Architecture Portfolio 2019 - 2022 by Gender-based Housing (GBH)

NIKITA

SCHWEIZER

ARCHITECTURE

PORTFOLIO 2019 - 2022

Nikita Ashleigh Schweizer Architecture Portfiolio 2019 - 2022 Technische Universität Berlin Master in Architecture - Typology (M-Arch-T) 31 Priory Close , Walton-on-Thames Surrey, United Kingdom, KT121JR n.schweizer@campus.tu-berlin.de nikitaschweizer@gmail.com Printed and bound in Cape Town, South Africa by Hot Ink ™ Print & Design 55 Long St, Cape Town City Centre Designed and produced by Nikita Schweizer © All rights reserved. No part of this thesis / book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author / producer. All content (text, images and drawings) produced by Nikita Schweizer, unless otherwise explicitly stated.

1 in 3 women

throughout the world will experience gender-based violence in their lifetime GBV Statistics

WHO

CONTENTS

CONTENTS PAGE

Contents Page

Curriculum Vitae

2019 - 2022 Portfolio

May 2022

Gender-based Housing M-Arch-T Thesis

Accra Shab Labs WiSe 20/21

A Theatrical Timber Factory SoSe 2020

The Hybrid Kita WiSe 19/20

100

62 116

72 156

182 222

226 260

264 284

328

378

CURRICULUM VITAE NIKITA SCHWEIZER

REPRESENTATION Exceptional model-making skills and hand-drawing ability. Competent in AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Lumion, and Revit

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS 2022

TU Berlin Deutschlandstipendium

2021

DAAD Study Scholarship - Postgraduate Studies in the Field of Architecture

2020

TU Berlin Deutschlandstipendium

2017

Winner: Boogertman + Partners Architectural Design Scholarship Award Africa

2016

Class Medal APG2039W: Design & Theory Studio III

2016

Cape Institute for Architecture Prize: Best Student in Design and Theory Studio III

2016

Molly Gohl Memorial Prize: Best Woman Student Completing Third-year of BAS III

2016

Reuben Stubbs Award

Haworth Tompkins (2022)

2016

Building & Drawing: Noero Architects (2022)

First Runner-up: International Murray & Roberts Des Baker Architectural Student Design Competition

2016

University of Cape Town Faculty Scholarship

2015

Cape Institute for Architecture Prize: Best Student in Design and Theory Studio II

2015

Member of the Golden Key International Honour Society 2015 – present

2015

University of Cape Town Faculty Scholarship

2015

Dean’s Merit List

2014

Finalist: UCT Student Creative Ideas Competition for the Rustenburg Memorial

2014

University of Cape Town Entrance Scholarship

2014

Dean’s Merit List

LANGUAGES Native in English, Conversational in Afrikaans, Basic German (A1)

PUBLICATIONS

Building the Survival Lounge (2021) Designing the Survival Lounge (2020) Co-designing The City: Architecture + Informal Intelligence ( 2017) SA Décor & Design (online) (2017) Talented UCT Student Wins Prestigious Boogertman + Partners Award

EXHIBITIONS

EDUCATION

2020, 2021 IFA Open House Berlin, Germany

TU Berlin Berlin, Germany 2019 – 2022

Masters in Architecture - Typology (M-Arch-T) Master of Science (M.Sc.) Cumulative GPA 1,1 (equivalent to approximately 96%)

2019 A Vision for Future Cape Town Cape Town, South Africa

Master’s Thesis

Gender-based Housing (GBH) Final Grade 1,0 (equivalent to approximately 100%)

2016 UCT School of Architecture Summer Exhibition Cape Town, South Africa

University of Cape Town Cape Town, RSA 2014 – 2016

2016 Des Baker Exhibition at the Department of Architecture and Spatial Planning Windhoek, Namibia

Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) Graduated with Distinction, cumulative GPA of 86% Dean’s Merit List 2014 – 2015 Highest achieving Student 2015 (85%) – 2016 (94%)

St Cyprian’s School Cape Town, RSA 1999 – 2013

Matriculated with 8 Distinctions and an 88% Aggregate. Top 0,5% in the Western Cape, with regards to the number of subject distinctions.

EXPERIENCE

REFERENCES

Haworth Tompkins 7 months 2019

Architectural Assistant Actively involved in several of the studio’s ongoing projects, including a winning competition entry for an urban master plan and housing scheme in Wembley, London.

Professor Jo Noero Employer; Founder and Director of Noero Architects info@noeroarchitects.com

Noero Architects 2 Years 2017 – 2018

Worked on a range of architectural and academic projects, and assisted in putting together the exhibition Art or Architecture : A Way of Making. In charge of all social media and the website.

House Klaasenbosch Project Team July 2017 – Dec 2018

Responsible for managing the project both on-site and off, liaising with the clients and professional team, and all project drawings, including drawings for council approval, tender, and construction.

