local disruption. Steel structures are light and therefore efficient on materials, energy, transports and emissions. The low weight also enables vertical extension and optional location. Steel structures is very material efficient, generation low amounts of waste and most of waste is recycled. Steel is high performance, dimensionally accurate material produced with modern computerized technology. Steel structures are delivered to site just in time for installation and can be produced locally. Steel structures are high qualified and long lived. Steel construction is dry constructions, low emitting materials, controlled and safe process and leeds to high quality architecture. Steel can be recycled without quality lose Steel building component can be dismantled and reused.

Speed Weight Waste Performance Logistics Durability Health Recyclability Reusability

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Sustainability in Life Cycle of Steel Constructions

Design Phase

Construction Phase

Operation & Maintenance

End Of Life Phase

Material Efficiency

Prefabrication

Durability

Demountability

Energy Efficiency

Waste

Maintenance

Recyclability

Building Physics

Energy

Reusability

Flexibility

Figure 2. Sustainability criteria in Life Cycle Of Steel [Adopted from 47]

lasting functionality and safety for building users. The steel construction offer easy maintenance and longterm production [47, 49].

components cause less hazardous environmental impacts. [2, 44, 51].

End of Life Phase: As a part of the building, steel lives longer than the construction itself. Due to the this specialty, after the deconstruction, steel can be reuse as a new product in another building or recycled. [47]. There are three forms of reuse in building.

4. Conclusion

These are [2, 4]: -

Reuse an existing structure (adaptive reuse);

Reuse existing building in a new location by moving whole building or part of the building;

Reuse building components.

Building material and component reuse is an effective way for reducing the embodied energy of buildings. It is estimated that reuse saves about 95% of the embodied energy in buildings. Recycling also saves embodied energy and environmental damage of mining of material and transportation impacts [2, 50]. To recycle the scrap steel it is required energy for melting which means considerable CO2 emissions. However it is required energy for deconstruction, transportation and adjustments recovering the structural steel for reuse. Both of “Recycle” and “Reuse” reduce the amount of primary resources which is required to produce per unit of component; waste generation per unit of component; total non-renewable energy used per unit component.; emissions such as greenhouse gas but beside these, although the energy requirement for deconstruction and related activities, reuse of structural steel

As an resource-intensive industry, the construction industry constitutes an important part in environmental impacts which have badly influences on human health and natural balance. To reduce the environmental impacts caused by building industry “sustainable construction” concept gets importance. As the key points of this study, it can be summarized as; •

It is important to implement principles and methodologies of sustainable construction by using sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials components, structures and systems.

•

It is also important to increase recovery potentially of the building materials and components at the end of their life cycle to increase overall sustainability.

•

It is important to have an holistic approach on evaluation of building through all life cycle for overall sustainability.

It can be concluded that, Structural steel is an environmentally friendly building material due to the durable, recyclable and reusable characteristics which mean less environmental impacts compared with the other modern structural components. The usage of structural steel to implement the sustainability criteria

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from the extraction and beneficiation of raw materials, through the design and construction of buildings to the end of life is very important for overall sustainability.

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DOI: 10.14621/tna.20150406

Disability and Public Space – Case Studies of Prishtina and Prizren Rozafa Basha Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Prishtina rr. Xhorxh Bush, p.n., 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo, rozafa.basha@uni-pr.edu

Abstract

1. Introduction

Independent movement is a precondition for independent living and full participation of disabled citizens, which is guaranteed by the United Nations Convention and applicable laws of the Republic of Kosovo. Disabled citizens should have the equal right of access to public spaces as all other citizens. Discrimination occurs when they are not treated equally with others. Denial or restriction of access to public spaces represents limitation of basic human rights. This research is part of a broader study on public space and accessibility for disabled and aged persons in Prishtina and Prizren, which final purpose is setting principles and guidelines for designing future inclusive public spaces that offer basic conditions for disabled and aged population in cities in Kosovo. To date, the focus on the matters related to disability and accessibility was centred on isolated buildings. With this research, among other things I would like to shift the focus to issues related to accessibility and public spaces and the city design in general. The present article focuses on a research which objective is to identify the major problems arising from bad planning, design and management of the city, that results in manifold barriers disabled people confront on daily basis when trying to access and navigate public spaces in Prishtina and Prizren. For the purpose of research two surveys identifying physical barriers that impede the movement of different disability groups in public spaces in Prishtina and Prizren were conducted in November and December 2013. The methodology of the survey is based on walking along the trail of ~ 1.5 km with representatives of seven different categories of disabled persons in Prishtina and 12 categories in Prizren. All through the movement through the selected paths, the encountered physical barriers in public spaces were marked on the map, analysed in terms of spatial and physical characteristics, presented graphically and quantified based on the typology of disability. As a result of these two surveys, two maps containing barriers and illustrations of various obstacles disabled people met during the survey. Analysis of the results of two surveys helped in drawing some general recommendations that have to be taken in consideration when planning and designing inclusive public spaces.

The built environment can contribute to a more equal, inclusive and cohesive society if the places where we live, the facilities we use and our neighbourhoods are designed to be accessible and inclusive [1]. Despite the fact that it is relatively well organized in different organizational bodies that endorse the rights of various groups of this community, disabled people of Kosovo continue to confront daily with numerous barriers in the society. There are many problems of accessibility that disabled people encounter on daily basis. At present, urban environments in Kosovo do not offer any basic conditions for this particular community to be an active participator in the society. Social inclusiveness represents a challenge that should be met by the design of urban environment and it should bring up many questions regarding mobility and participation in everyday life. Among other things accessibility signifies the opportunity to reach a number of social, educational, recreational and work destinations. This too, implies the opportunity of accessing the basic transportation system (pedestrian and vehicular).

Keywords:

Public space, Persons with disability, Physical barriers, Mapping

Article history:

Received: 03 July 2015 Revised: 03 November 2015 Accepted: 01 December 2015

In the Guideline Framework for Achievement of Equal Opportunity and Social Inclusion for Every Person in the European Union (2004), among other things, it is maintained that, with the aim of empowering people for participation in society, EU institutions are required to guarantee the eradication of physical barriers (restrictions) that impede citizen participation, and installing respect, dignity, autonomy and independence for everyone [2]. UN Habitat program defines inclusive city as a city that endorses growth and development based on equity and justice (UN Habitat 2011) [3]. Equality and justice for all are principles based on which a city should be produced, which according to A. Madanipour, entails as well that the city should be accessible to all and managed through democratic and inclusive processes. Democratic and inclusive processes promote improvements in physical

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ R. Basha: “Disability and Public Space – Case Studies of Prishtina and Prizren”, pp. 54–66

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environment and social development in the city as well [4]. People using walkers, wheelchairs, and crutches, (...) or people dealing with debilitating arthritis as well as hip and knee conditions may have difficulty navigating a home, a neighbourhood, or a community. Lack of sidewalks, barriers to entranceways, narrow hallways, the presence of steps, and busy streets can all make mobility more difficult and less safe [17, p.5]. As indicated by Robin Paul Malloy, “a key to making communities safer and more inclusive is in recognizing that mobility issues relate not only to the functional ability of individuals but also to the design of the natural and built environments in which they live”. In view of physical access and based on the principles of inclusive design compiled by CABE in 2006, inclusive environments and spaces, are the ones that with their initial design fully accommodate the diverse and variable requirements of people using them. Inclusive environments offer alternatives to ensure equality and dignity to all [1]. In Kosovo, by now there are laws and administrative directions that prohibit discrimination based on disability with regards to citizen participation, which in addition regulates active participation in education, employment of disabled people as well as technical parameters that enable access and free movement of these people. However, there is a lack of control mechanisms for application of these laws and regulations in the planning process. There is a lack of quality control during the implementation phase of special technical parameters as well. Therefore, recommendations that will ensue from this paper apart from technical suggestions emphasize the immediate need of establishing of the above mentioned mechanism that will ensure execution of these technical parameters in all phases of architectural and urban project.

2. Research premise: City and disability 2.1. Right to the city: Equality and justice for all The city is a collective space that is characterized by wealth and cultural diversity that belong to everyone [5]. The city is not merely a physical mechanism and an artificial construction - it is involved in the vital processes of the people who compose it, it is a product of nature, and particularly of human nature (Ambrose 1994) [6], hence it is supposed to provide everyone with equal opportunities to enjoy its resources, goods, services, etc. This is also called the Right to the City, and it is regulated by the International Charter on the Right to the City, adopted at the World Social Forum in 2004

[7]. Among other things, this charter states that Cities should constitute an environment securing full realization of economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights, assuring the dignity and collective well-being of all persons, in conditions of equality, equity, and justice. The right to the city is the term established by the French Marxist philosopher and sociologist Henri Lefebvre in 1968 [8], and interpreted by other Marxist philosopher David Harvey. Among other things, this right entails the right to change ourselves by changing the city [9]. When we talk about the right to the city, according to Peter Marcuse, it is not merely the right of consuming the city, but by continuing further the terms of H. Lefebvre, it is right to produce and enjoy the city. Further, Marcuse continues, that it is not only the right to a choice to what is produced after it is produced, it is important as well to participate in its production [10, chapter 3]. In this spirit, the movement The Right to the City was founded, which, launched initially in the US, and already widespread in many countries, inter alia, is committed to racial justice, urban and human rights and democracy [11]. This movement highlights marginalized groups that rarely find political representation and which are overlooked by institutional practices and policymakers. These groups are the ones usually facing spatial barriers and obstacles in everyday life unable to actively participate in the economy and society [12]. This movement states that everyone has the right to have control and share in decision-making on planning and governance of the cities they live in and work; everyone has the right to shape and design their living spaces [11]. All the above represent basic goals of inclusive city vision, in which, by eliminating physical, social, cultural and political barriers for participation in the decisionmaking process in the city, citizens are enabled to contribute and communicate actively, and focus their energy and their ideas for the city [13].

