the missing link of the chain
THE SZCZECIN MECHANISM
Dimitrios Triantafyllou
@ All rights reserved under International Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo-copying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or specific copyright owners.
This project was developed for the Master dissertation project within the International Master of Architecture in Resilient and Sustainable Strategies, within the project of Shaping European Cities promote by Fundació Mies van der Rohe and Creative Europe (European Commission).
AUTHOR Dimitrios Triantafyllou ACADEMIC PROMOTER Martine De Maeseneer martine.demaeseneer@kuleuven.be
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Faculty of Architecture Campus Sint-Lucas, Ghent 51, Hoogstraat 9000 Gent, Belgium www.arch.kuleuven.be www.internationalmasterofarchitecture.be
“the missing link of the chain THE SZCZECIN MECHANISM” Master Dissertation Thesis. www.miesbcn.com
2016-2017. Finished and printed on June 2017. “International Master of Science in Architecture” KULeuven, Faculty of Architecture, Campus Sint Lucas Gent
www.ec.europa.eu/programmes/creative-europe/
INDEX
Abstract
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Chapter 1:
11
About Szczecin
Chapter 2:
17
City’s Identity
Chapter 3:
31
The 6 gears of Szczecin
Chapter 4:
45
So, what is Szczecin?
Chapter 5:
55
The Mechanism
Chapter 6:
69
Grodzka Island: The Generator of the chain
Chapter 7:
85
Museum of the Baltic Sea
Chapter 8:
107
Baltic Sea Fleet
Chapter 9:
117
Memory of Szczecin
Conclusion
131
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The Szczecin Mechanism Dimitrios Triantafyllou
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Abstract Szczecin. The city of a million faces. The city which was part of several different countries through the years. The city built and demolished twice. The city located at the crossroad of the east and the west civilisations. The city which is still searching for its identity. The main idea of the project has been developed following two axes. The first axis is the stacked identity of the city. Szczecin wasn’t only evolved in circles like most of the cities, but also vertically, when the new conqueror in every phase of its history was building on top of the existing city plan. That created a multilayered identity which, until now, stays invisible and buried deep into the ground. The second axis is the present state of Szczecin. Following a precise tomography of the city and by turning it into a circular section of it, we end up with a diagram which shows the size, the density, the heights, the landmarks, the skyline and a few more characteristics about Szczecin. The result of the combination of those two axes is the Szczecin Mechanism. The Szczecin Mechanism is the main design principal. The Szczecin Mechanism gave birth to the missing link of the chain, the Grodzka Island, a virgin island in the heart of Oder river. Grodzka Island is organised according to the principals of the positive and negative pole of the Szczecin Mechanism. The positive pole is translated as the Museum of the Baltic Sea, a museum which functions as the connecting link between the two banks of the river. The museum, as an extension of the city, connects the west with the east side, attracts people back on the historical river and indicates Szczecin as a powerful Baltic Sea port. On the negative pole, it is located the Memory of Szczecin. Memory of Szczecin is an underground memorial of the history of the city. It is developed in several layers deep under our feet as a time travel gesture. The two poles are connected with the Baltic Sea Fleet, an experiential thematic park. On this park, the visitor experiences the Baltic ship replicas in real scale, which are placed in artificial ports across the shores of the Grodzka Island.
Abstract Chapter 1 About Szczecin
A time travel in the city of a million faces. A deep trip into history. A walk in the Baltic Sea Fleet. A journey with Szczecin’s Mechanism.
1 Chapter
About Szczecin
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Szczecin
The Szczecin Mechanism Dimitrios Triantafyllou
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Szczecin’s Location The city of Szczecin is located on the north-west side of Poland, next to the borders with Germany. It is the capital of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. It is the 7th largest city in Poland with around 400.000 citizens. Szczecin is built next to Oder river, a river that rises in the Czech Republic, crosses Poland and empties in the Baltic sea. The depth of the river is around 12 meters deep in the area close to Szczecin and consist one of the main water arteries to the Baltic sea. Its presence plays a crucial role in the evolution of the city, which, still nowadays, creates one of the biggest ports in the area. Szczecin is also located next to Szczecin Lagoon, a green wetland which serves fishing grounds, ship pathways and multiple recreation activities.
Fig. 1 - location of Szczecin in Europe
Chapter 1 About Szczecin
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SWEDEN
DENMARK
Copenhagen Malmo
Baltic Sea
Szczecin
GERMANY
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POLAND Berlin
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Szczecin’s short History Szczecin firstly established in the 8th century as a Slavic Pomeranian stronghold. In 1630, the Swedish Empire took the control of the city, but only for 90 years. The Kingdom of Prussia acquired the city in 1720 and Szczecin became the capital of the Province of Pomerania. In 1870 Szczecin became part of the German empire and was the main port of Berlin until the 2nd World War when the city was totally destroyed by the bombing of the allied forces. In 1945, Poland took the control of the city, rebuilt it and added one more character in the city of a million faces and identities. Szczecin was a chameleon that was conforming in any phase of history. Each civilisation that stepped on this land left something behind, that created today’s image of the city.
