AZCA: a platform for film & protest
Fallon Walton
AZCA has the potential to become a cultural platform for Madrid, with a focus on the neighbourhoods north of the centre, such as Tetuan. AZCA’s size and location in the city has the potential to be a landmark destination in the city, however its limited corporate functions and spatial planning produce an undesirable landscape. AZCA is a space of insecurity. The city depends on CCTV as a solution to deter crime. Film and media have become accessible platforms for youth and marginalized communities and has become a tool to voice opinion and change during uprise and social demonstration. As a reaction against corporate power of AZCA and the reliance on security cameras, I propose the introduction and establishment of film culture on the site of AZCA to bring new functions, social groups and meaning to the area through education, practice and social interventions.
concept proposal
Madrid film culture During Francisco Franco’s reign, artistic expression was suppressed. After Franco’s death, la Movida Madrileña became a counterculture movement supporting the arts and film. The various identities of Madrid’s can be found in film and touches upon a range of issues. As film becomes more accessible, it is being used as a tool for voicing a variety of social issues.
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social security AZCA has a multi-layered system of paths and tunnels. These spaces are rarely used and create feelings of insecurity. The city believes the use of CCTV camera’s can deter crime and undesirable people. Security cameras are not the solution. Social control is necessary. Jane Jacobs once said, “There must be eyes on the street.” Around-the-clock functions that brings invested citizens to the area can bring social security.
protest movements Spain has seen an uprise in bottom-up movements groups that are protesting against the government and corporations. These demonstrations are characterised by the occupation of public space, particularly at Plaza del Sol and large roundabouts. Protesters are often a heterogeneous group, but in recent years young Spaniards, notably Juventud Sin Futuro (Youth Without a Future), was established in opposition to antisocial measures undertaken by the Spanish government in 2011. Social media has had a large role in voicing and connecting protest groups.
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cal Media is “cheap ‘do it yourself’ media, made possible by revolution in consumer electronics and expanded forms of bution (from public access cable to the internet) are exploited oups and individuals who feel aggrieved by or excluded from wider culture.” (Lovink & Garcia) Important themes between est movements and mediation is the role of visibility, symbolic er, technology, role of audience and public space. Media has led the activist via social media, youtube & film.
Fascination
Mapping of Film Culture & Protest Sites Madrid
Cine Verdi
Goethe-Institut Madrid
Condé Duque
La Academia del Cine Fescinal/Cine de Verano de la Bombilla Cine Renoir Transforming Arts Institute
Instituto de Cine Madrid Cines Callao City Light
Casa Museo Lope de Vega Filmoteca Española Café Kino Central de Cine CSA La Tabacalera de Lavapiés La Casa Encendida Artistic Metropole
cultural centers independent cinemas
Cineteca de Madrid (Matadero)
film education film archives protest locations open air cinema
0
500
1500
3000 m
Destination: azca Most of the cinemas, schools, cultural centres and protest locations are located in the centre of Madrid. Materdo is an exception, as it is located 3 km south of the centre, however it is a successul renewal project that draws locals to its cultural and cinema programs. AZCA is isolated from the centre, however, using Matadero as a reference, AZCA can be a new destination north of the centre. As a protest site, AZCA can also be a final destination as part of a demonstration procession starting in the centre, walking north along Calle de la Castellano and finally arriving in AZCA.
AZCA
CENTRO
MATADERO
0
500
1500
3000 m
mapping film & protest
CENTRALIZED
DISTRIBUTED
DE-CENTRALIZED
A de-centralized power distribution can act as a counter- reaction to AZCA’s primarily top-down corporate functions that articulate themselves in the form of a tower. By creating three interacting volumes, a central public space is articulated.
De-Centralized Morphology of Madrid
FILM INSTITUTE
CINEMA
PUBLIC SPACE/ DEMONSTRATION
FILM ARCHIVES/ STUDIOS
spatial power typologies
3 volumes
Site plan 1:1000
Public Space Design Elements
open
TETUAN closed
print/book shop
{
Connection to Tetuan A prominent pedestrian route connects Calle Orense to the plaza, creating greater access to AZCA.
} {
Film, everywhere! Film is a platform that promotes awareness, learning and enjoyment. Film is an accessible and recurring theme on the site, both indoors and outdoors.
} {
toilets
kitchen
lockers
Protest Infrastructure Functions for large events are located at plaza level and can be made accessible with open a pivoting facade.
}
Building Design Elements
{
Structure & Material 6m steel construction grid, perforated pre-fab facade, enclosed elements, 4.5m floor-to-floor height
} {
Framed Views Facade openings direct users to views & action on central plaza. Eyes on the public space.
} {
Roof & Plaza Access Strong connection with plaza from buildings and street level. Roof offers extra space in Spanish climate and view onto plaza & surroundings.
}
Fascination
4 6
2
4
4
6
2
4
5
5
B
Level 3
3
3
Level 1
7
4
4
4
6
4
7
4
4
4
4
6
Level -1 (Plaza)
B
4
6
1
5
B’
4
3
6 000 mm
6 000 mm
6 000 mm
6 000 mm 44 850 mm
6 000 mm
6 000 mm
6 000 mm
Level 2
8
Level 0 (P. d/l Castellano)
Plans (n.t.s.)
Section A-A’
Section B-B’
Sections (n.t.s.)
exterior night perspective
interior perspective
Permeable vs. Opaque
Shading & Ventilation
Structural Grid
Material Layers
technical integration
150 mm pre-fab. clay facade (2000x4500 mm), connected to structural beam with steel bracket floor-to-floor cable truss glass facade system, with point-fixed low-iron glass steel I-beam (225x300mm) 7 mm sheet metal cladding (1500x1500 mm) 20x40 mm vertical metal strapping @ 450 mm o/c 5 mm air barrier 12 mm OSB sheathing 12 mm rigid insulation metal C-studs @ 450 mm o/c, filled with 200 mm wool insulation 12 mm OSB sheathing 5 mm vapour barrier 12 mm acoustic insulation 12 mm dry wall 25 mm slate roof cladding 20x40 mm strapping @ 450mm o/c 5 mm air barrier 12 mm OSB sheathing 110 mm batt wool insulation 80 mm concrete floor slab 90 mm metal composite decking 5 mm vapour barrier 220 mm open web steel joist 20x40 mm strapping @ 450 mm o/c 12 mm acoustic insulation 12 mm drywall
1
C
720 mm
4150 mm
660 mm
3
5430 mm
2
C’
Facade vertical Section
D
D’
E
E’
Facade horizontal section
D
D’
E
E’
Section C-C’ Horizontal Section 1:20
Facade Elevations