Daniel Leal by Djleal

Daniel Leal Masters Research Project | Fall 2015 - Spring 2016 University of South Florida School of Architecture + Community Design E: djleal@mail.usf.edu dleal1988@gmail.com C: 813-562-0270

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informal INNOVATION:

occupying the unused vertical landscape

Documentation by:

Daniel Jose Leal

A Masters Research Project presented to the Graduate School of Architecture and Community Design at the University of South Florida in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Masters in Architecture.

Nancy Sanders Associate Professor of Architecture Thesis Chair:

University of South Florida | SACD Thesis Committee:

Robert MacLeod

Professor and Director of Architecture University of South Florida | SACD

JosuĂŠ Robles Caraballo Visiting Assistant Professor of Architecture University of South Florida | SACD

Giancarlo Giusti Adjunct Faculty of Architecture University of South Florida | SACD

Date of Approval:

May 2016

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The problem is not architecture. The problem is the reorganization of things which already exist.â&#x20AC;?

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- Yona Friedman

Contents

Introduction Project Concept

Historical Reference | Identity Kenneth Frampton Slum Living | case study Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro

Innovative Design | precedent studies

The Hanok Tjibaou Cultural Center Prefab Vertical Gym Symbiotic Interlock Zinc Mine Museum Grotao Community Center

Context + Place | hollistic understanding Political Social Cultural Economy Event Sequence

Torre de David | a dormant giant

Contextual Background Analysis_Constructs & Axonometric Diagrams

Speculative Constructs | programmatic elements

Construct 1 Construct 2 Construct 3

Innovative Implementation | tangible concept

Institutional Scaffolds List of Figures Works Cited

“Housing is a basic human need, yet the statistics of United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 2005 notes that, an estimated 100 million people -one-quarter of the world’s population- live without shelter or in unhealthy and unacceptable conditions.”

Fig. 1: Grande Hotel, Mozambique

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- India Slumdogs

Fig. 2: Barrio La Calendaria, Caracas

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Introduction

informal INNOVATION: occupying the unused vertical landscape of a dormant structure

Contemporary architecture has advanced to the degree in which buildings have become devoid of identity. Along with that, “a growing shortage of affordable rental housing and a simultaneous increase in poverty” (Front Steps) is responsible for most of the homelessness in modern society. As a response to the anonymous office buildings present across many global cities and the housing crisis in the developing world, this thesis attempts to study principles, techniques and methodologies of informal dwellings as a means to re-purpose and occupy the Torre de David located in Caracas, Venezuela. Investigations into the tower’s history, symbolism, program and context led to the creation of a cohesive construct responsive to its context and user while maintaining a grounded sense of identity. The intervention inserts institutional scaffolds that support handmade improvisational and informal overlays.

Project Concept | mediation An Informal Dialogue with Innovative Methodologies

Architecture school has changed my relationship to buildings and the urban landscape of cities. Travelling to different countries while in school has opened my eyes to a new world. Among the knowledge attained, I have observed the overwhelming amount of buildings lacking a sense of connection to their context- buildings without identity. As Frampton states in “Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six points for an Architecture of Resistance”, [the] modern building is now so universally conditioned by optimized technology that the possibility of creating significant urban form has become extremely limited” (16). The powerful introduction of globalization, while aiding in the advancement of society, simultaneously brings a subtle destruction to traditional cultures and the established living methodologies of communities. The conflict arises within the confinements of questioning the ethical or unethical characteristics of globalization. A one-size-fits-all approach exerts a form of attrition at the expense of cultural resources, which have a record of bringing quality and richness to many civilizations. The disturbing effects of this threat are expressed through the deliberate spread of an elementary approach to design. Throughout the world, we see the same cars, houses, devices, similar behavioral patterns, and clothing styles. This form of impersonation has been a catastrophic event in many nations- creating the demise of the cultural ethos present in the profession. Without a question, globalization has contributed many positive things to the world. It has created a better quality of life for all, made foreign goods available to the world, increased wealth, and allowed the rise of political philosophies. Yet, the question is posed, is it necessary to take part in scientific, technical and political endeavors to be regarded as universally up-to-date? The paradox arises: does a culture “root itself in the soil of its past, forge a national spirit, and unfurl this spiritual and cultural re-vindication before the colonialist’s personality?” (Paul Ricoeur, History and Truth). The question of identity lies here: how does one adopt the progressive qualities of the modernist ideals and return to one’s roots and sources? From my travels and experiences during school, I have had a firsthand experience with this notion- buildings lacking originality which have destroyed the identity of many town centers. The building technological conditioning has hindered the manufacturing of significant urban forms. The limitations imposed by the automobile industry and land availability places a limit on urban design to the degree that interventions tend to be manipulations of production elements or artificial facades promoting social control. As an attempt to heal this issue, this project proposes a mediation of the two. It aims to find a common ground between the vernacular and contemporary styles of architecture, with the goal of resisting the modernist urge to create ambiguous buildings devoid of originality. Principles, techniques, methodologies and materiality from the context will adopt international progressive qualities while preserving its individuality. The theory of this investigation involves a design process which ponders upon tangible- physical and spatial and intangible- historical, cultural, political and socioeconomic elements with the explicit agenda of applying local knowledge in an innovative manner; a product deeply grounded and harmoniously interwoven with the local culture. ii: TD