2.2. Inclusive city, sustainable city Inclusive city promotes development based on equality and justice. Equality and justice for all are the basic principles on which producing a city should be based. This city, according to Ali Madanipour, should be accessible, created and managed through inclusive and democratic processes [4, p.2]. Democratic processes should provide improvement of the physical environment and social development. When talking about equality, we are dealing with accessibility for all, as a principle that must be exemplified by an inclusive city. Therefore, the city must be equally accessible to all citizens, regardless of their physical disabilities, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, income level and social status. Equality is often equalled or found within

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the notion of social justice, which on the one hand stands for equal opportunities available to everyone in the society, and on the other hand it is defined as one that "... promotes fair society, challenging injustice and valuing diversity". In the era of concerns over environmental pollution, depletion of energy resources, increasing urban population, economic, social problems arising from them, and what dark future these developments are keeping in store for us, the only prevailing idea in which we seem to take rescue is encapsulated within the notion of sustainability. The city (political community) according to Aristotle (Book 1, Politics) (...) stems from basic human needs and continues to exist for the sake of the need for a better life. While sustainability as a paradigm, according to Nan Ellin [14], aligns with the needs-based approach (of the community), since it begins by identifying a need or problem and then proposes a solution, establishes goals and attempts to implement them. Therefore, a city as a common good, aspiring sustainable development arises from an inclusive society through participatory processes. According to David Harvey, this city supports for the full development of human potentials or capabilities, to all according to their needs, and from all according to their abilities [10, p.53]. In democratic societies it is expected that every persons say is represented in decision-making for the city through their elected representatives in assemblies and city councils. In reality these representatives in most cases do not represent the voice of marginalized groups, which, according to A. Madanipour do not have access to financial resources and are outside political processes [4]. Many spatial problems of the cities are actually rooted in economic, social and political interest [12]. Current institutional practices giving the exclusive rights to produce the city to clusters of narrow economic interests that have strong political representation in municipal councils, epitomizes the main barrier with which marginalized groups are confronting today. These barriers in everyday life appear as physical barriers in the urban environment, barriers that hinder integration in the market, civil society, education, culture, etc. Physical environment resulting from current practice of decision-making in municipal councils, areas of the city continuing to develop by prioritizing needs of the "mighty" neglect the needs of pedestrians and of those who are physically weaker, shorter, slower, older, using aids for moving, caring for children, etc. The same political representation, furnishes construction industries a priority to ply areas of the city, imprudent towards public spaces, green areas, parks and other public content [12]. Ideal city life, according to Iris Marrion Young (1990) [12], should be represented by an environment that is

ready to accept individual and group differences in the population, and to support the variety of activities and the use of public space. Promoting social justice in the city, 'represents setting up institutional mechanisms (...) to recognize positive and confirm various social groups and (...) their distinctive characteristics. This policy, in an ideal situation, that values difference and diversity rather than similarity. At the conclusion of this part, I recall again Aristotle: "the city is composed of different man; similar people cannot bring a city into existence" [15] to highlight that heterogeneity and diversity are fundamental features of the city and urban life in general.

2.3. Disability Robin Paul Malloy (2015) discusses that the discourse of disability is itself somewhat unsettled as to the best or most term to describe certain conditions or relationships. (…) Mobility impairment is itself complicated, as it may be related to low functionality in a limb or to visual or hearing impairments that make navigating the built environment more difficult [17, p.19]. People may be born with an impairment, or develop one later in life; it might be chronic, variable, or short-term. Many people may show no obvious physical symptoms, or can keep their exhaustion or medication ‘hidden’ from others [16, loc. 643–645]. For a long time disability was qualified as a medical condition; it mostly saw various impairments as personal tragedies, personal problems that needed medical intervention or special care. In this spirit, urban planners and architects excluded the needs of disabled persons from their design practice, as they considered that disabled people’s places were in special care institutions and asylums. The shift from the medical model, to the social model, which focuses on disability as a socially constructed concept framed by the barriers to everyday life in the external world, has been very important in the history of disability activism. The social model of disability argues instead that the problem is not with individuals but that it is the barriers, prejudice and exclusion by society which is the ultimate factors in defining who is disabled and who is not in a particular society [16, loc. 741–744].

2.4. Accessibility According to Robin Paul Malloy, modern communities have many planning needs, and it is important to think in terms of planning for mobility in the broader context of addressing a wide range of other needs, such as those related to housing affordability, poverty, sustainability, education, transportation, health care, and financial stability [17, p.15]. Social Inclusion presents a particular

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challenge in the design of urban environment and raises a number of questions related to mobility and participation in everyday life. Accessibility can be explained as the opportunity to get from home to a number of destinations (social, educational, recreational and employment). It also signifies having good access to pedestrian and transportation system [19]. Tanya Titchosky (2011) states that it is obvious as it is that the physical environment is materially organized so as to make participation difficult, if not impossible, for some people, it is not obvious how this exclusion sustains itself” [18, p.7]. Access, she continues, “is tied to the social organization of participation, even to belonging”, and she continues that access not only needs to be sought out and fought for, legally secured, physically measured, and politically protected, it also needs to be understood – as a complex form of perception that organizes socio-political relations between people in social space [18, p.4]. She even declares that fighting for access represents the beginning of living more intimately with the interpretive material reality which has perpetuated so much exclusion; therefore, access initiatives come with the uncomfortable task of needing to ask, ‘What does inclusion mean?’ [18, p.28].

2.5. The situation in Kosovo The UN Disability Rights Convention asserts that every disabled person has the right to live completely independently and participate in all aspects of social life, (...) therefore appropriate measures are to be taken to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to physical environment, transportation, information and communication technology and other public services. Kosovo cities and towns are full of physical barriers that impede the free movement of disabled persons. In 2007 Administrative Instruction no. 33/2007 was adopted. It regulates technical aspects of access of disabled persons in the buildings, aiming at facilitating independent living and movement of disabled persons in the cities. Technical parameters in this administrative instruction determine the size and functional arrangements of apartments, entrances, internal stairs, administrative, cultural and sports facilities, as well as the parameters related to the slope of ramps, surfaces, roads, the traffic lights switch, etc. With this administrative instruction the content of technical documentation of all architectural, engineering, electrical projects is regulated as well, as a requirement for obtaining a construction permit from the municipal departments of urbanism etc. [19]. As stated above, the real situation is that administrative instruction remains on paper and municipalities do not follow the procedures for applying these technical

requirements in architectural and urban projects. Therefore, people with disabilities in Kosovar cities face barriers when wanting to access different facilities and streets. The few attempts to facilitate access are usually made hastily, as Jos Boys [16] suggests, often at the level of appearance, without taking into consideration all the regulations contained in the aforementioned administrative instruction. In cities these sloppy interventions are to be found everywhere, ramp slopes appear to be out of the standards; tactile strips are absent, as are contrasting color markings on the floors / street surfaces for persons with visual impairments, etc. Lack of public toilets for disabled people, or the ones that are intended to function as such, are unequipped and converted into storage room (and kept closed, so the needy community cannot access them). Municipal inspectors overlook the implementation of this particular administrative instruction when doing inspections of construction sites. Disabled people are not able to use the public transport in the throughout Kosovo, etc. [19]. And this is just a glance at the surface of the problem that is deep and complex.

3. Purpose of research This research is part of a broader study on Public Space and accessibility for disabled and aged persons in Prishtina and Prizren which final objective is setting principles and guidelines for designing future inclusive public spaces that offer basic conditions for disabled and aged population in cities in Kosovo. In its essence, the research interlocks major activist intentions – by presenting the survey findings to a wider public and authorities, raising the awareness of the public on the physical barriers disabled people face on daily basis and advocating for more access for disabled and aged population in these cities. And by making visible the barriers in maps, instigating authorities to act – provide more access in the city, implement the technical regulations, reviewing projects, inspecting construction works and amending the existing faulty interventionsi. As of last trimester of 2013, when this research was conducted, in Prishtina municipality lived 3250 disabled persons while in Prizren 1973 [21]. Most of them live on the brink of poverty, and are unable to move out independently of their houses, cannot reach most of facilities, services, etc. They are all dependant on their family members and other relatives. And some beg for their living. The present article focuses more on a research which objective is to identify the major problems arising from bad planning, design and management of the city, that results in manifold barriers disabled people confront on daily basis when trying to access and navigate public spaces in Prishtina and Prizren. As part of the research,

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two surveys were conducted aiming to identify these physical barriers that impede independent movement in public spaces of Prishtina and Prizren, as a condition for an independent life and full civic participation for persons with disabilities, which is guaranteed by the United Nations Convention and applicable laws of the Republic of Kosovo. An aspired objective of surveys and of mapping is instigating a public debate on the problem of inaccessible public spaces that has been missing in Kosovo. Finally, the survey aims to promote planning and design mentality that solves accessibility problems as integral part of their designs rather than implements technical parameters as “separate issue” [16, loc. 763– 777] in the location. In the conclusion of this section, I would like to recall that persons with disabilities have the right to equal access to public spaces like everyone else. Discrimination against persons with disabilities occurs when people with disabilities are treated unequally in relation to other persons. Denial or restriction of access

to public spaces for people with disabilities represents limitation of basic human rights.