Professor Lars Steffensen Thesis First Advisor Technische Universität Berlin ls@larssteffensen.dk

Signature Lux Hotel Project Team April 2017 - Aug 2018

Large commercial project; the conversion of a famous Cape Town heritage building into a fully digitised hotel. Assisted in various project drawings, responsible for all joinery detailing and drawings.

Noero Architects 2016

Involved in Cape Town’s 2016 UrbanXchanger Initiative: The Table House, an innovative social housing solution.

Eco Design Architects 2 Week Internship

Exposed to sustainable building design and construction methods. Worked in a team to create measured drawings of an existing house. Multiple site visits, interactions with clients, and office

2015

experience.

Jonathan Green Thesis Second Advisor; Third Year Studio Convenor & Lecturer jonnogreen@icloud.com Sarah Rivière Academic Reference Technische Universität Berlin sr@sarahrivierearchitect.com Prof. Dr. Rainer Hehl Academic Reference Technische Universität Berlin rainer.hehl@tu-berlin.de

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

INFORMATION

Periods for Hope Current 2021 - present

Communications and Media Manager Organisatin Aim: Ending period poverty and empowering South Africa’s women and girls

2015

St Joseph’s Home for Chronically Ill Children

Date of Birth Place of Birth Gender Passport No. Citizenship

2010 - 2013 2011

Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club; Volunteer Lifeguard Received the Annual Bullard Trophy for Dedication to Duty

LEADERSHIP 2016

2015 – 2016

26 - 09 - 1995 Cape Town, RSA Female X2084005 South Africa Switzerland UK Pre-Settled Status (2019)

CONTACT UCT Vertical Studio Organising Committee; Coordinated a week of design-based learning for undergraduate architectural students, culminating in a fundraising event that hosted over 600 people.

31 Priory Close, Walton-on-Thames United Kingdom, KT12 1JR

UCT Undergraduate Mentor and BAS II & III Class Representative

nikitaschweizer@gmail.com

+44 (0) 77 594 495 01

THESIS

GENDER-BASED HOUSING Neukölln, Berlin, Germany

Kienitzerstrasse Street View Own Image

Gender-based housing (GBH) aims to, in some way, address

the global issue of gender-based violence (GBV) through the medium of architecture.

Having grown up as a woman in South Africa, GBV has been an ever-present threat in my day-to-day life. The country

is said to have the highest statistics of GBV in the world, including rape and domestic abuse. Recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa labelled it South Africa’s “second pandemic”.

Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed at an individual or group of people, based on their gender.

Generally speaking, most victims of gender-based violence are women. I believe that this is one of the most pressing Google Search

Google (28 June 2021)

Over the past 10 years in Berlin approximitely 10 000 women

have been victims of

domestic violence every year

This course took place during the summer (digital) semester of 2020 at TU Berlin, in conjunction with the Women In

Architecture (WIA) / Frau Architektin* exhibition which was set to run that year.

Over a number of months, we interviewed eight women

who had moved to Berlin in the last year, and studied their living situations to better understand what makes a home

feel safe or unsafe. Through our research, we discovered

both official and self-made groups of women across Berlin, who were working to create safer living environments for

themselves. We uncovered a network of “female only” WGs (shared flats) across the city, where renters had specified that

they were looking to share only with female flatmates. This

pointed to the fact that there was evidently a need for this The Pyramid of Sexual Violence Instagram; Own Drawing

type of housing in the city.

Domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV)

are often used interchangeably, however, there is a clear difference. IPV is a form of domestic violence that occurs global issues we are currently facing. And, although it is a problem faced by our society as a whole, to each and every woman, it is deeply personal.

Though this project and the building are ultimately figments of my imagination, the aim was to investigate the topic in a

way that might be useful in the fight against GBV in Berlin, and in other parts of the world. The building will never be built, but the people, the client, and the situation are all very

between current or former spouses or partners that are

or were in an intimate relationship. My definition of DV is taken to mean ‘violence that occurs in the home’. This

could be between partners, family, friends, flatmates, or even strangers. Additionally, it is important to understand

that gender-based violence exists on a spectrum. Though different, all incidents are harmful in some sense. The aim of this project is to tackle the entire issue of GBV, on both a rehabilitative and preventative level.

real. My hope is that some of these discoveries will have a

Founded in 1993, BIG e.V. is a registered organisation

work, I also hope to dispel some of the stigma and taboos

in Berlin. They serve as a mediator or connector between

positive effect on shelter design in the future. Through my around feminist topics and gender-based violence. I know it is not exactly our area of expertise as architects, but I wanted to draw attention to this problem through my research, and

ask “How can architecture, or even just an architectural thesis, play a role in tackling gender-based violence?”.

