SPI 3101 RETHINKING THE PIAZZA - SIGGIEWI
ROBERT PACE
LUKE SCIBERRAS
FRANCESCO DE BATTISTA
ANALYSIS
CONCEPT
REALIZATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
p4.
LAND USE
p36.
DIAGRAMS
p54.
PLANS
p81.
PLACE CHECK
p6.
MIND MAPPING
p39.
CASE STUDIES
p60.
SECTIONS
p87.
SKETCHES
p8.
SUN PATTERN
p44.
VIEW POINTS
p62.
MATERIALS
p104.
TRAFFIC
p12.
TISSUE
p46.
FRAMING
p64.
OTHER SPACES
p107.
FIGURE/ GROUND
p34.
SWOT
p49.
PASTE UPS
p68.
RENDERS
p117.
3
PHOTOMONTAGES p122.
CONTENTS
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X’INHI L-IK TAR HAĠA IMPORTANTI GĦALIK FIL PJAZZA?
Kwiet / Spazzju tradizjonali
San Nikola / Bqija Toroq / Trassport pubbliku Iz-Zuntier
X’INHI L-EWWEL HAĠA LI TBIDDEL GĦALIK FIL PJAZZA?
Petrol Station
* The remaining 10% mentioned retail shops banks and other ancillery facilities.
Parking, Karozzi
Bankijiet, Iktar dell
Ħamiem, In-nies Ħmieġ
* The locals’ responses always tended to adress more than one main issue.
Mużew
5
KIEKU L-POMPA TAL-PETROL KELLHA TITNEĦĦA MIL-PJAZZA?
* The owner of the petrol station is also in favour of relocating the fuel station.
QUESTIONNAIRE
A SPECIAL PLACE What makes this place special or unique? A unique organic shape and atmosphere. Forms part of a series of nodes leading to each other – effecting each other.
What can we make more of? Open spaces not used to the utmost and are only limited to one use – parking. Central part must be safe and enjoyable. Chapels and statue integrated for appreciation. What potential is there to enhance the place? A more secure public space for the community Meeting place for residents Traditional events respected and promoted.
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A WELL-CONNECTED, ACCESSIBLE AND WELCOMING PLACE
Limitation leads to other open spaces being crowded with cars on certain days - Sunday morning.
How accessible is the place? What limits how easy it is to get around?
How can the place be made more accessible and more welcoming?
Very accessible with a series of nodes leading to the main open space.
Moving petrol station down to the main road Giving the buses parking spaces Designing a safe public area will make the users feel more comfortable within the space.
Limitation created due to drivers not respecting the rules. No strict road paths - negative effect on the place.
How well does the parking work?
A SAFE AND PLEASANT PLACE What makes this place – and its streets and public spaces – safe and pleasant? What detracts from that? Negative - Safety when walking from on place to the other. Positive - Tranquillity in certain time of the day.
How do people enjoy nature here? What is missing? People sit down and enjoy the calm atmosphere. Limited sitting and shading devises.
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A PLANET-FRIENDLY PLACE
How adaptable is the place?
How is waste handled?
Very adaptable if landscaping is not bold with respect to the surroundings. Events must be considered.
Bins are scarce - no recycling bins are found.
How could the place make better use of resources? Solar energy integrated within the design. Without effecting the harmony.
PLACE CHECK
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SKETCHES
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SKETCHES
TRAFFIC THIS SECTION WE SHALL BE SEEING THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE CAUSED BY TRAFFIC AND HOW WE ADDRESSED THEM.
12
The image shows the 3 main connections to Siggiewi by car.
The most important and heavily used is that from Marsa/Qormi/ Hamrun.
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TRAFFIC
14
IN THESE DIAGRAMS WE ARE SHOWING THE BUILD UP OF TRAFFIC AND ITS DIRECTION. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE TRAFFIC, INSTEAD OF DIRECTING TRAFFIC AWAY FROM THE PIAZZA AND THE NARROW STREETS, DOES THE OPPOSITE AND DIRECTS TRAFFIC TOWARDS A COMMON NODE. THE PIAZZA.
