DGA portfolio 2014 EN by DGA1

DGA PORTFOLIO DAGNACHEW G.ASEFFA ARCHITECT / URBAN DESIGNER

FOREWORD

I have always been a keen observer of my surroundings and ever since my childhood I have always found it fascinating how we, human beings, obsess ourselves with the process of fabricating our surroundings in accordance to our dreams and aspirations. It is this fascination-coupled with my passion for the visual arts- that lead me to pursue a career in architecture, to which end, I joined the department of architecture of Addis Ababa University where I gained a heightened understanding of Architecture as an artistic and a scientific discipline. Here I not only laid a solid academic foundation by excelling in all my specialized courses and achieving top scores in almost all of them; I have also improved my practical design skills through producing dozens of refined and sensitive works. My undergraduate studies were a journey of explorations and discoveries. Where, while developing my scholastic aptitudes and practical skills, I have refined my aesthetic sensibilities, improving my perception of the world around me, and developing a fundamental understanding of human needs. It was a process of unravelling my potentials

and giving free play of my creative mind. Most of the student project designs are witness to this fact in that they are characterized by bold originality, tempered by meticulous attention to even the minutest detail. In choosing Architecture, I have given full ventilation to my artistic impulses and gained a proper understanding of human comfort demands both physical and psycological. After completing my undergraduate studies, besides teaching at the university-where I got to expand my theoretical knowledge-I was also practicing Architecture gaining experience in the practical application of those theories. During this time I realized that the sole knowledge of designing individual buildings with a high sensibility to detail was insufficient and that a deeper understanding of the built environment from a much larger scale is crucial in order to become a competent spatial designer.This is why-there years after I completed my undergraduate studies-I attended the Master of Human Settlements (MaHS) programme in KULeuven (Belgium) and gained a deeper understanding of the theories and practices of spatial design in its broader

sense. During my two years stay there, I was exposed to a multi- cultural setting where I got to broaden my perspectives by learning how problems are solved differently from one context to another. I also got to experience firsthand the challenges pertaining to organization and execution of teamwork.Over the years, the fascination with spactial design has intensified and in addition to the knowledge Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve obtained from my education, my experience as a practicing Architect / urban designer in various international firms has provided me with an excellent background in the practical aspects related to the conception and execution of Design projects of different scales.And as can be clearly seen from my academic achievements and my portfolio I have grown to be a dedicated professional who tries to get things done as efficiently and with as much quality as possible. I am also a team player always eager to learn from others.

CURRICULUM VITAE

PERSONAL DATA NAME NICKNAME DATE OF BIRTH ADDRESS MOBILE E-MAIL ADDRESS CIVIL STATUS NATIONALITY

Dagnachew G. Aseffa Dagnu 15-06-1981 Leon Lepagestraat 24 1000 Brussels,Belgium +32 475872595 thedangett@gmail.com Single Ethiopian

EDUCATION 2010

MASTER OF URBANISM AND STRATEGIC PLANNING (MaUSP) Post Initial Master Program Architectuur Stedenbouw en Ruimtelijke Ordening (ASRO), Faculty of Engineering, KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN, Leuven, Belgium

GPA-79.42(of 100%) ‘Magna Cum Laude’

STUDIO PROJECT: Liquid Urbanism: New York Region Erie Canal Studio Mediated Pace: Adapting to the Rhythm of Upstate New York THESIS PAPIER: Looking Back At The Future Of Nairobi:Explorations of the role of its infrastructural legacy in (re) constructing its identity 2009

MASTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS (MaHS) Post Initial Master Program Architectuur Stedenbouw en Ruimtelijke Ordening (ASRO), Faculty of Engineering, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

GPA-77.58 % (of 100%) ‘Magna Cum Laude’

THESIS STUDIO PROJECT: Water Urbanism in Hanoi: Red River + Lakes studio THESIS PAPER: Precedents/alternative methods of flood mitigation suitable for the Red River-Hanoi. 2005

1999

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE Bachelor Program Dept. of Architecture, Faculty of Technology, Addis Ababa University

GPA 3.45 (of 4.00) Great distinction

EthiopiëN SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION[E.S.L.S.C.E] Yekatit 12 comprehensive secondary school addis ababa Ethiopia

Grade: 3.6 (of 4.00) Great distinction

WORK EXPERIENCE Aug 2011- Aug 2014

BUUR | bureau voor urbanisme cvba Sluisstraat 79 / 03.02 3000 Leuven, België t +32 (0)16 898 550 www.buur.be e-mail: buur@buur.be

POSITION: Freelance architect / urban designer responsibilities: conception and elaboration of various spatial design projects of different scales.

Jun 2008 - Oct 2010

SYNERGY INTERNATIONAL :architects and engineers, Rue De La Loi, 42 — 1040 Brussels, Belgium t +32 (0)2 640 87 47 f +32 (0)2 648 79 07 e-mail Info@Synergy-International.Com

POSITION: Architect responsibility: working on detailed drawings of the proposed buildings for the ‘Gullele Botanic Garden’ project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

May 2007 - Sep 2008

BEKUR ARCHITECTS Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

POSITION: Freelance architect responsibility: Various architectural design projects

Jan 2006 - Apr 2007

SUBLIME DESIGNERS, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

POSITION: Architect responsibility: Various architectural design projects

Aug 2006 - Dec 2006

EYASSU SIRAJ ARCHITECTS Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

POSITION: Architect responsibility: Various architectural design projects

Sep 2005 - Aug 2006

WOSSEN ARCHITECTS PLC. Mina Building, 4th floor P.O.Box: 496, Addis Ababa, Ethiopië Tel: +251.11.553.7053 Fax:+251.11.553.7054 e-mail:wossen@ethionet.et

POSITION: Architect responsibility: Various architectural design projects

Sep 2005 - Sep 2008

ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY_ Department of Construction Technology & Management P.O.Box 518 Addis Ababa, Ethiopië Telephone: (251-1) 2 76 76 04, Fax: (251-1) 75 23 55 e-mail: aau_conmgmt@yahoo.com

POSITION: Assistant lecturer responsibility: teaching: architectural design

LANGUAGES Amharic English German Dutch French

COMPUTER SKILLS

Auto CAD 2008 (2D and 3D), Adobe Creative cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign,Lightroom, Acrobat), ArcGIS, Vectorworks, Sketch Up 13, sketch Up Podium, Microsoft Office, Archicad , Artlantis, Kerkythea

AWARDS

received a grant from the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR) to attend the Master of Human Settlement (Mahs) program at KULeuven

INTERRESTS 6

mother tongue fluent advanced advanced basic

sketching, playing guitar, learning new software, learning languages, model making