Vernacular architecture is concerned with domesticity and functionality, rather than monumentality, while simultaneously belonging to a specific place. It is characterized by individual or communal needs, accessibility to adjacent materials and local traditions. These structures are typically made by builders without professional help. It is also known as traditional, indigenous, or informal. On the other hand, Contemporary broadly refers to the architecture of the present day. It’s an ambiguous term used to describe a multi-scale movement with no clearly defined character or scope. International Style was applied to the modernist movements during the 20th century- its main priority was to bring harmony between design philosophies and technology. This initiated the end of traditional construction by using modest materials, simple designs and un-ornamented buildings. This methodology was adopted in high-rise buildings, as their floor plans followed a logical and functional approach. The symbolically progressive style was also inspired by the unveiling of structure, linear elements and creative open floor plans. According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, “[b]y 1920 there was an increasingly wide understanding that building forms must be determined by their functions and materials if they were to achieve intrinsic significance or beauty in contemporary terms, without resorting to traditional ornament.” The implementation of modern technology was a particular breakthrough and one of the highest achievements in the present day society. It became the engine supplying power to all the mechanisms of the mass produced city, making just about everything more convenient and accessible for the masses. “Technology advances show people a more efficient way to do things, and these processes get results. For example, education has been greatly advanced by the technological advances of computers. Students are able to learn on a global scale without ever leaving their classrooms. Agricultural processes that once required dozens upon dozens of human workers can now be automated, thanks to advances in technology, which means cost-efficiency for farmers. Medical discoveries occur at a much more rapid rate, thanks to machines and computers that aid in the research process and allow for more intense educational research into medical matters” (Belcher). Technological tendencies, innovation or the implementation of international style to any architectural work comes with a sense of progress- a sort of upgrade to a decaying infrastructure. The goal of this masters’ project is to create a dialogue between the informal architecture of the developing world and contemporary architecture. The relationship between the two produces a hybrid which adopts and rejects qualities of both. I envision merging the gap between the old and the new by designing an intervention which has a symbiotic relationship to its host; a harmonious collaboration achieving the greatest good for the masses. Architects have an imperative role to give back to society, and as such, we must use all the tools and resources at our disposal to aid in its holistic advancement.

Historical Reference|identity Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six points for an Architecture of Resistance

In his article, the British architect and theorist, Kenneth Frampton, discusses his position on architectural design principles proposing the adaptation of international style for its innovative technological tendencies while maintaining a sense of identity by engrossing the individual qualities of the site. Furthermore, he states, that “emphasis should be on topography, climate, light; on tectonic form rather than on scenography and should be on the sense of touch rather than visual sense” (Frampton 26). His philosophy places an imperative value on the reciprocal relationship between the architecture and context- one which must work tunefully to achieve a unique hybrid. His proposal contains six points to be taken into account to achieve this.

Culture and Civilization- civilization deals with tangible reason while culture addresses traditional expression as a method of self-awareness and evolution. The Rise and Fall of the Avant Garde- describes the role of Avant Garde in the modernization of society and Architecture. It’s new, experimental, progressive and free qualities re-envisions tradition. However, this dream is ended by the incessant desire to create functionality or space. Critical Regionalism and World Culture- critical regionalism as a mediator between universal globalization and the diverse indigenous forms found within the context. The Resistance of the Place Form- site features must be studied well and adapt the characteristics of place. The formal order of the architecture should be based on the exterior credentials of the land. Culture vs. Nature- embraces the topography as a contextual representation of the land’s geology and agricultural history, which is revealed in the relationship between site and architecture. The Visual vs. The Tactile- visual, tactile and the rest of the senses should take part of the design process to create a richer and unique space. This is accomplished by the use of a wide range of materials targeting all the senses and stimulating a plethora of emotions. Frampton’s points is a prescriptive method which attempts to heal a universal problem across many cities, they provide an opportunity to deviate from the strict language of modern ideals while operating within the modernist realm. Furthermore, stating that an architecture of resistance must place a great value on the forces of global and regional cultures in order to produce hybrids that follow the logic of both.