4. Methodology Having taken into consideration the above-mentioned premises, the research foundation is set. In Prishtina, for identification of physical barriers in public spaces, a path with the length of 1.7 km was chosen, with departure point Bus Station of Prishtina and end point Building of Kosovo Assembly. The bus station as a starting point was selected to mark the possibility of access to capital for people from other districts and to identify the first barrier in this direction, which is the inability to use public transport as there are no busses of any kind in Kosovo that are suitable or flexible for use by persons with disability, Figure 1. The methodology is based on the tracking of route of 7 different groups of disability communities in the predetermined path and identifying on the map the encountered barriers that prevent independent

Figure 1. The study path in Prishtina (diagram by Rozafa Basha) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ R. Basha: “Disability and Public Space – Case Studies of Prishtina and Prizren”, pp. 54–66

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Figure 2. The study path in Prizren (diagram by Rozafa Basha)

movement of these persons. The disability groups that have been included in this research are: persons with motor disabilities who use a mechanical wheelchair, electric wheelchair and crutches; people with sensorial disabilities, blind persons, persons with visual impairments and deaf persons; as well as persons with intellectual disabilities. Field research was conducted in two consecutive days in early November 2013, during which teams of students have walked together with persons with disabilities through the predetermined path. Later, these barriers have been graphically marked on the map of Prishtina that contains the abovementioned path, and most critical situations encountered during the route have been illustrated, Figure 2. Here, the methodology of research is based on the tracking of route of 12 different groups of disability communities in the predetermined path and identifying on the map the encountered barriers that prevent independent movement of these persons. The disability groups that have been included in this research are: persons with motor disabilities who use a mechanical wheelchair, electric wheelchair and crutches, artificial limbs; people with sensorial disabilities, blind persons,

persons with visual impairments and deaf persons; as well as persons with intellectual disabilities; Down Syndrome, etc. Field research was conducted in one day in mid-December 2013, during which teams of disability activists from NGO’s and students have walked together with persons with disabilities through the predetermined path. Later, these barriers have been graphically marked on the map of Prizren that contains the above-mentioned path, and most critical situations encountered during the route have been illustrated.

5. Mapping Jos Boys suggests that “mapping spaces from the experiences of diverse disabled people brings to mind other ways of thinking and doing that remain considerably under-researched”. She continues “This is not just about asking people what they like, or don’t like; it is about starting from disability to offer alternative kinds of interpretations of material space beyond those within architectural discourse” [16, loc. 2834–2838]. The main purpose of mapping exercise is visualizing the frequency of barriers in a sample route walked by people with different types of disabilities.

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In the map of Prishtina, each disability type included in the study has been assigned a particular colour. Routes have been marked with coloured strips. On the other hand, problematic spots of the public space have been marked by dots of a colour pertaining to particular disability group. In addition to this, with the aim of facilitating the understanding of maps, simplified illustrations linked to colours and spots in the city have been designed, Figure 3. In the case of Prizren, as the study has been conducted in the historical part of the city with particularly narrow streets, the map contains one single line of movement, Figure 4. Spots where barriers occur have been marked by dots and have been illustrated similarly as in the case of Prishtina. In addition to this, the objective to embracing this methodology is introducing a model for identifying barriers that impede free movement of people with disabilities. The last but not least, the maps have been used widely in a campaign for raising the awareness of the community regarding physical barriers in the city disabled people encounter on daily basis.

6. Findings 6.1. The major issue: Cultural barriers Main barriers that obstruct independent living of persons with disability are cultural and physical ones. Cultural barriers are very difficult to eradicate compared to physical ones. To acknowledge the other regardless of physical, gender or cultural differences an awareness raising platform needs to be developed which will offer children from an early stage of education necessary knowledge and consciousness through curricular content. Inclusive education and inclusive classrooms are already provided and regulated by laws on education in Kosovo. But they rarely function as such. Due to lack of necessary accessibility infrastructure in school buildings, many disabled children are not able to attend classes. And school managements and respective municipality directorates are reluctant to invest to provide the minimum required access for wheelchair users (ramps and accessible toilets) in schools. The same goes for many public buildings. If there are ramps before entrances, very often their slope is

Figure 3: Map of Physical Barriers – Prishtina ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ R. Basha: “Disability and Public Space – Case Studies of Prishtina and Prizren”, pp. 54–66

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incorrectly designed/ calculated, and it does not meet the required technical parameters to be used by disabled people [19]. Without education the community of disabled persons in Kosovo is left outside of employment. The ones that have gained education are discriminated by the prevailing mentality of still seeing disability as medical problem and are left outside of jobs. As said above, cultural barriers maintain the physical barriers and preserve the discriminating mentality. For these reasons, disabled people of Kosovo remain among the poorest population in the country.

6.2. Mobility issues

Figure 4: Map of physical barriers – Prizren

In addition to accessing buildings, sidewalks are the most critical physical barriers. They are critical component of public space and they represent a common space where people interact. Many of these sidewalks are in really bad shape. This state of wreckage contributes heavily in the way they are (not) used by disabled persons. If the sidewalk surface is not damaged then it is either occupied by nearby shops with exhibited goods, poles, advertisements, or blocked by parked cars, etc. Public transport in the city is one of the key mobility elements for all citizens, including disabled persons. There are no public transportation vehicles adapted or flexible for the use by disabled persons in the whole Kosovo whatsoever. Administrative Instruction No.33/2007 of Kosovar Law on Construction addresses some of these obstacles and provides recommendations for the technical realization of public spaces in order for them not to pose a barrier to the movement of persons with disabilities, however the situation on the ground shows that many from those recommendations specified in this instruction are missing and when implemented they are implemented incorrectly, which makes their use impossible. Report on the survey, separated by cities where the survey is conducted, is as follows.

(1) City of Prishtina −

Public buses of urban and regional transport are unsuitable for use by wheelchair and other assistive device users, including parents with children in strollers.

−

Lack of public toilets for persons with disabilities at public transport terminals.

−

All sidewalks in the city are unsuitable for use by persons who use electric wheelchairs. Figure 5.

−

Urban traffic signs and electricity poles placed in the middle of narrow sidewalks impede the movement of persons with wheelchairs, crutches, sticks, etc.

Figure 5: Inaccessible central part of Prishtina. Barrier encountered during mapping in Prishtina (photo: L. Pallaska, © R.Basha)

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−

Narrow and rough pavement surfaces (nonflat surface, steep and damaged) for normal use by persons with wheelchairs, crutches and walkers. Sidewalk ramps at pedestrian crossings in some places are too steep, or at the bottom they end in metallic grilles for removal of atmospheric water.

−

The height of push-buttons on the traffic lights is unfit for use by persons with disabilities and children.

−

Service premises inaccessible and without adequate toilets for people with disabilities.

−

Pedestrian crossings contain poles on sidewalks ramps, thus hindering the passage with a wheelchair.

−

The sidewalk curbs are high and at inappropriate angle to roll/climb them.

−

Many ramps are narrow, with the damaged surfaces, with a slope that do not meet the standard (over 6 %). The length of the ramp is unfit for use and in some places they lack adequate fences and railings.

(2) City of Prizren −

Public buses of urban and regional transport are unsuitable for use by wheelchair and other assistive device users, including parents with children in strollers.

−

Shops along the sidewalks have high thresholds

−

Improvised ramps in front of public buildings and shops which are impractical to use.

−

Wide and deep joints in the streets paved by kalldrëm – traditional paving stone (mainly in the historical part of the city) impractical for movement of people using wheelchairs and crutches, sticks, Sidewalk ramps at pedestrian crossings are missing.

−

Cultural heritage buildings are inaccessible for a great number of disabled persons. All historical monuments that are found in the Shadërvan area (Sinan Pasha Mosque, Saint George Church, Nikola Tutic Church, Saint George Runovic Church, the Stone Bridge, Emin Pasha Mosque, etc.) are lacking access ramps, tactile leading surfaces, colour contrasting surfaces and other special signalizing elements.

−

Lack of public toilets for people with disabilities.

−

Lack of parking places for disabled persons.

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Urban traffic signs and electricity poles placed in the middle of narrow sidewalks impede the movement of persons with wheelchairs, crutches, sticks, etc.

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Parked cars on the sidewalk narrow or completely hinder the movement of persons using wheelchair, sticks, crutches and other assistive devices. Figure 6.

−

Lack of public toilets for people with disabilities. A toilet identified at the underpass, is unfurnished and is used by the underpass premises as a warehouse.

−

Ramps in public buildings with slopes that do not meet the standard. Many of these ramps are inaccessible for wheelchair users, but also for mothers with children in strollers.

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The width of the island between the traffic belts is small.

−

The height of ATMs inappropriate for persons with disabilities.

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Lack of tactile surfaces (tactile indicating/warning strips) for movement in platforms in and outside the bus station.

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Lack of tactile strips/paving warning in front of pedestrian crossing.

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Lack of tactile strips/paving warning for public stairs.

−

Lack of sound signals and buttons with Braille writing in public lifts.

Very narrow sidewalks unsuitable to be used by people using assistive devices.

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Lack of colour contrast enhancement on stairs and other road surfaces for visually impaired persons.

Lacks of protective fencing around urban trees endanger blind people and the ones with impaired vision to get hurt from tree branches.

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Lack of colour contrast enhancement on poles and other vertical elements for visually impaired persons.

−

The height of traffic signs on sidewalks prevents movement of blind persons.

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The spilled water from nearby gutters creates ice on the surface of sidewalks, making it difficult to move.

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The height of traffic signs on sidewalks prevents movement of blind persons.

