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Urban Design Project 2 Mehringplatz’s Hybrid Algorithm
Project background • The project site is located in Kreuzberg close to the station Hallesches Tor which is an important traffic node in the city of Berlin, Germany. • With a complicated history and mix of different people we have devised strategies to reappropriate the public spaces in Mehringplatz.
An illustration of history of the city of Berlin
Mehringplatz at a Neighbourhood Level
Anon, (2016). [image] Available at: http://www.iheartberlin.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Berlin-Illustrations-Martin-Schwartz-Berlin-half-640x445.jpg [Accessed 2 Apr. 2016].
GERMANY BERLIN
KREUZBERG
Feb PROJECT INTRO
Project Methodology
9
PROJECT BRIEF
BACKGROUND STUDIES
FIELD TRIP BRIEF SITE EXPLORATIONS
MATERIAL PREPARATION FOR CASE STUDIES
GROUP MEETINGS
CITY SCALE MAPS NEIGHBOURHOOD SCALE MAPS
Summary of methodology and process
16 INTERVIEWS
PHOTOGRAPHS
ANALYSIS
SKETCHES
FIELD TRIP
GROUP MEETINGS
FIELD TRIP
MATERIALS
MAPPING MEETINGS
23
PRESENTATION 1
PHYSICAL MAPPING V1 SUBJECTIVE MAPPING V1
POSITION MAPS SPATIAL STRATEGIES V1 MAIN STRATEGY ‘HYBRID DESIGN’
ANALYSIS
GROUP MEETINGS
MODELS
CITY SCALE MODEL V1
SOCIAL MAPPING V1
DESIGN PRECEDENT 1 DESIGN PRECEDENTS
Mar
SECTION MODEL V1
DESIGN PRECEDENT 2
1
PRESENTATION 2
PHYSICAL MAPPING V2 SUBJECTIVE MAPPING V2
POSITION MAPS SPATIAL STRATEGIES V2
GROUP MEETINGS
CITY SCALE MODEL V2
MODELS
SOCIAL MAPPING V2 SECTION MODEL V2
LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY V1
DETAIL MODEL V1 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION V1
8
PRESENTATION 3
PHYSICAL MAPPING V3 SUBJECTIVE MAPPING V3
POSITION MAPS SPATIAL STRATEGIES V3
GROUP MEETINGS
CITY SCALE MODEL V3
MODELS SECTION MODEL V3
LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
SOCIAL MAPPING V3 DETAIL MODEL V2
PROJECT REVIEW BRIEF
15 FINAL SPATIAL STRATEGIES
FINAL PRESENTATION
FINAL POSITION MAPS FINAL MODELS
Edelweiss
The symbolic meanings of the edelweiss flower are daring, courage and noble purity. THE FLOWER HOLDS A VERY IMPORTANT POSITION IN GERMANY. and is a protected plant because of its rareness
Position
MEHRINGPLATZ
NAME OF THE AREA WHERE OUR RE-APPROPRIATION IS BASED UPON WHICH IS CURRENTLY FACING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
• The two precedent studies that we used to devise our strategies mainly dealt with the implementation of local food economy and hybrid spaces. • The primary reason our group chose ‘Hybridity’ as a theme was to devise methods and techniques with which the relationship between man and nature can be explored in a beautiful way.
ALGORITHM
QUARTIERS MANAGEMENT’S PROCESS OF MANAGING THE DEVELEOPMENT OF THE CENTRAL FLOWER MARKET AND THE ORGANISATION OF ALL THE PUBLIC SPACES AROUND
HYBRID
TO ACTIVATE QUARTIERS MANAGEMENT BUILDING AND SELECTED AREAS INSIDE IT ALONG WITH THE SURROUNDING URBAN FABRIC.
PRECEDENT 1 Flower Canopy designed by SOFTLab, a design studio based in New York City. This precedent was used to design interior Hybrid spaces for the new Quartiers Management Building
A brief explanation of overall concept of our proposal i.e., Mehringplatz’s Hybrid Algorithm
PRECEDENT 2
[Link-Click here]
[Link-Click here]
‘Community Food Lab’ is a hybrid design practice where they believe relationship and diversity are important for healthy food systems and to drive local food economy.Their design approach is multi-dimensional and multidisciplinary.
Analysis • After visiting the site and mapping the site on a physical, social and subjective scale we analysed the data only to find the unused and potential spaces in the space around and in Mehringplatz. • Our observations on Mehringplatz led us to come to a conclusion i.e., the lack of social relationship between people of different religion or culture. • In the following pages are the Physical, Social and Subjective mappings that informed our strategies of reappropriation of Mehringplatz.