Fig. 2 - location of Szczecin in The Baltic Sea
Chapter 1 About Szczecin
2 Chapter
City’s Identity
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1894 1929
1930 1939
1945 2016
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Mapping The image of Szczecin changed through the years. The last century the boundaries of the cities were reshaped, the river changed its route, the urban planning changed radically especially after the second World War and most of the landmarks of the city were destroyed. These changes formed a new city on top of the old city. Stettin became Szczecin. Berlin’s biggest port became a small port in the Baltic Sea. The dense medieval city became a soviet post-war city.
Fig. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 - maps of Szczecin from 1894 to 2016
Chapter 2 City’s Identity
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Demolition After the bombing of the Allied forces during the second World War, the city was totally destroyed. The most crucial areas of the powerful German port, like the centre and the areas around the river, were totally demolished. This destruction converted Szczecin in a flat land full of ruins and dust. The city lost almost everything that was built the last 1000 years, from its establishment to that day.
Fig. 9 - map of destroyed of Szczecin areas destroyed by 70%-100%
areas destroyed by 35%-70%
areas destroyed by 10%-35%
Chapter 2 City’s Identity
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1931
1958
2016
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Birth of a new identity In the following photos, we can clearly identify the three main identities that Szczecin had through the last century. All those photos were taken from the top of Szczecin’s Cathedral, towards the same area. Firstly, in 1930 we see a dense medieval city. The river was directly interacting with the city. Its orientation shows that the city was totally depending on the water which was the main source of life. Afterwards, 15 years after the end of the war, the land was still a flat land with only a few buildings which survived. The only building that stands alone in the middle of the field in the today’s city centre, hosts the city hall. Also, a few lines on the land were engraved and created the first canvas for the new urban plan. Lastly, today’s picture shows the Soviet constructivist architecture of the city. The density and the scale had dramatically changed and the river now is an element totally unconnected with the mainland.
Fig. 10, 11, 12 - Szczecin in 1931, 1958 and 2016
Chapter 2 City’s Identity
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Szczecin today Szczecin nowadays is a city with a lost identity. All those layers of history one stacked on top of the other created a mixed impression. Several densities, different architecture styles, confusing infrastructure, height variety are some of the phrases that could describe today’s situation. A few fragments of history are still standing there. They outstand in the horizon and give us a taste of the past, connect the memory with the present and give us a promise for the future.
Fig. 13 - aspect of the city of Szczecin
Chapter 2 City’s Identity
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Density The following images show the relation between the size of the plots in the centre of the city, compared with the built land. The urban plan of the present state is mostly an orthogonal system defined by a few wide streets which cross the city in both directions. Those main streets create the main circulation network and give birth to several junctions in their meeting points. The built area, unlike the density of the past, gives vast open spaces back to the city. Big voids are created in between the new buildings that create inner gardens for the inhabitants of the area, recreation spaces for the citizens and breath to the city. Szczecin’s city centre, in contrast with any other city of its size, has a sparse centre without dense apartment blocks and noisy streets, but a suburban area with several unbuilt plots and various spaces for future plans.
Fig. 14, 15 - plot sizes of the city centre and built areas
Chapter 2 City’s Identity
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Philharmonic Hall | Estudio Barozzi Veiga In 2015 a new city was added to the global architectural map. The iconic building of the new Philarmonic Hall, designed by Estudio Barozzi Veiga was awarded the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture - Mies van der Rohe Award 2015. The architectural interest of the world turned its view to this unknown by now, Polish city and made it stood out. This awarded project reshaped the city of Szczecin and gave her a European profile. Now, the skyline of Szczecin has a new landmark. Among the medieval churches, the post-war building blocks and the still river, a new crooked line was added on top of a glass translucent box as a symbolic gesture of the 21st century. The new building gave a new character to the city. It tries to define the blurred city centre, gives importance in the open space in front of it and motivates the citizens.
Fig. 16 - aspect of the new building of the Philarmonic Hall
Chapter 2 City’s Identity
3 Chapter
The 4 gears of Szczecin
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800 1400 1550 1700 1800 1900 2000
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Gear 1 | Time Phases The first reading of Szczecin focuses on the size and shape of the city throughout the last 1300 years. The city was established the 8th century as a small Slavic Pomeranian city next to the Oder river. The next years, as most of the cities in the world, evolved in concentric circles. The centre was maintained the same and its edges started touching also the banks of other canals as well as the Dabie lake, that stands next to the city.
Fig. 17 - evolution of the city from the 8th century until today
Chapter 3 The 4 gears of Szczecin
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Gear 2 | Landmarks The landmarks of every city are those who give them their identity. Landmarks give the first impression and form the profile of it. On this diagram, we see in related scale the seven most important landmarks of Szczecin. Their size varies from just 15 meters in height up to 110 meters, the pick of the cathedral. All of them are public buildings like religious spaces, museums etc and indicate the city centre. The interesting fact is that six out of those seven landmarks were built before the second World War and were restored after it. The Philarmonic Hall is the only landmark of the city which is built the last 70 years.
