Thesis brochure

INTERTEXTUAL COMPOSITION OF AN URBAN ENSEMBLE COMPLETING THE PALACE OF YOUTH AND SPORTS IN THE NEW CONTEXT OF PRISHTINA

by Florent Bajrami Master thesis developed at Politecnico di Milano under the supervision of Maurizio Meriggi and Luka Skansi received the highest score 110 cum Laude

WHY COMPLETE THE PALACE OF YOUTH AND SPORTS PROJECT?

The importance of the Palace of Youth and Sports complex to Prishtina’s image is not to be understood only through its iconic architectural language and massive scale.

The mega-structure stands as an artifact of the city’s recent history. It is a testament of Prishtina’s youth, the optimistic times of the project’s conception, the idea of unity, but also later on as a reminder of the ethnic division, the unfulfilled promise of its completion and after the war, the governmental neglect of the complex. Since the independence and the economic system change, it is increasingly more difficult to imagine the realization of a public building of such scale and architectural ingenuity. Not properly maintained and only partly functional, the complex is not fulfilling its full potential and its future stands in uncertainty. Due to the size of the ensemble, demolition is a rather onerous and financially demanding operation; in its current state, therefore, the complex finds itself in limbo: too

expensive to maintain or to demolish, and too important for the public to be privatized.

The Prishtina 2030 Mediterranean Games present a great opportunity for the central and local governments to think about the restoration of the damaged parts of the existing buildings, as well as the development of the empty plot behind the halls. A project for the completion of the ensemble would finally fulfill the original promise to the citizens of Prishtina, who directly funded its realization, as well as guarantee a secure future for one of the most important pieces of the city’s architectural heritage. The project would not only provide more open and closed sport facilities but it could also potentially be conceived as an infrastructural device that could connect different parts of the city center, through platforms and bridges. It would also function as a transportation hub, where a large parking lot would enable drivers to park their cars and walk to the city center.

URBAN CENTERS

NEW RING ROAD

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION

EXISTING CONDITIONS: FRAGMENTED PARTS OF THE CITY

1.Old City Center

ci

ty

ce

nt

er

2.administrative Center

3.project site

200 m

unive

rsity

4.new high-rise district

camp

us

500 m

LEGEND Important sites Ring road of the city center 1000 m

Railway line and station Bus lines Bus stops Pedestrian routes Main pedestrian axis

THE PALACE OF SPORTS AS AN ICON OF THE CITY

THE BURNED UNIVERSAL HALL

THE UNDEVELOPED PART OF THE PALACE OF YOUTH AND SPORTS USED AS A HUGE PARKING LOT

LEARNING FROM THE ORIGINAL PROJECT

When considering the potential completion of the Palace of Youth and Sports, one must look at the original project developed almost fifty years ago. It stands as an unquestionably relevant trace guiding a new design capable of restoring this urban block to its functionality by integrating it with the elements that have been realized. Regarding the strict need for pertinence with the existing, the project is constructed in an intertextual manner based on an in-depth study of the composition and proportions of the plan and elevations of the original project. Indeed, a project of such particular architectural language and immense importance can only be completed if its compositional rules are understood and its heritage accentuated. Furthermore, the original project’s never fulfilled variety of program and its urban role for the context present two important pillars from where the proposal arises, as they would still be incredibly beneficial to the city’s well-functioning.

As part of this analysis, the original project has been closely examined on plan and elevations, where a mega-grid, which directly relates to its structural grid system, is revealed as a compositional tool. Moreover, on elevations an ever deeper analysis is carried, where two different grid systems are identified. These two grids help in understanding the compositional and proportional relationship of the building volumes with one-another as well as their smaller elements. Understanding this hierarchy, means that the proposal can take the form of a respectful addition with a very muted architectural language, that does not compete with the existing modern heritage.

The analysis serves to identify the domain of a potential project, which although being greatly restrictive, guarantees continuity with the existing in scale and proportions. Thus, it is a tool that could be used as a base for setting the urban and architectural rules for an eventual future international competition.

THE ORIGINAL PROJECT BY ŽIVORAD JANKOVIĆ, HALID MUHASILOVIĆ AND SRETKO EŠPEK

COMPOSITIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE PLANS AND ELEVATIONS OF THE ORIGINAL PROJECT AS A STARTING POINT FOR THE PROPOSAL

