TRANSIENT-POLIS:
Maintaining Memory and Identity from a Lost Past to a Promising Future
Drexel University Architecture Thesis 2017 By: Eve Parrot Advisor: Joanne Aitken
INTRODUCTION... what’s the problem? War, conflict and violence are reoccurring problems throughout the world, leaving people homeless and lands destroyed. As a result, people relocate seeking sanctuary why greece? Refugees are passing through from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq hoping to cross through Macedonia and further into Europe. Due to border closures and the EU-turkey agreement, Greece’s current state has become overpopulated. why helinikon? The old airport and the surrounding Olympic venues have been abandoned entirely and now do to war/poverty they have started unintentionally housing refugees from neighboring countries becoming a ‘warehouse of souls’.
thesis statement: On the human level, this thesis explores how architecture can maintain memory and cultural identity by creating sanctuary in a temporary community. The focus is on how architectural and urban design strategies such as spatial organization and levels of privacy can be utilized to preserve customs, behaviors, and memories of past homes while simultaneously creating new ones. On the urban level, this thesis explores how a temporary community can benefit the permanent, long-term growth of its host city.
why now? Stranded, an estimated 57,000 people, the Greek government has created temporary housing sites, although many do not meet accepted humanitarian standards. Greece needs to provide transient housing and improve conditions at existing sites to identify more suitable accommodations for refugees.
maintain memory and cultural identity
create sanctuary
to date there are still 57,000+ refugees in greece. of these 5,500+ are in UNHCR settlements, 5,800+ are in non-organized facilities. the remaining are scattered throughout 29 clusters in greece from the islands to the capital.
refugees in greece bulgaria macedonia
drama: 510
3,330+ refugees on my current site
thessaloniki: 9,212
albania
veria: 357
eleonas: 2,415
lagadikia: 854 pieria: 1,699
athens volos: 96 filipiada: 445
lesbos: 3,308
thermopiles: 492
turkey chios: 2,461 malakasa: 1,365
andravidas: 249
piraeus: 1,291
samos: 1,416 athens: 7,005
leros: 690
site
kos: 603
temporary sites and settlements city : refugee population
elliniko: 3,299 rhodes: 18
greece |population: 10.8 million |sq mile: 50,500+
arrivals by year italy
2014
2015
2016 to date: Sept.
170,100
153,842
130,509
41,038
856,723
166,296
greece
refugees in numbers origins
*each icon represents about 20,000 people
demographics
Aug 2016
2015
2015
syria
others iraq
men
34,034 469 22,
iran
61 ,7 87
41%
pakistan
23, 444
479,648
54%
209,367
afghanistan
women 17%
Aug 2016
others
iraq
29% 4,8 44
iran
though the population changed drastically from 2015 to 2016, the ratio from men, women to children stayed relatively similar
24, 770
though the population changed drastically from 2015 to 2016, the ratio between the nationalities stayed relatively similar. there is still a large portion of syrians and afghanis
pakistan
7,845
nov. dec. jan.
feb.
2016
mar. apr.
1,721
3,650
26,971
57,066
108,742
151,249
210,824
156,457
107,843
aug. sept. oct.
1,554
may june july
67,415
mar. apr.
51,951
7,634
feb.
2015
30,718
2,945
jan.
18,445
1,690
100,000
13,132
200,000
77,994
40,512
afghanistan
arrivals by month
7,779
37%
1,920
children
syria
may june july
3,447
22%
aug. sept. oct.
nov. dec.
lifestyle overview syria
afghanistan
greece
marketplace
family
outdoor public space
housing
housing
housing
social structure
social structure
social structure
religion
religion
religion
GREECE... location athens
~9 miles
ee refug
s arr
iving
moun
~9 miles
key plan
t parn
port piraeus
itha
~7 miles
The site is approximately 2.6 square miles and relatively close to downtown Athens and Port Piraeus.
hellinikon
1/2 mile
1 mile
2 miles
N
poly-katoikia (multi-dwelling) characteristics
construction 1. 2.
3.
4.
sample block
Height: To protect the views of the Acropolis, legislation specifies strict maximum height restrictions for new buildings in the surrounding area to 27 meters ~88’-0”, with exceptions.
arcade
1. exterior plaster 2. thermal insulation 3. reinforced concrete 4. interior plaster Roof: Constructability purposes and because of the little rainfall. Also white-washed roofs reduce absorptance of solar radiation. load bearing structure 1. 2.