REFERENCES 1

OSWALD DELLICOUR Synergy International Architects and Engineers s.c.r.l Branch Office Ptretoria, Zuid Afrika en Brussel, België oswald.dellicour@synergy-international.com, odellicour.archi@skynet.be

Former employer

JOHAN VAN REETH BUUR | bureau voor urbanisme cvba Sluisstraat 79 / 03.02, 3000 Leuven, België t +32 (0)16 89 85 50 johan@buur.be . www.buur.be

Current collaboration

JAN HAMERLINCK BUUR | bureau voor urbanisme cvba Korenmarkt 14A, 9000 Gent, België g +32 (0)478 27 97 71 t +32 (0)16 89 85 50 jan@buur.be . www.buur.be

Current collaboration

STEVEN BECKERS Certified C2C architect CEO-co-Founder chez Lateral Thinking Factory SCRL Local Solutions A.S.B.L av. de l’échevinage 24 1180 Brussel, België g +32 475 65 34 21 f +32 2 375 24 86 steven@beckers-archi.eu

previous collaboration

Prof. BRUNO DE MEULDER Department of Architecture Kasteelpark Arenberg 1 - box 2431 3001 Leuven, België t +32 16 32 13 37 +32 16 3 21361 bruno.demeulder@isro.kuleuven.be

former professor

Prof. KELLY SHANNON Department of Architecture Kasteelpark Arenberg 51 - box 2431 3001 Leuven, België t +32 16 3 21386 +32 16 3 21391 f +32 16 3 21984 kelly.shannon@asro.kuleuven.be

former professor

PUBLICATIONS ANDWORKSHOPS

Wa wettbewerbe aktuel 96 pages, March 2014 RE:WORK. Making Place for Industry, Logistics and Wholesale in Brussels, 176 p. 2013 Water Urbanism in Hanoi: Red River and Lakes, International Urban Design Workshop , 2009

PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATIONS

• URBANISM

PROJECT:

BUCKOWER VELDEN MISSION: COMPETITION FOR THE PREPARATION OF A MASTER PLAN AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN FOR A GREEN AREA WITH PARK AND AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE (SPECIAL MENTION - 4th PRICE) PERIOD: 2012 LOCATION: BERLIN CLIENT: CITY OF BERLIN I.C.W : BUUR

For the competition ‘Living on the Buckower Fields ‘BUUR was selected by the city of Berlin to make a design proposal for a new housing development on a greenfield site on the southern border of the city . The site is located on the spot where the city ends and the open countryside begins, two opposing conditions separated by the former tracé of the late Berlin Wall. This ‘Mauerweg’ is also an important connection, in that it’s a route that unlocks the landscape and makes it accessible to city dwellers. The new development forms an important gateway for the transition between city and countryside. Base on this concept, we proposed a residential area which is constructed as a dialog between buildings and open space, with housing concentrated in three islands separated by landscape axes. A minimal but fine network of paths and residential streets unlocks the islands and establishes links between town and open countryside. Rainwater is collected and through a network of blue

END USER

DEVELOPER

TYPOLOGIES

REFERENCES

DENSITY

SPATIAL CONDITION

ZONES

BLOCK SIZE

Accent

Accent P-89 Carlos Ferrater Calle Jose Perez Complex

TYPE A

P-358 Edouard Francois Tpwer Flower - Paris

Real estate developer

P-33 Dettli Nussbaumer - Erlimatt - Oberageri

multiple family Slab 15 m Frame

URBAN Density min: GSI=0.8 max: GSI=0.95

FSI =3.4 FSI =3.8

TYPE B

P-141 Pool achitektur - Lux Housing - Vienna

multiple family urban villas

30m TYPE C

SUB URBAN density min: GSI=0.35 max: GSI=0.55

coupled houses

FSI =0.9 FSI =1.5

Raw houses NL-74 Ypenburg gsi0.39 fsi 1.07

TYPE A TYPE B TYPE C TYPE D1 TYPE D 2

NL-31 Holendrecht gsi0.37 fsi0.92

single family piano

Patio single family

Enclosed

60m TYPE D1/D2

Rural Density min: GSI=0.25 max: GSI=0.35

FSI =0.6 FSI =0.9

NL-06 Bergen gsi 0.2 fsi 0.37

D-12 Parksiedlung Spruch gsi0.25 fsi 0.86

ches villa

villa

veins diverted to buffer zones in the southern part. The islands have a clearly profiled edge buildings that make the most of its location on the open, the nuclei creates a diverse game of small linked and stacked dwellings. The wide variety of building and housing types consistent with the heterogeneity of the surrounding urban fabric. For the development of the district we have also developed an innovative strategy that allows temporary use for urban agriculture during the anticipation of the final phase of construction. Plots Even after the last phase the west side of the area remains in use for small - and medium-sized agricultural functions, such as allotments, a sheep grazing area or orchards, ... This makes the Buckower Fields a green residential area which is itself the transition between city and landscape offering its residents the chance to live in green surrounding without compromising its urban quality.

PROJECT:

MARCO POLO MISSION: DRAWING UP A DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF A MIXED-USE LIVE/WORK PROJECT FOR THE MARCO POLO SITE PERIOD: 2011-2012 LOCATION: BRUSSELS CLIENT: REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY BRUSSELS I.C.W : BUUR

The Government of the Brussels-Capital Region has charged the Regional Development Agency of the Brussels-Capital with the development of mixed-use live/ work projects in Brussels. Considering the population growth of the Belgian capital, these projects require an efficient densification while providing sufficient space for the development of economic activities. The Regional Development Agency assumes that the combination of live/work within one single site is possible, insofar as the alignment of both programs has been previously checked from an urban, technical and financial point of view.The Agency asked BUUR to elaborate a development plan for the Marco Polo site, a plot of land located at the entrance of Brussels along the ‘Bergensesteenweg’ and the railroad to Gent. This plan will define the quantitative and qualitative boundary conditions for the architectural development and construction of the project.The development plan proposes to separate as much as possible the traffic generated by the industrial zone from the traffic generated by the residential area, but determines at the same time typologies of built environments allowing a vertical mix. The public domain is also presented as a space to be shared, not only for the internal functioning of the new site, but also as part of a network of streets and squares connecting the surrounding neighbourhoods. The ground-level spaces of the buildings located along the ‘Bergensesteenweg’ will be reserved for retail trade, as an intermediary level between the local shops and the retail trade situated along the ring road.As the site is located at an intermodal junction that is very well connected (trainsubway-bus-transit car park), the project plans a high density development with a floor area ratio of 1,5. Highrise elements formed by residential apartments will mark the entrance of the new neighbourhood, as a landmark that matches the major surrounding infrastructure of the railroad and the ring road.