FRONT FAÇADE OF THE SPORTS HALLS. COMPOSITION STUDY USING THREE GRIDS: 6X6M, 8X6M AND 4X3M

LONGITUDINAL ELEVATION SHOWING THE PALACE OF SPORTS AND THE PALACE OF YOUTH: COMPOSITION STUDY USING THE 6X6M GRID

LONGITUDINAL ELEVATION SHOWING THE PALACE OF SPORTS AND THE PALACE OF YOUTH: COMPOSITION STUDY USING THE 8X6M GRID

LONGITUDINAL ELEVATION SHOWING THE OLYMPIC POOL AND THE PALACE OF SPORTS: COMPOSITION STUDY USING THE 6X6M GRID

LONGITUDINAL ELEVATION SHOWING THE OLYMPIC POOL AND THE PALACE OF SPORTS: COMPOSITION STUDY USING THE 8X6M GRID

BACK ELEVATION SHOWING THE OLYMPIC POOL AND THE OUTDOOR STANDINGS: COMPOSITION STUDY USING THE 6X6M GRID

LONGITUDINAL ELEVATION SHOWING THE OLYMPIC POOL AND THE OUTDOOR STANDINGS: COMPOSITION STUDY USING THE 8X6M GRID

STRATEGY AND MAIN CONCEPTS OF THE PROJECT

The state of uncertainty of the Palace of Youth and Sports could be resolved by its revitalization through its completion in the terms of a recontextualization in the new urban landscape of Prishtina. As part of the integration with the surrounding urban context, the proposal aims at the construction of the pair of bridges planned in the original idea but never realized, connecting the higher residential neighborhoods and the railway station to the west with the main city avenue to the east. The bridges and platform would also connect the newly developed residential and commercial center in Lakrishtë with the center boulevard and the city stadium. The first floor platform would be the artificial level that would facilitate the access and circulation of massive crowds of spectators and other pedestrians, while the more permeable ground level would ensure the ease of accessibility for athletes and commercial users.

With slight variations, these architectural

elements would still respond to the problems of the current connective tissue by creating facilitated paths for pedestrians and a mitigation of city traffic. Through their completion, therefore, the project would take full advantage of the infrastructural aspect it originally intended. Moreover, the recent use of the plot as a parking lot could be seen as a potential for developing a transportation hub where transferring from car to foot is possible.

A further essential factor that constitutes a step in the revitalization of the complex and its activation and attractiveness is its functional integration. The various open-air sports and Olympic swimming pools that were never completed had reduced the conception of the compound as a youth and sports center, and hence they are being re-proposed in the functional programme along with other recreational-sports activities, which would allow different categories of citizens potentially using this new center to be channeled into it.

STRATEGY: THE PALACE OF YOUTH AND SPORTS COMPLEX AS AN URBAN INTERVENTION TO CONNECT THE FRAGMENTED PARTS OF THE CITY CENTER

CONNECTING ARBËRIA TO THE MOTHER TERESA BOULEVARD

USING THE COMPOSITIONAL ANALYSIS AS A STARTING POINT

RESPECTING THE HERITAGE BY ADHERING TO THE PROPORTIONS OF THE ORIGINAL

MASTERPLAN OF THE PROPOSAL

CONNECTING THE TWO PARTS OF THE CITY CENTER

CLEAR DIVISION OF VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS

MAINTAINING THE IMAGE OF THE ORIGINAL PROJECT

ORGANIZATION OF THE VOLUMES ACCORDING TO THE ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONAL MEGA-GRID

ISOMETRIC SECTION VIEW OF THE PROPOSAL: THE FUNCTIONS AND SURFACES OF THE SPACES

DATA OF THE BUILT AND OPEN SPACES OF THE PROPOSAL

SURFACE AND FUNCTIONAL PROGRAM

69 080 sqm surface

User fluxes distribution

SURFACE FUNCTIONAL PROGRAM 37 900 sqm AND EXISTING 31 180 sqm PROPOSED

71% built open 6929% 080 sqm surface 72%sqm served 37 900 EXISTING

SPORTS COURTS

User fluxes distribution

YOUTH PALACE

64%sqm served 31 180 PROPOSED

28% serving 71% built 29% accessibility open Space rate 72% served 28% serving

SPORTS HALLS

47% built 53% open 36% serving 47% built 53% open

SPORTS HALLS OLYMPIC SWIMMING POOL SPORTS COURTS

COMMERCIAL AREA YOUTH PALACE

50% public

64% served 40% semi-public36% serving

COMMERCIAL OLYMPICSWIMMING POOL SWIMMING POOL

10% private

Space accessibility rate Main functions rate

RECRATIONAL ANNEX

50% public 61% 40% sport semi-public

COMMERCIAL SWIMMING POOL

18% 10% recreational private 21% commercial 61% sport

Use types 18% identification recreational for indoor sports COMMERCIAL - one time -