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budgetary line for amending some of the ramps and sidewalk problems that were identified during the investigation and improving accessibility in general.

8. Conclusion

Figure 6. Barriers encountered in the sidewalks of Prizren (photo: R. Basha)

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Lack of colour contrast enhancement on poles and other vertical elements for visually impaired persons.

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Lack of colour contrast enhancement on poles and other vertical elements for visually impaired persons.

−

Lack of tactile strips/paving warning in front of pedestrian crossing (We acknowledge that in Arasta Bridge there is a pair of tactile strips constructed by Turkish KFOR).

7. Further developments In both cities the studies have drawn attention of the community and politicians. Findings of the research conducted in Prishtina were made public in a public presentation in the center of Prishtina. Figure 7. That day among the wider audience, the newly elected mayor of Prishtina was attending as well. He was given the map of barriers for disabled people and he assured the audience that he will engage in making Prishtina public spaces inclusive and accessible for everyone. In August 2015, a regeneration and redesign of public surfaces along a central route of Prishtina (Garibaldi street) was made public in the media. The regeneration works imply widening the sidewalks, adding ramps from sidewalks to crossings, adding tactile strips for the visually impaired, removing the various obstacles from the shops aligning the sidewalks, flattening the surface of sidewalks, etc. [22]. The works are expected to be finished by the end of November 2015. On the other hand, in December 2013 the findings and the map of barriers for the city of Prizren were handed over to the Directorate of Public Infrastructure and Services at the Municipality of Prizren. In the coming months, the Municipality allocated a municipal

The survey findings in the cases of Prishtina and Prizren exemplify the wide array of accessibility problems communities throughout Kosovo confront today. Until recently, the accessibility problem was discussed merely at the level of improving public facilities’ entrances, toilets and providing a number of parking lots for the disabled within the range of these public facilities. In this spirit the provisions in the Administrative Instruction concern more on the matters of building access. Although, technical aspects of making public spaces more accessible are included in the document as well, discussion around accessing and navigating public spaces by disabled persons was absent. And most of the public spaces are lacking access. And again, the main accessibility problem in buildings and public spaces, though equipped with ready-made solutions stemming from a legal framework, is adaptations and improvements and how they are conducted. Adaptations tend to complicate, extend and reroute to backdoors, storage entrances and service lifts the paths of disabled people, thus contributing to their invisibility in the public realm. What’s more, adaptations, technology wise, resemble a badly improvised architecture. The survey tried to highlight exactly these failures that result in continuing marginalization of disabled people within architecture and urban design, which according to Jos Boys is perpetuated because disability/accessibility has become stuck in older, modernist understandings of architecture, which reinforces its ‘unattractiveness’ to, and lacks resonance with contemporary design ideas and practices; and this prevailing attitude towards disability, as Jos Boys states, makes architects put it (disability and accessibility) always in an ‘uncomfortable’ position that then becomes the very justification for avoidance and exclusion [16, loc. 763–777]. Disabled people are not visible in the streets of Prishtina and Prizren, because they are missing ramps, and wide clear pathways in the sidewalks, bars and restaurants where they can go, accessible public services and facilities, accessible toilets, suitable public transport, etc.; they are also invisible because they don’t have a reason to go out, they can’t get employment, they are lacking training and education, they cannot afford going out for fun. To wrap up what has been said above, I would like to point out that the main issue producing current problems, identified by the survey are due to lack of planning for accessibility. Robin Paul Malloy maintains

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Figure 7. Presentation of map of barriers in public space by NGO Handikos, in the center of Prishtina, on International Disability Day, 3 December 2013 (left photo: © Arben Llapashtica; right: © Handikos)

that the key to making communities safer and more inclusive is in recognizing that mobility issues relate only to the functional ability of individuals but also to the design of the natural and built environments in which they live [17, p.5]. In handbook “The Inclusive City”, Goltsman and Iacofano present the inclusive city planning as a solution “based on sensitive economic, social, environmental and cultural policies allowing everyone to progress economically along with the improvement of their living space” [23]. They point out that cities need a planning approach that recognizes the right of each person’s involvement in the development processes: “Through participation, people can shape their environment to meet their needs.” More vulnerable groups usually are rarely included in the planning processes since they lack skills, knowledge and information. This then generates the risk of noninclusion of their needs in urban design, which is further reflected in the relapse of their living environment. In order to address these issues, the aforementioned authors suggest an inclusive design process based on three categories: functionality (designing which incorporates all types of individuals), contextual sensibility (harmony with the surrounding environment) and the impact of fairness to “reduce social and human impact on the most vulnerable members of the society” [23]. The key to a more inclusive society is in finding ways to overcome resistance to social inclusion [25, p.123]. Every battle of disabled persons is related to gain some kind of access (physical structures, public spaces, education, services, etc.) [25, p.123]. Accessibility for all is a fundamental principle of an inclusive city [23]. Being accepted as an integral part of the society is what disabled people aspire to gain in the end.

9. Recommendations 9.1. Strategic: Education and participative planning process According to Goltsman and Iacofano [23], “cities need planning that recognizes full participation of every individual in the built environment”, and that through participation: “they can shape their own environment to meet their own needs”. These authors emphasize the fact that disabled persons are the ones that suffer the most from the planning process and their absence in the process is due to their lack of information, knowledge and skills. From what has been said so far, the main concern that needs an urgent solution is education, training and instructing members of this community. Inclusion of disabled persons is obligatory according to Kosovar laws. Control mechanisms should be put in place by municipal directorates and other state institutions to ensure implementations of these laws and the quality of provide education in general. According to Goltsman and Iacofano [23], the outcome of disabled people being absent in the planning process is deterioration of their living environment. To accomplish an inclusive planning process, municipalities should campaign to inform and raise the awareness of population regarding the importance of participation in planning process for the development of the city. Along with such a campaign, working groups assigned with developing plans and strategies for the city, as well as in elaborating designs of squares streets and parks, etc., shall include disabled people and all the population that is directly affected by that planning process.

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9.2. Municipal management Municipality has a full responsibility over infrastructure – they design, plan, maintain and manage infrastructural elements. Making space for the disabled persons in sidewalks is their duty. They need to be alert and enforce laws by inspecting and placing fines for the illegally parked cars on sidewalks, shops that block the movement in the street with exhibited goods and ads. They should inspect façades, roofs for faults in outlets, uneven or defective surfaces of infrastructure should be repaired. Physical barriers that have been inherited from an earlier planning and designing process should be identified and eliminated. To identify the real situation, municipalities should map all the physical barriers in the public spaces of the city, and a strategy for their elimination should be put in place.

9.3. Implementation of technical parameters The majority of problems identified through the study concern the physical impediments found in the sidewalks and other public surfaces of the city. When it comes to implementing technical parameters, meeting the required standards with the aim of eliminating physical and architectural barriers that impede the freedom of movement is regulated by the administrative direction Nr. 33/2007of Kosovar Construction Law. Despite the existing legislation disabled people still have difficulties moving around the city. Setting up technical and quality control mechanisms are required for implementing the technical parameters form an early stage of design. City planning offices should require meeting these parameters so they could produce building permits when applied for one and use permits at the end of the construction process as well. These parameters cover the whole range of technical requirements (sidewalk ramps, tactile strips, contrasting colours in public stairs, toilets for the disabled, parking places for the disabled, etc.). When it comes to public transportation, since the end of the war in Kosovo, the greatest numbers of busses operating the public lines are old busses donated by other countries. Private operators have no access to donations and funds, so they operate with out-of-thedate busses as well, lacking elementary accessing devices for wheelchairs and strollers among other things. There is a wide selection of accessible busses in the world today. And providing such busses for public lines must be on top of agenda of municipal budget plan.

community. This approach will not solve the manifold problems of communities. Poor planning makes communities inaccessible [17, p.5]. Planning for the needs of a community to achieve desired outcomes [17, p.15] will have to complement the activist engagements which promote inclusive design and the right access as a matter of civil rights and protection of disabled people from discrimination.

Acknowledgement This survey has been made possible with the support of two local NGO’s in Kosovo. The mapping in Prishtina was realized within the awareness campaign Inclusive Kosovo, coordinated by NGO Handikos. While mapping in Prizren is done within the project Inclusive City: Participatory Planning for Sustainable Urban Development in Prizren, coordinated by the NGO EC Ma Ndryshe. I am deeply grateful to my students Lorik, Genta, Elmedina, Nora, Erza and Lyra whose support and work within the project is invaluable.

References [1]

Inclusion by Design – Equality, Diversity and Built Environment/2008/CABE, http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/sites/default/f iles/asset/document/inclusion-by-design.pdf

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Rio de Janeiro Declaration on Sustainable Social Development, Disability and Ageing / 2004 / Sustainable Design International, http://www.sustainabledesign.ie/sustain/DeclarationRio2004_SocialDev elopment_Disability_Ageing.pdf

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UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities / Article 3 / United Nations enable, http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=2 63

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Madanipour, A., Whose Public Space?: International Case Studies in Urban Design and Development, Taylor and Francis. Amazon Kindle Edition, pp. 242.

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World Charter for the Right to the City, World Social Forum, Porto Alegre 2004, from www.urbanreinventors.net/3/wsf.pdf, accessed December 2014

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Ambrose, P. Urban Process Urban Power, London Routledge, 1994, from https://urbanmethexis.wordpress.com/tag/urba n-imaginary, accessed December 2014.

[7]

World Charter for the Right to the City, World Social Forum, Porto Alegre 2004, from

9.4. Focus on planning for accessibility Implementing technical parameters for building construction are not sufficient to ensure an inclusive

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www.urbanreinventors.net/3/wsf.pdf, accessed October 2015. [8]

Lefebvre, H. La Droit a la ville, Editions du Seuil et Anthropos, first time published in 1968.