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Fig. 3: Town Hall Saynatsalo, Alvar Aalto

Fig. 4: Magney House, Glenn Murcutt

Fig. 5: Palmyra House, Studio Mumbai

Slum Living|case study

“Favela Life: Rio’s city within a city” -BBC

“Squatter settlements are not new, nor are they unique to Latin America. Nearly every mega-city in the world has its version… They differ in cultural conditions and expectations, in the geography that dictates their form and building materials, in the abundance or scarcity of basic resources such as water, and in the factors that drive people from rural areas to cities: poverty, famine, natural disaster, war” (Urban Think Tank 73). In the present day, unfortunately, more than a billion people live in slums. One of the most popular cities of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, is a great example of this. Located on the south-east coast of the country, the large city boasts a population of approximately 11.7 million people. The hasty population growth is due to two main reasons: Higher birth rates and rapid urbanization caused by a variety of different factors. Millions have migrated from the country’s rural areas to Rio, in fact, 65% of the urban growth is a result of migration. The considerable amount of unavailable land lead the new migrants to form their own settlements in the outskirts of the city- the poor neighborhoods now called favelas. Favelas in Brazil and around the world stem from racial and socioeconomic inequality. They are clustered informal housing settlements inhabited by the poorest of the region. Favelas emerged as a phenomenon in Brazil during the 1800’s. As stated by Lorna Porter in her blog, “Rocinha emerged in the 1920s as rural workers migrated toward the cities in search of urban prosperity, many of them ex-slaves subjected to racist treatment. It became an area of crop production, supplying the wealthier surrounding areas.” The largest in Rio, Rocinha sits on a steep hillside overlooking the city just half a mile away from one of the most expensive and attractive beaches in the world; Ipanema Beach. The government estimates that approximately 5,000 locally owned businesses and 250,000 people reside within the .33 squared mile plot of land. Inside the settlement, one is expected to find narrow streets clogged with motorbikes and pedestrians, crammed dwellings and many impromptu businesses. According to Mundo Real “Within this highly dense community the majority of residents subsist in conditions of abject or near abject poverty, residing in small shanties stacked one on top of another, sometimes as many as 7, 8, 9, and even 11 stories tall.” Most of these shanties have basic sanitation, plumbing and electricity. As expected, Rocinha ranked sixth worse on the city’s Human Development Index within the administrative region of Rio in 2000. It was also estimated that about 6,000 residents suffer at least one health related disability. Along with these public health issues, the imbalances in the education system are significant. “Not surprisingly the educational status of the favela’s residents is very low. Residents have an average of only 4.1 years of formal education, with less than 1% of Rocinha’s adult population having earned a degree above a high school diploma. Jobs that pay a livable wage in Brazil are all but strictly reserved for citizens with higher levels of formal education” (Mundo Real). The term Favela has a negative connotation attached; it is the tangible representation of extreme levels of poverty. Moreover, many citizens consider it to be the result of unequal distribution of the national wealth. As a result of this, the ‘moradores da favela’ (inhabitants of favela) find it very difficult to find a job because of discrimination, exploitation and inequality. ii: TD

Fig. 6: Rocinha Favela, Rio de Janeiro

Innovative Design|precedents “Intelligence starts with improvisation” - Yona Friedman

The Hanok, South Korea The 2014 eVolo’s Skyscraper winner, The Hanok, designed by Architect Yong Ju Lee, seeks to adapt traditional Korean architecture into a contemporary multi-use tower. The vernacular design of the Hanok, the “antonym of a western house” and epitome of the Korean style, has disappeared from every town. Extensive urban development in the 1970s led to a boom in modern apartment dwellings and, consequently, a loss of established Korean vernacular architecture. “Lee’s proposal aims to re-imagine the Hanok in one of the country’s busiest districts, drawing people’s attention to and stimulating their interest in traditional architecture…” (ArchDaily).

Tjibaou Cultural Center, New Caledonia Designed by Renzo Piano, the concept greatly emphasizes the relationship between landscape and environment as contributing factors for design and performance. The shells are a mediation between Kanak vernacular construction and international style architecture.” Taking inspiration from the Kanak people’s deep ties with nature, the project sought to meet two main objectives: to represent the Kanak’s talent for building, and the other was the use of modern materials such as glass, aluminum, steel and modern light technologies along with the more traditional wood and stone” (Piano). The design is composed of a series of small pavilions filled with trees-huts. Surrounded by water, the dwelling clusters are strongly connected to their context. All design aspects were created to define open communal areas. Structurally and conceptually, the traditional huts were used as a catalyst to retrofit and re-adapt customary elements in a contemporary manner.

Prefab Vertical Gym, Venezuela Intended as a youth recreation space for the low income area of Caracas, Urban Think Tank designed a multipurpose structure with a basketball court, indoor soccer field, café, weightlifting section and a running track as a preventive method to keep kids off the streets. The project was purposely placed in the less privileged and dense part of the city where the dropout, drug and violence rates are high. “The four level gym has the dimensions of a basketball court, and it has already proven its worthiness: after it opened in 2004, crime in the surrounding neighborhood dropped 30%. The gym is programmed 24/7, with everything from dance therapy classes to chess tournaments” (co.exist.com).