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TRAFFIC
WHY ACCESS THE PIAZZA BY CAR? THERE ARE TWO MAIN REASONS WHY THE PIAZZA WOULD BE ACCESSED USING A VEHICLE. 16
EITHER BECAUSE ONE WOULD NEED TO USE THE AMENITIES LOCATED WITHIN THE PIAZZA, SUCH AS THE CHURCH, PHARMACY, BARS OR PETROL STATION. OR AS A TRAFFIC NODE TO GET FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.
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TRAFFIC
FILM STILLS 1pm_THURSDAY
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THE IMAGES ON THE SIDE ARE TAKEN FROM A MOVIE WHICH WAS RECORDED OVER A 30 MINUTE PERIOD ON A THURSDAY AT 1PM. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CARS THAT PASSED DURING THIS PERIOD WAS RECORDED TO BE 113 CARS.
FILM STILLS 5pm_THURSDAY THE IMAGES ON THE SIDE ARE TAKEN FROM A MOVIE WHICH WAS RECORDED OVER A 30 MINUTE PERIOD ON A THURSDAY AT 5PM. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CARS THAT PASSED DURING THIS PERIOD WAS RECORDED TO BE 143 CARS.
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TRAFFIC
20
Analysing the video we got results that showed that there is a heavy dependance on the road parallel to the church for traffic coming into the piazza. This is backed up with our studies that cars are forced to enter the piazza as a traffic node.
The way the cars exited the piazza was evenly distributed showing us that there was not a bias towards one direction or location within siggiewi.
21
At this time it was noted that an even greater dependance on the road parallel to that of the church was created. A solution was needed to ease this heavy traffic entering the piazza from this direction.
Again at this point we noticed how the exit out of the piazza was evenly distributed amongst the exits.
TRAFFIC
22
1% THE PERCENTAGE OF CARS THAT STOPPED IN THE PIAZZA AT 1PM
8%
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THE PERCENTAGE OF CARS THAT STOPPED IN THE PIAZZA AT 5PM
TRAFFIC
ROB KRIER(1979). URBAN SPACE “It has a more pronouncedly functional character than the square, which by virtue of its size is a more attractive place to pass the time than the street, in whose confines one is involuntarily caught up in the 24
bustle of traffic. The street is
unsuitable for the flow of motorised traffic, whilst remaining appropriate to human circulation and activity. The number and speed of cars remains a source of
anxiety. The separation of pedestrians and traffic carries with it the danger
of the isolation of the pedestrian zone. Solutions must be carefully worked out
irritation of traffic noise and exhaust fumes away from the pedestrian, without completely distancing one zone from the other.�
which will keep the
JAN GEHL on CITIES FOR THE PEOPLE While reading Jan Gehl’s works regarding publis spaces we realised that we agreed with many things that were being said. Mostly the fact of having a
shared space, interested us the most. We wanted to apply this to our site in Siggiewi. To use a term Gehl coined, we wished to copenhagenize the area.
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Not to the extent that it becomes solely cycling and pedestrian area, but so that a balance is created so the people feel secure. “The underlying idea of these so-called shared streets is that they will give trucks, cars, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians of all ages the opportunity to travel quietly,
side by side and with good eye contact.”
TRAFFIC
26
SOLUTION
27
HOW WE APPLY THESE WORKS TO OUR SITE
TRAFFIC
28
THESE DIAGRAMS SHOW HOW WE CHOSE TO TACKLE THE SITUATION OF TRAFFIC. WE WANTED TO CREATE A FLOW WITHIN THE PERIPHERY OF SIGGIEWI TO AVOID TRAFFIC FROM ENTERING THE MAIN CORE, THUS FREEING THIS UP MORE FOR PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC. THE IDEA WAS TO FIND A BALANCE BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND THE PERSON.
29
TRAFFIC
30
SINCE SO LITTLE CARS WERE STOPPING IN THE PIAZZA WE REALISED THAT PEOPLE WERE USING THE PIAZZA MORE AS A MEANS OF GETTING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.
WE BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD BE SOLVED AND TACKLED IN A BETTER WAY BY MAKING BETTER USE OF THE
ROADS TOWARDS THE EXTREMITIES OF THE PIAZZA, WHICH ARE BETTER SUITED FOR TAKING TRAFFIC OTHER THAN THE NARROW ROADS OF THE CENTRE. THE ADJACENT IMAGES SHOW HOW WE DID THIS BY OPENING UP AND LIBERATING A FEW ROADS, THUS CREATING A MORE FLOWING NETWROK.