PROJECT:

KIEVIT DISTRICT MISSION: DESIGN FOR PUBLIC SPACE KIEVIT PHASE 2 (COMPETITION-1ST PRICE) PERIOD: 2012 -ONGOING LOCATION: ANTWERP CLIENT: AG CITY PLANNING AGENCY OF ANTWERP I.C.W : BUUR

The concept of our proposal has been set up around three basic components: identity, greenery and shelter. The public space of the Kievit district has a threefold function: international oriented entrance of the central railroad station; urban working space; green space for the residents. This is the reason why the project focuses on a strong identity: as conciliating element between the different atmospheres and users; as structuring public domain for the entire neighbourhood (both old and new). The green touch was a well determined choice. The heavy green structure offers consistency to the neighbourhood as a whole and gives it an urban green character and image. Trees will be planted at every available spot and will determine the characteristic ’all seasons’ aspect of the area. The project also includes ‘green cushions’: they shape the space and offer shelter through informal green play gardens and seating places. New planted, vertical walls will be part of this green identity.The project also integrates all the necessary spatial and infrastructural connections, liberating the Kievit neighbourhood from its former isolation. The neighbourhood will be rooted in its surroundings by explicit spatial connections both in northsouth and east-west direction.

23/04/2013 Kievit in het groen

SCHETSONTWERP

12 m

PROJECT:

GAZOMETRE MISSION: DRAWING UP A LOCALIZED LAND USE PLAN FOR THE GASOMETER SITE IN SINT JAN MOLENBEEK PERIOD: 2011 -2014 LOCATION: BRUSSELS CLIENT: MUNICIPALITY OF SINT JAN MOLENBEEK I.C.W : BUUR

The site occupies a strategic position within the municipality sint Jean Molenbeek. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the metro station Osseghem at the hinge between the old and the new molenbeek, each very different urban and social profiles. The perimeter is marked by several unbuilt plots. The development of the site has been compromised by the implementation of various projects for which no coherent vision was formulated. It is for this reason that this project strives to work out a project which guarantees quality for the entire urban block. The site is located in an area where several unfinished component urban blocks converge. It currently has several green open spaces However, of little valued and have a display a residual character. The project focuses its attention primarily on these existing green spaces: and aims to improve the legibility and accessibility and to strengthen their ecological, functional, social and heritage qualities. The project also aims to assign a structuring role to these green spaces and transform them into engines for the revitalization of this district.

R+2

R+3

0 Parking

Parking

coupe b-b

3 4 4

2.5 5

7 6 5 4

3 2 1 0 Parking Parking

Parking

coupe c-c version III 3

3 3

6 3

2.5 5

7.5

The project proposes the construction of three green squares which are considered as urban parks with a local importance. Each square is also built around a specific theme: the vegetable garden square, the schools square (bordered by school) and the Gas meter Square. The three squares assure a greater permeability and define the edges for future construction lines.

PROJECT:

STATION AREA ROESELARE MISSION: VISION AND DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL PERIOD: 2013-2014 LOCATION: ROESELARE CLIENT: MUNICIPALITYOF ROESELARE I.C.W : BUUR

The Northern station area in Roeselare is under pressure: with the arrival of a brand new station area, the previously closed and derelict former industrial area suddenly becomes connected to the city center. With the station as a connecting square, Beversesteenweg and the hinterland suddenly become parts of the center of Roeselare. The city has decided to develop a vision for how to build on this new piece of the city, focusing on how and where future project developments can take place. Here we have tried to work in close relation to the needs of society as much as possible. The purpose of this master plan is to ensure a spatially qualitative and socially correct development. The approach to this design study focused on the introduction of hierarchy and identity within this fragmented industrial area and creating a solid framework within which growth can manifest itself.

PROJECT:

WESTAKKERS MISSION: MASTER PLAN FOR THE RE-DEVELOPMENT OF MILITARY DOMAIN WESTAKKERS PERIOD: 2013 -ONGOING LOCATION: SINT-NIKLAAS/BEVEREN CLIENT: PROVINCE OF EAST FLANDERS I.C.W : BUUR

The site is centrally located within Westakkers in thesocalled Flemish Diamond. this area is characterized by a high population density and a high concentration of economic activity. The site Westakkers was a military quarters from 1952 to 2011. As the site has only just left the traces of military activity is still legible. The military past therefore largely determines the identity of the place. The forested edges insulated the former military buildings from the outside world, so the domain still displays a closed character. The forest structure on the site Westakkers is also part of a larger landscape structure, which in the structure plan of the city of Sint - Niklaas is referred to as the so-called “Z - shaped forest structure” : a unifying igure among the sand ridge Maldegem - Stekene and drift sand ridge around the site . More concretely, the site gets significance as part of a continuous ecological green structure between the adjacent recreation area Star and

Parkbos Hof Ter Saxony , Hof ter Welle and Cortewalle . The existing green on the site consists mainly of pines ( Pinus sylvestris ) and an undergrowth. The forest was planted as a monoculture and today little layering. Only at the edges , we see the influence of wind and light a more diversified picture , and higher ecological value . The existing tree population is included in the Biological Valuation Map as ‘ biologically valuable ‘ green. The client has the ambition to stomp. From the ground with the development of the site Westakkers a distinctive and quality project the goal is to achieve an ambitious pilot project that will be unique in Flanders / Belgium. With its own strong identity, the project may even look and appeal across its borders. The project aims to put Sint -Niklaas and / or Waasland back “on the map”. It is a project with (inter) national stature, both in terms of image and approach and its functional interpretation and architecture.

NIEUWKERKEN-WAAS ute

dro

n asla Wa

station Nieuwkerken-waas

SITE Westakkers

M De ster

u rro ato erc

PROJECT:

FREIHAM NORD MISSION: COMPETION FOR THE FIRST CONSTRUCTION PHASE (COMPETITION 4th PRICE) PERIOD: 2011 LOCATION: MUNICH CLIENT: CITY OF MUNICH I.C.W: BUUR

‘Freiham Nord’ is a large, consistent plot of land located within the ring road surrounding the city of München. It is the last site that will be developed as residential area. In the coming 30 years, a new compact and green city district will be created on this land plot of 190 ha, providing housing for 20.000 people and all the necessary social and cultural infrastructure. A competition has been organized to elaborate a masterplan for the first development phase of this new residential area. BUUR had been selected to participate in this competition and won the fourth price.The masterplan we proposed integrates both the landscape qualities of the area and the connections to the existing adjacent neighbourhoods. It conceives the city district as an island surrounded by greenery that links the different contexts between them. The linear building structure of the housing blocks in the east will be continued

in the new residential area. As such, the city will have a new outskirt where landscape and construction will merge. A new residential area will be created integrating the logic and the qualities of its surroundings. The neighbourhood will find its structure and identity in a certain number of connecting and readable systems of public spaces that will be overlapping and complementary: a main structure with central tram line interconnecting three squares where central functions will be concentrated; a green belt with a succession of several landscape rooms as a moderating element between the new residential area and the existing

housing blocks in the east; and a green road that cuts right through the new housing fabric and links the local social functions and the internal blocks of greenery.The masterplan presents a sustainable neighbourhood that favours ecologic, economic and social quality through a combination of traditional urban principles and future oriented visions. It will be a neighbourhood where urban living, benefiting from a maximum offer of equipment and infrastructure, will be combined with unique living qualities at the outskirts of the city, where an open and natural landscape meets and embraces the urban life.