Though this project was done almost halfway across the world from South Africa, I have found that GBV is still very

much a part of my life here in Berlin. This thesis developed

through a group research project done for Fem*MAP Berlin.

working towards counteracting gender-based violence the many initiatives against gender-based violence across

the city (including women’s shelters). There are currently 7

Frauenhäuser in Berlin. All of the (what I have come to call Stage 1) women’s shelters are in secret locations. Through

my research I was able to locate the vague locations of the shelters, though the exact addresses remain secret.

My understanding of how the women’s shelter system works in Berlin is as follows; There are different types of accommodation options for women experiencing violence, and I have defined them as Stage 0, Stage 1, and Stage 2.

Housing options for Women, Berlin

Own Image

Location, Type of housing (number of residents), Room size, Rent

CONTRACT

SIZE OF KITCHEN

RESIDENTS

NUMBER OF BATHROOMS

RELATIONS WITH FLATMATES

LOCK

SEARCH TIME

INDICATION OF PRESENCE IN/OUT

SAFETY SCALE

FLOOR

ROUTE TO ROOM

PEOPLE/ACTIONS

PRICE PER PRIVATE/SAFE M2

SURVEILLANCE

SIZE OF PRIVATE SPACE

EXTERIOR FEELING

price per private m2

(page 8-9)

28 €

PRICE PER SAFE M2 UNSAFE SPOTS AT HOME UNSAFE SPOTS OUTSIDE HOME

UP TO 400 €

SAFE SPOTS AT HOME

400€ - 450 € 450 € - 500 € OVER 500 €

UNSAFE

SAFE

FRAUENHÄUSER

MOVEMENT/ROUTES

page 6-7)

-9)

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASE STUDY

SAFE

CASE STUDY

INTERVIEW QUOTES

(page 11-14)

CASE STUDY N0

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASE STUDY Location, Type of housing (number of residents), Room size, Rent

(page 28-29)

SIZE OF COMMON ANMELDUNG INTERRELATIONS SPACE CONTRACT

SIZE OF KITCHEN

RESIDENTS

NUMBER OF BATHROOMS

RELATIONS WITH FLATMATES

LOCK

SEARCH TIME

INDICATION OF PRESENCE IN/OUT

SAFETY SCALE

FLOOR

ROUTE TO ROOM

PEOPLE/ACTIONS

PRICE PER PRIVATE/SAFE M2

SURVEILLANCE

SIZE OF PRIVATE SPACE

EXTERIOR FEELING

price per private m2

28 €

PRICE PER SAFE M2 UNSAFE SPOTS AT HOME UNSAFE SPOTS OUTSIDE HOME SAFE SPOTS AT HOME

UNSAFE

SAFE

MOVEMENT/ROUTES INTERVIEW QUOTES INTERRELATIONS Case studies from 8 interviews of different housing options in Berlin. Map showing how safe women feel in their home and how affordable their home is.

Case Studies Feyza Sayman

Stage 0 Clearing Station / Emergency Accomodation

Currently no facilities 1 night - 2 weeks Known location

Stage 1 Frauenhäuser / Traditional Women’s Shalters

422 Spaces 1 night - 1 year (3m av) Secret location

Stage 2 Zufluchtswohnungen / Refuge Housing / Stage 2 Housing

228 Spaces 8 - 18 Months Semi-secret location (Alias name)

Women’s Shelters Stage 1 (Estimated Locations), Berlin Own Drawing

Stage 0; notunterkunft. These are emergency one-night

immigration, residency status, etc.). The locations are kept

Their addresses are known, and they do not usually allow

form of communal living, and women do not have to pay

shelters, which offer a safe place to sleep for women in need. children. Visitors usually stay for a few nights (no longer than

a week). Recently, this type of shelter has been shifting more

secret in order to maintain residents’ safety. It is usually some rent.

towards the program of a ‘clearing station’, which is a known

Stage 2; zufluchtswohnung (refuge housing). These are

been assaulted. There currently isn’t one in Berlin at the

can be subleased under an alias name. These apartments

place where women can go if they feel unsafe or if they have

moment, and the government has expressed that they would

like to set one up. This new facility would include immediate help for those who have experienced GBV with professionals on hand such as doctors, counsellors, legal aid, support & advice.

Stage 1; frauenhäuser. These are ‘traditional’ women’s shelters which offer temporary accommodation for women.

Residents typically stay for about 3 months (maximum 1 year), depending on their situation (financially, custody,

rentable apartments run by organisations in Berlin, which provide a ‘bridge’ between shelters and regular / open

market accommodation. Women pay a subsidised rent, but

the government will pay for the rent if they are on social welfare. Stage 2; second stage housing. These are for women “who aren’t able to find a flat on the normal market

or who still need help from social workers”. Often these will be apartments scattered across the city, and that made me think, “What if they were all grouped together?”.