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Harvey, D., The Right to the City, New Left Review 53, http://newleftreview.org/II/53/david-harveytheright-to-the-city, accessed August 2015.

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Marcuse, P., Chapter 3: Whose Right(s) to what City?, Cities for People not for Profit: Critical Urban Theory and the Right to the City, ed. Brenner, N., Marcuse, P., Mayer, M., Routledge, New York, 2012, Amazon Kindle edition.

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http://righttothecity.org/about/missionhistory/, accessed December 2014

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Prince, M., J., Inclusive City Life, Persons with Disability and Politics of Difference, Disability Studies Quarterly, Vol. 28, n.1, 2008, (SDS) Society for Disability Studies, ISSN: 1041-5718; eISSN: 2159-8371.

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http://www.bmwguggenheimlab.org/100urbant rends/, accessed December 2014

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Ellin, N., Good Urbanism – Six Steps to Creating Prosperous Places, IslandPress, Washington, 2013 Amazon Kindle edition, pp. 103.

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Aristotle, Politics, citation taken from Sennet, R., Flesh and Stone, The Body and the City in Western Civilization, W. W. Norton & Company, 1996, pp. 2.

[16]

Boys, Jos (2014-05-23). Doing Disability Differently: An alternative handbook on architecture, dis/ability and designing for everyday life. Taylor and Francis. Amazon Kindle Edition.

[17]

Malloy, P., R., Land Use Law and Disability, Planning and Zonning for Accessible Communities, Cambridge University Press, 2015.

[18]

Titchkosky, T., The Question of Access: Disability, Space, Meaning, University of Toronto Press, 2011.

[19]

Basha, R., article: Personat me nevoja të veçanta dhe planifikimi urban në Prizren, Qyteti gjithpërfshirës – Grupet e komunitetit dhe planifikimi urban në Prizren, EC Ma Ndryshe, January 2014, pp. 20-27, http://ecmandryshe.org/repository/docs/Qyteti _Gjitheperfshires.pdf

[20]

Madanipour, A, Public and Private Spaces in the City, Routledge, 2003, Amazon Kindle Edition.

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Kosovo Agency of Statistics, Social Welfare Statistics for Q3, 2013, file:///C:/Users/Rozafa%20Basha/Downloads/St atistikat%20e%20Mireqenjes%20Sociale%20201 3.pdf, accessed October 2015.

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News portal RiPOST.net, http://ripost.net/indeksonlinenet/35623/keshtu-do-te-duket-rruga-garibaldine-prishtine-foto/, accessed October 2015.

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Goltsman, S, Iacofano, D, (2007), The Inclusive City: Innovative Solutions for Buildings, Neighborhoods, and Urban Spaces, (MIG Communications), Berkley, CA, USA, 2007.

[24]

Basha, Rozafa, “Persons with Disability and Public Space – Case Studies of Prishtina and Prizren”, poster presentation at The 2nd International Conference with Exhibition S.ARCH: Environment and Architecture, Budva, Montenegro, 2015, included in the proceedings book: ISBN 978-39816624-5-0ö

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Jaeger, T., P, Bowman, A., C., Understanding Disability: Inclusion, Access, Diversity and Civil Rights, Praeger, Westport, 2005.

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Basha, R., Planifikimi urban për qytetarët 3, EC Ma Ndryshe, October 2014, http://ecmandryshe.org/repository/docs/15020 3145824_EC_Planifikim_Urban_per_Qytetaret.p df

In 2015, this research is extended and complemented by a survey of disabled and aged population on quality and accessibility of public spaces in both these cities, which aims at setting design guidelines for more inclusive public spaces in Kosovo. The survey results are not presented in this paper.

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DOI: 10.14621/tna.20150407

Researching Ranges for Reconstruction of a Traditional Timber House according to Principles of Sustainable Architecture Aleksandar Kotevski Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade Vladislava Bajcevica 7, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia, aleksandarkotevski@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract

1. Introduction

Main subject of the work is a case study of sustainable renovation of the traditional Balkan log-cabin, for everyday use. There are certain building principles of the past, if not all, that make traditional timber houses carry the label of sustainability, of their own time. As we study this case and progress across the era of sustainability today, we recognize how sustainable methods could be found in the essence of our tradition. The core concept of the work is to fully recognize the characteristics of existing elements of the traditional log-cabin and the way of their treatment. Apart from the issue that some elements have been recognized as traditionally sustainable, there is also a priority which sets the aspect of usability of the house forth. In the beginning, the old house had no advanced methods of insulation, ventilation, hygiene level or sufficient light. The aim of this work is to outline improvements of those positions, so that the object in case can be reconstructed to the highest possible level. This work shows how sustainable practice could be used for preserving vernacular buildings, not only as monuments, but also as practical living spaces. Moreover, the observation from technological aspect shows that this redesign, with its sustainable materials, can also serve as a guide for any new and modern timber house.

In the year 2014 there were ongoing works at the private estate of Prodanovic family, conducted according to the reconstruction project of their traditional courtyard. Location was a hilly area of Western Serbia. There are certain findings which say that concepts of traditional log houses originate from Middle Ages [1], and today we encounter examples of timber architecture of this type, some of which date from the early 19th century. During the reconstruction we have redesigned several traditional objects of this area, estimated to be raised 150 years ago. Nowadays these objects are redesigned according to standards of comfortable and safe living, and used for everyday, but more often for part time purpose. People from cities occasionally spend short periods in natural environment whose calmness and harmony help to relax from hectic city throng.

Keywords:

Reconstruction, Log cabin, Sustainability, Traditional values

Article history:

Received: 21 July 2015 Revised: 01 September 2015 Accepted: 04 November 2015

In the beginning of the project we noticed how newly built in, abutting materials of reconstruction had high ranking according to Environmental Preference Method [2] and that fact incited us to keep track of other clues of sustainability in traditional timber houses such as practices and logic. Perceiving traditionally rational use of resources and characteristic relation to natural environment, we recognized how these were similar to contemporary sustainable ways. Because sustainable principles are significant in architecture today, our idea was to recognize, analyze and note during the reconstruction, some of those momentums of traditional timber objects and consider them to be of importance for our preservation task as newly added value of traditional log houses. The fact that vernacular timber houses could represent a precursor to sustainable architecture was an issue that could be investigated. If that was to be true, even only partially, that newly recognized sustainable characteristics could be significant in two ways. Firstly the significance for which we cherish our vernacular buildings could have an addition in terms of

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A. Kotevski: “Researching Ranges for Reconstruction of a Traditional Timber House according to Principles of Sustainable …”, pp. 67–74

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new architectural characteristics that we protect and maintain as our cultural heritage. Secondly this analysis and affiliation of sustainable precursors could represent an interesting subject for sustainable architecture research. Other than abstract significances of our research, real values also exist. Bearing in mind that the object in case was to be reconstructed for contemporary living, the issue of comfort represented a success indicator of the project. The difference between living conditions of the past and present was huge, but possible to overcome. Works were therefore extensive and followed high demands of sustainable architecture, while preserving traditional values. Due to complexity of such intervention that aims to reconstruct an old object with new sustainable tools, the job was assigned to Blagota Pesic, an expert in the field of traditional architecture, with wide experience in practical and theoretical work, and his colleague and assistant Aleksandar Kotevski, as a young researcher of sustainable architecture issues.

2. Original object description Adjacent in the traditional household -the family collective [3]- and next to a main house, was a number of vajat [4] buildings that represented separate houses for married members of the family. These objects were being created as timber cabins, 3 x 3 m or 4 x 4 m in area.

The construction meant a floor and ceiling made of planks. Equipment was humble in the original version, just a bed, a chest, a setting for a baby and a loom for weaving in some cases. Some vajat buildings had an open porch as well. Our reconstruction considered locating such object and transporting it to the new construction site, and as we were not able to find a vajat of desired dimensions, another economic object (Figure1) was bought. It had been made completely like a vajat, only without wooden floor or ceiling, and with no windows, since it had served for storing tools and agriculture material. Our task was to transform this object to a dwelling for comfortable living. Structure of the object is a typical example of traditional log house of western Balkan. It represents a harmonic construction of three zones that divide the object in vertical direction (Figure 2). These parts differ in function, construction and material. Reason for such composition could be found in builder’s need for adjusting the object to nature’s elements and desire to make long lasting houses. As we located the object, it was decomposed to basic elements that all are separable, and then transported to its new location [5]. This flexibility of construction tells about certain building logic that can be compared to the re-use principle we come across in sustainable architecture methodologies. All wooden parts were

Figure 1. Original appearance of the object of reconstruction ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A. Kotevski: “Researching Ranges for Reconstruction of a Traditional Timber House according to Principles of Sustainable …”, pp. 67–74

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originally being set without bonding cement, and since they last almost infinitely they were perfect for re-use.

Figure 2. Three zones of the traditional log cabin

Main processing of elements of original object was being made in local forest where the material was being obtained. Fine carving of fitting joints was being done at the construction site. This processing principle is interesting because it explains how traditional builders had the endeavour to relief their transport of excessive burden and save energy which is precisely our modern sustainable goal. Another evidence of traditional logic that corresponds to energy saving is the fact that most of elements of the object were being dimensioned according to equilateral triangle model [6]. In this way processing of material was being simplified while making savings to the overall quantity. This rational technique of building was a product of century’s long experience and it can be found important for today’s sustainability principles as precursors of contemporary sustainability optimization of work process. In present endeavours to create modern timber objects some of traditional experience can be applied. For example, engagement of traditional builders is crucial both to designing this kind of timber objects and to sustainability strategies of engagement of local workforce. In terms of building elements, those that had been sheltered from the rain could lasted for centuries and be used for many times. Most of elements of our object were in good condition which was economic according to embodied energy principle, and conservational principles of preserving original state as well. Still, composing the log house at its new location included plenty of improvements for comfortable and modern living in all parts of the structure.