MEMBERSHIP - non competitive -

Normal day

CLUB ANNEX

Special event day RECRATIONAL ANNEX

Main functions rate

21% commercial

CLUB ANNEX COMMERCIAL AREA

Normal day

Generetation of economic flows Special event day

MEMBERSHIP - competitive -

SPORTS HALLS

TRAMPOLINE POOL

Use types identification for indoor sports

SPORTS COURTS YOUTH PALACE Generetation of economic flows

DARTS

COMMERCIAL

TABLE TENNIS

BOWLING- one time -

MEMBERSHIP - non competitive -

TABLE FOOTBALL TRAMPOLINE

- competitive -

SPORTS HALLS OLYMPIC SWIMMING POOL SPORTS COURTS

ARCHERY - SHOOTING RANGE

POOL

MEMBERSHIP COMMERCIAL AREA YOUTH PALACE

CLIMBING DARTS MARTIAL ARTS

TABLE TENNIS

FENCING

BOWLING SQUASH TABLE FOOTBALL

CROSS-FIT ARCHERY - SHOOTING RANGE

COMMERCIAL OLYMPICSWIMMING POOL SWIMMING POOL

YOGA CLIMBING BASKETBALL

RECRATIONAL ANNEX

MARTIAL ARTS

VOLLEYBALL TENNIS

FENCING

SQUASH HANDBALL FUTSAL

YOGA

CLUB ANNEX COMMERCIAL AREA

SWIMMING BASKETBALL

CROSS-FIT

COMMERCIAL SWIMMING POOL

Normal day Special event day RECRATIONAL ANNEX

VOLLEYBALL

Normal day

TENNIS HANDBALL FUTSAL SWIMMING

Special event day

CLUB ANNEX

VIEW FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE COMPLEX TOWARDS THE PALACE OF SPORTS

INTERIOR VIEW OF THE OLYMPIC SWIMMING POOL

REFLECTED NORTH ELEVATION: THE PROPOSAL IN RED ADHERING TO THE ORIGINAL COMPOSITION

TOP VIEW OF THE COMPLEX

SOUTH ELEVATION: THE PROPOSAL IN RED ADHERING TO THE ORIGINAL COMPOSITION

-1 LEVEL FLOOR PLAN: THE UNDERGROUND PARKING CONNECTED TO THE EXISTING ONE AS WELL AS THE SUNKEN SWIMMING POOL

WEST ELEVATION: THE PROPOSAL IN RED ADHERING TO THE ORIGINAL COMPOSITION: THE HALF-SUNKEN SWIMMING POOL ON THE LEFT AND SPORT ANNEXES ON THE RIGHT

GROUND LEVEL FLOOR PLAN: PERMEABLE BOUNDARIES THAT ENCLOSE OPEN SPORTS COURTS

ZOOMED IN VIEW OF THE ANNEXES: DUAL VOLUMES RESPECTING THE SLOPES OF THE PALACE OF SPORTS

WEST SECTION THROUGH THE RECREATIONAL SPORTS ANNEX

THE HALF-SUNKEN OLYMPIC SWIMMING POOL. THE ROOF IN CORRESPONDANCE TO THE SLOPES OF THE PALACE OF SPORTS INTERIOR VIEW OF THE SWIMMING POOLS COURT: FLEXIBILITY OF THE CURTAIN WALL TO OPEN UP THE SPACE

INTERIOR VIEW OF THE SPORTS CLUBS ANNEX: DIFFERENT SPORTS CO-EXISTING UNDER ONE ROOF. TRANSPARENCY AND VARIANCE IN ROOM HEIGHTS TO CREATE VISUAL INTEREST AND CURIOSITY

NORTH LONGITUDINAL SECTION: HIERARCHY OF THE PROPOSED VOLUMES ADHERING TO THE EXISTING ONES

+1 LEVEL FLOOR PLAN: THE PLATFORM AS ACCESS FOR THE SPECTATORS AND CONNECTING THE ADJACENT URBAN BLOCKS

SOUTH LONGITUDINAL SECTION: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OPEN COURTS AND THE PLATFORM

+2 LEVEL FLOOR PLAN: A VARIETY OF GALLERIES LOOKING TOWARDS BIG OPEN HALLS

CONCLUSION

The proposal for the completion of the Palace of Youth and Sports is not merely an attempt to put forward a solution to an urban void.

As seen in the background section of the research, the complex is strongly linked to the city’s history and stands as a reminder of more optimistic times. Half a century later, no other building of similar scale or architectural ingenuity has been realized in Prishtina; an aspect which makes the Palace of Youth and Sport even more valuable to the city’s architectural heritage.

The proposal’s focal point lies precisely on how to approach such an iconic and particular mega-structure. The specificity of the architectural language, built upon simple urbanistic and construction rules, makes any addition to the ensemble seem totally inappropriate if said rules are not considered.

On the other hand, simply realizing the rest of the project based on the original project does not constitute the best solution to the new context of the site, as well as it would diminish the image of the Palace of Sports that lies deeply in the collective memory of every Prishtina inhabitant. Thus, this research tries to identify the hidden framework that unifies the ensemble, so that the proposal could

abide within the rules set up by the original plan, while operating on a limited freedom to put forward a respectful addition to the complex. Such framework, as seen in the idea of the compositional mega-grid, the elevation proportional study, as well as the architectural elements abacus, has been applied so that the proposal fulfills the requirement on three different levels: 1. the infrastructural aspect, relating to the ability of the ensemble to interlink different part of the city center and act as a transportation hub; 2. the continuity of image, concerned with respecting the heritage value that the complex has acquired throughout the years, and thus giving the addition a muted character that abides by the rules of the existing, and 3. the functional integrity of the new additions as a must to keep the character of the complex as a sport, commercial and recreational mega-structure.

An improved and finally complete Palace of Youth and Sports could signify a new era for the city’s social, cultural and economical life: a center which could finally be enjoyed by the so many citizens involved in its realization decades ago, and one with which a new generation of young people could identify with.

All drawings and picture are developed by the author