Often people do not think “what’s next?” after women leave

S-Bahn

Ringbahn

U-Bahn

Bus

Tram

Police Stations

Hospitals / Clinics

Universities

Jobcentres

Adult Education

Emergency Shelters

Free STI Testing

Sexual Health Clinics

Zufluchtswohnung

Feminist Berlin

W Refuge (Offices)

W Shelter (Offices)

W Counselling Centres

Sexual Violence Advice

Women’s Centres

Migrant’s Advice

Refugee Centres

Victim Protection

Specialist Advice

Telephone Advice

Advice for Men

Admin & Authorities

Crisis Intervention

Family Courts

Crisis Centres

2/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

3/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 2/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

1/3 Range | 1/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

3/3 Range | 1/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 2/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 1/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

1/3 Range | 1/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 1/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

1/3 Range | 1/3 Importance

1/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

1/3 Range | 2/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 1/3 Importance

1/3 Range | 1/3 Importance

1/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

3/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

2/3 Range | 1/3 Importance

3/3 Range | 3/3 Importance

1/3 Range | 1/3 Importance

City Mapping Own Drawings

Crisis Centres

Family Courts

Crisis Intervention

Admin & Authorities

Advice Centres for Men

Telephone Advice

Specialist Advice Centres

Victim & Witness Protection

Refugee Centres

Advice Centres for Migrants

Feminist Berlin

Zufluchtswohnung

Sexual Health Clinics

Free STI Testing Centres

Emergency Women’s Shelters

Women’s Centres

Advice on Sexual Violence

Women’s Counselling Centres

Women’s Shelters (Consultation Offices)

Refuge Apartments (Consultation Offices)

Adult Education

Jobcentres

Universities

Hospitals / Clinics

Police Stations

Tram

Bus

U-Bahn

Ringbahn

S-Bahn

Overlay Map with Women’s Shelter Regions Own Drawing

A1 A2

A6 A5 A7 A4

The 5 Minute Walk

Potential Areas

a typical (Stage 1) women’s shelter. My building aims to

a high priority, with a walkability range of 10 minutes, while

clearing station / emergency accommodation with a Stage

the 15-minute category. After mapping all these locations

Own Drawing

“bookend’’ the process of healing by combining a Stage 0 2 safe housing for women on one site. A women’s centre

completes the complex. The idea is that after you have been assessed in the clearing station, you may be able to go straight to Stage 2 housing if you do not need to go into a

Stage 1 women’s shelter. This provides more flexibility in the

Own Drawing

things like women’s centres and job centres were ranked in across the city, these were then overlaid in order to find the

areas to concentrate on. Those were regions with the darkest shade, and therefore the highest concentration of relevant amenities.

system and might take some strain off the Stage 1 shelters.

It was important for me to position the project in between

This research aimed to test a number of methodologies

major transport routes, especially if the clearing station is to

that could be used in designing shelter architecture. The site selection process forms part of the investigation into how we might better design shelters. In searching for a site,

I began by dividing Berlin up into a grid of 750m squares. This is based on “The 5-minute walk”, or pedestrian shed.

It is the distance people are willing to walk before driving / taking public transport. From there, I considered facilities and

services that might be useful to have near the project such

as transport links, jobcentres, and women’s centres. These were then coded in terms of importance and walkability. For instance, U-Bahn and S-Bahn connections were considered

the wider network of women’s shelters with easy access to

act as the first point of contact for GBV. I looked for a site

in an area that did not currently have a women’s shelter, so

that the current shelter network could have more coverage. Because, through conversations with Kristin Fischer, we discussed that either a woman would like to stay in the same

area that she was before (children same school, etc) or, move to a completely different area. This would depend on how

violent / dangerous the perpetrator was, but it felt important to provide women with that choice.

After visiting some of the potential areas, I settled on A7.

Initial Diagrams

Own Drawings

In this, I took note of the amenities that were missing from

There were a number of key precedent projects I looked at

the project.

my project and the architecture, but the most influential

this area and aimed to add these back into the program of

The site is located just off Karl-Marx Strasse, in Neukölln. When

selecting it, I looked for a few specific site characteristics,

such as a building gap, greenery, a retail frontage, a location within the Ringhbahn, and a dense urban environment.

The “half” Berlin block really leant itself to this type of building, enabling the opportunity of having a ‘reach-around’ site with two street frontages, connected through the back courtyard.

while designing. These were all important in how they shaped and essential to mention are De Overloop by Herman

Hertzberger and the Somerville and Jesus Colleges by Niall McLaughlin. Additionally, I was fortunate enough to have many interesting conversations and interviews which have

driven my design. Some of the contributors were specialists in the GBV field, while some were fellow architects who had

also attempted to address similar issues either in practice or their own studies.

It allowed me to investigate, “Can the architecture and the site

The design process was an iterative one, using a number of

protection to the building’s inhabitants?”