Fig. 18 - landmarks of Szczecin
Chapter 3 The 4 gears of Szczecin
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G F E
D A
C
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Gear 3 | Accessibility The forth “gear� is the accessibility between those 7 landmarks. We notice that five out seven landmarks are located on the west side of the Oder river. The connection in between them is short and someone can reach any of those landmarks fast without major obstacles or non-direct connections. The misconnection is noticed when someone wants to access landmarks A and B (Old Slaughter House and Izba Celna) and has to cross the river. The connection of the two banks, especially in the north part, lacks in short connection between the two sides. The absence of pedestrian or cycling bridges creates vast connection problems and isolate the east banks instead of making them part of the main city and creating a powerful link between them.
Fig. 19 - connection between the main landmarks
Chapter 3 The 4 gears of Szczecin
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Gear 4 | Two sides Oder River looks at the west and east side of the city. It cuts the city in two totally different parts according to their density, character and impression. The west side is considered as the centre. Most landmarks are visible from there and in combination with the rest of the infrastructure, creates the “noisy” image and a crooked ridge. On the other side, only a few buildings stand over the horizon. This “peaceful” east side is characterised by the enormous unbuilt areas, the sense of isolation but also the willing for a more promising future.
Fig. 20, 21 - the skyline on the two sides of the river
Chapter 3 The 4 gears of Szczecin
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Phaistos Disc Crete, Greece 17th century BC
Mayan Calenar Central America 5th century BC
CD-Rom Japan 1982 AD
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Recording Data Following the previous diagrams, we need to record all the results above, into similar diagrams. The technique that is followed is the circular writing of information. This technique was first noticed on a circular clay plate found in the city of Phaistos in the island of Crete in Greece. This plate has not yet been decrypted, but it is supposed that the written message is a pray to gods. The next remarkable example is the Mayan calendar. On this calendar the Mayans recorded information related with time, politics and religion. It is shown a combination of information in just one disc and expresses their culture and history. The last example comes from our age. The practicality of the circular recording is obvious and modern technology uses it in several products such as lp disks, cd-roms and hard drives.
Fig. 22, 23, 24 - circular recording through years
Chapter 3 The 4 gears of Szczecin
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Gear 1
Gear 2
Time Phases
Landmarks
The city evolved in concentric circles like the trunk of a tree.
The 7 city landmarks in a circular height diagram.
Gear 3
Gear 4
Accessibility
Two sides
The connection between the 7 landmarks according to distance and obstacles.
The west and the east side of the Oder river.
43
Fig. 25, 26, 27, 28 - 4 gears of Szczecin
Chapter 3 The 4 gears of Szczecin
4 Chapter
So, what is Szczecin?
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Middle Ages
the busy River
20th century
the crowded Banks
Nowadays
focus on the Mainland
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Szczecin is
THE RIVER The shape and use of Oder river, the main river of Szczecin, wasn’t the same through the years. According to the character and the orientation of the city the river was reshaped several times. At first, during its medieval period, the river was the protagonist of the scene. The river was the main source of life and economy. In the 20th century, the most important part of the river was the port. The transportation, the trade and the navy forces of Germany, were all depending on Szczecin’s port. Although, today, we see a different treat on this historical river. The transportation has stopped and the trade is almost invisible. The city turned its back to the water source and stayed in the inner land without any relation with it.
Fig. 29 - the three phases of the river
Chapter 4 So, what is Szczecin?
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Szczecin is
THE PEOPLE Following the previous section, the city turned its back to the Oder river. People are no longer connected with the river or its banks. The majority of the citizens are now gathered in the mainland. Big commercial centres became the new trend of the city and created the main circulation core of the people. In addition, the new vertical and horizontal streets create a grid of circulation that holds the citizens inside it. This grid, on one hand, connects the majority of landmarks and points of interest, but on the other hand, disconnects the city from the river.
Fig. 30 - impression of gathering points of people in the city
Chapter 4 So, what is Szczecin?
+0.00
Deconstruction of the Fortifications Magdeburg Rights Brandenburgian army invasion
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13th Century
Danish Invasion Army
-1.00
Principal City
-2.00 Otton z Bambeguis Mission Invasion of Boleslaw Krzywousty 12th Century
Surrounding Fortress
-3.00
Construction of Flood Ditch
Beginnings of the Republic City 11th Century
-4.00
Early Piast Period 10th Century
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Rustic Houses
Plaited Houses
-5.00
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Szczecin is
LAYERS OF HISTORY Szczecin is not an average city that evolved peacefully during the years. Szczecin was part of several countries throughout the years and it was built twice. The result we see today is a combination of all those layers of history, one stacked on top of the other. This image shows the stratification of the land of Szczecin from the first colony until the 13th century. This reminds this special character of the city, how it was evolved and how the ground was elevated by 5 meters and changed totally the landscape of the area.