Central Flower Market Hall which was remodeled in to a plant research center/flower museum
Inner corridor in Mehringplatz which is not utilised much by the residents beacause of lack of public interventions There is beautiful graffiti present on several walls around the neighbourhood
Existing Quartiers management in Mehringplatz
Private Park located between residential spaces in Mehringplatz A homeless man resting on a bench in Mehringplatz
SUBJECTIVE MAPPING ( Neighbourhood Scale ) SCALE 1:3500 0
Street Trader1
We like this space because people move around through out the day to access the metro.
4
20
50
100
Resident Kids We have friends from different ethinc groups, but we don’t have enough spaces to play.
1
2
6
Commuter My work place is to this place. I come here in the afternoon to sit and smoke because it’s very peaceful.
5
2 3
5
4
Resident Student 3
I like it here. But there should be more seating spaces and vibrant plants and flowers.
6
QuartiersmanagementWe are always organising events in the community to bring more people together
Like Dislike
PLACES SCALE 1:3500
Food Silent
Grass
Loud
Coffee
SOUND
SMELL
SCALE 1:3500
SCALE 1:3500
Previous Resident I lived here for 30 years. Now i just come here to visit my parents.
200
SO CIALMAPPING NET WO RK SOCIAL (NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE) ( Neighbourhood Scale )
GOVERNMENT S TA F F ARTIST
TURKISH RESIDENT
DESIGNER
ARABIC RESIDENT SEEK FUNDING
FRIEDRICHSTADT
GERMAN RESIDENT
INVISIBLE P L AY G R O U N D
M A I N TA I N NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENT
COMMON GROUND
MANAGER ORGANIZE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
QUARTIERS MANAGEMENT
STREET TRADER
PROMOTE PUBLIC PA R T I C I PAT I O N
I M PA C T HUB AOK SHOPS
SUPERMARKET
MAKE DECISIONS ON PROJECTS POTENTIAL SPACES FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT COMMUTER RESIDENT TOURIST EMPLOYEE
EXISTING ORGANIZTIONS AND STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED
S ingle I s o l at i o n
PHYSICAL MAPPING PHYSICAL ( Neighbourhood Scale ) MAPPING
form of commerce
• basic retail status including several restaurants, optician store, cafe and supermarket • Monday & Thursday street trade
of space-use
• flow of commuters active near the subway station entrance & exsit without entering the core area • flow of residents active • potential for boosting economy
W e ak
co nne ct io n
• unobvious and grey access into the park • lack of integration and interaction between linked space • physical barrier to engage people
TRANSPORT HUB S U B W AY E NT RANC E & E XS IT
D e f i c i e n cy
S U B W AY S T AT ION
of function
RAILLINE MAIN ROAD
• lack of economic and cultural function in the central core space • isolation from linked public space • potential to attract people and increase vitality
Lack
o f pro gram m ing
• potential street place for activities and events • flows of residents, visitors and commutors without stay
Lo w - e f f icie nt S ingle
v e g e t at io n
• horizontal level vegetation • some balcony flowers and plants • potential for vertical green wall in housing
us e
• much unused or low-efficient used space such as the multi-story parking lot, playground and park • grey space
SPACE
ACCESS
PUB L I C N O D E
B ARRIE R
R E TA I L
INT E G RAT ION
F L O W O F CO M MU T E RS
G RE Y PAS S AG E
F L O W O F R E S I DE NT S L O N G - TE R M C ONS T RU C T ION
PAT H
C U LT U R E
Edelweiss (das Edelweiβ)
A White-yellow flower. Blossoms from July to September and belongs to the sunflower family. It can grow to up to 20 cm in length.
MED
ICINE
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Common chicory is also known as blue daisy. For at least 5,000 years, people have cultivated chicory for its medicinal benefits.
MA
TERIAL
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
Besides having delicious blossoms, black locust is an excellent building material and is a preferred material for posts and other outdoor structures.
Orange Lily UTY BEA
(Lilium bulbiferum)
Common names orange lily, fire lily or tiger lily. One of the main health benefits is that it helps regulating the heart rate thereby allowing the heart to function more efficiently and regularly.
FLOWER MAPPING ( City Scale ) SCALE 1:5000 0
20
50
100
200
QM’s Role
Key Stakeholders Quartiers Management Berlin
- Berlin Neighbourhood Management ( QM ) was formed in 1999 to support disadvantage neighbourhoods. - They work in clearly defined neighbourhoods to strengthen the relationship between people by conducting interventions throughout the year.
