AD3 portfolio; Of Trees and Men

DES ARBRES ET DES HOMMES LANDSCAPE FESTIVAL 2018 - CTU - KOLARIK STUDIO - WINTER 2017

GAIA DELEPINE

Brief At the ocassion of the Landscape festival 2018 Prague there is an intention to realize site specific objects on the island of Štvanice, based on winning competition entry by studio RKAW. Štvanice island will be covered by rendering of RKAW`s competition entry features as a simulation of what it could be as well as an examination of its assets by visitors.

All activities of the festival should use this scheme of potential future.

Collaboration of ARCHIP students, students of Studio Kolarík at Faculty of Architecture Czech Technical University and with Studio Aleš Hnízdil at Czech Agricultural University in Prague is in plan, as well as in cooperation with actors and artists performing around Vila Štvanice (Tygr v tísni).

Realisation should become a leading link of Lanscape festival Prague 2018.

The installation should represent a materialized idea of the material and its sophisticated use, be in harmony with the atmosphere, time and context should result in extraordinary impressive feeling if facing it.

No utility is required but is optional. inspiration: Serpentine pavillon (UK) Realisation: Spring 2018

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Basic site information - Stvanice island

The island of Stvanice is located at the heart of the Capital city of Prague.

It is situated at the junction of 4 major developping neighbourhoods, Letna at west, Holesovice at north, Karlin at east and Florenc at south.

It also has a sensible relationship with the Stare Mesto part of the city.

Shaped by the river Vltava, it is inhabited by the spirit of industrial grounds along with the purity of green spaces.

Off the radar of tourists, it almost feels abandonned at first sight.

Overall, the green, open air and feeling of leaving the chaos of the city for a quiet place won the heart of multiple groups, but only the darings will be able to experience the truthfulness of wandering around the island.

Charged in history, it was in the home to a wooden hunting arena in the 17th century. This activity gave its name to the island. Banned at the beginning of the 19th century, the arena became a winter stadium in the 1930s and the center for ice skating in Prague. After the floods of 2002 greatly touched the island, the arena was destroyed as the wood was too damaged by the rising waters.

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Basic site information - site communication The island is dived into three parts by two bridges, Hlavkuv most (west) bearing the highway and the Negrelli viaduct (east) supporting the train track.

Communication between those parts is difficult: even though the viaduct is porous for pedestrians, Hlavkuv most is harder to cross. The three crossing points are an unpleasant tunnel, crossing the highway or waking under the vaults of the bridge (currently under construction).

The general accessibility of the island is as of now also complicated. It is accessible by tram and foot from Hlavkuv most, not very pedestrian friendly, and by boat during summer months in between Holesovice and Karlin. Having only two access points for pedestrians over the whole island is problematic.

As a result, visitors are not attracted to the island. In fact, to join with the northern and southern bank of the river you need to walk along the noisy highwway on the bridge which is highly exposed to the wind. An experience only few consider.

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Basic site information - activity Stvanice is a space of multiple qualities. It is the biggest island of the city and has an extensive green surface. Trees are prevalent but do not obstruate the view: this maintains a good visual communication with the city and preserves the feeling of being on an island.

Multiple landmarks are visible when on the island, such as the Prague castle or Zizkov tower.

Not only does Stvanice possesses qualities regarding its surroudings, it is also very interesting for what happens inside of it.

Except for the part in between the two bridges which is occupied by tennis courts, and the western far end which hosts a power plant, the island is publicly accessible.

Over time, it became one of the favourite spots for dog wlakers and joggers.

Skaters also found their home on the island where a skatepark was constructed. Alongside the Stvanice villa, a space dedicated to leisure that hosts musical and theatrical performances is located an open air bike park, where once stood the winter arena.

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Design - Essay, model, sketches, plan -

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Relationships between trees are very subtle and delicate. It is easy when representing them to make the mistake of enclaving the trees.

A rope can quickly become a chain and transmit the opposite message to the intended.

In order to show these relations, is materlialising them through an object constantly linking the trees the answer?

My design incorporates the different layers of communication in-between trees. I intend to give to the public the opportunity to experience them through my installation.

My installation is designed on two levels: Firstly, the ground layer, represents the strong links present at the roots of the trees, the mycelium.