Fig. 31 - Szczecin’s stratification
Chapter 4 So, what is Szczecin?
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SO, WHAT IS SZCZECIN?
Szczecin is a network of
THE RIVER THE PEOPLE LAYERS OF HISTORY
Fig. 32 - tomography of the city
Chapter 4 So, what is Szczecin?
5 Chapter
The Mechanism
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Reconstruction
Polish City
World War II
19th–20th century Period
17th-19th century Period
Principal City
Fortress
Republic City
First settlement
8th century
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A stacked Identity As we have seen before, Szczecin is a result of different layers of history stacked one on top of the other. The Slavic Pomeranian city became a Swedish city. Then Germans took it under control, they turned it into the biggest port of their empire. The bombs of the allied forces destroyed it and now, the Polish government is responsible for the renaissance of the city. This tower of layers is the first trigger of the missing link of the chain that will make the mechanism of Szczecin function again.
Fig. 33 - the stacked layers of history
Chapter 5 The Mechanism
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Density In this image, it is shown the relation between the seven landmarks and the density of the city. The following diagram shows a tomography in the city of Szczecin. The sections are made every 50 meters and show the relative height of the buildings, as well as the density of them. The dense and partly high-rise west side comes in contrast with the unbuilt east side. The infrastructure creates a bouncy artificial landscape which was created throughout all those years of the evolution of Szczecin.
Fig. 34 - network of the city
Chapter 5 The Mechanism
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The Szczecin Mechanism The Szczecin Mechanism is the main inspiration for the whole intervention in the city. The Szczecin Mechanism shows the past, the present and the future. Gives the impression of density and infrastructure. Tells the story of Szczecin but keeps its heart as an unsolved mystery. The Szczecin Mechanism can give answers to questions that were mentioned before. It creates new links between the memory and the evolution of the city. The Szczecin Mechanism should be a new boost for the importance of the river. It can be a connection between the two sides of the city. It will motivate social interaction and bring people back together.
Fig. 35 - the Szczecin Mechanism
Chapter 5 The Mechanism
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Positive | Negative The Szczecin Mechanism is like a battery with a positive and a negative pole. Those two pieces of the mechanism are connected and function as a whole or they can be detached and behave differently. One is the supplement of the other but also its extension. The two elements work together but answer different questions, create a diverse architectural experience and host multiple functions.
Fig. 36 - the two poles of the Szczecin Mechanism
Chapter 5 The Mechanism
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The Positive Pole The Positive Pole of the Szczecin Mechanism is an absolutely introvert object. The orientation of it looks directly in the core of it. The exterior is invisible. The Positive Pole functions as an interior public space with the interaction of the people as its main purpose. The atmosphere of an amphitheatre that creates, triggers visitors in a conversation with each other.
Fig. 37 - the positive pole of the Szczecin Mechanism
Chapter 5 The Mechanism
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The Negative Pole The Negative Pole of the Szczecin Mechanism is an extrovert element. It is a piece that stands in the city and interacts with it. The Negative Pole becomes an extension of the surroundings. It can host people around it and create special atmospherical conditions. It can function as an urban canopy or as a shelter from sun and rain for its guests.
Fig. 38 - the negative pole of the Szczecin Mechanism
Chapter 5 The Mechanism
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Grodzka Island:
The Generator of the chain
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Chapter 6 Grodzka Island: The Generator of the chain
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d
an
ka
dz
o Gr
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The Generator of the Chain As the generator of the Chain it is used the Grodzka island. Grodzka Island is located in Oder river and stands in the middle between the west and the east side of the city. Its size is around 15 hectares and its length is around 900 metres. Its distance from the mainland varies between 80 to 150 metres. It is an almost abandoned island with only a few fields for farmers and fishermen.
Fig. 40 - The Grodzka Island located in Oder river
Chapter 6 Grodzka Island: The Generator of the chain
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T
ES
ka
dz
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W
G
O
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R
RI
VE
R
DE
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Why Grodzka Island? Grodzka Island is located in the intermediate space between the west and the east side of the city. Grodzka Island is the missing link of the chain which gives answers in questions related to the river, the people and the layers of history. Grodzka Island connects the two sides of the city and brings them closer. Grodzka Island becomes the new landmark and makes the network of city landmarks stronger and more accessible. Grodzka Island is not a new city but an extension of the existing. It adds new values, different experiences and creates unfamiliar incentives for the citizens and visitors. Grodzka Island brings back the memory of the past, connects the people of the present and brings hope for the future.
Fig. 41 - Grodzka Island in relation to the city landmarks
Chapter 6 Grodzka Island: The Generator of the chain
+
-
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Positive-Negative Pole Grodzka Island is organised according to the principals of the positive and negative pole of the Szczecin Mechanism. This action creates a powerful network between the two sides. These two new gestures will have common grounds and contradictory characteristics. The negative pole is the supplement of the positive. The one is the continuity of the other.