QM’s issues - Quartiers Management has been facing issues with getting people to work together for the past few years because not all people like to mix up. - They have a very small workforce so they have to rely on local volunteers to help them with their work.
Meeting with the Quartiers Management Berlin located on site in Mehringplatz
QM’s Strategies - Quartiers Management promotes social cohesion through involving residents in decision-making processes affecting their local neighbourhood.
Location of Quartiers Mehringplatz
Management
in
Meeting with the Quartiers Management Berlin located on site in Mehringplatz
Spatial Design Strategy
Interior Space showing the abstract shap of the Flower canopy which can also be used as a seating space
SPATIAL DESIGN STRATEGY - OVERVIEW • The following illustration shows an overview of our strategies on different scales and how they are connected on different levels of management.
Strategy 1 LOCAL GREEN ECONOMY • Our first design strategy mainly deals with the provision of developing a local green economy. • The concept of ‘We make things, we do things and we sell things’ will drive Mehringplatz to become a major local eocnomy in the future. • The proposed ‘Urban Farms’ will be the hub for growing flowers or other products.
PHASE 1 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
PHASE 2 BUILD LOCAL ECONOMY
PHASE 3 COLLABORATIVE MANAGEMENT
PHASE 1 REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE
PHASE 2 PUBLIC FORUM & MEETINGS
PHASE 3 COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT
Strategy 2 PARTICIPATION • The second strategy dealing with the participation of people especially the residents of Mehringplatz over time is important because it concentrates on the social relationship between the people. • Throughout the different phases there will be exhibitions and public forums scheduled by the Quartiers Management to get more involvement from the residents and growing their relationship.
CITY SCALE MODEL SCALE - 1:1500
SECTION MODEL
MODEL DESIGN DETAILS The base and the buildings in Mehringplatz were cut out on 3MM MDF board using laser cutting. The rest of the buildings were cut out using black mount baord. Strong copper wire was used to make the tangible and Intangible strategies of QM. Strategies were written on to the OHP sheet and glued on to the copper wire.
Top view of the city scale model showing the tangible and Intangible strategies on a city scale. It also shows how Quartiers Management who we considered as the main stakeholder will be intervening at a Social, Economic and an Ecological level.
SOCIAL APPROACH
ECONOMICAL APPROACH
ECOLOGICAL APPROACH
This illustrated map drawn on top of the city scale model shows the social approach and social relations between people that are going to be made over the period time in the area of Mehringplatz through the interventions of Quartiers Management
The economical production process and the affect of economical growth in Mehringplatz is shown on this map. Explaining the concepts of the process of Local Food Economy
How will the change of landscape and building of Hybrid Architecture affect the Micro-Climate of the area? And how will it help the future of Mehringplatz? These questions are answered via this map.
SECTIONAL MODEL SCALE - 1:200
DETAIL MODEL-2
DETAIL MODEL-1
The new Quartiers Management building showing the the new Quartiers management building with varied functional spaces. The front double heighted lobby will be decorated with a flower canopy showing a Hybrid space. And a semi-private space at the posterior for resident’s use. The Building will have functional spaces such as a flower lab and educational spaces.
MODEL DESIGN DETAILS The buiding model was cut out of mount board using laser cutting and fixed on to a MDF board for more strength. Real leaves and tiny branches were used for creating the landscape. MDF board was cut out in to long strips to make the rails that will illustrate the function of spaces
The street with a roof canopy and landscapes on either side of the street. Stairs on both sides of the street give access to the lower part of the buildings.
The building on the other side of street hosts the green house. It also houses office space for QM or for other people. Spaces for Exhibition and a theatre have also been provided. An urban farm lives on the backside of the building.
Two details models beside each other showing two entirely different designed Hybrid spaces depending on different functions. The front ( Model 1 ) serving as a show space while the hybrid space on the other end of the building serves as a semi-private space for the residents of Mehringplatz
DETAIL MODEL SCALE - 1:50 MODEL DESIGN DETAILS The exterior of the Model was constrcuted using MDF board cut to scale. The interior walls were glued with Black mount board. Copper net wire was used to design the abstract roof design and other details. Real leaves were used to show the greenery within the interior space. Human cut outs to scale
DETAIL MODEL-1
DETAIL MODEL-2
DETAIL MODEL-1 - ROOF DETAIL
The flower canopy is located on the front entrance of the QM Building which had a double floor height. This serves as a Hybrid space connecting the building with the surrounding nature
This detail model shows the semi-private space that is located at the posterior of the building with a dedicated entrance for the residents of the area
Roof detail at the front entrance of the QM building
is Local food economy which deals with the future of Mehringplatz to be a self sustainable neighbourhood. The second one being public participation which we considered as the most important, the involvement of people thoroughout the design process of Mehringplatz.