My most helpful tool were my small sketchbooks, where I

configuration and neighbouring buildings provide additional

At the moment, the Practtomate community garden is

currently on the site. It is being pushed to the back to make way for a new housing block. I thought it was important

to retain this, as it is an integral part of the community. In

my program I demarcated space for the garden, in order

to secure its future. I believe that the garden will enrich the project, providing green space, as well as an opportunity for

women to try gardening. Healing through gardening is a very

studied form of therapy. There’s something about seeing

something grow, caring for something that really helps with depression, anxiety, and trauma.

102 20

different mediums to explore varying concepts and ideas. collected all potentially useful information so that it was easily accessible later. I underwent a very thorough massing process, in order to understand what best suited the context.

The context calls for an integrated building which would

not attract too much attention, while still retaining its own

architectural language. It fits snugly into the Berlin block, while challenging the current typology and how these courtyards are typically used elsewhere in the city. The site has two

street frontages, connected through the back courtyard. The

building makes full use of its two addresses and is designed

in a way that only those who know the building well should be able to know about the connection.

Sketch Books

Own Image

Figure Ground

Solid - Void Own Drawing

Own Drawing

Pedestrian Shed

Courtyards

Line Drawing

Building Ages

Building Heights

Building Types

Own Drawing

Own Image

Own Drawing

Monuments

5 storeys +

Before 1921

4 storeys

1921 - 1950

3 storeys

1951 - 1970

2 storeys

1971 - 2000

1 storey

Contours

Own Drawing

Block Solitaire Row House Other

Following Page Name

90 Working Models

Materials

Triplex, Foam Board, Polystyrene, Perspex, Copper Mesh, Copper Pipes, Gauze & Balsa Wood