Fig. 42 - The two gestures on the island
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Connection - Navigation Someone can access the Grodzka island through bridges that connects it with the mainland. At the same time, the island becomes the medium between the two sides of the city and bring the two banks closer. At the lowest part of the island, we find the Museum of the Baltic Sea. Then, the visitor follows a walk of 800 metres length across the island, among the Baltic Sea Fleet. At the end of his tour, he meets the Memory of Szczecin, an underground Memorial of the city.
Grodzka Island - City centre: 900m Grodzka Island - Old Slaughter House: 300m MBS - MOS: 800m West Bank - East Bank: 350m
MBS: Museum of the Baltic BSF: Baltic Sea Fleet MOS: Memory of Szczecin Fig. 43 - route map
Chapter 6 Grodzka Island: The Generator of the chain
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GRI Grodzka Island Grodzka Island is the land where the whole project is been developed. In this 15-hectare virgin island a visitor can experience different occasions related to the history of the city, the present state of it, as well as a future point of reference.
MBS Museum of the Baltic Sea Museum of the Baltic Sea is located in the south part of the island and it is the first element someone meets on his tour. It is a 6-story building which houses exhibits related to the Baltic Sea, its connection with Szczecin, its geological and biological characteristics, as well as a ship exhibition of historical Baltic ships in scale 1:10. The program fulfils the auditorium of 330 seats on the underground level and the Laboratories and the Library on the top floor with a spectacular view around the city and the Grodzka Island.
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MOS Memory of Szczecin In the last part of the tour, we meet the Memory of Szczecin. The Memory of Szczecin is a memorial to the history of the city of Szczecin, the city of a million faces. To enter the building, the visitor should follow a narrow, dark slope which leads him in an underground level as an interpretation to a time travel, back in history. Someone can reach the bottom of this well through a circular ramp to the -32m level.
BSF Baltic Sea Fleet Across the route from south to north, the visitor takes an interactive walk among the Baltic Sea Fleet. On this area, 10 new ports were added and host 10 historical Baltic Ships. These ships were sailing around the Baltic Sea the last 500 years. The visitors have a chance to walk around these real scale replicas, experience their architecture from a very close distance and feel as a part of this impressive fleet.
Chapter 6 Grodzka Island: The Generator of the chain
Fig. 44 - Grodzka Island Section
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Chapter 9 Memory of Szczecin
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7 Chapter
Museum of the Baltic Sea
Chapter 7 Museum of the Baltic Sea
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Chapter 7 Museum of the Baltic Sea
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The Exterior Texture The exterior texture of The Baltic Sea Museum follows the texture of the mechanism. With this gesture, we imprint the skyline of the city on the facade of the museum. The museum becomes the mechanism that enhances its identity, its connection with the surrounding and becomes a powerful landmark designed especially for the city of Szczecin. This mechanism shows different time phases, revives history, expresses density and connects the past with the present.
Fig. 47 - The outer skin
Chapter 7 Museum of the Baltic Sea
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The Interior Loop The interior loop is a helical ramp that runs through the whole volume of the building and connects every level. This ramp stands as a sculpture in the core of the museum. It indicates movement and interaction between the visitors and as a transparent and flexible element creates contrast with the exterior monolithic volume.
Fig. 48 - The helical ramp
Chapter 7 Museum of the Baltic Sea
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LEVEL 5b Laboratories, Library, Reading Room
LEVEL 5a The Baltic Sea Fleet
LEVEL 4 Szczecin and the Baltic Sea
LEVEL 3 Geology - Biology - Economy
LEVEL 2 Countries and Ports
LEVEL 1 History of the Baltic Sea
LEVEL 0 Reception - Lobby - Cafe - Projection Room
LEVEL -1 Auditorium [330 seats]
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Circulation - Programme The Museum of the Baltic Sea is divided into 8 flat circular levels. Those levels are connected with a circular ramp which creates a whirl in the core of the building. A visitor can start his tour on the ground level where he can find the reception, the lobby, the cafeteria and a small projection room. Then, by following the ramp, he reaches the 1st floor and he can start navigating clockwise on it. The tour continues in that way up to the 5th double-height level where the most important room of the exhibition is hosted. Over this floor, someone can find the reading rooms the laboratories and the library. In addition, on level -1 there is a 330-seat auditorium.
Fig. 49 - museum circulation
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LEVEL 0 (+0.00) Reception - Lobby - Cafe - Projection Room Scale 1 : 75
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The ground level stands next to the edge of the island. The edge is formed by several crooked lines which create relaxing platforms for the visitors. In the centre is located an inner courtyard from where you can reach all the The Szczecin Mechanism ground floor facilities. Dimitrios Triantafyllou
Fig. 50 - level 0
LEVEL -1 (-7.50)
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Auditorium [330 seats] Scale 1 : 75
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The auditorium of the museum is located on the underground level. It can host up to 330 people and can be used for conferences, speeches or even small concerts related with the use of the museum. Fig. 51 - level -1
Chapter 7 Museum of the Baltic Sea
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LEVEL 1 (+5.50) History of the Baltic Sea Scale 1 : 75
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The first level stands 5.50m over the ground and hosts the first thematic of the museum. In that space the visitor takes his first tour to the history of the Baltic sea and its importance on the area.