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Fig. 7: The Hanok

Fig. 8: Tjibaou Cultural Center

Fig. 9: Prefab Vertical Gym

Symbiotic Interlock, USA Placed in an urban context, the project proposes the integration of isolated city blocks and a multi-layered network of public space, green space and nodes for the city. “The main structure of this facility consists of two components. The first is the core, which acts as a spine for the units to be plugged into, and the second is the interlocking structure which distributes the overall load of the tower to the surface, slab, and the main structure of the existing skyscraper” (eVolo). Four wind turbines are integrated into the units to convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy. Additionally, there is an open vertical garden equipped with a habitat for plants, insects and animals. The vertical datum also becomes a public park for the city where natural spaces are limited. The program includes a café, meeting room, observatory, museum, information center, retail, game room, restrooms and a media library.

Zinc Mines Museum, Norway Located in the secluded part of Norway, a cluster of buildings lie above zinc mines. Designed by renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, the site tells the story of the mines that were in operation between 1881 and 1899, a practice which employed as many as 168 workers from the nearby village. The goal is to celebrate the industrial heritage of the local mining culture by using material and context cues to inform the project. All have cambered, corrugated zinc roofs and timber frames, in which enclosures appear to be suspended. “The four structures will sit above and apart from the mine’s archaeological remains, but echo the ghosts of these buildings by alluding to early industrial architecture. Zumthor’s objective was for the buildings to look like they had always been there” (Iconeye).

Grotao Community Center, Brazil The intention of Urban Think Tank was to equip the community with infrastructure, water, sewage networks, lighting, services and public space. “The proposed urban model aims to translate a society’s need for equal access to housing, employment, technology, services, education, and resources- fundamental rights for all city dwellers- into spatial solutions” (Open Buildings). Although its location is centralized and urban, Grotao is connected to the larger circulation systems of Sao Paulo through a single road; completely disconnecting it from the formal city. Increased erosion and mudslides distinguish the site as ‘one of many low-access and high risk zones. The removal of the damaged dwellings left a void which created an opportunity for productive zones and communal space via social design. Furthermore, the terraced landscape alters the community into a nature-like environment advocating diverse public engagement.

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Fig. 10: Symbiotic Interlock

Fig. 11: Zinc Mines Museum

Fig. 12: Grotao Community Center

Context + Place|milieu A Holistic Understanding of Venezuela’s History, Culture and Politics

“Once Venezuela’s first commercial oil well was drilled in 1914, petroleum sales quickly soared. By 1925 oil surpassed coffee and cacao as the chief export; just three years later, Venezuela led the world in crude oil extraction” (Tarver and Frederick). The Spanish colony was among the first Latin American countries to declare its independence from the mother land in 1811. It was not until 1830 that it emerged as an independent entity following the collapse of La Gran Colombia made up by Ecuador, New Granada and Colombia. The new nation operated under democratic ideals promoting the oil industry and social reforms. Wealth and prosperity increased over the following decades leading to the creation of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) in 1960 along with Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. As the market and profits exponentially increased throughout the following years, the country was provided with an opportunity for economic growth that government officials could not resist. The 1972 Arab-Israeli War led to an oil embargo imposed on the United States for its support for Israel. As a result of this, oil prices soared by 200 percent. The Venezuelan economy was at its peak during the late 1970’s- the massive wealth led to the development of social, educational, housing, sanitation and transportation programs. With plans to make Caracas, the capital, a global city, it attracted big name architects; the city “became a laboratory for experimentation and a locus for the conflation of wealth and architectural innovation” (Urban Think Tank 72). Oil became responsible for seventy percent of the national revenue after the nationalization of all foreign oil companies in 1976. However, mismanagement of the profits amassed by government officials created high foreign debt, currency devaluation and inflation, devastating the middle class. This became known as “Black Friday,” demarcating the initiation of the economic fall. “Virtually overnight, [oil] prices rose by 100 percent; the government responded by mandating a 30-percent increase in public transportation fares” (Urban Think Tank 77). As a result, protests and riots headed by infuriated students flooded the streets of many cities. This was not the main issue. The financial crisis catapulted inflation by 150 percent between 1989 and 1991. The new economic motto adopted by citizens was the expenditure of their money before its value decreased even more. This is a mindset which is still present today in a culture marked by impulsive and fear-based spending habits.

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Caracas

Fig. 13: Map of Venezuela

Fig. 14: Student Protests, Caracas

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Historical Timeline 1914

First well is drilled and Venezuelan oil sales sky rocket.

1925

Oil becomes the top exported product after coffee and cacao.

1972

Crude oil soars by 200 percent after the 1972 Arab-Israeli War. Arab members of retaliated against US support for Israel by imposing an oil embargo.