31
TRAFFIC
32
TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE IMMEDIATE PIAZZA, WE CAN SEE THE CHANGES WE HAVE DONE AND HOW THEY AFFECTED THE SPACE.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT WAS TO HAVE A FLOW FROM THE ALLEYWAYS TO THE PIAZZA, WHICH IS NOT DISRUPTED BY A ROAD THUS GIVING A FULL VIEW OF THE
IMMEDIATELY WE HAVE FREED UP THE
FACADES.
ALLEYWAYS FOR EXPLORING, AS WELL AS GIVING THE CHURCH A BETTER “ZUNTIER” FEELING.
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TRAFFIC
34
FIGURE/GROUND THE THREE IMAGES ACCOMPANIED HERE ARE THE FIGURE/GROUND ANALYSIS OF THE TOWN SIGGIEWI. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE HOW WE FIRST FIND A MAJORITY OF FIELDS AND OPEN SPACES. THE VILLAGE THEN STARTED TO STEADILY GROW AND EXPAND. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT TIMES IS VISIBLE BOTH ON PLAN AND FROM THE SHAPE OF THE PLOTS FOUND AROUND SIGGIEWI.
THE NEWER PLOTS ARE MORE REGULAR IN SIZE AND SHAPE WHEREAS THE OLDER CORE OF SIGGIEWI IS A MEANDERING AND CONFUSING LAYOUT, WHICH IN OUR OPINION IS BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT AS WELL AS GET LOST IN. THIS HELPED US TO GENERATE OUR CONCEPT AT A LATER STAGE.
35
FIGURE/GROUND
36
RELIGIOUS PLACES
RETAIL & BARS
LOCAL AMENITIES
LAND USE THE IMAGES ACCOMPANIED HERE SHOW THE DIFFERENT USES FOUND WITHIN THE PIAZZA.
37
ABANDONED BUILDINGS
BANKS
LAND USE
38
39
MIND MAPPING
MIND MAPPING
LOCAL HOUSE WIFE
LOCAL STUDENT 40
MAIN CHURCH
BANK
MAIN STATUE
NOT/IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
AWARENESS PATH
FOREGIN STUDENT FEMALE
FOREIGN STUDENT MALE
41
MAIN CHURCH
BANK
MAIN STATUE
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
AWARENESS PATH
MIND MAPPING
42
These drawings are our interpretation of the mind maps as well as what we observed on site. The last drawing is what happens when we overlap all the drawings together.
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MIND MAPPING
SUN PATTERN 44
45
JANUARY_EARLY MORNING
JANUARY_LATE AFTERNOON
JULY_EARLY MORNING
JULY_LATE AFTERNOON
SUN PATTERN
TISSUE FOR OUR TISSUE ANALYSIS WE CHOSE TO LOOK AT THREE LOCAL SETTINGS. 46
WE ANALYSED DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF A PIAZZA AND WHAT WORKS WELL FOR THAT CERTAIN SPACE AND MAYBE HOW WE CAN TRY TO APPLY IT TO THE SIGGIEWI PIAZZA.
MELLIEHA SIMILAR SHAPE TO THE PIAZZA WE WERE FACED WITH IN SIGGIEWI
RABAT SIMILAR SHAPE AND DIMENSION ALSO BEING USED AS PARKING GROUND 47
ZEBBUG CHOSEN TO COMPARE HOW TRAFFIC CAN BE MANAGED
TISSUE
48
SWOT
STRENGHTS
WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES
Centralised location Accessibility Daily amenities Landmarks Meeting space Quiet town Traditional events
Disorganised parking Abandoned public spaces Lack of safety Unidentfied boundaries Lack of shelters Traffic pollution Landmarks closed Petrol Station Waste fumes Unsafe/ Lack of sitting space
Organised site Pedestrian priority area Controlled spaces Open spaces connections
THREATS Heavy pollution Careless parking Traffic
49
SWOT
50
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CONCEPT
53
SPIDER DIAGRAM
54
THIS IS WHERE OUR CONCEPT TOOK SHAPE. WE WANTED TO FOCUS MAINLY ON THREE THINGS WHICH WE FELT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE SITE AND THAT WE COULD EXPLOIT AS A VIABLE AND INTERESTING WAY TO CREATE THE SPACE.