Fig. 52 - level 1
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LEVEL 2 (+11.00) Countries and Ports Scale 1 : 75
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On the next level, someone can take a closer look on the countries and ports of the Baltic Sea. He can take a tour around the Baltic Sea countries such as Poland, Sweden, Finland, Russia and ports like Saint Petersburg, Riga and Gdansk.
Fig. 53 - level 2
Chapter 7 Museum of the Baltic Sea
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LEVEL 3 (+16.50) Geology - Biology - Economy Scale 1 : 75
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On this level, the exhibition hosts the characteristics of the Baltic Sea related with its geological form, the biological elements and the economical profits in the area.
Fig. 54 - level 3
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LEVEL 4 (+22.00) Szczecin and the Baltic Sea Scale 1 : 75
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The 4th level is about the relation of Szczecin with the Baltic Sea throughout the years. The tour starts from the 8th century and the first establishment of the city, it goes through the World War II when Szczecin was the biggest port of Berlin and arrives at the present situation. Fig. 55 - level 4
Chapter 7 Museum of the Baltic Sea
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LEVEL 5a (+27.50) The Baltic Sea Fleet Scale 1 : 75
N
The 5th floor hosts the last and most important thematic of the museum. On this double-height level, the visitor takes a tour among replicas of the Baltic sea fleet in scale 1:10 and experience the connection of the museum with the city through the long vertical openings across the room. Fig. 56 - level 5a
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LEVEL 5b (+31.00) Laboratories, Library, Reading Room Scale 1 : 75
N
The terraces on the 5th floor host the Laboratories of the museum, a Library and reading rooms for the visitors and the researchers.
Fig. 57 - level 5b
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Section On this section, it is shown the proportions of the museum such as the contrast between the main core and the inner atrium. The main core is a stiff introvert space that keeps the visitors of the museum focused on the exhibition, but the helical ramp in the atrium creates a special interaction and offers a physical and optical connection between them.
Fig. 58 - Museum of the Baltic Sea Section
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Chapter 7 Museum of the Baltic Sea
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Baltic Sea Fleet
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Chapter 8 Baltic Sea Fleet
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Szczecin’s Regatta Szczecin’s port have hosted the tall ships races in 2007 and in 2013 and is planning to host them again in 2017. These races attract many people and fulfil the banks of the Oder river with tall ships. With these races, Szczecin shows the maritime force that holds and shows to the sea world its maritime identity. Following the idea of these races of 100 vessels and 2.5 million visitors, we use the Grodzka island as an extension of this big festival. The island is been filled with ports which can host ships of several lengths and creates a permanent ship exhibition.
Fig. 61 - Szczecin’s Regatta 2013
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1. Halny
2.May Flower
3. Minerwa
4. Wasa
5. Bounty
6. Fleuta
7. Dar Pomorza
8. Anna
9. Predistinacja
10. Redut Kale
Length: 21m Width: 6m Year:1973
Length: 70m Width: 8m Year:1834
Length: 42m Width: 7m Year:1785
Length: 91m Width: 14m Year:1929
Length: 65m Width: 10m Year:1701
The Szczecin Mechanism Dimitrios Triantafyllou
Length: 42m Width: 8m Year:1588
Length: 69m Width: 12m Year:1628
Length: 60m Width: 9m Year:1675
Length: 80m Width: 12m Year:1871
Length: 98m Width: 12m Year:1889
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The Fleet The Fleet of the Baltic Sea which is selected for this project is composed of 10 ships, dated from the 16th century until today. The length of those 10 ships varies between 21 to 98 meters. These ships give a spherical impression of the ships which are sailing across the Baltic Sea the last years. Those ships are installed in scale 1:10 on the 5th floor of the museum as well as in real scale along the Grodzka Island.
Fig. 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 - The Baltic Sea Fleet
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The Fleet in scale 1:10 On the 5th floor, the visitor experiences the Fleet in scale 1:10. He can walk around this double-height floor and have a closer look on the ships and at the same time, he can relate the small scale ships with the real scale ships which are lying along the island through the small vertical openings and the big window on the north-east side of the building.
6
7
1 2
4 5
9 8
3 10
Fig. 72 - 5th floor plan
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The Fleet in real scale 1:1 The same fleet lays across the island in real scale. 10 ship replicas have been constructed and placed along the ports. The visitors can experience the ships from a very close distance or even entering inside them.