1989

El Caracazo takes place after a wave of protests, riots, looting, shootings and massacres take place in Caracas after oil prices fall creating a massive national debt.

Fig. 15: Student Protests, Caracas

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1990

Centro Financiero Confinanzas [Torre de David] rises in the Libertador Municipality of downtown Caracas.

1994

A national banking crisis and death of developer stops construction at 90 percent completion.

1999

With an evolved doctrine of populist liberation and as a symbol of opposition to the 1958 Venezuelan Political model, President Chavez takes office on February 2.

2001

Ley de Tierras is enacted- awarding property titles to squatters of government land and individuals occupying any land for more than 10 years. Masked as a fictitious war targeting unused rural land and property.

Fig. 16: Civilian Protests, Caracas

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2007

Following the eviction of many squatters for their barrio in ‘La Candelaria’ and the heavy rains expelling others from surrounding barrios, Torre de David became a symbol of hope and stability for many homeless Caraqueños.

2012

Torre de David receives the Leon de Oro Award from the Venetian Architecture Association.

2014

Eviction in Torre de David begins.

Fig. 17: Casas Coloniales, Maracaibo

Fig. 18: Casas Coloniales, Ciudad Bolivar

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Fig. 19: Indigenous Architecture

Torre de David|a dormant giant “An urban experiment with 3,000 participants” - Andres Lepik

My interest in the Vernacular Architecture of Venezuela led me to discover Torre de David. As a vehicle to explore my ideas, I selected the award winning tower located in the capital city of Caracas because of its unfinished characteristics and improvised construction methodology; an experimental laboratory in which ideas of informal and innovative construction may be tested. The tower is the tangible representation of a major housing shortage in the region and the eventual demise of the urban landscape. Originally, as an answer to Wall Street in New York City, it was intended to be the symbol of wealth and prosperity, but ironically became the symbol of a disastrous banking system. With an evolved doctrine of populist liberation and marking the opposition to the 1958 Venezuelan Political model, President Hugo Chavez took office on February 2nd. Among many changes, it is worth mentioning a significant one which indirectly created the aftermath of Torre de David; in 2007, President Chavez passed the “Ley de Tierras” stating that all unused and unproductive land is at the disposal of the general public. The new law was meant to help the poor and the national economy by using the land for agricultural purposes. The passing of this law was a pivotal moment in the history of the country because it gave citizens the right to occupy unused buildings without any hindrances from authorities. Unfinished and unoccupied since the banking crisis of 1994, Torre de David lacks elevators, proper electricity, running water, balcony railing, windows and even walls in many places. The building is surrounded by ranchos (slums) which are home to more than 50 percent of Caracas’s 3.8 million inhabitants. After the floods of 2007, Torre de David became an icon of hope and a fortress for the homeless who previously lived in the nearby ranchos. The tower absorbed these like a sponge; it was modified, re-purposed and retrofitted to accommodate more than 1,000 families who lost everything. Squatters moved in and brought with them the construction habits of their previous settlements which helped in the enhancement of the living conditions- I will go into further details about this premise below. A developed construction site with full living units, a gym, church, bodegas, barber shops, etc. While the tower meets the residents’ urgent housing needs by gradually providing increased standards, the informal settlement offers potential for innovation and experimentation.

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Fig. 20: Torre de David

Fig. 21: Torre de David | Roof top view

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Fig. 22: Torre de David | Rooftop gym

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Fig. 23: Torre de David | Interior Circulation

Fig. 24: Torre de David | Atrium

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Fig. 25: Torre de David | Unfinished Stairs

Fig. 26: Torre de David | Living Unit

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Program

Water Distribution

Fig. 27: Torre de Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Infrastructure Illustrations

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Circulation

Electrical

Mapping Analysis 1 City Scale

“This is not a mountain full of houses, it is a house as big as a mountain” (Alfredo Brillembourg). Sixty percent of the population of Caracas lives in barrios, covering less than 40 percent of the city’s occupied land. The most dangerous metropolis of South-America, where oil is cheaper than water, the affluent spend most of their wealth on private security only to end up as prisoners of their own mansions. Within the last decade, the city attracted millions of migrants like a mad magnet. Now more than four out of its six million inhabitants live in self-built constructions in the informal conditions of the barrios where only anarchy exists. This depicts a city that is rapidly becoming the prototype for the exploding urbanization evolving in the South American continent where a completely new socio-political and architectonic reality has been developing.