WE WANT TO EXPLORE MAINLY THE ALLEYWAYS, FACADES AND THE CONCEPT OF EXPLORATION BOTH WITHIN THE IMMEDIATE PIAZZA AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS OF SIGGIEWI.
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DIAGRAMS
BUBBLE DIAGRAMS
56
THE BUBBLE DIAGRAMS ADJACENT SHOW OUR THOUGHT PROCESS. THE FIRST DIAGRAM IS OUR ANALYSIS OF THE DATA WE RECEIVED FROM MIND MAPS AND WHAT WE VISUALIZED. THE ALTERNATE DIAGRAMS SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE WE WANTED TO CREATE WITH CERTAIN SPACES AND RELOCATE OTHER AREAS AROUND TO HAVE A BETTER FLOW.
57
DIAGRAMS
58
HERE WE APPLIED THE BUBBLE DIAGRAMS TO FIT ON SITE SO THAT WE CAN START TO VISUALIZE THE SPACES THAT WERE BEING CREATED.
WE ALSO STARTED TO SKETCH OUT THE VIEW POINTS WE FELT WERE IMPORTANT TO SEE HOW THESE OVERLAP. THIS HELPED US TO MAP OUT OUR CONCEPT AND START NOTICING HOW TO TACKLE ISSUES OF SPACE IN BOTH THE HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL ELEMENTS.
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DIAGRAMS
CASE STUDY_ SCHOUWBURGPLEIN ARCHITECT_WEST 8 SITE_ROTTERDAM
THIS CASE STUDY INTERESTED US IN THE PATTERN THAT WAS CREATED FROM THE DIFFERENT TILING AND HOW IT GAVE THE SPACE A NEW LIFE. WE ALSO WE DRAWN INTO THE USE OF HAVING FURNITURE THAT DEFINES A SPACE, SUCH AS THE HUGE CRANE LIGHTS PAINTED RED.
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CASE STUDY_BANYOLES ARCHITECT_JOSEP MIAS SITE_BANYOLES GIRONA
BANYOLES WAS AN OLD TOWN THAT HAD A DETERIORATED AREA. WHAT MIAS DID HERE WAS CREATE A SPACE WHERE VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS COHABITATED AROUND AN URBAN SYSTEM OF NARROW STREETS AND SIDEWALKS.
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CASE STUDIES
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VIEW POINTS THE ADJACENT IMAGES REVEAL HOW WE ENVISIONED THE PIAZZA’S GEOMETRY. BY TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION DIFFERENT VIEW POINTS WHEN EXITING AN ALLEYWAY AND MAPPING OUT THE VIEW POINTS ON TOP OF EACH OTHER WE WERE ABLE TO CREATE A GEOMETRY REVOLVING AROUND OUR CONCEPT.
WE THEN OVERLAPPED THESE WITH OUR EXISTING NODES OF INTEREST AND WERE ABLE TO CLEARLY SEE WHERE WE COULD INTERVENE AND HOW BEST TO GO ABOUT IT SO AS NOT TO RUIN ANY VIEW POINTS BUT NOT TO HAVE ANY UNITERESTING AREAS.
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WE STILL NEEDED SOMETHING TO BRING ALL THIS TOGETHER FOR A MORE HOLLISTIC VIEW OF OUR VISION FOR THE PIAZZA.
VIEW POINTS
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FRAMING
FRAMING
66
THESE IMAGES SHOW HOW SIGGIEWI IS AN IDEAL LOCATION TO IMPLEMENT OUR CONCEPT OF FRAMING THE SURROUNDINGS USING LIGHTING, PAVING AND OTHER SMALL INSTALLATIONS. 67
MOST VIEWS ARE ALREADY FRAMED WITH THE NARROW STREET AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO WAS ENHANCE THAT SENSE OF FRAMING.