Benches, ideal for socialisation and contemplation are placed following the mycelium mesh.

Together, they define spaces and allow the creation of a social space, with scenic potential.

Secondly, the subtle and delicate part of the communication is symbolised through ephemere links: I put long wool pieces in the branches of the trees that will move according to the wind. An affectuate embrace.

Overall, I am not the protagonist of the story I want to tell, and neither is my design. It simply is the mean of expression, the stage.

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Design sketches

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Concept - Essay, model, sketches -

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The abundance of trees on the island compared to the rest of the city inspired me to use them as the guiding axis of my reflection.

I was able to draw some comparison lines between the behaviour of humans and trees in groups, which I found intriguing.

Just like humans, trees are social beings that need to communicate in order to spread. Their ways of interacting fascinated me. I base my concept on them.

However, they are not visible to the eye as the communication happens under-ground.

Are we, as humans, aware of these interactions?

I want to present them to the public as they are: peaceful, protective, fragile, societal. I want to make the ephemeral invisible visible.

My research for how I represented the relations was as extensive as they are delicate.

To emphasize the social character of these relations, I provide a gathering opportunity through my installation and work with the site specific theatre group.

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-A single photo of the conceptual / analytical model: total overhead (fallout)

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Concept video - shots “Of trees and men�

A conceptual video from stock footage in which I researched and analysed the relationship between trees and men, its meanings, my take on the subject.

Runtime: 86 seconds

1

Forest

3

Commensalism

5

Origins

7

Texture

2

Water

4

Of trees and men

6

Development

8

Of trees and trade

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Concept sketches

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Research

- Essay, layers, ortophoto, the mycelium, materials -

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From seed to tree is a long journey.

Trees are well known producers of oxygen through the absorbtion of carbon dioxide and photosynthesis. Their group is the base to the ecosystem while the most fragile part.

They need basic elements in order to develop: sun, water, nutrients. Their survival also depends of their communications, as trees are subjects to many threats. Illnesses, shortages in nutrients, animals, all these can be prevented through information.

Scientific research proved that trees were able to share information under the form of electric signals. The reception of the signals leads to a reaction from the adjacent trees. They also share nutrients, and are able to revitalise a dead tree that fell down.

This shows how alive and social trees are. The communication happens through an internet of roots and fungus called the mycelium.

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Analysis - topography An analysis of the characteristics of the island.

It shows how important greenery is on the island as it covers almost 2/3rds of it.

A very clear division of the island is noted from the two transport links (highway and railway) along with major noise nuisance around the highway. It is not very extended on the western side due to a difference of levels more important than on the eastern side.

The strong summer winds are mainly directed towards east, and are more charged in humidity as the ambiant temperature is warmer. They accompany the flow of the river and the sun’s path. As I am working with wood, I need to take this information into consideration.

4 PROPOSAL (LOCATION) Area:

14oo sqm

3 PATHS Interior accessibility of island

2 GREENERY Proportions:

2/3 of the island Trees

1 NATURAL ELEMENTS Noise Sun movement Summer wind Division of the island

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Analysis-orthophoto What is Stvanice?

Where is it?

What is there?

The greenery is one of the most distinctive features of the island.

Different kinds of trees, the proximity to the water, an air easier to breathe and secure environment for children as both extremities are solely surrounded by water.

Connected to both sides of the city but under used? A survey I conducted during the first half of the semester in the international community showed that people were not interested on going to the island because of their lack of interest. Although they are aware of what exists on the island, they are not reminded that it is interesting.

An installation that would visually attract attention from outside the island could deal with this problem.

As my design is located in exterior and relatively exposed to wind and humidit, along to pollution due to the city and highway, I needed to take these elements into account.

I decided to use these elements as part of my design.

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Analysis - The mycelium Trees naturally respect eachother above the surface through sharing of space. When you look up to the canopy, you see how trees have a margin in between their leaves.

While growing, they intentionally leave out space for them and their neighbours to breathe.

This does not mean that contact does not occur. In fact, it is fairly common that some trees physically rely on other trees for equilibrium. But the contact is respectful, delicate.

Under the surface, the situation is quite different. Trees are tightly interconnected through the WWW, the “Wood Wide Web”.

Plants cannot scream.

