CHLOE SPIESS THESIS SYNOPSIS + PRO FORMA O.2
CULTURAL rise of domestic abuse during pandemic
DESIGN, SECURITY AND HEALING 2020-2021 Diploma of Architecture Final Design Thesis Mackintosh School of Architecture Glasgow School of Art Tutor: Charlie Sutherland
DISCIPLINE refuge, shelter, restoration, accessibility
TABLE OF CONTENTS 00 Area of Interest
01 Research Question
02 Architectural Technology Focus
03 Bibliography & Sources
04 Case Studies
05 Project Site
06 Synopsis
Headless Gingerbread-man found in East End, Pavement
00 Area of Interest Historic research and narrative architecture. Last year during the Spring Friday Lecture Series, Forensic Architecture gave a talk. Prior to that talk, the student organizers screened a couple of their documentaries. One aspect of their work that interested me was their use of architectural modelling as a tool to re-construct the scene/ what happened where for future prosecution. This unusual dovetailing of design, storytelling, and ethics/criminal justice work captured my
imagination. The ‘why’ of how things came to be is fascinating to me. One studio that I took in undergrad started with the premise that all of nature had been destroyed by humans and that humans were now co-existing with animals in a completely built-over planet. I spent the whole studio developing my own version or history of how this came to be through models and drawings. When I worked in practice I told my employers that I really wanted to learn more about how buildings came together. They then assigned me to work with the architect who created the standard detail library or the office, which was very fulfilling.
Old church-turned Mental Health Centre Opposite Glasgow Green
Notice on bridge going over the Clyde
01 Research Question
How does or can architecture facilitate emotional healing and wellbeing during a pandemic? Explore the issue of domestic violence in relation to the built environment.
“Peace is not just the absence of war. Many women under lockdown for #COVID19 face violence where they should be safest: in their own homes.” - April 6th Tweet by Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN
02 Architectural Technology Focus
One of my favourite concepts of architectural technology is the re-use of ruins within modern buildings or landscapes. In relation to my thesis, the existing decay of human trust and relationship is in need of restoration and restructuring. The built environment that directly supports this should reflect this. In previous projects I would often search google earth for ruins on my sites and incorporate them into my designs. Alternatively, I like imagining how the project once abandoned will decay over time. Tying the material pace of decay to programmatic use is remarkably interesting to me. The functions most essential to the programme become the core of the project. If possible, I would like to use the holistic WELL building standards in the design of my building. The WELL standards seek human health and well-being in the built environment. The ten concepts of the standards: air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind and community will help me to hone all aspects of the project in a productive manner.
03 Bibliography & Sources Already consulted: •Thorne, Helen. Walking with Domestic Abuse Sufferers. London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2018. • Schuman, Tony. “Form and Counterform: Architecture in a Non-Heroic Age.” JAE 35, no. 1 (1981): 2-4. Accessed September 25, 2020. doi:10.2307/1424573. • DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS. “UN Supporting ‘Trapped’ Domestic Violence Victims during COVID-19 Pandemic.” United Nations. United Nations, 2020. https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/un-supporting-%E2%80%98trapped%E2%80%99-domestic-violence-victims-during-covid-19-pandemic. Soon to be consulted: • Hunt, Elle. “City with a Female Face: How Modern Vienna Was Shaped by Women,” May 14, 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/may/14/city-with-a-female-facehow-modern-vienna-was-shaped-by-women. •UN COVID-19 RESPONSE. “Domestic Abuse: How to Respond?” United Nations. United Nations, 2020. https://www. un.org/en/coronavirus/domestic-abuse. •“Domestic Violence and Abuse.” The Glasgow Indicators Project, 2016. https://www.understandingglasgow.com/profiles/evidence_for_action_briefings/domestic_violence_and_ abuse.
New Gorbals Floating Woman Installation
micro-scale
large-scale
medium-scale
04 Case Studies
Ulrike Enslein’s pop-up Confessions exhibit Presented first in Vienna and the Jerusalem, passer-by’s are invited to write confessions on slips of paper, slipping them through slots on the periphery of the box. A “listener” crouches within and reads out confessions out of order. For survivors of domestic violence, a kiosk such as this could be used as a point-of contact.
Lluís Domènech i Montaner’s Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona an experiment for holistic healing - beautiful buildings, ventilation, adequate space and isolation, and aromatic gardens all conspire to make its patients well.
Peter Zumthor’s Kolumba Museum in Cologne – Here the architect leads the visitor on a contemplative journey through ruins to a restful art gallery and secluded courtyard. A very present narrative.
05 Project Site My goal is to locate this resource centre near a peaceful and clean river. Located at the confluence of the rivers Kelvin and Clyde, Partick is my chosen neighbourhood for now. As I continue to explore Glasgow and understand the make-up of the city, it is likely that I will change this location. Finding a site that it both peaceful and convenient will likely be a challenge. Thinking of it as a retreat IN the city may help me to narrow down the options.
Partick Population: 8,884 Urban Density: 10,452/km2
Drumchapel Blairsdardie
North Maryhill/
Lambhill/Milton
Summerston Temple/ Maryhill Anniesland Knightswood Kelvindale/ Road Kelvinside Corridor Ruchhill/ Possilpark Anniesland Hyndland/ Yoker/ Dowanhill/ Scotstoun Partick East Broomhill/ Hillhead/Woodlands Partick West Yorkhill/Anderston Greater Govan
Corkerhill/ North Pollock
Bellahouston/ Craigston/ Pollockshields Mosspark
Pollock
Priesthill/ Househillwood South Nitshill/ Darnley
Pollockshaws/ Mansewood Arden/ Cornwadric
Springburn
City Centre/ Merchant City
Sighthill/ Roystonhill/ Germiston Dennistoun Calton/ Bridgeton
Ibrox/Kingston
Cardonald/ Penilee/ Crookston
Robroyston/ Millerston
Balormock/ Barmulloch
Greater Gorbals
Shawlands/ Govanhill Strathbungo Toryglen Langside/ King’s Park/ Battlefield Mount Florida Newlands/ Cathcart Croftfoot Simshill Castlemilk
Carmunnock
Blackhill/ Hogganfield
Ruchazie/ Garthamlock
Easterhouse
Riddrie/ Cranhill Haghill/ Carntyne
Parkhead/ Dalmarnock
Springboig/ Barlanark
Mount Vernon/ East Shettleston Tollcross/ West Shettleston
Baillieston/ Garrowhill
06 Synopsis Earlier in the summer, a tweet by the UN secretary general challenged my thinking and led me in a direction towards a thesis. “Peace is not just the absence of war. Many women under lockdown for #COVID19 face violence where they should be safest: in their own homes.” Through my thesis, I intend to explore a range of scales of interventions throughout the city that aim to improve the daily lives of people suffering from domestic abuse. Towards this, examining Glasgow’s urban condition and reading relevant research to understand what makes a safe space will be important. While undertaking urban studies through collages and sketching and historical research, I hope to find a ruined building to incorporate into my scheme. The program will evolve as the semester progresses. A theme of restoration – of human trust and of the built environment, will be prevalent throughout the project. Specific actions: - Study the city through the eyes of the women who dwell in it - Create a sketched/collaged visual survey of exterior spaces in the city. What feels safe? What feels dangerous? - Examine selected case studies. Why was that approach used in that setting?