2.1. Foundation zone

Figure 3. Easy to assemble and dismantle shell of the timber house

being connected without joining elements (Figure 3) and made to fit like `Lego` bricks. That means traditional builders had realized the importance of the ease of construction and importance of possibility to reconstruct or repair their object with as little effort as possible. Furthermore, stones of the foundation were

This part of the log house is a foundation and a retaining wall constructed out of roughly hand processed stone. Purpose of this zone was to separate the wooden construction from ground and level it to a horizontal standing position. Original walls were formed 50 cm in thickness, buried up to 20 cm to the ground. Walls were used to mark position of the log house, a rectangle of 6.8 x 5.8 meters. The inside was filled with clay ground which was being beaten to make a floor. We discovered that lot of stone for foundations was being found in local vicinity of the construction site. There was not much choice of material in times of construction of traditional objects. However, builders made their foundations strictly out of limestone rock, among other stone types. Limestone reacts well to atmospheric elements and can highly prolong lifespan of an object. Today, these natural materials used for constructing traditional objects, can be identified as

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highly ranked according to their ecological characteristics, but still, their role and way of their use in traditional objects, does not correspond to high standards of thermal and air comfort. From heating energy saving point of view, this ground level has plenty of space for improvement. The original floor was constructed without hydro insulating layers, which meant that certain amount of moisture could advance from ground to upper levels and cause high humidity in the whole object. Those conditions are suitable for microorganism development and dirt particle concentration, while the floor itself was being more difficult to clean. Having a finishing layer made of beaten clay, was causing rising dust, a negative effect for air we bread. This high moisture level was producing lower surface temperatures. The deficiency of thermoinsulating layer in the floor, was another factor that negatively affected thermal comfort of traditional objects. Heat loss over the floor was 4.587 W/m²K [7]. Foundation zone reconstruction Reconstruction of this level meant re-use of stone, and building new foundations of stone and concrete. They were grounded at appropriate depth of 60 cm, and due to the sloped terrain, foundations were made in two levels. Floor layers were set in order to block moisture coming from ground and also to prevent heat transfer. Thermo-insulating layer of expanded polystyrene 12 cm thick was built in, so thermal transmittance of improved reconstructed floor now has 0.286 W/m²K. Finishing layer was made of ceramic tiles in one part and wooden beech planks (Figure 4) in other, which suites regular maintenance of ground floors that are in constant contact with outside environment.

2.2. Middle zone The second level is the wall envelope originally made of oak wood planks 5 cm in thickness. The wooden construction was set on the retaining stone wall beneath. This positioning separated wood from moisture and prevented decaying, hence prolonging lifespan of the whole object. Choice of materials for this position did not include industrial products, but traditional builders were deciding among few different wood kinds. Walls were made of quality oak wood that serves against moisture and makes a stable construction, while the interior was built out of beech which is easier to form but needs a dry environment. Wall planks were precisely processed and designed to tightly fit each other leaving millimetre gaps along the length which were being filled with moss to prevent air flow (Figure 5). Complete wood material was being found in local forests.

Still, walls of our object were designed long before standards of eco-building. They represent construction typical for a traditional log house that could have served as a living space long time ago. Calculations state that thermal transmittance of the plank wall was 1.99 W/m²K. Living conditions meant high temperature oscillations and constant temperature was difficult to maintain. Furthermore, the finishing layer of walls was dark wood texture. It was a surface hard to clean, so it is possible to say that hygiene level was not satisfactory. Dark colour of walls reflected little light so visual conditions must have been limited. Reconstruction of the middle zone To reconstruct this level we kept the exterior in its original state to preserve cultural identity of the object, while the interior had several improvements. Walls were redesigned in two ways. Bathroom and kitchen walls were insulated with a layer of mineral wool 15 cm in thickness, after that a hydro insulating layer and a brick wall of 12 cm. Brick enabled thermal mass for walls and stable positioning of piping and resistance to high temperatures in the kitchen. Thermal transmittance of this reconstructed wall is 0.19 W / m² K. The rest of walls in living room and bedroom were insulated with 15 cm of rock wool and with gypsum boards instead of brick. Thermal transmittance of this wall is 0.195 W/m²K. The whole object had a white finishing colour in order to improve visibility (Figure 6). We introduced 5 widows and another door, all made of quality oak wood, in accordance to traditionally used materials. Windows carry high quality thermo insulating glass and the door is thermo proofed and transparent as well.

2.3. Upper zone – The roof The last level of the object is the roof and the attic space. Its inner construction had been made of wood and covering tiles were too, much later clay tiles were introduced and they were found in decayed state. Original traditional buildings had no insulations which meant that the whole zone was completely exposed to atmospheric elements. Wood was without added protecting coatings in the original version of this type of vernacular timber buildings, but pine tiles contain natural resin that was prolonging roof lifespan in contact with rain. This kind of bare construction meant that the attic was almost never used. Conditions were unhealthy due to the high moisture or temperature oscillations and constant darkness. Thermal transmittance was 2 W/m²K.

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Figure 4. Redesigned floor finish

Figure 5. Middle zone construction and fitting of elements

Figure 6. Interior walls and windows

Figure 7. Preserved exterior, roof and complete shell

Reconstruction of the upper zone

Calculations claimed that the heating energy needs were 612 kWh/m² before the reconstruction.

Aim of reconstruction was complete function change of this space, adjustment for contemporary use. Inner wooden construction was still in good condition. Clay tilling was replaced with the abutting set (Figure 7). A layer of hydro insulation was added under the tiles to prevent water drippings and moisture. Thermo insulating mineral wool of 20 cm in thickness with vapour barrier was put between rafters and sealed with gypsum boards. Finishing layer was coated in white paint. Thermal transmittance of the reconstructed roof is now 0.22 W/m²K. Floor of the attic was built out of planks, without insulating layers, so upper and middle levels are heated and used as a unified space.

3. Heating energy savings The traditional log house originally had high heat flow over its envelope. None of the positions had insulating layers and since temperature was supposed to be as comfortable as possible constant wood burning was necessary. This regime meant high energy losses.

Reconstruction of the log house considered complete shell insulation in order to rationalize energy demand. Wood burning stove was planned to heat the whole object. After reconstruction, energy demand was calculated to be 186 kWh / m². Reaching even lower energy demand was possible, but since object was to be used occasionally, regime of heating allowed us to rationalize with insulation material.

4. EPM results There were few factors that affected choice of materials for reconstruction. Materials and elements were being chosen according to conservational principles of congruence that considered use of same materials as in the original state to maintain the cultural identity of the object and landscape to which it belongs. Also, another principle of material choice was accordance to EPM system. Price and material availability and possibility of installation was a factor as well.

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Table 1. EPM Preference of reconstruction materials

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Local market of ecological materials offers limited choice, however EPM proved to be compatible with mainly rural environment and with conservational congruence as well. In the beginning of the project, it was noticed that materials used in the original object, in the time it had been built, could be highly ranked according to EPM. This led to a conclusion that reconstructing traditional log houses using congruent materials can be seen as highly ecological action (Table 1). Materials marked green represent a group of original materials that were found on the object in its original state. It is evident that these materials belong to the highest rank of environmental preference according to EPM method. Yellow marked materials are ones introduced by our project that carry the highest level of ecological quality and in the EPM terms – minimal environmental impact. Materials that are not marked by colour are ones that were also a part of our reconstruction and belong to lower levels of environmental quality.

5. Conclusion Usual preservation of architectural heritage is a work which considers careful treatment of all elements of historically important objects. It consists of keeping those that have survived and identifying new materials of reconstruction with originally installed ones while tending to maintain the congruence and minimal changes to the original object. Principles of construction that led to coining traditional styles were not always being analysed and noted. This work shows how building principles of the past consist of interesting and useful logic that is worthy of analysis and preservation. Traditional materials have their testimony about appearance as characteristics of the traditional type but besides that, in the era of contemporary sustainability they also appear as ecological and in terms of preservation this is an added value. Building principles that were usually not a focus of classical conservation, analysed with contemporary sustainability testify how energy saving was an issue with vernacular timber objects of western Balkans. These objects were usually being preserved as museums and due to their surpassed living conditions, today some of them undergo extensive reconstructions to reach contemporary accommodation standards. Apart from a huge gap between comfort levels of now and then, when it comes to building logic, it seems that principles of traditional timber houses and modern sustainable architecture have something in common. Architecture of the old style, before the era of industrialization, was and tends to be closely related to

nature`s laws, while modern architectural concept today considers complete care for natural environment, to which every object belongs. That similarity of concepts and other building motives represents a fact while conducting an eco-redesign and preservation of traditional log houses. The importance of these objects is eventually also in their testimony about origin of rational use of materials and logic of economy. The conclusion of our research was that most of traditional building principles were being coined with endeavour to save energy. These characteristics we are able to detect with contemporary sustainable tools and preserve as architectural heritage. With that knowledge and today’s calculations of thermal conditions and other standards, we can conduct respectable and rational, contemporary understood reconstruction and meaningful preservation of traditional objects. We can use them not only as conserved artefacts, but also as interactive building models that serve to tell the story of our culture while at the same time provide space for living. In that way we continue the experience of practical and rational use of the complete embodied energy of an object. Original builders of log houses have tried in many ways to make building process and use as logical as possible. Their wealth was measured in their living assets, land, animals and their family. Therefore it is clear that their buildings were being made in spirit of rationality and care towards the living environment. Searching through preserved notes and testimonies about traditional objects and looking for their relevance to sustainable architecture could present us beginnings of ecological building concepts. We realize how sustainability is not merely a scientific experiment that should be placed aside of our everyday architectural practice but rather an original architectural philosophy that pervades from the beginnings of building practice and, as the time shows, now represents the vast field and state-of-art of our understanding of architecture. This issue can be a topic of further thorough research in the field of sustainable architecture.