Size

205 x 95 x 70 mm Each

Scale

At a Scale of 1 : 500

This Page Name

Neukölln Site Model

Materials

Polystyrene, Foam Board, MDF

Size

750 x 700 x 70 mm

Scale

At a Scale of 1 : 500

23 107

1 | Site Boundaries | 23 August 2021

2 | Planned Buildings | 23 August 2021

3 | Massing Study | 23 August 2021

4 | Massing Study | 23 August 2021

5 | Massing Study | 24 August 2021

6 | Massing Study | 24 August 2021

7 | Massing Study | 26 August 2021

8 | Massing Study | 26 August 2021

9 | Massing Study | 26 August 2021

10 | Massing Study | 26 August 2021

11 | Site Boundaries | 26 August 2021

12 | Planned Buildings | 26 August 2021

13 | Massing Study | 27 August 2021

14 | Massing Study | 27 August 2021

15 | Massing Study | 27 August 2021

16 | Existing Trees | 27 August 2021

17 | Massing Study | 27 August 2021

18 | Massing Study | 28 August 2021

19 | Massing Study | 28 August 2021

20 | Massing Study | 28 August 2021

21 | Massing Study | 28 August 2021

22 | Massing Study | 28 August 2021

23 | Massing Study | 28 August 2021

24 | Massing Study | 30 August 2021

25 | Massing Study | 30 August 2021

26 | Massing Study | 30 August 2021

27 | Massing Study | 30 August 2021

28 | Massing Study | 30 August 2021

29 | Massing Study | 30 August 2021

30 | Massing Study | 30 August 2021

31 | Massing Study | 7 September 2021

32 | Massing Study | 7 September 2021

33 | Massing Study | 7 September 2021

34 | Massing Study | 7 September 2021

35 | Massing Study | 7 September 2021

36 | Massing Study | 7 September 2021

37 | Massing Study | 7 September 2021

38 | Massing Study | 7 September 2021

39 | Massing Study | 7 September 2021

40 | Site Contours | 10 September 2021

41 | Massing Study | 12 September 2021

42 | Massing Study | 12 September 2021

43 | Massing Study | 12 September 2021

44 | Massing Study | 12 September 2021

45 | Massing Study | 12 September 2021

46 | Massing Study | 12 September 2021

47 | Massing Study | 12 September 2021

48 | Massing Study | 12 September 2021

49 | Massing Study | 12 September 2021

50 | Massing Study | 12 September 2021

51 | Massing Study | 12 September 2021

52 | Division & Enclosure | 12 October 2021

53 | Neighbour’s Edges | 12 October 2021

54 | Massing Study | 13 October 2021

55 | Massing Study | 13 October 2021

56 | Roof Development | 13 October 2021

57 | Development Model | 15 October 2021

58 | Massing Study | 15 October 2021

59 | Concept Model | 16 October 2021

60 | Development Model | 16 October 2021

61 | Floor Slabs | 17 October 2021

62 | Division & Enclosure | 19 October 2021

63 | Division & Enclosure | 19 October 2021

64 | Movement Routes | 21 October 2021

65 | Movement Routes | 22 October 2021

66 | Roof Development | 23 October 2021

67 | Development Model | 25 October 2021

68 | Brise Soleil | 26 October 2021

69 | Communal Spaces | 26 October 2021

70 | Movement Routes | 26 October 2021

71 | Massing Study | 30 Otober 2021

72 | Floor Slabs | 1 November 2021

73 | Development Model | 3 November 2021

74 | Movement Routes | 4 November 2021

75 | Structure | 5 November 2021

76 | Development | 8 November 2021

77 | Development | 21 November 2021

78 | Development | 21 November 2021

79 | Development | 22 November 2021

80 | Development | 23 November 2021

81 | Development | 24 November 2021

82 | Development | 24 November 2021

83 | Development | 24 November 2021

84 | Development | 25 November 2021

85 | Development | 26 November 2021

86 | Development | 26 November 2021

87 | Development | 29 November 2021

88 | Development | 26 January 2022

89 | Development | 26 January 2022

90 | Development | 2 February 2022

Process Drawings Original Scale 1:500

Kienitzerstrasse Street Elevation Not to Scale

Bornsdorferstrasse Street Elevation Not to Scale

Bornsdorferstrasse Street View Own Image

The Clearing Station block stands solidly between its

6 to 8 weeks. The project aims to provide a place for women

Northern facade responds to its neighbours, with a sloping

landing point when they first arrive in the city. With these

traditional neighbours, shielding the buildings behind it. The roof and retail frontage. The Western facade and entrance to the Stage 2 Housing is a completely different entity. As

the building progresses from the Stage 0 Clearing Centre, through the healing centre, to the Stage 2 Housing, it morphs

along the way from a thick, heavy, protective building into a

lighter architecture. It then solidifies up again as it reaches

who are maybe more vulnerable with a safe transition; a residents, the aim would be for them to stay for a few weeks,

either until they find a place to stay or are accepted into a student residence. This adds to the community of women

and children on site; women who are recovering, women who are vulnerable, and women who are new to the city.

the street edge.

Moving up through the Stage 2 Housing; as you go up a

The ground floor houses a 24-hour pharmacy, cafe, and

and therefore safe. The upper floor of the kindergarten

the reception area for the Clearing Station above. This is the first point of contact for women who have experienced GBV. As they pass through the dividing wall or ‘ribbon’ which separates the public from the private, they should feel safe and shielded. They cannot be seen, though they can

still see out. The additional entrance through the cafe is a

more public route through the complex. When visitors move along this route, they are passively observed by the various

caretakers of the building. The cafe opens out onto the public courtyard, which links to the ground floor of the healing

centre. This building sits in-between the clearing centre and

housing. It takes up a change in level which occurs naturally across the site.

On the opposite end of the site is the Stage 2 Housing

entrance. The ribbon-like dividing wall winds its way through

the building and creates a safe, discreet entrance. Visitors should recognise it as they pass through it that they are

passing the threshold from public to private. This floor

houses the kindergarten and outdoor play area, as well as

the housing reception. There is also a shuttle bus which transports women between this building and Stage 1 Shelters

level you reach the ‘private’ ground plane, which is raised opens out onto this raised green space. The communal areas

are dotted in amongst the units. This level also connects

directly to the healing centre where there are individual and group counselling rooms. The levels above this have a range of different housing options, with different communal

rooms which provide access to the elevators behind. Unit balconies are shared between two units, and reach across

the laubengang, making it more useful. A double story

library connects the last level of housing, which is intended for students.

Returning to the Clearing Centre, the ‘house of small

ways’ sits above the public ground floor. This centre aims to house all consultants under one roof, such as doctors,

legal aid, counsellors, and social workers. It is a safe space;

a fortress-like building meant to keep the world out until

you are ready to face it. Above this is the first floor of the emergency accommodation. This area has communal dining and kitchen, which open out onto a shielded courtyard. On

the two floors above are the rest of the emergency units, with voids connecting them visually to the communal level.

elsewhere in the city. There is a separate entrance for the

Across the whole site there are approximately 70 units, 14

supports the garden.

use. The Stage 2 Housing, which has 33 units, houses

community garden, as well as a small plant shop which

On this level there is also the first set of housing units, which

are actually intended for students. This idea that the project should address GBV in terms of prevention (not only cure)

comes into play here. There is definitely not enough student

housing in Berlin, which I have experienced first-hand. The research I’ve done says that GBV in students occurs in the first

of which are intended for students and 25 for emergency approximately 50 women and children. There is a range of

units from very small to rather large. Often shelters find it difficult to house women with many children, so this aims to

address that problem. Additionally, each floor has a caretaker.

This is a constant person who stays on that floor. She is there to oversee the running of her floor, answer questions, and

ensure the transfer of knowledge between different residents.