PROJECT:

WIT-GELE KRUIS LIER MISSION: MASTER PLAN FOR THE SITE OF ‘WIT-GELE KRUIS’ IN LIER PERIOD: 2010-2012 LOCATION: LIER CLIENT: CITY OF LIER I.C.W : BUUR

This project involves the building block ( + edges inside area ) a strategic location between Grote Markt, de Antwerpsestraat, de Kolveniersstraat en de Florent Van Cauwenberghstraat the center and the underground parking. The edges are fully built, often with historically valuable buildings and a retail or catering function on the ground floor. The inner area is partially undeveloped and offers opportunities for development. The development of the area should occur within a coherent urban vision, so that the potential of the area is utilized optimally .City Lier had decided to make the following new functions in the block : - commercial space , to expand and strengthen the core shopping area of Lier , where the demand for retail space is large ; - The re-conversion of the existing museum , a range of visitor parking, and also additional housing units where appropriate.

PROJECT:

SCHIPPERSKAAI MISSION: MASTERPLAN FOR THE ‘OUDE DOKKEN’ IN GENT PERIOD: 2013 LOCATION: GENT CLIENT: CITY OF GENT I.C.W: BUUR

dok

kade

promenade

Afrikalaan

spooremplacement

Noord-Zuid structuren

intens brochettemodel

2 26

STADSONTWERP

The core idea of the master plan which was drawn up by OMA in 2004 was clear and strong: the dock is the center of the new development, and strings as a backbone fragments to a new or the existing city. An alternating rhythm of buildings and open areas is elaborated all along the length of the dock, where each space is always echoed on the other side of the dock. The concept of creating a brochette system is of vital importance to guarantee the transverse sense at the dock – and which should ensure that not just a front created along the docks, but lets the atmosphere of water and docks percolates deep into the hinterland - to the limit of rail yard and Westerring Rail. The site Schipperkaai isolates a strip of three construction fields and two green areas on the East Bank of the plan. Today this place has very strong north-south structures: Dock with the quays, Koopvaardijlaan , Africa Avenue , Railway Embankment . They give a strong sense in this context, but also provide an overly strong articulation. Often these infrastructures act as strong separating elements.

versa. The robust master plan orchestrates a simple juxtaposition of the diverse typologies and program components, from land-based homes to tower volumes of social housing to market-oriented housing unit. The diversity occurs within the simple logic, and thus occurs at the forefront. The ‘ between ‘ is as equally important - the place for urban interaction. This creates a socially sustainable neighborhood. The landscape fills the ‘between’, binds and moderates. True to the philosophy of Bureau Bas Smets . Local conditions such as use, zoning and the buildings adapt to this landscape of rich palette. Varied, but still part of a single, consistent landscape. The cadence of buildings and land strips, also incorporates the two green zones, defined in the ‘RUP’ 135. These parks are too small to serve as a true destination for the residents of Gent but they are fantastic as genuine

Accenten Ontwikkeling in stroken Ontwikkeling in stroken Eenheid en eigenheid Kop versus staart Kop versus staart Zicht op water Zicht op

Dubbelsysteem Schipperskaai - Koopvaardijlaan

PRINCIPES VOOR DE SITE STEDENBOUWKUNDIGE INRICHTINGSPRINCIPES VOOR DE SITE STEDENBOUWKUNDIGE INRICHTINGSPRINCIPES VOOR DE SITE

Kop versus staart

• Verschillende behandeling van de uiteinden van • Verschillende factoren bepalend voor inplanting • Strokensysteem bepaalt • Basisordening stroken oost west • Verschillende behandeling van de uiteinden va • Basisordening stroken oost west • • structuur voor bebouwing Verschillende behandelin Ordening stroken • Ordeni de stroken de stroken • Goede bezonning torens de stroken • Windrichting overwegend ZW - turbulentie op Goede bezonning Zicht op water vanuit w Zicht o • Grote openheid aan kant water • Grote openheid aan kant water • • • We zoeken • evenwicht • • (identiteit Grote openheid aan kant Via steegjes / tuinen e Via ste gelijkgronds niveau vermijden door sokkel / • verscheide • Meer gesloten karakter kant Koopvaardijlaan • Meer gesloten karakter kant Koopvaardijlaan • • (coherentie) Meer gesloten karakter k Leefomgeving als gehe • Leefom • Bezonning: hogere volumes kant Koopvaardijlaan zorgen voor minimale impact schaduwwerking • Vrijheid vormentaal • Keuze terugkerend mater • Op basis van zichtlijnen: zichtas vanaf Dampoort (tinten)

STEDENBOUWKUNDIGE INRICHTINGSPRINCIPES VOOR DE SITE Kop versus staart Accenten Eenheid en eigenheid Ontwikkeling in stroken Kop versus staart Accenten INRICHTINGSPRINCIPES EenheidDE en eige STEDENBOUWKUNDIGE VOOR SIT Ontwikkeling in stroken Kop versus staart Accenten Zicht op water Zicht op water Toegangen via Toegangen steegjes STEDENBOUWKUNDIGE INRICHTINGSPRINCIPES VOOR DE SITEvia steegjes

pilots throughout the area. Cross building also implies an obvious relationship with the orthogonal moored houseboats: they are obviously part of the plan, and vice