Acknowledgement Mr Blagota Pesic, for helpful discussions about values of traditional timber architecture and for insight into literature about the topic. Prof. Dr Ana Radivojevic, for support and motivation to analyze the question of connection between vernacular architecture and sustainability.

Funding source Autor of the paper M. Arch Aleksandar Kotevski has personally funded the research and its presentation.

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Serbia), Prosveta, Belgrade, Serbia, 1949, pp. 122 (in Serbian).

Nomenclature [W/m²K] – Unit for thermal transmittance of the element

[4]

Filipovic Milenko, Naselje i poreklo stanovništva, (Settlement and Origin of Population), book 37, Naucno Delo, Belgrade, Serbia, 1960, pp. 70-74 (in Serbian).

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Anink D. et al. Handbook of sustainable building, James & James, London, United Kingdom, 2001.

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ABOUT THE JOURNAL Aim and Scope International Journal of Contemporary Architecture “The New ARCH” publishes research articles and studies on solutions to architectural projects and urban planning. Papers that are multidisciplinary and/or address new or emerging areas of architecture are particularly encouraged. Thus, the scope includes but is not limited to the design process and case studies with performance evaluation, buildings for tomorrow, transforming cities towards the future, course of adapting architecture, challenges of buildings refurbishment, energy efficiency and savings including building technologies, design in-line with environment associated with ecological impact of materials. “The New ARCH” is committed to publishing original papers communicating both recent research findings and innovative new practice. Thus, it provides an active interface between theory, science and practice serving both researches and practising professionals. The accent is on the architectural quality demonstrating different approaches of relations between good architecture and environment, without focusing only on technical aspects of building. So, the sustainability and great design does not exclude each other in the process of creating architectural spaces. Joined, they provide contemporary pillar to architecture. Language “The New ARCH” is published in English and accepts contributions written only in English. Frequency “The New ARCH” is a thrice yearly open-access electronic journal. Contributions Two types of contributions are expected: - Original Article - must either be of a current general interest or of a great significance to readers, - Review - introducing a particular area through a concise overview of a selected topic by the author(s). Responsibility Submission of a manuscript implies that the work described has not been published previously, that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, that its publication is approved by all authors and that, if accepted, it will not be published elsewhere in the same form, in English or in any other language, without the written consent of the copyright holder. The author(s) should provide a statement attesting to the originality of the work submitted for publication. Exception is an abstract or part of a published lecture or academic thesis. Peer Review “The New ARCH” is a peer-review journal. All submitted manuscripts, which follow the scope of the journal, are read first by the editorial stuff and only those that meet editorial criteria are sent for formal double-blind peer review process. Both the referees (at least two independent reviewers selected by the editors) and the author(s) are kept anonymous. Authors are obliged to follow remarks and comments of reviewers, instructions for preparing manuscripts, reference list specification as well as remarks and corrections of the Editorial Board.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ About the Journal Instructions for Authors

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International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

ISSN 2198-7688

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS General Information Procedure The authors are obliged to submit papers only in English and free of typing errors. The manuscript should not exceed 14 pages (A4 format), including figures and tables. For the review process the manuscript should not exceed 14 pages and should be submitted in electronic form only as MS Word file. All titles listed in the reference list have to be in English, or translated in English with indication of the original language. Full name and affiliation have to be given for each author. Last name(s) has to be written in capital letters. The corresponding author should be indicated, with full postal and e-mail address.

margins of 20 mm from left/right and top/bottom paper’s edge, with spacing one line after. Illustrations (graphics, pictures) and tables have to be also separately prepared. The width of the Illustrations/tables has to be either 7.5 cm or 16.5 cm. Authors may submit a manuscript of maximum 14 A4 pages containing plain text (including nomenclature and references) and illustrations/tables.

Checklist 1.

Title page as a separate MS Word document (one A4 page) including: - Title - Author(s) and affiliation(s) - One author labelled as the Corresponding Author with full postal and e-mail address

Plain text (without illustrations/tables) as a separate MS Word file including all sections stated above in Manuscript Structure

All illustrations/tables as a separate MS Word file

Numerated captures of all illustrations as a separate MS Word file

Manuscript Approval

Numerated captures of all tables as a separate MS Word file

After computer lay-out of the paper, corresponding author will obtain text as .PDF file for approval.

Title

Submission Declaration By submitting the manuscript the author(s) declare that the work described has not been published previously (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture or academic thesis or as an electronic preprint), that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, that its publication is approved by all authors, and that, if accepted, it will not be published elsewhere including electronically in the same form, in English or in any other language, without the written consent of the copyright holder.

Manuscript Structure Only English and Greek alphabet must be used in preparing the whole manuscript. There are no strict formatting requirements but all manuscripts must contain the essential elements needed to convey your manuscript and should be written according to following order: – Title – Author(s) – Affiliation(s) – Abstract – Keywords – Introduction – Body of the text with numerated sections and subsections – Conclusions – Acknowledgement – Funding source – Nomenclature – References All pages must have page numbers.

Conflict of Interest All authors are requested to disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest including any financial, personal or other relationships with other people or organizations within three years of beginning the submitted work that could inappropriately influence, or be perceived to influence, their work. Referees If you want, you can submit, with the manuscript, the names, addresses and e-mail addresses of three potential referees. Note that the editor retains the sole right to decide whether or not the suggested reviewers are used.

Copyright Transfer Agreement A properly completed and signed Copyright Transfer Agreement must be provided by author(s) for each submitted manuscript.

Manuscript Preparation General Text has to be separately prepared as Microsoft Word plain text document (without illustrations and tables) using Arial 10 font, with

Maximum 3 rows title (ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, bold, centred, with spacing one line after) has to concisely, informative, clearly, accurately and grammatically correct reflect emphasis and content of the manuscript. Abbreviations and acronyms should be avoided.

Author(s) and Affiliation(s) Author(s) Personal (First) Name(s), initial (optional) and FAMILY (LAST) NAME(S) (bold, centred, with spacing one line after) of all who have made substantial contributions. At least one author must be labelled with an asterisk (*) as the corresponding author. Affiliation(s) of author(s) must include Institution, City and Country (regular letters, centred, with spacing one line after). The full postal and e-mail address of the corresponding author should be placed on a separate line below the affiliation.

Abstract The paper must have an Abstract supplying briefly general information about the purpose and objectives of the paper, techniques, methods applied, significant results, and conclusions. Abbreviations and acronyms should be avoided. The optimal length for the abstract is one paragraph with 100 to 200 words, justified, with indent 20 mm from left and right margin, with spacing one line after. An abstract may also be presented separately from the article, so it must be able to stand alone. For this reason, References should be avoided, but if essential, then cite the author(s) and year(s).

Keywords Maximum 8 characteristic words (regular letters, with indent 20 mm from left and right margin) explaining the subject of the manuscript (for example, “of”, “and” ... have to be avoided) should be provided directly below the abstract. Be sparing with abbreviations: only abbreviations firmly established in the field may be eligible. These keywords may be used for indexing purposes.

Introduction It should place the work in the appropriate context and clearly state the purpose and objectives of the contribution.

Body of the Text Authors are obliged to use System International (SI) for Units (including Non/SI units accepted for use with the SI system) for all physical parameters and their units. Titles of sections and subsections have to be written in bold, left, numerated (decimal classification) in Arabic numbers, with spacing one line before and one line after.

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International Journal of Contemporary Architecture â&#x20AC;?The New ARCHâ&#x20AC;&#x153; Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

ISSN 2198-7688

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ensure that each graphics/illustration has a caption. A caption should comprise a brief title (not on the figure itself) and a description of the illustration. Keep text in the illustrations themselves to a minimum but explain all symbols and abbreviations used. Figure captions should be placed below figures, in bold, justified left; one line should be left blank below figure captions. Table captions have to be placed above tables in bold, left justified with the table; one line should be left blank above captions and below tables. Place footnotes to tables below the table body and indicate them with superscript lower-case letters. All tables and figures must be referred in the text. All equations, formulas, and expressions should be numbered in parentheses, with right alignment, in the order of appearance in the text, and must be centred with one line left above and below. Also, equations, formulas, and expressions should be referred within the text with Eq., or Formula, or Expression, with corresponding number in parentheses.

The mark of variables with dimensions in brackets used and explained only once in the text, do not include into the nomenclature.

References References should be numbered in brackets in the order of appearance in the text, e.g. [1], [3, 4], [7-11], etc. The full references should be listed at the end of the paper (left alignment, hanging indentation) in numerical order of citation in the text. For references having two authors, names of both authors should be given. For more than two authors, only name of the first author should be given, followed by latin abbreviation et al. Data in References should be given according to the Reference List Specification, given in the next section. Footnotes Footnotes should be used sparingly. Number them consecutively throughout the article. Indicate the position of footnotes in the text and present the footnotes themselves separately at the end of the article. Do not include footnotes in the Reference list.