9 10
7 5 3 1
8 6 4
2
Fig. 73 - The fleet in Grodzka Island
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9 Chapter
Memory of Szczecin
Chapter 9 Memory of Szczecin
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Chapter 9 Memory of Szczecin
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N
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Ground Floor Plan [+0.00] Scale 1 : 75
The Memory of Szczecin is located in the north part of the Grodzka island. This building is a memorial for the history of Szczecin. It stays isolated, away from the noisy part of the island. It is the last step of the whole “The Szczecin Mechanism� experience.
Fig. 75 - Ground Floor Plan
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Section The ground level represents the present. This memorial, on the ground level, stands as an invisible and quiet gesture. At this level someone can look deep into this memorial through the small cutouts which protrude over the ground but he can’t access it. The visitor can access it by the narrow dark ramp that takes him underground. His experience starts by travelling deep into the ground, crossing the layers of history and experience his trip deep into time.
Fig. 76 - Memory of Szczecin - Section
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Going back in time His time travel continues deep down the bottom through a narrow ramp which runs around the main core of the memorial. The connection between the visitor and the memorial comes only when he reaches some small openings through which he can take a glimpse to the core. Someone can have an overall view of the memorial only when he reaches the bottom of the memorial. At this sacred place we can experience all the history which Szczecin has been through. We see all the layers of history one stacked on top of the other. We revive the time travel of the city which experienced the cruel war. We feel the city which has been demolished and has been reborn back from its ashes. And last but not least, we embrace all those citizens of Szczecin which lost their city, their families and their life.
Fig. 77 - travelling back in time
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Chapter 9 Memory of Szczecin
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The Szczecin Mechanism is a hope. A memory of the past. A gesture of revival. A promise for the future.
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Conclusion Following the topic of the Master Dissertation Class “Reshaping European Cities” this project deals with meanings like: new landmark for the city, connection of the two sides, memory of history, remembrance of the past, promise for the future. The Szczecin Mechanism tries to give answers and create a continuity with the 3 main characteristics of the city which are mentioned in the previous pages: -The river -The people -The layers of history The Szczecin Mechanism is not a quiet gesture. It is a crucial intervention with a big impact. The Szczecin Mechanism is the stone we throw “...into the water. Sand swirls up and settles again. The stir was necessary. The stone has found its place. But the pond is no longer the same.” 1 The Szczecin Mechanism deals with time. It revives the memory in present. It doesn’t conceal the pain of the past, but attempts to soften it. It brings hope for a thriving future away from the wounds of the past. Thinking Architecture, Peter Zumthor, Basel: Birkhäuser, 2010
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List of Figures
The Szczecin Mechanism Dimitrios Triantafyllou
Fig. 1
location of Szczecin in Europe [source: by author]
Fig. 2
location of Szczecin in the Baltic Sea [source: by author]
p. 12 p. 14
Fig. 3
maps of Szczecin from 1894 to 2016 [source: History museum of Szczecin]
p. 18
Fig. 4
maps of Szczecin from 1894 to 2016 [source: History museum of Szczecin]
p. 18
Fig. 5
maps of Szczecin from 1894 to 2016 [source: History museum of Szczecin]
p. 18
Fig. 6
maps of Szczecin from 1894 to 2016 [source: History museum of Szczecin]
p. 18
Fig. 7
maps of Szczecin from 1894 to 2016 [source: History museum of Szczecin]
p. 18
Fig. 8
maps of Szczecin from 1894 to 2016 [source: Google Maps]
Fig. 9
map of destroyed Szczecin [source: underground City]
p. 20
Fig. 10
Szczecin in 1931, 1958, 2016 [source: History museum of Szczecin]
p. 22
Fig. 11
Szczecin in 1931, 1958, 2016 [source: History museum of Szczecin]
p. 22
Fig. 12
Szczecin in 1931, 1958, 2016 [source: by author]
p. 22
Fig. 13
aspect of the city of Szczecin [source: by author]
p. 24
Fig. 14
plot sizes of the city centre and built areas [source: by author]
p. 26
Fig. 15
plot sizes of the city centre and built areas [source: by author]
p. 26
Fig. 16
aspect of the new building of the Philarmonic Hall [source: by author]
p. 28
Fig. 17
evolution of the city from the 8th century until today [source: by author]
p. 32