Ontwikkeling in stroken

• Verschillende behandeling van de uiteinden van • Verschillende factoren bepalend voor inplanting • Strokensysteem bepaalt al sterke houvast / • Basisordening stroken oost west • Verschillende behandeling van de uiteinden van • Verschillende factoren bepalend voor inplanting • Strokensysteem • Basisordening stroken oost west • Verschillende behandeling van de uiteinden van • Verschillende factoren bepalend voor inplanting • Ordening stroken • Ordening stroken • Alle toegangen tot woningen via steegjes • Alle toegangen tot woningen v de stroken torens structuur voor be de stroken structuur voor bebouwing • Goede bezonning torens • Goede bezonning • de stroken Zicht op water vanuit woningen • Zicht op water vanuit woningen • torens Steegjes gericht op water - relatie woning• Steegjes gericht op water - re • Grote openheid aan kant water • Windrichting overwegend ZW - turbulentie op • We zoeken ev • Grote openheid aan kant water • Windrichting overwegend ZW - turbulentie op • We zoeken evenwicht tussen eigenheid • • (identiteit Grote openheid aan kant water • Windrichting overwegend ZW - turbulentie op Via steegjes / tuinen en groen Via steegjes / tuinen en groen water nog versterkt water nog versterkt (identiteit / ve gelijkgronds niveau vermijden door sokkel / • verscheidenheid) en gelijkgronds niveau vermijden door sokkel eenheid • Meer gesloten karakter kant Koopvaardijlaan • Meer gesloten karakter kant Koopvaardijlaan • • (coherentie) Meer gesloten karakter kant Koopvaardijlaan • Bezonning: hogere volumes kant Koopvaardijlaan (coherentie) Leefomgeving als geheel betrokken op water • Leefomgeving als geheel betrokken op water • gelijkgronds niveau vermijden door sokkel Smal: stedelijk karakter / getrechterd zicht • Smal: stedelijk karakter / getre • Bezonning: hogere volumes kant Koopvaardijlaan • • Bezonning: hogere volumes kant Koopvaardijlaan zorgen voor minimale impact schaduwwerking • Vrijheid vorment Enkel toegankelijk voor langzaam verkeer • Enkel toegankelijk voor langza zorgen voor minimale impact schaduwwerking • Vrijheid vormentaal • functies Keuze terugkeren • Op basis van zichtlijnen: zichtas vanaf Dampoort • zorgen voor minimale impact schaduwwerking Collectieve • functies Collectieve krijgen ook toegangen krijgen oo • Keuze terugkerend materiaal en kleurenpalet • Op basis van zichtlijnen: zichtas vanaf Dampoort • Op basis van zichtlijnen: zichtas vanaf Dampoort (tinten) langs kant waterlangs kant water (tinten)

Ontwikkeling in stroken

• Basisordening stroken oost west • Goede bezonning

The proposal is to Intensify the Brochette model The predominant large-scale north-south structures are paired with a finer system of grid strips, cross off the dock, and stretched between the quays and Koopvaardijlaan . It’s a simple, robust organizing principle. Similar to 19th century urbanization plans as the typical London Terraced Houses - in their disarming simplicity forerunner of the garden city and by the time become exceptional living spaces. Or, closer, similar to Toyo Ito’s concept plan in 1993 for New South Antwerp. In so doing we avoid blocking the bank of the dock with our project. The fineness of the grid implies closeness, in contrast to the large scale of the dock and harbor infrastructures: it lets the construction zones come close enough together to allow the emergence urban buildings. With a simple, recognizable dimensions of public spaces: streets and passages, perpendicular to the water. Here and there a square, a raised communal garden, a residential area. Short streets and spaces so that each issue on quay and water, the look even focus on the water. And so the atmosphere of the port

collective residential gardens, directly connected to the housing, so that children can play together safely. The landscaping then put in the continuity of a meaningful landscape through the entire plan, including residential gardens are a special case of a vocabulary that extends all over the open spaces of the plan. The cadence of varying outdoor spaces and their diverse status, a rich diversity of conditions for building and later living arises.

Ontwikkeling in stroken

Dubbelsysteem Schipperskaai - Koopvaardijlaan

De oriëntatie van de bouwstrips loodrecht op het water verhult in haar eenvoud ook een duurzaam-technische grondslag: de oriëntatie speelt, met een NW – ZO gerichtheid van de hoofdgevels, in op een optimale zonne-oriëntatie van de wooneenheden. De wind, hoofdzakelijk aanwaaiend uit het zuidwesten tot westen, passeert zonder al te zware turbulenties doorheen het plan. Torens zijn in dit model niet vrijstaand maar steeds als extrusie geïntegreerd in een bouwstrip – en voorkomen zo in hun volumetrie hinderlijke valwinden en tochteffecten op het publieke domein. De eenvoud van het masterplanschema accommodeert ook vlot verschillende architecturen – en maakt de architectuuropgave relevant: de ontwerpers werd telkens gevraagd een volledige strip onder handen te nemen. Een minimum aan regels verzekert Zicht op water samenhang: materiaalgebruik, bouwhoogte, hoofdtoon in kleurzetting. Architecturale tools als loggia’s, ruime terrassen geschakeld op de woontuinen, wintertuinen, portalen, … worden aangewend om het ‘tussen’ te schakelen op de woning, en de impliciete, fijnschalige rijkdom van het masterplan te veruitwendigen. Het masterplan weigert het gras voor de voeten van architectuur te maaien, en ‘reeds alles op te lossen’. Zo biedt het net ruimte voor architectuur. Dergelijk strokenmodel kan maar werken als het wordt bij elkaar gehouden. Het dubbelsysteem van Schipperskaai en Koopvaardijlaan – uitgebouwd tot groene, geëquipeerde boulevard – rijgt letterlijk de strips aan elkaar tot een werkend geheel, als de bomen van een ladder. Het resultaat is een fijn vertakt netwerk van zachte vervoersverbindingen, met een duidelijke hiërarchie – kade en koopvaardijlaan als Toegangen via doorsteken hoofdroute, dwarsdoorsteken als lokale verbindingen. Een netwerk dat aanknoopt met bestaande en toekomstige routes: de zachte vervoersbruggen over het dok, de routes vanaf Dampoort, de dwarsstraten in de geplande wijk ten oosten van de Koopvaardijlaan, de fiets- en voetgangerswegen doorheen het stadspark…. 4 vrij 26 Ook voor de bouwstrips zijn de koppen bijzondere momenten, met aan de ene zijde het zicht op het dok en stadscentrum en de open relatie met de kade. Aan zijde Koopvaardijlaan maken de koppen de hoeken tussen de woonstraten en de geëquipeerde Boulevard, met een duidelijke nuance tussen een meer publieke plint aan de hoek Afrikalaan en centraal

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STADSONTWERP

PROJECT:

STATION AREA GERAARDSBERGEN MISSION: MASTERPLAN, LEGAL PLAN AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATION AREA (COMPITION 1st PRICE) PERIOD: 2006 -2012 LOCATION: GERAARDSBERGEN CLIENT: CITY OF GERAARDSBERGEN I.C.W : BUUR