Cross Section

Not to Scale

Longitudinal Section Not to Scale

Render

Public Courtyard

Public Entrance

Clearing Centre Reception

Cafe Entrance

Kitchen

Public Restroom

Healing Centre Amphitheatre

Access to Clearing Centre

Storage

24h Pharmacy

Consultation Room

Cafe

Seating Area

Public Courtyard

Public Restroom

Access to Community Garden

Ground Floor Plan Not to Scale

Discreet Entrance

Playground

Quiet Space

Adult Restroom

Housing Reception

Access to Women’s Housing

Consultation Room

Bin Storage

Storage Units

Unity Type 6 (Students)

Garden Restrooms

Healing Centre Amphitheatre

Multipurpose Space

Access to Clearing Centre

Consultation Offices / Doctor’s Rooms

Staff Room

Community Garden Entrance

Kindergarten

Children’s Restroom

Security Gate

Post Boxes

Women’s Shelter Consultation Offices

Shuttle

Bike Storage

Communal Kitchen, Living & Dining

Plant Shop

Practtomate Community Garden

Gallery

Access to Healing Centre / Public Courtyard

Clearing Centre Waiting Room

Visitor’s Restroom

First Floor Plan

Not to Scale

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Kindergarten Play Net Communal Restrooms Play Area Sand Pit Access to Housing Bin Storage Communal Dining Communal Kitchen Unit Type 5 (Caretaker) Unit Type 3 (Women*) Unit Type 1 (Women*) Unit Type 4 (Women*) Access Healing Centre Reception Counselling Rooms Visitor’s Restroom Group Counselling Room Planted Courtyard Access Communal Kitchen / Dining / Living Scullery Outdoor Area Access to Clearing Centre Above Unit Type 7 (Emergency Room) Shared WC / Showers

Second Floor Plan Not to Scale

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Access Bin Storage Communal Room Unit Type 5 (Caretaker) Unit Type 1 (Women*) Unit Type 2 (Women*) Unit Type 4 (Women*) Shared Balconies (between neighbours) Teenager’s Common Living / Kitchen / Dining Unit Type 6 (Teenagers) Access Healing Centre Rooftop Garden Communal Kitchenette / Dining Unit Type 7 (Emergency Room) Shared WC / Showers

Third Floor Plan Not to Scale

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Access Bin Storage Laundry Room Unit Type 5 (Caretaker) Communal Gym Rooftop Garden Unit Type 2 (Women*) Unit Type 1 (Women*) Shared Balconies (between neighbours) Communal Kitchenette / Dining nit Type 7 (Emergency Room) Extra Large Unit Shared WC / Showers Shared Showers

Fourth Floor Plan Not to Scale

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Access Bin Storage Laundry Room Unit Type 5 (Caretaker) Unit Type 1 (Women*) Unit Type 3 (Women*) Unit Type 2 (Women*) Communal Library

Fifth Floor Plan

Not to Scale

Axonometric Not to Scale

Render

Housing Walkway / Laubengang

Perspective Section Not to Scale

8 Units in Total, 52 m2,, 2 - 4 Women & Children

2 Units in Total, 47 m2,, 2 - 4 Women & Children

1 4 Units in Total, 27 m2,, 1 Women & Infant

2 23 Units in Total, 12 - 18 m2,, 1 Woman*

7 3

1 Unit in Total, 112 m2,, 5 - 9 Women & Children

4 8 Units in Total, 29 m2,, 1 Woman*

14 Units in Total, 15 - 18 m2,, 1 Woman*

5 6

Unit Types

Not to Scale

Render

Community Garden Courtyard

Neukölln Axonometric Own Drawing

Expanding Your World Sketches & Diagrams

I found it important in this project to position the type of living

As you heal and gain confidence, you are able to expand or

Stage 1 women’s shelter (with shared bathrooms, kitchens,

as you feel comfortable, or interact with as many people as

somewhere between communal living, as one might live in a

and even bedrooms), and the isolated way that we live in typical housing today. I had an enlightening conversation with

Anwyn Hocking, who’s master’s thesis titled, “Community is

the answer, but what was the question?”, was presented at the Women in Architecture conference in Berlin. She spoke

a lot about the importance of people having their own units. “When you start to get into this communal living stuff, you realise that people just want to be able to live alone together.”

The building seeks to form a bridge between shelter life and “the real world” in its mode of living.

shrink ‘your world’, as needed. Users can venture out as far they would like. But architecture, in my opinion, has a parallel important role to challenge us alongside providing respite and comfort. The building supports users but demands that they do progress, though at their own pace.

Render

Unit Bedroom / Windowseat

Healing Process

Public & Private Routes

As women embark upon the journey to recovery, the building

These are separate routes which pass each other but never

architecture changes, providing different forms of support

on one site and are separated by this dividing wall which is

Sketches & Diagrams

complex supports and enriches the healing process. The at different stages. As you move through the building, you

should be able to feel the changing means of support. However, the project acknowledges that healing is not linear.

The entire complex, but especially the women’s centre, offer

continued support. It is a sanctuary where women in the city might seek the help they need, whether it be on the night they arrive or years later.