Critical Reflection
It takes time and efforts to build on ideas and analyze them simultaneously and hence I am going to critically analyze my work. Every project has its unique design and methodology. Firstly, I will talk about the methodology and the strategies that were developed over time. Secondly I will criticize the two strategies that we developed.
What was my group’s methodology? Since the beginning of this module my group comprised of four people. We were working together through out the module and bonded very well. Unfortunately during the field trip to the site in Berlin only three of us could actually make it to the site because of which it was difficult to explain to the fourth person about the site but it wasn’t an issue in the later stages. Every tuesday after the studio class we all sat together and discussed the events and what the next step should be. Accordingly we scheduled group meetings and met to start working on our next step. In the beginning stages we started with mapping & analysis of data collected on site and on web. After we understood the problems and potential of Mehringplatz we started devising our strategies parallelly looking at similar precedents in the web. Different from our previous strategy each of us completely didn’t work on one strategy but as a group we all worked together on two strategies. This way it was easier to come to terms with each other and we would each add ideas on every stage.
What and how did we decide on our group strategy? Post collecting the data and analysing it thoroughly in the beginning we were slightly confused about which area to focus on as the site was big and it was left up to us to decide the scale of the neighbourhood and city on which we were to concentrate on. We had the different user groups and social groups to focus on so our idea was to chose a governing body as a stakeholder that will be intervening and conducting social exhibitions and forums to bring people together. When we conduted out precedent studies we came across a few interesting ideas that will give life to Mehringplatz in the later years. We decided on the Hybrid design method because in order to bring people together we first wanted to show the amalgamation of building and nature. This led to our two main strategies. The first one
What does our spatial design strategy mean? Hybridity is nothing but to integrate the selected green areas and open areas in Mehringplatz with the surrounding building fabric to create a harmonic relationship between them. There are different sub strategies that are explained on the city scale model and how the connection of spaces such as Urban farms and such headed by Quartiers management will bring upon a change in the future neighbourhood. Local food economy will increase the economical and social importance of area combined with the involvement of the local population to rise and maintain their neighbourhood.
How did my precedent studies influence my individual design strategy? We decided we would work on individual scale ideas instead of four different individual strategies so I worked on strategizing the city scale model. On the city scale model I was basically looking the methods of connecting the tangible and intangible connections with the surrounding spaces with Quartiers Management as the center of interest. The precedent study that we did to understand how local food economy will work influenced my design to locate urban farms and research insitute closely.
What does my individual strategy mean? I looked at the city scale model from three different perspectives i.e., social, economical and ecological. From a social perspective I explain how these proposed interventions will develop and enchance the social relationship in the course of the future years. Local food economy and local product production will lower the price and bring more money for Quartiers Management. Ecologically I looked at how the urban farms and the developed green spaces for public and private use will bring about a change to the micro climate of the area in the future and decrease the pollution effects cause by the heavy traffic around Mehringplatz.
Will my individual strategy work? What are the pros and cons? On a city scale it very hard to decide to what extent can we develop the area and how it is going to affect the surrounding areas. But one can never really say what will be good and what will be bad unless we experiment with it. The jurors received my ideas very well and I had a very good feedback. They liked the idea of making a one governed body that can take responsibility to take care of the neighbourhood. Being physically on the site had a profound affect on the design. But limited by time we coudn’t study the whole area. So that might be one con of our proposal where we don’t know if the area we proposed will actually work.
What is the future of Mehringplatz? Like we explained during our strategies we want to see Mehringplatz as a self sustaining neighbourhood and a socially close society whose decisions will be responsible for all the future actions. Hopefully in the future it will transform from a ‘Neighbourhood Management Community’ to a ‘People Driven Society’
Pin up display at The Well in The Arts Tower, showing all the mapping work and three scale models on the table
What will be the affect of public participation in Mehrigplatz? During this era of ‘internet’ and ‘online social relations’ it is extremely important for people to involve with each other personally and be a part of decision making processes in the neighbourhood.
Conclusion In the end I would like to summarise this critical reflection. my individual strategy on a city scale helped me connect Quartiers Management with important spaces around the area and really gave a depth of understanding of the city. Having chosen a wider topic was good even though at time it was harder to make decisions. I certainly hope one day Quartiers Managemenr becomes the way we as a group strategized its actions for the future.
Section model ( Scale - 1:200 ) displaying different functional spaces of the Quartiers Management Building and the canopy on the street
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