The purpose of the masterplan is to convert the current railway station square into the heart of the city neighbourhoods located on the left bank of the Dender, in the same way as the Market square is the center of the neighbourhoods on the right bank. A frame of public spaces that are parallel and perpendicular to the group of railway sidings will stretch this area and provide space for new housing, offices and urban equipment. The masterplan does not only foresee the realization of this frame of public spaces, but also finishes the existing fabric along the historic street grid. This urban fabric is characterized by an unfinished edge along the railway bed. The current back sides and blind spots along the railway infrastructure will be transformed into urban spaces and will create as such a railway landscape.A multiple use car park at the outskirts of the town will be the lever of this urban development. This car park will be partly underground and will use the height difference of the land plot to reduce as much as possible the spatial impact on the houses situated in the back. The bus station will be integrated in the ground level of this transit parking. It will create a new public space that will be connected to the railway station square and the center streets in the back. The bicycle parking will also be integrated in this new transferium. A new footbridge overhanging the railway tracks will provide full accessibility to the platforms, an optimized connection between the transit parking and the platforms and a pedestrian friendly

connection between the city neighbourhoods on both sides of the railway siding.By organizing the bus stop infrastructure parallel to the railway tracks and limit the car traffic to destination traffic, the public transport modes will have free passage in the railway station neighbourhood. The railway station square will become pedestrian friendly and will be transformed into a place dedicated to events.

PROJECT:

OOSTAKKER ZUID MISSION: MASTER PLAN FOR URBAN EDGE RETAIL DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE RING ROAD OF GENT PERIOD: 2012 LOCATION: GENT CLIENT: IMMO TROCH NV / IMMO CLAES NV I.C.W : BUUR

The site Oostakker-Zuid is located on the east side of Ghent and is accessed directly from the R4. The area is within the bounds of the metropolitan area of Ghent and is designated as a site of strategic importance, the city foresees the development of large scale retail of regional significance on this site. BUUR was appointed to draw up a memorandum in which the facility, capacity and actual spatial planning of the areas were tested. We proposed a flexible development system that provides a strong guarantee (commercial) image and identity for the site, both at building and landscape level. Access for all traffic going directly via a new exit roads from the R4 complex. The buildings are pushed to the edges of the site. In

this way, the development presents itself as a cohesive whole to its environment while services and parking unequivocally happen from a central, open forum. The parking is jointly organized together with the entrances (including contiguous canopy structures) and the services of the stores happen along the outside edges. The building envelope opens at strategic locations, to ensure that the retail complex relates to the outside world both physically and visually. This creates a maximum permeability.

PROJECT:

HAMME MISSION: DESIGN FOR THE SURROUNDING OF THE NEW TOWN HALL OF HAMME PERIOD: 2011 LOCATION: HAMME CLIENT: CITY OF HAMME I.C.W : BUUR

This project involves the re-conversion of an inner block into a community garden. This was basically a green area, co-owned by different people. In our proposal we strived to achieve a natural look.By for providing instance, a sunken area in the middle of the garden where infiltration of rainwater from the two buildings is possible. This â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wadiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; will have alternating water levels depending on wether its dry or wet season.The garden is further spiced up with a variety of trees such as linden, magnolia and cherry, which provide beautiful coloring and during flowering season. The existing valuable trees are also integrated into the plan. Following the Nieuwstraat, we provide semi hardening (Scada - Rasenliner), with split or inserts between tiles to let grass grow. The paths are made from recycled concrete curbs.

hamme2020 // thv hamme nieuwstraat // biezestraat 131, 9220 hamme

PROJECT:

DORP MISSION: MASTER PLAN FOR THE TOWN CENTER ADEGEM PERIOD: 2012-2013 LOCATION: ADEGEM CLIENT: MUNICIPALITY OF MALDEGEM I.C.W : BUUR

The Municipality of Maldegem proposes a vision with a horizon2050. This vision draws an ambitious project by which Adegem gets a town center, in which the spatial structures of the past are reinforced and future developments are structured. The mission is to work a plan 2050, ensuring room for growth in the long term, while still permitting short-term actions. The approach of this research focuses on detecting and introducing spatial bearing structures. For each structure are in this sense , some design guidelines provided; such as on how the implantation of the new developments should occur , what type of materials to use , where to provide public green and furniture etc. guaranteeing hierarchy and identity within this historically fragmented public domain and the development of strategic project areas . In addition to the development of a vision for the town center, we were also asked to concretely test the capacity and implementation of some strategic project sites and in this way assist the municipality in the evaluation of future design proposals. Finally we also gave due attention to the redesigning of the N9 and the southern highly sensitive natural reserve area.

PROJECT:

FLOATING URBANISM : IN SEARCH OF NEW URBANITIES MISSION: RESEARCH PROJECT: IN SEARCH FOR NEW URBANITIES PERIOD: 2013 LOCATION: VARIES I.C.W : LATITUDE PLAT FOR URBAN RESEARCH AND DESIGN

The interest in building on water is increasing worldwide especially because of climate change effects, but the research at the urban design level is very limited. Driven by their latest planning and water policies [Nationaal Waterplan, 2009 and Nederland verandert!, 2010], the Netherlands are leading the investigations in this field, showing progressive architectural and technical innovations. However, the existing Dutch projects are still lacking of a fundamental complexity at the urban level and their approach is too much oriented to ‘living on water’ rather than ‘living with water’. Once water is not treated as purely decorative, richer ‘urbanities’ can be imagined. we at LATITUDE believe that looking to regions where the extreme conditions obliged to invent different and qualitative forms of living with the water, can help to rethink water based urbanism in the Netherlands and elsewhere in the world. The research selects 6 consolidated largescale water-based settlements among the Amazon and Mekong Delta ones: Belén Zona Baja, Iquitos (PE), Islandia (PE), Afuá (BR); Chong Khneas (KH), Kampong Phluk (KH), Chao Doc (VN). By referring to those interesting forms of urbanity, we intend to stimulate, on the one hand the debate on the subject and encourage to search for new patterns and lay-outs which can cope with hydrological and environmental changes. On the other hand, the research focuses on the special role of the public space in the ‘search for new urbanities’. Instead of being the simple glue between buildings as we often see n the Dutch projects, the public space can become a nuanced, complex and flexible space that better defines the accessibility by water and land, that solves the relation between built and unbuilt spaces in relation to fixed and

FLOATING URBANISM

in search of new urbanities

changing water levels. Through the analysis of the spatial aspects of the public spaces in the different cases, LATITUDE intends to give stimulating inputs to solve the problems in the design of water based settlements such as accessibility, adaptive capacity of public spaces, density, lack of parking spaces,.. often highlighted by experts, water boards, municipalities and private companies in the Netherlands. The research has resulted in the production of a toolbox of a new spatial vocabulary for the design of water-based developments, a series of synoptic models of the foreign case studies as illustrations and inspirations for innovative urbanities, and a test-case project in the Netherlands where the value of those design tools was applied and tested