Fig. 18
landmarks of Szczecin [source: by author]
p. 34
Fig. 19
connection between the main landmarks [source: by author]
p. 36
Fig. 20
the skyline on the two sides of the river [source: by author]
p. 38
Fig. 21
the skyline on the two sides of the river [source: by author]
p. 38
Fig. 22
circular recording through years [source: http://www.crystalinks.com]
p. 40
Fig. 23
circular recording through years [source: http://old.world-mysteries.com]
p. 40
Fig. 24
circular recording through years [source: http://phdministriesinc.com]
p. 40
Fig. 25
4 gears of Szczecin [source: by author]
p. 43
Fig. 26
4 gears of Szczecin [source: by author]
p. 43
Fig. 27
4 gears of Szczecin [source: by author]
p. 43
Fig. 28
4 gears of Szczecin [source: by author]
p. 43
Fig. 29
the three phases of the river [source: by author]
p. 46
Fig. 30
impression of the gathering points of people in the city [source: by author]
p. 48
Fig. 31
Szczecin’s stratification [source: History museum of Szczecin]
p. 50
Fig. 32
tomography of the city [source: by author]
p. 52
Fig. 33
the stacked layers of history [source: by author]
p. 56
Fig. 34
network of the city [source: by author]
p. 58
Fig. 35
the Szczecin Mechanism [source: by author]
p. 60
Fig. 36
the two poles of the Szczecin Mechanism [source: by author]
p. 62
Fig. 37
the positive pole of the Szczecin Mechanism [source: by author]
p. 64
Fig. 38
the negative pole of the Szczecin Mechanism [source: by author]
p. 66
Fig. 39
Masterplan [source: by author]
p. 70
p. 18
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Fig. 40
The Grodzka Island located in the Oder river [source: by author]
Fig. 41
Grodzka Island in relation to the city landmarks [source: by author]
p. 74
Fig. 42
the two gestures on the island [source: by author]
p. 76
Fig. 43
route map [source: by author]
p. 78
Fig. 44
Grodzka Island Section [source: by author]
p. 80
Fig. 45
Aerial view [source: by author]
p. 82
Fig. 46
Museum f the Baltic Sea [source: by author]
p. 86
Fig. 47
The outer skin [source: by author]
p. 88
Fig. 48
The helical ramp [source: by author]
p. 90
Fig. 49
museum circulation [source: by author]
p. 92
Fig. 50
Level 0 [source: by author]
p. 94
Fig. 51
Level -1 [source: by author]
p. 95
Fig. 52
Level 1 [source: by author]
p. 96
Fig. 53
Level 2 [source: by author]
p. 97
Fig. 54
Level 3 [source: by author]
p. 98
Fig. 55
Level 4 [source: by author]
Fig. 56
Level 5a [source: by author]
Fig. 57
Level 5b [source: by author]
p. 101
Fig. 58
Museum of the Baltic Sea Section [source: by author]
p. 102
Fig. 59
interior aspect [source: by author]
p. 104
Fig. 60
The Baltic Sea Fleet [source: by author]
p. 108
Fig. 61
Szczecin’s Regatta 2013 [source: https://fineartamerica.com]
p. 110
Fig. 62
The Baltic Sea Fleet [source: by author]
p. 112
Fig. 63
The Baltic Sea Fleet [source: by author]
p. 112
Fig. 64
The Baltic Sea Fleet [source: by author]
p. 112
Fig. 65
The Baltic Sea Fleet [source: by author]
p. 112
Fig. 66
The Baltic Sea Fleet [source: by author]
p. 112
Fig. 67
The Baltic Sea Fleet [source: by author]
p. 112
Fig. 68
The Baltic Sea Fleet [source: by author]
p. 112
Fig. 69
The Baltic Sea Fleet [source: by author]
p. 112
Fig. 70
The Baltic Sea Fleet [source: by author]
p. 112
Fig. 71
The Baltic Sea Fleet [source: by author]
p. 112
Fig. 72
5th Floor Plan [source: by author]
p. 114
Fig. 73
The Fleet in Grodzka Island [source: by author]
p. 115
Fig. 74
Memory of Szczecin [source: by author]
Fig. 75
Ground Floor Plan [source: by author]
p. 120
Fig. 76
Memory of Szczecin Section [source: by author]
p. 122
Fig. 77
travelling back in time [source: by author]
p. 124
Fig. 78
Look to the sky [source: by author]
p. 126
p. 72
p. 99 p. 100
p. 118
ListChapter of Figures 1 About Szczecin
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Hölzer, C., Hundt, T., Lüke, C. & Hamm, O. G. 2008. Riverscapes: designing urban embankments, Basel, Basel: Birkhäuser.
Ku Leuven. 2015. Water Urbanism. River & road as warp & woof. Leuven
IKONA ARCHITEKTURY, Filarmonia im Mieczyslawa karlowicza w szczecinie, 2015
Form Follows Freedom. Architecture for Culture in Poland 2000+, Jacka Purchli i Janusza Sepioła, Midzynarodowe Centrum Kultury, Kraków 2015
Huysse, Andreas. (1993). Monument and Memory in a Postmodern Age.
Atmospheres: architectural environments - surrounding objects, Peter Zumthor, Basel : Birkhäuser, 2006
Thinking Architecture, Peter Zumthor, Basel: Birkhäuser, 2010
Water and architecture, Moore, Charles W., London: Thames and Hudson, 1994
Ecology of Baltic Coastal Waters, Schiewer Ulrich, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2008
The Biotic Community of the Great Lagoon and Its Food Web Model, Norbert Wolnomiejski, Walter De Gruyter Incorporated, 2013
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KU Leuven Faculty of Architecture Campus Sint-Lucas, Ghent www.arch.kuleuven.be www.internationalmasterofarchitecture.be