Preparation of Graphics (Illustrations) Graphics intended to appear in black and white or grayscale should not be submitted in colour. Graphics have to be submitted also in separated files in a JPG and/or TIF format. Use of colour in manuscript graphics is encouraged when it is important for clarity of presentation. It has to be noted that the quality of the graphics published in the journal depends on the quality of the graphic images provided by authors. Do not supply graphics optimised for screen, that are too low in resolution or that are disproportionately large for the content. Digital graphics should have minimum resolution of 1200 dpi for black and white line art, 600 dpi for grayscale art and 300 dpi for colour art. For uniformity of appearance, all the graphics of the same type should share a common style and font. For scanned half-tone illustrations a resolution of 300 dpi is sufficient.

Conclusions

Reference List Specification Journals Author(s)1, Paper title, Journal title, Volume number, (Year), Issue, pp. xx-yy, DOI number2

Books Author(s)1, Book title3, Publisher, City, Country, Year

Chapters Author(s)1, Chapter title, in Book title3, (Editor(s) of the book)4, Publisher, City, Country, Year, pp. xx-yy

Proceedings, Transactions, Book of Abstracts Author(s)1, Paper title, Proceedings, Proceedings information5, Conference, City, Country, Year, Volume6, pp. xx-yy

Thesis Author(s)1, Thesis title, Thesis rank, University, City, Country, Year

Reports

Content of this section should not substantially duplicate the abstract. It could contain text summarising the main contributions of the manuscript and expression and idea for the work to be continued.

Author(s)1, Report title, Report number, Institution, City, Country, Year

Acknowledgement

Literature or Data on web Sites and Documents without Authors

May be used to acknowledge helpful discussion with colleagues, assistance providing starting material or reference samples, data and services from others who are not co-authors, or providing language help, writing assistance or proof reading the article, or financial support.

Funding Source Author has to identify who provided financial support for the conduct of the research and/or preparation of the manuscript and to briefly describe the role of the sponsor(s), if any, in study design, as well as in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, as well as in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. If the funding source(s) had no such involvement then this should be stated here.

Nomenclature Author should use a systematic name for each compound. The variables in nomenclature have to be written in alphabetical order and, if exist, must have dimension in brackets. The Greek symbols must be separated, and as well as subscripts and superscripts, abbreviations, and acronyms.

Author(s)1,2, Title/Data/Institution, Link

Web As a minimum, the full URL should be given and the date when the reference was last accessed. Any further information, if known (DOI, author names, dates, reference to a source publication, etc.), should also be given

Patents Owner(s)1, Title of patent, Patent number, Year __________________________________________ 1 Last name, Initial (optional), First name 2 If exist 3 Title in original language or in transliteration, the English translation in parentheses with the indication of the original language 4 Editor(s)1 (in parentheses) 5 (Name(s) of the editor(s), if exist, in parentheses), Title of the publication if it is not the same as the title of the meeting 6 Only for Transactions

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International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

ISSN 2198-7688

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THE NEXT ISSUE THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE JOURNAL THE NEW ARCH IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 2016 !!! Following will appear: °Interview with Idis Turato from the TURATO ARCHITECTS

ADVERTISEMENT Reach your target audience online through advertisements in The New ARCH journal. Expose your organization's message and get access to a motivated and key target audience of influential architects, professionals and researches, all of whom share one thing: A passion for contemporary architecture. So, if you have a product or service to show, or want to advertise a meeting or event, or need to fill a position vacancy, please contact us at the e-mail address: the-new-arch@get-itpublished.de

CALL FOR AUTHORS’ PAPERS FOR THE 6th ISSUE SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 2016 !!!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Advertisement

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The 3rd International Conference

Oral Presentations

Budva / MONTENEGRO 25-27 May

In accordance with expressed Authorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; preferences and depending on relevance, importance and significance of studied theme, level of hearing interest, originality and practical utility, all Authors of Contributed Works will be given a chance to present their work as oral MS PowerPoint Presentations (up to 15 minutes per Presentation + 5 minutes for Q&A).

S.ARCH 2016 CALL FOR PAPERS ! >>> SUBMIT YOUR RESEARCH PAPER FOR THE NEXT S.ARCH CONFERENCE One A4 page Abstracts sent per e-mail as MS Word file should include author(s) name with affiliation(s), summary with or without graph/drawing/sketch, 5 keywords and selected Topic. One Author is allowed to submit maximum 2 contributed works.

Deadline for Abstract Submission: 29 January 2016 CONTACT & INFORMATION s.arch@renecon.eu reneconinternational@gmail.com

www.s-arch.net

Exhibition / Poster Session All Authors willing to present their Contributed Works only as Posters both days will be given opportunity for Exhibition. In addition, a separate Session, not parallel to any other one, will provide an extra opportunity for Authors to present Contributed Works in front of their Posters to the audience coming to see it and to have dialogues.

Full Paper Submission Authors of both Oral Presentations and Posters are invited to submit Full Papers.

>>> CONFERENCE TOPICS 1.State of Affairs and Future Visions • • • • •

Exploring and Refining Comprehensive Practices Design and Transformation Aesthetic and Concept Adapted Reuse / Change of Use / Flexibility Making and Shaping Architecture through Design Research • Adaptable Architecture

2. Conceptual and Methodical Concepts • • • • • •

Planning Principles and Synergies Integral Planning/Processes and Design Aspects Economy Dimensions of Diversity Methods and Creativity Integrative Processes and Implementation

3. Holistic Environmental Perceptions • Partial and Holistic Concepts • Methods and Systems for Holistic Surrounding Concepts • In–Door and Out–Door Spaces, Energy, Water • Case Studies of Building and Its Surroundings

4. Interactive Structures • • • •

Space Frames Concepts / Connections / Communications Deployable Structures Shared Effects of Interactions between Buildings and their Surroundings • Building Technologies Towards Interactions • High-Tech / Low-Tech • Design Models as Parameters of Interactive Processes

5. Urban Ecology and Climate • Urban Space • Urban Structure (Qualified Mixture, Short Distances, Mobility) • Urban Gardening (Green and Open Spaces) • Urban Survival • Ecological and Social Aspects • City in Transition

6. Bioclimatic and Cultural Sensitivity • Encouraging Nature and Design Along • Life Cycle Assessment • Ecological Sensitivity and Ecological Cycle Management • Interdependence between Architecture and Environment • Human Designed Environment • Social Aspects • Impact of Bioclimatic Building on Residents

7. Materiality • • • • • • •

Aesthetic–Ethic Textures Quality Characteristics and Durability of Materials Intelligent and Smart Materials Reuse Sustainable Adequacy of Sustainable Materials Ecological Load and Impacts

8. Investments and Constructions • Resistance in Time and Flexibility in the Requirements of the Market • Enhancing the Comfort • Optimising Costs • Maximising Safety

FIRST KEYNOTE SPEAKER ANNOUNCED! Prof. Arch. Dietmar Eberle Baumschlager Eberle AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, FRANCE, CHINA, VIETNAM; ETH

VENUE The location of the S.ARCH 2016 conference is the Splendid Conference & SPA Resort 5* in Budva / Montenegro, which is considered a favorite travel destination for guests all around the world. Opened in 2006, in a short time hotel Splendid has created the name as the hotel for the most demanding travelers.

Zurich, SWITZERLAND

Carlo Baumschlager and Dietmar Eberle set up their architectural partnership in 1985. During the early years they designed detached houses and put their first innovative ideas for high-density, low-rise buildings into practice, which soon gained them recognition beyond regional boundaries (Hohe Wies residential estate...). In this initial phase the core team consisted of three to six employees. In addition to these projects the partnership extended its activities to the design and construction of commercial and office buildings as well as large housing complexes. Prominent among the clients were private and public developers and local cooperatives. Key aspects of sustainability were incorporated into their planning work at a very early stage; economy, resource conservation and social acceptance evolved into fundamental principles. A good illustration of this is the Eco School in Mäder. In a related development, research into different types of buildings and facades became a major factor in the working methods adopted by Baumschlager Eberle (LTW, NHT Lohbach ...). Once the partnership was firmly established in the regional context, the next logical step, undertaken in the 1990s, was to expand to the national level. Internationally, too, Baumschlager Eberle gained recognition and acclaim for such projects as the headquarters of the Munich Reinsurance Company and the new airport terminal building in Vienna. This resulted in the setting up of the first branch office in Vaduz in 1999 and the Vienna office in 2001. At this stage the partnership had 50 employees. Thanks to its dedication and commitment the practice achieved further successes in architectural competitions, while its specific know-how increasingly led to direct building commissions. These included the construction of the UNAIDS building in Geneva and the Moma high-rise apartment blocks in Beijing. The ground was thus laid for the setting up of further branch offices in Beijing (2003), St. Gallen (2006) and Zurich (2007). In view of the increasing degree of complexity involved in building and construction processes BE developed a set of complex management and control tools with the help of their own project log in order to meet quality assurance and sustainability requirements (Kortrijk Hospital, ETH Zurich ...). The presence of local offices enables BE to properly understand the respective cultural context while heeding the specific needs of the client. This ‘think global, act local’ approach has resulted in the transformation of BE into a network of autonomous office units and the establishment of further branch offices in Hong Kong (2009), Berlin (2010) and Hanoi (2011). Carlo Baumschlager left the partnership in 2010. The BE Group continues to grow steadily and now has a permanent staff of 120.

International Journal of Contemporary Architecture ”The New ARCH“ Vol. 2, No. 3 (2015)

ISSN 2198-7688

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