3.
4.
stoa
1. exterior plaster 2. brick cavity wall 3. thermal insulation 4. interior plaster
non-load bearing structure 1.
2.
1.
1. plaster 2. single row of bricks
Balconies: Function as a buffering zone, shading element, and a free recreational space. Awnings also add as extra shading devices. These elements add variation onto the flat facade.
open courtyard
sample prototypes
Set-back: Allows for a uniform facade and then creating exterior terraces above. Also it reduces the length of shadows.
Stoa: Mostly used for circulation or parking. Creates shielding from traffic.
interior partition
+form-less, border-less and placeless urban landscape = infinite repetition of polyktatoika’s
program refugees in need of housing men
ideal community size = 200 people 82 men 200 people
44 women 74 children
women 2,870
children
1,540
2,590
7,000 total refugees
35 communities needed to house 7,000 refugees
components of one community housing
flex space
outdoor space
learning
block size proposed typical block size footprint: 15,300 sf 8-story building: 122,400 sf
footprint: 10,575 sf 8-story building: 84,600 sf
footprint: 15,750 sf 8-story building: 126,000 sf
300 ft
footprint: 12,600 sf 8-story building: 100,800 sf
60-80 m (196-262 ft)
athens existing block size
100-120 m (328-393 ft)
300 ft
+maximize public open space +mitigate urban heat island effect +introduce green space in an urban setting
4 communities
1 block
+fragmented open space +isolated spaces from street +individual plots create push and pull in building layout
9 blocks can house 36 communities each block at 300’x300’ with 30’ streets in between
~921,600 sf is needed to house 7,000 refugees
SCHEMATIC... overall masterplan existing surroundings
mixed-use resiential
port piraeus
ocean
orientation
thesis concept
mountain
athens
mountain
future (athens)
mountain
present
present (transition)
past (port piraeus)
future
past ocean ocean
restore streams
scaling grid
main circulation axes
surrounding influences
program
business
main circulation axes
street hierarchy arterials
mixed-use
existing
residential
local street
park
greenway
greenway
stream
educational tourism
collectors
local road e
xisting
idealized street vignettes arterial street
8' - 0"
10' - 0"
10' - 0"
10' - 0"
parking
15' - 0"
10' - 0"
10' - 0"
10' - 0"
8' - 0" parking
91' - 0"
leof. posidonos
amenities: business offices, food, retail, entertainment, hospitality
collector street
10' - 0"
10' - 0"
15' - 0"
10' - 0"
71' - 0"
10' - 0"
8' - 0" parking
amenities: entertainment, beauty, fitness, healthcare, groceries, food, retail, residential
local road
greenway
13' - 6"
local street
leof. amfitheas
8' - 0" parking
10' - 0"
15' - 0" 51' - 0"
10' - 0"
8' - 0" parking
amenities: entertainment, beauty, fitness, healthcare, groceries, food, retail, residential
8' - 0" parking
10' - 0"
10' - 0"
28' - 0"
amenities: primary school, daycare, mostly residential, some food and pharmacies
25' - 0"
6' - 6""
8' - 0" parking
N stream
neighborhood program use
loc
tree
t
al r
oad
food
al s
loc
groceries fitness
stre
et
beauty arte
rial
educational entertainment religious healthcare
125’
Rules unit layout
exterior fenestration protruding balconies, terraces towards center of block
terrace bedroom bathroom
living/dining kitchen
central space
height constraints 8 floors max. 6 floors min. at street front
hierarchy of shared space
500’
shared communal space relationships
unit balcony shared terrace between 2-3 units
large communal space need direct correlation to the outdoors
bedroom shared communal
bathroom
250’
interior space and exterior garden space between one community (~200)
uniform, continuous front towards street, similar to athens
N
gre enw ay
shared outdoor recreation space exterior space between four communities (~800)
indoor