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Fig. 28: Mapping Analysis 1

Mapping Analysis 2 Urban Landscape

Barrios were formed to accommodate the enormous population that migrated to Venezuela during its prosperous days. A former resident, Fernando, relates, â&#x20AC;&#x153;[w]hen we made the decision to occupy this space we found several realities, among them: this dead giant. A giant of 192 meters, dead in the middle of our capital city, dead, with 45 floors uninhabited! When we arrived at the top floor of this tower we stood on that heliport and we looked around, we realized that the whole population had come to fill the land of Caracas- those who came from Los Llanos, from Colombia, from wherever they came from- we realized that not all of these people were here in the center, in the healthy, flat part of the city. All of these people were sent out, to the surroundings, to the hills, where there is a higher level of risk. They were told: go occupy those zones! And it was for this housing need that we deforested and damaged several spaces that today we know as barriosâ&#x20AC;? (Urban Think Tank 69). Even though the vast immigration was a sign of success because it attracted so many, it paradoxically created one of the most socially devastated urban landscapes of the world.

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Fig. 29: Mapping Analysis 2

Mapping Analysis 3 Context Cues

The intent of this thesis is to absorb context cues and create associations between the site and the building to discover potential transformations of circulation, public space, and institutional programs. The series of mappings investigate the initial formation of the city. Torre de David is not the only dead giant within the periphery of Caracas; the tower shares its hopelessness with a plethora of squatted buildings. As depicted in the maps, the city is geographically close but socially segregated- barrios and high end residential communities share the landscape. Analysis of existing conditions mapping the immediate context surrounding the tower reflects issues of economics, culture, political and social components of the urban landscape. It primarily focuses on the initial informal community started upon the arrival of a major housing crisis in the 1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Along with these are urban developments, residential sectors of different socioeconomic backgrounds, retail, civic spaces and the public realm. Complete avoidance of the tower was required at this stage of the project to understand the place at a larger scale.

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Fig. 30: Mapping Analysis 3

Core Samples The constructs are made out of concrete, basswood, plexy-glass and piano wire to create a clear distinction between the existing structure and its analysis.

Fig. 31: Core Sample Models

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Core Sample 1 Shell

To understand Torre de David, a series of study models were created. The investigation begins with three constructs taking core samples of the structure by documenting raw data extracted from the tower; they excavate and query to gather information. The goal was to fully grasp the old to formulate the new. The concept was that cities, or building for that matter, can be revived by focusing on the existing structure while using preservation and design as a tool for promoting economic growth and cultural development. Elements of structure, decay, vertical living, circulation, atria, surface, scaffolding, grid, shell, habitation, voids, thresholds and movement are carefully analyzed and interpreted to lay the foundation of the work.

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Fig. 32: Core Sample Model 1

Hybrid Axonometric 1 Shell

These set of drawings are hybrid diagrams combining axonometric projections of the towerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s frame and mappings of Caracas- they capture fragments of the usersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; daily rituals. The aim is to allow sensorial digestion of the existing architecture by exposing the internal qualities of the tower. It was important to carefully study the varying temperatures, scents, sounds and textures to fully grasp the tower. The set of drawings correlate to each model further explaining the conditions studied.

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Fig. 33: Hybrid Axonometric Drawing 1

Core Sample 2 Anatomy

There are approximately 750 families (3,000 inhabitants) living in the vertical village. “To describe the squatter’s alterations to Torre de David as a slumification or ranchosis is both accurate and misleading” (Urban Think Tank 208). The term ranchosis denotes a person’s habit of subconsciously carrying the slum and recreating it in his or her new environment. Residents look back to their barrios to catapult their lives to dignified living standards. Throughout the tower, a consistency in material use and construction is present in public and private spaces. There is also a sense of diversity, stemming from increased desires to experiment, taste and the unavailability of financial resources. The adaptive reuse of the building was formalized through trial and error informality. The tower’s construction is a compilation of the collective do-it-yourself knowledge, dwelling accumulation and new techniques which are strategically adapted into the structural framework.

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Fig. 34: Core Sample Model 2

Hybrid Axonometric 2 Anatomy

Having the same language as the core samples, the drawings explore and speculate on the idea of an intervention. Internal spaces are abstracted, transformed and manipulated as a means to formulate new opportunities. Circulation patters, unit placement, issues of sanitation among others are taken into account as a way of mapping the existing while partly suggesting transformation. Since most of the balconies are unfinished and improperly secured, I thought that some of the units can protrude beyond the scope of the building to create more living space.

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Fig. 35: Hybrid Axonometric Drawing 2

Core Sample 3 Program + Proposal

Red clay brick is widely used in Torre de David for its affordability and physical characteristics. The colors and textures of the brick are the string lines visually connecting the residents to the barrios- a constant reminder of the past. They are also used to demarcate private territory, as customary in the slums. The spirit of experimentation and creative re-adaption by some residents brought many changes to the daily rituals of the community. Piercing through existing walls, which isolated many common areas, improved circulation immensely. Transitional paths increased ventilation within the floors and layers of privacy were formed as a result of this maneuver. To enhance safety along stairs, hallways and balconies, residents employed re-bar, scavenged trusses, PVC pipes, and unmorted bricks to varying degrees of stability and durability. Recycling is both a common and innovative practice.