FRAMING
68
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PASTE UPS
70
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PASTE UPS
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PASTE UPS
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PASTE UPS
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REALIZATION
79
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PLANS
81
SCALE 1:500
PLANS
82
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SECTIONS
87
SCALE 1:500
SECTIONS
88
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SECTION A-A
90
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SECTION A-A 1:250
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SECTION B-B
94
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SECTION B-B 1:250
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SECTION C-C
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SECTION C-C 1:250
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SECTION D-D
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SECTION D-D 1:250
Paving - Travertine
Raw Concrete
Different shades of travertine will be used to pave the area. We chose this material as it blends in nicely with the Maltese limestone being used in the buildings. It is also quite resistant to traffic.
Raw concrete is used in the new benches. they will be wrapped in corten to give them and contemporary look.
Corten Steel
104
We used corten as it ages beautifully and still remains its rigidty. We thought it would help the space to have structures that are slightly emphasized against the backdrop.
Maltese Limestone We want to make full use of the natural stone found all around the area and want to be able to show it off.
Aluminum Steel plates
Concrete
these are used to diffuse light onto the facades. they are not higly reflective so as not to cause inconveince, but just enough to reflect light and diffuse any colours visible.
Concrete was chosen as the material for the street. this is because it is more durable for traffic than limestone. The intention is that the concrete is given a pgiment to evoke the travertine paving.
MATERIALS
105
106
OTHER SPACES
107
108
SCALE 1:250
BUS SHELTER THE BUS SHELTER HAS BEEN MOVED TO AN AREA MORE SUITED TO THE HEAVY TRAFFIC. BY MOVING IT AWAY FROM THE PIAZZA WE CLEAR UP A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND POLLUTION CAUSE BY THE BIG VEHICLE, BUT IT IS STILL CLOSE ENOUGH SO AS NOT THE BE A HASSLE TO WALK TO THE PIAZZA FROM HERE.
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OTHER SPACES
110
BY MAKING THE PIAZZA MORE PEDESTRIANIZED WE HAVE CREATED A NEW SPACE WHICH IS A MORE INTIMATE SPACE DUE TO THE CLOSE QUATERS. WE CHOSE TO TREAT THIS SPACE IN THE SAME WAY THAT WE TREATED THE
MAIN PIAZZA BY HAVING THE VIEW POINTS OVERLAPPING AS SHOWN ABOVE. THE FINISHED PRODUCT WOULD LOOK SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHICH IS RENDERED.
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OTHER SPACES
SECTION THROUGH BRISE SOLEIL 1:50
112
ELEVATION BRISE SOLEIL 1:50
BRISE SOLEIL THE BRISE SOLEIL WE HAVE DESIGNED IS A FUNDEMENTAL PART OF OUR PROJECT. IT WILL ACT AS A NODE FOR BOTH TOURSITS AND LOCALS ALIKE, OFFERING SHADE AS WELL AS A GOOD MEETING POINT FOR TOURISTS TO TAKE OFF WHEN EXPLORING THE SURROUNDINGS.
113
WE INTEND TO REUTILIZE THE CHAPEL ADJACENT AS A FORM OF INFORMATION STAND. FOR TOURISTS AND VISITORS
OTHER SPACES
114
SECTION THROUGH WATER FEATURE 1:50
THE WATER FEATURE WAS ADDED TO CREATE SOME MOVEMNT IN THE SPACE AS WELL AS HAVING AN INTERACTIVE ELEMENT WITHIN THE PIAZZA ITSELF. IT IS SHALLOW ENOUGH TO BE SAFE FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY WITH, WHILST AT THE SAME TIME BEING EASY TO CONSTRUCT.
SECTION THROUGH PARKING 1:100
115
THIS DESIGNATED PARKING ZONE IS CREATED TO REPLACE ANY LOST PARKING ZONES CAUSED BY OUR INTERVENTION. THE IDEA IS THAT SINCE THE SITE IS OWNED BY THE CHURCH THEN WE WOULD GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THE CHURCH. MAYBE REFURBISH THE ADJACENT FOOTBALL PITCH OR COME UP WITH IDEAS THAT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO BOTH PARTIES. PARKING PLAN 1:500
OTHER SPACES
116
RENDERS
117
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PHOTOMONTAGES
123
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PHOTOMONTAGES
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PHOTOMONTAGES
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