Urban acupuncture - a light installation to activate an unused pedestrian square in Timișoara

urban acupuncture a light installation to re-activate an unused pedestrian square in Timisoara

arch. Alexandra Maier

the goal of urban acupuncture is to relieve stress in the built environment

“A weed will root into the smallest crack in the asphalt and eventually break the city. Urban acupuncture is the weed and the acupuncture point is the crack. “ Marco Casagrande

intimate ‘light space’ • to re-activate an unused public square, a temporary structure was built in front of the former Municipal Palace • project developed by 4th year students at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism from Timisoara, tutored by Mihai Danciu & Alexandra Maier.

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NOV.

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XMAS

• location: Timisoara - Sinaia Square • close vicinity of city center

• urban transformation • historical square till 1931 when ½ of the plot was built and fenced

1908

1904

2016

© Don Slater

1928

•  current situation: neglected historical public space in which lighting fails to support the creation of urban life

• current use: transit hub 470 sq m bordered with ‘obstacles’

• Square? No one talks about the square.

• Many of them think that the square is only in the name of the area, but they understand the place like a junction.

• Just a transition point, there is nothing there to make them stop “I love the place, but there are issues”

© Don Slater

© Don Slater

• Peripheral pedestrian routes • No interest to open a terrace on municipality call

© Don Slater

• Night lightscape: no luminous interest in the square no shop windows

© Don Slater

• Night lightscape: less light poles for pedestrians, more for the cars some spilled light from the light poles for car traffic

• Night lightscape: red / green lights from traffic lights

© Don Slater

• Developing a solution – An object that brings light for the pedestrians – highlights the necessity of public space for community – acts as a catlyst for social awareness

confronted budget constraints

• first proposals • the design underwent debates

sponsorship

budget: 350 euro

• choose & buy/borrow materials: – 50 m LED neon flex - bought – 54 m PEX-AL tube, precut - borrowed, reused – 200 zip ties < bonus for buying

â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;Ż Developing the final solution

• process of reduction to its essence > • reduce everything to the essential – light becomes the building material

â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;Ż mock-up installation testing structure resistance

• installation day 16:30

• plugged in 17:50

• 18:00

• 18:00

• 18:03 singing carols – architecture student’s chorus

• 18:05

• 18:45

look around. what would you like to see? a place for the people

a renovated clean city, even making suggestions

a new pavement

* a place for young people, where they can find themselves; something that represents them * beautiful people, smiling * beautiful people, more events; something permanent * a closer community and more events of this kind * more room for people * more colour and life *a better place, more animated * young people getting involved * more playground for children * a better place where people can come and use it

* restored buildings and cleanness in the transportation stations * a restored square * renovated buildings; a rehabilitated park * a nice-looking and prosperous city * tearing down booths; a green area instead and sitting places; ‘a positive space’ * i want new urban furniture! i want the tram station to disappear! * clean facades with serene people, trees, Merlin Puppet Theatre full of children, no PVC windows and plastic * a larger space for theatre and music; suggestions: enlargement of the square by eliminating the booths: ticket, flowers, pastry; changing of pavement; DO NOT

* a new flatter pavement that would reflect the spirit of Timisoara; for example a historical map or something more representative * the pavement should be at the same level everywhere; sitting places; quality urban lighting; bars and terraces * a mosaic pavement with the map of Banat! no palm trees and ‘Superman’ statues

* a bar made by and for the people living in the neighborhood (management, cultural events, games) * we want the beer terrace back! * beer, a green life

CUT DOWN THE TREES!

look around. what would you like to see? green spaces

light and festive lights

art & events

* planted trees and street artists * a small park and a commemorative statue * vegetation and children playing; benches and lights * a wonderful garden, a peace and silence oasis * trees, sitting places, green spaces * a green area - maybe a water fountain to fill in the city corner * a green space (park), this area should be exploited for its potential, especially as it’s so close to the center

• more light

* different event shows * different weekend shows * a place dedicated to art * a lively place - with a concert stage, exhibitions, cool installations like this one * a place for painting, music, taking courses

* a luminous place and a display of Santa in his sledge * a Christmas tree made of lights * a fire place and Santa * a fire place * my grandmother’s stove

* space rockets (???)

look around. what would you like to see?

43 answers 12% 16%

30% a place for the people a renovated clean city green spaces

16% 26%

lights arts and events

â&#x20AC;&#x153;the city is a collective dream. to build this dream is vital. without it, there will not be the essential involvement of its inhabitants. it is crucial to project successful scenarios that can be desired by the majority of the population, to the point that they commit to it.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;Ż entertainment value & audience participation

• Light painting by Long exposure

Organizers: • 4th year students at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism from Timisoara, LIGHT EDU Team leaders: • Alexandra Maier, Mihai Danciu, Elettra Bordonaro, Don Slater Sponsor: • ACV COMUNITATE - courtesy of Mihai Danciu With the support of: • Asociatia de la 4 - courtesy of Laurentiu Stanila • architecture students choir • Mihai Munteanu - sound equipment • Paul Munteanu - logistics • Adelina Cioata & Iain - light juggle • Long Exposure - light painting • OAR / Filiala Timis - PEX-AL tubes, warm tea • PROFI supermarket - providing electricity • ELBA COM - assistance in connecting to the electricity grid • Timisoara City Hall - positive resolution of the Advisory Committee on Public Assemblies Photographs: • Ciprian Costache, Don Slater

" These are small interventions that can provide new energy to the city, and provide assistance during the process of long-term planning, which has to take time.”

Jamie Lerner

vibrant communities traditions that connect us to our cities

alexandra.maier@lightedu.eu