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Fig. 36: Core Sample Model 3

Hybrid Axonometric 3 Program + Proposal The unbuilt floors provide great opportunities for double height communal spaces to happen. Random allocation of private businesses within each floor lends itself to create a transitional point between the public and private. The set of drawings name and speculate elements of intervention into the tower by relating to the existing infrastructure. They capture the spirit of the community fostered by the interventions.

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Fig. 37: Hybrid Axonometric Drawing 3

Fig. 38: Speculative Construct 1

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Speculative Construct 1 Vertical Garden

To negotiate the space between the existing structure and the intervention, a vertical garden was placed within the building. Weaving in and out of the scaffolding, the mediating structure acts as a transitional element creating a harmonious dialogue between the two. The exposed structure provides a natural habitat for plants and serves as a public park for residents- a welcoming portal. Within Torre de David, natural spaces are limited. The vertical serpentine green space activates the public realm by providing moments of serene calmness to the inhabitantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; busy lives and inadequate living conditions. The park has places to sit, play, interact, plant, play, etc.

Fig. 39: Speculative Construct 1

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Speculative Construct 2 Experimental Media

The root of poverty is lack of education. Inability to read, write or solve math problems hinders one from truly succeeding and finding a job. According to the Rochester Business Journal, a solution to this issue “…is to realize that the premise that poor children cannot be taught is false and that we must provide them with a good academic, social, behavioral and physical education” (Bryan Hickman). In the same spirit, the programmatic components of this intervention are driven by a multi-media library that serves the tenants occupying the tower. The design is rooted in the idea of the Carnegie libraries which attempts to fight causes leading to poverty with knowledge. Access to the private library is fundamental to success in life- one that Carnegie wanted to see reproduced for everyone.

Fig. 40: Speculative Construct 2

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Fig. 41: Speculative Construct 2

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Fig. 42: Speculative Construct 3

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Speculative Construct 3 Public Realm

The public realm was another major component of the project. It re-interprets the existing program of Torre de David to activate key nodes in the structure. Careful understanding of social interactions and community rituals among residents was imperative for its enhancement. The intervention explores ideas of sociability, activities, access and linkages. It provides the tower with programmatic public design elements to increase its living standards. The program includes a gym space at the beginning of the vertical datum line, a multi-function indoor soccer court for the youth, retail and office spaces to promote economic stability and performance spaces.

Fig. 43: Speculative Construct 3

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Section Model The proposed course of action is the continuation of the unfinished construction site by the economical use of space and materials. Principles, techniques and methodologies of informal dwellings deployed in the speculative constructs were the catalysts to improvise a light tectonic structure with programmatic elements which are presently lacking in the tower. It adopts simple technologies for its universal progressive qualities yet remains grounded to the context.

Fig. 44: Concept Sketch

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Fig. 45: Final Section Model

Fig. 46: Final Section Model

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Fig. 47: Final Section Model

Fig. 48: Final Section Model

Section Model Emphasis is placed on a symbiotic relationship between the context, architecture and users. It is a mediation of the impact of a universal globalization by conserving particularities of informal architecture. The intervention deals with materiality in unique ways to enhance the spirit of the place. Embracing both, the mutable yet predictable style, it offers a contemporary application to an informal condition.

Fig. 49: Concept Sketch + Final Section Model

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Fig. 50: Perspective 1

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Fig. 51: Perspective 2

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Fig. 52: Perspective 3

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Fig. 53: Final Model, Vault

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Conclusion

informal INNOVATION: occupying the unused vertical landscape of a dormant structure

The investigation of the anonymous office building across many cities and the housing crisis in the developing world reveals that a mediation between vernacular and international styles creates an architecture of progression. This project did not attempt to solve a world problem. It was an experiment that allowed me to discover ways in which unique sets of circumstances morphed into a hybrid infrastructure. Research into the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poverty was the catalyst to the creation of an institutional space that allowed me to formulate a natural remedy to the chaotic status quo in Torre de David. For the most part, poverty and destitution exists due to a lack of education. The intervention engages the existing structure by implementing principles, techniques and methodologies used by squatters while promoting educational and business establishments within the tower. Furthermore, it creates a contented medium between the informal and innovative while simultaneously capturing the anticipated anarchical essence of the vertical pulsating village. The mediation provides a setting where the architecture becomes a platform in which intellectual and experimental dialogues can be formulated as a means to enrich the lives of an impoverished community.