They developped other strategies in order to communicate and survive. In case of an imminent danger, trees can exchange the information through this “web” composed of roots and fungus. Gaseous messages, electrical signals, this web is able to transmit many types of messages over a large distance.

Through these links they are notably able to transmit nutrients as the studies of S. Simard demonstrated, to the point of revitalising a dead tree.

A noticably social behaviour.

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Analysis - Materials

The intense exposure of the materials I am using means they will tend to degrade faster. Wood dries if exposed to sun and wind, fabric looses its colors and shreds when exposed to winds, rain and pollution.

How will my installation evolve with time?

Using pieces of yarn wool has the advantage of allowing material change in shape, texture and color.

The texture being very rough for certain untreated types also means a better grip when in contact. A great deal with the unknown.

Humidity influences its overall shape as wool has the capacity to absorb water.

In fact, wool absorbs up to 30% of its volume in water. When drying, it will not regain its original form, nor texture.

Sunlight is bright. The long exposure to direct UV causes photochemistry and reduces the capacity of a material to reflect the light.

This means the material will “bleach�.

Red is the fastest color to degrade and blue the slowest. In case of monochromatic dye, the object would gradually lighten.

Wood is a material often used in construction, after it has been cut to shape and treated with chemicals for colors and resistance to the environment. Here, I want to use wood in a more natural manner. I designed benches made of uncoated braided branches. I maintain the naturally dark color of the wood, as a finish.

How will I, however, deal with the comfort of sitting for users? Looking at an assambly of branches, the first thought wouldn’t be to sit on it as it seems to provide discomfort, but it can easily be adjusted through adequate design.

The discomfort from sitting on branches comes from the uneven repartition of forces. When two branches are attached together in traditional braiding, the space between the branches is not addressed as comfort is usually not the principal dilemna. If this space is reduced and even supressed, the repartition of body weight is redistributed evenly, reduicing the feeling of discomfort.

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3

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43

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Brief

Plan - Elevation

Research essay

Mycelium

Site information

Concept essay

Topography

Materials

Design essay

Concept video

Orthophoto

CV

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GAIA DELE PINE

DES ARBRES ET DES HOMMES Landscape festival AD3 winter semester 17/18 Atelier Kolarík FA ČVUT w w w. f a . c v u t . c z / C z / Ateliery/AtelierKolarik Studio leader doc. Ing. arch. Radek Kolarík Ing. arch. Lada Kolaríková

Contact:

gaia.delepine@gmail.com +352 661 289 970

Birth:

Address:

Education:

Work experience:

15-06-1999 Essey-les-Nancy, France

From September 2016 to June 2019 (expected) Bachelor in Architecture Architectural Institute in Prague

From Septembre 2012 to June 2016 European Bachaloreate in Arts and Sciences European School of Luxembourg II

Languages: French: English: Italian: Spanish:

Puskinovo namesti 2, 16000 Praha, Ceska Republika

October 2017, CityMakers Workshop II, IPR Praha P2Gcreatives association Design, time management, budgeting, communication

November 2014, Atelier A4 architects Internship

Computer skills:

Autocad Sketchup, Rhinoceros Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop Microsoft Word, PowerPoint

Layout concept + methodology © Radek Kolarík. Lada Kolaríková. KOLABORATORY. www.kolaboratory.cz, 2016 For educational purposes in the subjects of lead authors, the layout concept and methodology can be used free of charge.

For educational purposes in other subjects, the layout concept and methodology can also be used free of charge In such case, make use of the license note. Any use of this layout and methodology for other than educational purposes, without the prior written consent of the authors is not allowed.

License Note: Layout concept + methodology © Radek Kolarík. Lada Kolaríková. KOLABORATORY. 160919.

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“Stvanice island, an abandonned green gem lost in the heart of the city of Prague; home to who is courageaous enough to wander around it.�

I was able to draw some comparison lines between the behaviour of humans and trees in groups. Just like humans, trees are social beings.

Are we, as humans, aware of these interactions?

The mission of my design is to bring to the eye this invisible communication. I want to present them to the public as they are: peaceful, protective, fragile, societal. I want to make the ephemeral invisible visible.

Overall, I am not the protagonist of the story I want to tell, and neither is my design. It simply is the mean of expression, the stage.

G.D, WS 17