PROJECT:

GAZOMETRE MISSION: DRAWING UP A LOCALIZED LAND USE PLAN FOR THE GASOMETER SITE IN SINT JAN MOLENBEEK PERIOD: 2011 -ONGOING LOCATION: BRUSSELS CLIENT: MUNICIPALITY OF SINT JAN MOLENBEEK I.C.W : BUUR

PROJECT:

GASFABRIEK MISSION: SPATIAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN PERIOD: 2011-2013 LOCATION: LIER CLIENT: CITY OF LIER I.C.W : BUUR

PROJECT:

PARCELLATION PLAN MARCO POLO OPDRACHT: PARCELLATION PLAN PERIOD: 2011-ONGOING LOCATION: BRUSSEL CLIENT: CITYDEV BRUSSELS I.C.W : BUUR

PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATIONS

• ARCHITECTURE

PROJECT:

SEYFU RESIDENCE MISSION: DESIGN OF A PRIVATE RESIDENCE PERIOD: 2008 LOCATION: ADDIS ABABA CLIENT: MR. SEYFU FEKADE I.C.W : SUBLIME DESIGNERS

The site on which this rather large house is constructed is located in one of the hilliest parts of Addis ababa. Offering a fantastic view of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skyline which was taken advantage of by the architecture of the building by meticulously orienting the living room and the master bed room towards the city. The basic concept of this design was to come up with a structure that would stand outand adorn the hilltop.The volume was derived from the juxtaposition of a number of rectangular prisms and the interior was carefully studied to achieve an unhindered spatial flow accentuated by the use of optimum daylight. The largest proportion of the interior space is designed in such a way that the circulation and the livable space are intertwined. Except for the three bed rooms and the master bed rooms which have walls separating them from the other rooms, the rest of the space is divided using subtle space definition techniques such as level difference and partial walls.

PROJECT:

POLYVALENT HALL MISSION: DESIGN OF A MULTIPURPOSE HALL PERIOD: 2008 LOCATION: DEBREZEIT CLIENT: MR. HAILE LEUL I.C.W : SUBLIME DESIGNERS

Located in Debrezeit a small industrial town some 45 kms to the south of addis ababa, the site where this mulipurpose hall is constructed is a fairly flat terrain .The client wanted to erect a structure which could mainly function as a wedding hall while being flexible to be adopted for other functions such as gatherings of all sorts.The underlying idea while designing this building was to attain a maximum spatial flexibility. The enclosure was intended to be constructed from locally produced steel and glass. With simple construction details.

PROJECT:

GETACHEW RESIDENCE MISSION: DESIGN OF A PRIVATE RESIDENCE PERIOD: 2007 LOCATION: ADDIS ABABA CLIENT: MR. GETACHEW BELETE I.C.W : SUBLIME DESIGNERS

The brothers owning the adjoining 74 m2 plots on which this building is constructed were at first intending to build separate houses on their respective plots. But as one of the brothers decided to build a bigger his house in another location in town their plans changed, which is why they decided to combine the two plots and build a bigger house to house the family of ato (mr..) Getachew. The client wanted a simple and spatially efficient house which is cheap and easy to construct. Keeping this in mind the concept of this design was to come up with a modern accommodation posing as minimum construction difficulties as possible.

PROJECT:

METASEBIA RESIDENCE MISSION: DESIGN OF A PRIVATE RESIDENCE PERIOD: 2008 LOCATION: ADDIS ABABA CLIENT: MR. METASEBIA SISAY I.C.W -

Intended to be constructed on a 8.8 X 6.5 m2 plot, this house boasts a fairly spacious living space with adjoining dinning, and kitchen space and two bed rooms with separate baths on the upper level. The clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (a friend) inherited a 180 m2 plot from his parents together with his siblings of which this plot is 1/3. His dream was to construct a cosy (albeit little) house where he can move into with his wife-to-be. The challenge of this project was not only that space was in short supply but also finance. Given that the client had a very limited budget. So the idea of the scheme was to design a building that would be constructed from readily accessible materials with as minimum transportation cost as possible. Which is why stone collected from a nearby river was used for the structural walls .floors and roof were designed to be constructed from locally produced wood with simple construction details.Space was conserved by tactfully manipulating the section in such a way that all the available space is transformed into usable space without compromising spatial quality.

PROJECT:

GULLELE BOTANICAL GARDENS MISSION: MASTER PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CITY PARK AND DESIGN OF ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS PERIOD: 2006-2011 LOCATION: ADDIS ABABA CLIENT: ADDIS ABEBA UNIVERSITY AND THE NETHERLANDS EMBASSY I.C.W : SYNERGY INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS

The Gulelle botanic garden project was mainly a study conducted by synergy international in 2006 for a master plan of an urban park of 700 hectares located north of the city of Addis Ababa. This study unravelled the fact that there was a high rate of deforestation in this zone and thus the master plan destined it to become a Botanical Garden in an attempt not only to facilitate the redevelopment of the native vegetation of the area but also to showcase the various species of flora that can be found all around the country.The master plan also proposes two administrative buildings to be placed in the midst of this vast expanse of landscaped botanic garden. One of these buildings was the HoAREC - Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre - for research, promotion and management of the environment.This building was designed to be constructed

entirely with the resources of the immediate environment of the Park also using local manpower thereby creating employment opportunities for the local community. The project has now been constructed phase and fully operational.

ACADEMIC WORKS

Kortrijkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historical and layered city scape offers a rich and heterogeneous set of atmospheres with contrasting qualities all concentrated on a very small area. Our conviction is that the main asset of the city relies exactly within its provincial blend of urban density and countryside tranquillity, a condition in which very different living environments can simultaneously unfold next to each other, potentially attracting a wider variety of urban (and less urban) dwellers.

PROJECT:

KORTRIJK : RE-IMAGINING THE CENTRE MISSION: MASTER OF URBANISM AND STRATEGIC PLANNING STUDIO project PERIOD: 2009 LOCATION: KORTRIJK

This conviction directs a project that aims at using landscape as a means to articulate and enhance the existing contrasts present in the city in a qualitative way. By giving a twist in use and in design to the open spaces as they are present in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fragmented environment, a structure emerges that is coherent and powerful enough to re frame the perception of the whole area. The city appears then like a micro version of the territory, a network of urban nodes and village-like areas relating to each other through the landscape matrix.