List of Figures Fig. 1: Grande Hotel, Mozambique | africafarandwide.wordpress.com Fig. 2: Barrio La Calendaria, Caracas | images.yahoo.com Fig. 3: Town Hall Saynatsalo, Alvar Aalto | www.studyblue.com Fig. 4: Magney House, Glenn Murcutt | formandwords.com Fig. 5: Palmyra House, Studio Mumbai | karmatrendz.wordpress.comFig. 6: Rocinha Favela, Rio de Janeiro | www.pbs.org Fig. 7: The Hanok | evolo.us Fig. 8: Tjibaou Cultural Center | en.wikipedia.org Fig. 9: Prefab Vertical Gym | www.fastcoexist.com Fig. 10: Symbiotic Interlock | evolo.us Fig. 11: Zinc Mines Museum | ideasgn.com Fig. 12: Grotao Community Center | openbuildings.com Fig. 13: Map of Venezuela Fig. 14: Student Protests, Caracas | elsoldeoriente.com.ve Fig. 15: Student Protests, Caracas | elsoldeoriente.com.ve Fig. 16: Civilian Protests, Caracas | elsoldeoriente.com.ve Fig. 17: Casas Coloniales, Maracaibo | en.wikipedia.org Fig. 18: Casas Coloniales, Ciudad Bolivar | en.wikipedia.org Fig. 19: Indigenous Architecture | en.wikipedia.org Fig. 20: Torre de David | www.panoramio.com Fig. 21: Torre de David, Roof top view | www.pri.org Fig. 22: Torre de David, Rooftop gym | www.theguardian.com Fig. 23: Torre de David, Interior Circulation | www.dezeen.com Fig. 24: Torre de David, Atrium | www.stavba-az.sk Fig. 25: Torre de David, Unfinished Stairs | www.newyorker.com Fig. 26: Torre de David, Living Unit | photovide.com Fig. 27: Torre de Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Infrastructure Illustrations | Urban Think Tank

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Fig. 28: Mapping Analysis 1 Fig. 29: Mapping Analysis 2 Fig. 30: Mapping Analysis 3 Fig. 31: Core Sample Models Fig. 32: Core Sample Model 1 Fig. 33: Hybrid Axonometric Drawing 1 Fig. 34: Core Sample Model 2 Fig. 35: Hybrid Axonometric Drawing 2 Fig. 36: Core Sample Model 3 Fig. 37: Hybrid Axonometric Drawing 3 Fig. 38: Speculative Construct 1 Fig. 39: Speculative Construct 1 Fig. 40: Speculative Construct 2 Fig. 41: Speculative Construct 2 Fig. 42: Speculative Construct 3 Fig. 43: Speculative Construct 3 Fig. 44: Concept Sketch Fig. 45: Final Section Model Fig. 46: Final Section Model Fig. 47: Final Section Model Fig. 48: Final Section Model Fig. 49: Concept Sketch + Final Section Model Fig. 50: Perspective 1 Fig. 51: Perspective 2 Fig. 52: Perspective 3 Fig. 53: Final Model, Vault

Works Cited Frampton, Kenneth. “Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six points for an Architecture of Resistance.” Anti-Aesthetic. Essays on Postmodern Culture. 1983. Seattle: Bay Press. PDF file. Hickman, Bryan. “Lack of education is root cause of poverty” 13 March 2015. Rochester Business Journal. n.p. Web. 4 March 2016. Langdon, David. “AD Classics: Centre Culturel Jean-Marie Tjibaou / Renzo Piano” 04 Aug 2015. ArchDaily. 5 May 2016. <http://www. archdaily.com/600641/ad-classics-centre-culturel-jean-marie-tji baou-renzo-piano/> Moultry Belcher, Lynda. Houston Chronicle. Demand Media. Web. 27 April 2016 <http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-disadv antages-technology-advances-12579.html> Oliveira, Ney dos Santos. 1996. Favelas and Ghettos: Race and Class in Rio de Janeiro and New York City. Latin American Perspectives 23:82. Porter, Lorna. WordPress. n.d. and n.p. Web. 25 April 2016. <http://mun doreal.org/about/about-rocinha> Taylor-Foster, James. “eVolo Skyscraper Winner 2014 Transforms Ko rean ‘Hanok’ Into Impressive High-Rise.” 31 Mar 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed 23 Apr 2015. <http://www.archdaily.com/?p=491637>. Urban-Think Tank. Torre David: Informal Vertical Communities. Zurich: Lars Muller, 2013. Print. “2014 Human Development Report Summary.” United Nations Develop ment Programme. 2014. pp. 21–25. Retrieved 27 July 2014. “Countries and Their Cultures: Venezuela” 18 Nov 2006. Everyculture. Accessed April 17, 2015. <http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/ Venezuela.html#ixzz3XWCwqFRn>.

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“Growth, Efficiency, and Modernism” (PDF). U.S. General Services Administration. 2006 [2003]. pp. 14–15. Retrieved 18 March 2011. “Modern Architecture.” The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. 2016. Encyclopedia.com. 17 April 2016. <http://www.encyclopedia. com>.