d. The In-between definition – Synthesis

THE IN-BETWEEN DEFINITION – SYNTHESIS

Fig.11 Synthesis of analysis – In-between vernaculars

Several correlations seem to emerge when reading the writings on the poetic architecture of Christian Norberg-Schulz, Critical Regionalism and the philosophy of Aldo van Eyck. The synthesis [fig. 11] sought between the human, the city and nature makes it possible to analyse the concept of the in-between as part of a more comprehensive totality. The analysis of a case study is a way of concretizing what has been said and seeing how vernacular places could offer the architectural qualities of the in-between. My definition of the in-between is based on the writings mentioned above, relating to the social dimension:

The in-between can be defined as a social place, that gathers, mediate and reconciles conflicting polarities such as individual and collective. It is characterized by an architectural element or form that intensifies interaction and communication within a community. It can generate a social occasion as well as offer a niche for the individual, the feeling of being between two presences such as insideoutside, public-private, makes it a meaningful place creating a sense of belonging. Moreover, it offers a mediative place, a third space that allows the presence of each polarities in itself. The individual can both feel protected as in a house and at the same time feel connected to the outside community by the varying degree of openness of the architectural element. The in-between which embodies the counterforms of daily life, ways of living or cultural identity thus allows a free appropriation of place. The in-between could be seen as the evolution of hiding places in childhood.

Fig.12 In-between analysis - How to recreate social cohesion ?

This diagram [fig.12] synthesizes the research done on the different in-between concepts of Genius Loci, Critical Regionalism and the theories of Aldo van Eyck. Various strategies collide between the theoreticians. One evident common point is Heidegger’s notion of presence of place, shown as the in-between vernaculars. The overlaps show the many similarities that can be observed between Van Eyck, Kenneth Frampton and Christian Norberg-Schulz strategies.

Fig.13 Synthesis for a prospective analysis

The key elements highlighted in the first part are grouped together, under a reading grid which will serve as a prospective analysis [fig.13] for the case study. This analysis provides five reading points which will be applied to each vernaculars in-between. First, the genius loci strategy includes the notion of existential place, cultural identity and social character of a place. The latter is combined with Van Eyck’s notion and provides the social character of place and occasion. This analytical tool describes what are the social ways of living or cultural form features. The second strategy represents the conflicting polarities and defines which are the dualities reconciled. The third, the degree of openness, describes how the architectural element intensifies the interaction between the mentioned polarities. Fourth, the vernacular archetypes explains how the architectural element is considered as a counterform. At last, the fifth strategy taken from Frampton, the term arrière-garde is a prospection of how this in-between be reappointed in a critical vernacular project.