outdoor
unit layouts A
C.2
D.1
D.1
B
B.1
E
C.1
additive system, units can be stacked allowing for varying heights. circulation is exterior and separates the units. A. single unit block B./C./D. double unit block E. community space circulation
B
A
FINAL... plans
M
10’
20’
40’
M
M
80’
Typical Unit Plans unit c.1
unit b
unit a
16’-1”
26’-0”
12’-5”
38’-5”
45’-9”
38’-5” 27’-8”
unit d.2
unit c.2
unit d.1 45’-9”
42’-5” 14’-5”
13’-3”
16’-1”
24’-0”
12’-5”
27’-8” 2
exterior terrace living space bedroom bathroom
47’-5”
48’-7”
47’-5”
48’-7”
47’-5”
50’-6”
unit boundary
24’-0”
10’
20’
40’
N
Upper Level Plan
N
Ground Floor Plan
80’
M
view from courtyard balconies
kit of parts
2 3
2
1
3
3 5a
3
3
3a
4 3
3
5b 3a
5b
4
5a
3
1
3
3
3
3 2
2
5a
5b
4 3 (x12) 2
1
3a
(x2)
(x2)
(x4)
(x2)
(x2)
(x2)
structure Structural Plan and Details typical plan
enlarged structural details 11' - 7"
13' - 1"
0' - 8"
b
d
axon of structural prefabricated panels
concrete slab
0' - 6"
a
insulated concrete wall
3' - 10"
13' - 1"
bolted connection at embedded steel plate
c.
b. floor connection at load bearing wall 42' - 9"
46' - 9"
c 2
b.
insulated concrete wall concrete floor slab isolation joint concrete pour strip
0' - 8"
a.
joint selant
5' - 8"
concrete haunch at pier connection steel channel welded to plate anchor plate and bolts
c. vertical joint
4’
N
a. pier connection 8’
16’
6”
Envelope Details
0' - 8"
1' - 0"
f. f. head detail
sealant with backer rod aluminum head exposed concrete finish paint or plaster finish
4' - 0"
j.
exterior
concrete slab ceiling 1. plaster 2. studs+batt insulation 3. rigid insulation 4. sheathing 5. membrane 6. air gap 7. wood panel rainscreen
2' - 6"
g. concrete insulated panel
aluminum sill sealant with backer rod
0' - 6"
0' - 2"
interior
j. wall assembly - street side
flooring material
aluminum window system
aluminum break metal blocking
4’
3.
aluminum break metal with weeps
finished ceiling
2’
2.
flashing
h.
e. section thorough one story
1.
1. concrete 2. rigid insulation 3. concrete
blocking
concrete slab
1’
joint sealant and backer rod d. corner condition
2’
j. flooring material
8' - 10"
1’
0' - 1 1/2"
0' - 8"
0' - 8"
0' - 1 1/2"
0' - 6"
3
g. sill detail 6”
1’
h. floor detail at non-load bearing wall
interior
0' - 8 1/4" 5. 3. 4.6.7.
1. 2.
exterior
k. wall assembly - courtyard side 2’
section
summ
er su
elevation
n
fenestration
6’-6” shades 3 stories
4’-0” shades 2 stories
4’-0” shades 2 stories
1’-8” shades 1 story
perspective from street
elevation from street
enlarged plan and section overall depth ranges depending on how many stories it’s trying to shade
community space elevation
ns
pa
re
nc
y
section
tra
section perspective
co
m
pr
nd
es
s
pa
ex
site aerial
summ
er su
n
water management, heating and cooling systems
solar chimney
geothermal piping
Site Water
solar chimney
rainwater
collect water primarily for toilet flushing and irrigation
municipal supply toilets
sinks/showers
filtra tio trea n and tme syste nt m
grey water black water
Building Water
filtra tio trea n and tme syste nt m
cent ra ciste l rn
stream
cross and stack ventilation for cooling
stack ventilation and passive radiant for heating
solar chimneys use the sun’s heat to provide cooling. heating the column of air, which then rises, pulling new outside air throughout the building
solar chimneys can be used much like a trombe wall. closing the exterior vents, the heated air is not exhuasted out the top and the interior vents are opened to let the heated air into occupied spaces. the sun heats the floor which then releases heat through out the space.
view from across the street
view of interior courtyard
fenestration model
community space
courtyard balcony system
“A bundle of belongings isn’t the only thing a refugee brings to his new country.” - Albert Einstein