DAYCYCLE CURRENT TRAVEL TIME

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4,5 hours

day 2

day 3

5 hours

7 hours

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day 4

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day 5

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CANALSCAPE

RHYTHM (0,5 h) buďŹ&#x20AC;alo

rochester

lockport

rome

syracuse

newark

utica

amsterdam

little falls

albany

oswego

92 2 km fulton

baldwinsville

.0 2

oriskany

north tonawanda fairport tonawanda buďŹ&#x20AC;alo

rome

canastota

clyde macedon

jordan newark

port byron

little falls

utica

syracuse fayetteville

illoin

st.johnsville fonda

auburn fort plain

amsterdam

km 2

6 13

spencerport

rochester

brockport

albion

medina

lockport

canajoharie

schenectady

troy

albany

100

0 feet 10

0 miles

PROJECT:

NEW YORK REGION : LIQUID URBANISM I ERIE CANAL MISSION: MASTER OF URBANISM AND STRATEGIC PLANNING STUDIO project PERIOD: 2009 LOCATION: NEW YORK STATE

1850 1810-40 1810-40 1790

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1800

foet calst op tran

sect 2500

1790 erie canal

erie canal

transe

st.louis

1700 New york

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fe santa

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new orleans

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uis tra

12 00

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st.Lo

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ect 1750

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t 12 00

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1700

new orleans

Looking at the Erie Canal today the remnants of a fast developing industrial corridor are still apparent. This piece of infrastructure made it possible to comfortably cross the barrier of the Appalachians and continue the colonizing march to the West. The rhythm of travelling over the canal greatly determined the urbanisation pattern; cities sprouted where ships had to wait inside locks, paradoxically locating settlements on rugged topography. Over time technological innovations have led to the development of competing infrastructures, designed to facilitate the fast economical development in the region. Natural to this process is the creation of dross: abandoned buildings, infrastructures and open spaces. The Erie Canal, in a way, acts as a collector for many of these waste-spaces in Upstate New York, creating what is now known as part of the “Rust Belt”, a region formerly focused on manufacturing industries and now characterised by urban voids. The name also implies that a slower process of decay has replaced the fast process of growth. In the current trend of globalization the creation of strong (transnational) regions and providing fluent connectivity seem to be crucial to be able to draw and facilitate flows

and transactions. This idea of mega regions changes our perspective on upstate New York completely. The east with New York City as its main node is part of the East Coast Mega region; in the west Buffalo is envisioned as the gate to the Great Lakes Mega region; whereas the rest of the hinterland is turned into an “in-between” space. On the other hand one of the major cyclical processes greatly affecting both the Mega regions and the hinterland are the seasonal changes with a freezing winter and a comfortable summer. Adapting to these (natural) processes has been one of the assets of the region and continuing to do so will play a crucial role in its development. In this current day context dross spaces are often seen as ‘problematic’ or ‘useless’ at best. But this design research argues that these “terrains vague” can play a critical role in mediating between fast processes of development and slower processes and cycles of change. To investigate this further two sites have been chosen: one situated in Buffalo, an important node in a globally competing mega region, and one in the Mohawk Valley, the hinterland “in-between”.

Buffalo used to be one of the main collectors of goods from the centre of the US A, mostly grain, before it was shipped over the Erie Canal towards New York City. Its industrial activities were mostly located around the Buffalo River that acted as an extension of the Canal. Therefore it is also the location of many dross spaces, disconnecting the suburbs south of the river from the shrinking city centre. In the process of sub urbanisation the Greater Buffalo metropolitan area has extended across the Canadian border towards the extending metropolitan area of Toronto. Together with Toronto Buffalo could become the envisioned strong node and gate to the Great Lakes Mega region. Slightly adjusting the proposed high speed rail connection for the region could enforce this cooperation. Locating the new HST station just south of the Buffalo river, close to the waterfront, could not only connect the city to the global network, but also the future development this would bring could also generate a new impulse to this part of the city. But since the sites are located in and around wetlands any future development should also take the slower processes of this fragile ecology into account,

like flooding and freezing, giving them room to happen and using them as assets when possible. For example by providing alternative modes of transportation in different seasons, both fast and slow, adapting program to the seasonal changes and (re)using old infrastructure to facilitate this.

The future development of the mega regions with the implementation of the HST network is enforcing the Mohawk Valley as the infrastructure corridor in between. Though bundles of infrastructure are packed together in this valley, this in-between space is not so well connected to the mega regions, but this also enforces its role as “get-away” destination both winter (skiing) and summer (hiking). The strategy for this area would be one of organising the little development there is on the southfacing slope of the valley, outside the flood zone, together with the crop-wielding fields, while the pasture lands could be located on the north-facing slope. This process would be guided by cultivating the existing water system. By widening the main river’s flood zone using the Erie

SPRING THAW 2009

April 10-20

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April 20-30 April 30-May 10

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after May 30

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black river upper hudson river

lake champlain

ROME

ROCHESTER

lake ontario tributaries UTHICA

SYRACUSE BUFFALO

Mohawk river

SCHENECTADY

niagra falls/lake erie oswego river/finger lakes

TROY ALBANY

genesse river

susquehanna river chemung river

lower hudson river 0

B 4 C

Canal and existing infrastructures, and creating wetlands to slow down the fast runoff the seasonal flood problems downstream would be greatly decreased. On the slopes of the valley the landscape is organised by the creeks and the strips of woodland surrounding them. Enforcing this system by strategically adding forest patches the water runoff could also be slowed down on a smaller scale, but on other places revealing the organising water system by moving the forest further way. Both cases show that the future of Upstate New York lies in mediating between fast processes and slow processes/cycles. Moreover dross spaces like the Erie Canal can be used as an asset to facilitate this.

100

agriculture

farmland

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500 m

watermanagement + leisure

west Canada lake

tourism + urbanisation + forest

woodland

forest + creek

woodland

higher surface run off

wetlands

wetland area

creek

urbanisation + agriculture + agro-tourism

farmland

farmhouse

higher surface run off

farmland

creek

increased percolation

9 ave. annual snow fall stockpiles tall fescue

summer seeded brassicas

7 6

warm season grasses

AVAILABILITY

summer seeded brassicas

tall grasses 150 lb

feb

mar

apr

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5 4 3

legume

2 ave. annual precipitation

kentucky blue grass unimproved

jan

kentucky blue grass improved

1 0 in

jun

jul

aug

sep

oct

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dec

DAGNACHEW G.ASEFFA ARCHITECT / URBAN DESIGNER

ADDRESS

Leon Lepagestraat 24 1000 Brussels,Belgium

E-MAIL

thedangett@gmail.com

Mobile

+320475879525