Sketches & Diagrams

really join. They allow for these different programs to coexist

like a ribbon through the building. It is especially noticeable at the entrances.

265

The In-between

Timber Membrane

In addition to the Stage 0 to Stage 2 healing journey, there

A device used to enable this in-between space is the timber

move in a perpendicular direction. Users can choose how

out of the solids, changing from more closed to more open,

Sketches & Diagrams

is also the option for those positioned along this route to

‘sheltered’ they want to be, by either retreating into their safest spaces, or venturing out to the more common or

visible areas. The membrane enables this in-between, semiprivate space where users have more of a choice.

Sketches & Diagrams

skin, which interacts with the solid walls. It weaves in and

depending on the circumstances and needs for safety, concealment, and openness. It creates different environments

for its inhabitants, reaching to the interior program and exterior context at different points.

WISE 20/21

ACCRA SHAB LABS Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana

Street View

Alexander Hartway

Global 3E Reaches Ghana Alexander Hartway

The studio, Global Maker Space(s), saw groups of architectural

are often portrayed as ‘gifts’, the reality is that many of them

Medellín, Accra, and Lagos. The Shab Labs are a makerspace

months.

students working across cities in the Global South such as

concept which aims to deal with the issue of so-called

will be unusable or past the point of repair in a number of

‘E-waste’, or 3E (electrical and electronic equipment) in Accra.

Accra has two hotspots in terms of 3E - the Port of Tema

TU Berlin and the Einstein Centre Digital Future. During the

port, as well as through local waste from households around

The course was collaboratively run by the Habitat Unit of

design process we worked closely with Gameli Adzaho, a Ghanaian Environment and Human Health specialist and STEAM educator.

and Agbogbloshie. Goods enter the 3E trade network via the the city. There have been attempts by the government to

regulate this network, but they have not been extremely successful.

As 3E moves from the developed to the developing world,

As we could not visit the city in person, we looked at finding

that accumulates. The number of imports is growing as

Using Google Maps and Street View as a more ‘neutral’

cities such as Accra are tasked with dealing with the waste Ghana seeks to bridge the digital divide. Since the early 2000s, the government has made it a national policy to

promote IT. Therefore, in order to make electronics more affordable, second-hand devices are often used. However,

40% of electronics arrive with a short life span. Although they

other ways to map and familiarise ourselves with the context.

source of information, we searched for any 3E-related

people, vehicles, or objects on virtual walks. From these, we developed a catalogue of actors and identified the most useful and common characteristics; appropriation, kiosks, mobility, re-making, and exchange.

Accra-Tema Metroplex Alexander Hartway

Agbogbloshie, though often demonised by the media,

miniaturisation which sees the intricate metal components

materials, and the unmaking processes. It is the livelihood of

deal with on a human scale. Of the 3E that passes through

3E trade network. However, one cannot ignore the polluting

are dispensable. So, we asked ourselves, what happens to the

the area, and those that live in it.

There are a number of new scientific developments where

The volume of products coming into Agbogbloshie is

and handle 3E at the end of its lifespan. There are studies

holds an abundance of knowledge about the products, the

in 3E getting smaller and smaller, and therefore harder to

many people, and is a key player in the complex, established

Accra, only 20% of the components have value, while 80%

elements that pose a danger to the environment surrounding

leftover plastics and to the pieces that cannot be separated?

increasing. Parallel to that, there is a growing trend of

biological means are used to separate electronic components currently being done using species of mushrooms to

Global Toolbox

Appropriation, Kiosks, Mobility, Re-making, Exchange

Actor Catalogue Own Drawings

decompose / digest plastics. Additionally, mycelium (the

fibrous roots which grow between mushroom colonies) is being explored as a building material.

During our site research, we noticed a number of incomplete buildings. After speaking to local experts and architects, they informed us that high rents often drive people to build, but over a third of new construction projects are not

completed. How might these spaces be given a temporary use? Our answer: the Shab Labs. We tried to position our proposal within the current actor network identified, with the unfinished buildings as an additional layer. We saw them as a self-sustaining sub-city, already naturally decentralised, with a good radius of influence across the city.

The proposed makerspace has a phased occupational

approach, growing with each iteration. The architecture seeks to touch the building lightly, as these buildings do not belong

to our users. We also wanted to think about a makerspace

which was moveable and could easily pack away and move to a different location, should the property owner want to continue construction.

Electronics are brought in, are sorted, dismantled, and

documented. They then go through the first phase of

processing - crushing and metal extraction. On the upper level of the building, labs investigate the materials flowing

through this building. The organic and the technical run

concurrently, working their way across the lab to intercept

with one another as they collide in the proposed exhibition space. Additionally, there is an outside repair cafe that pops up when needed. Here, you can have tear-down parties and other knowledge-sharing events.

Scaffolding wraps around the building. It is infilled with panels, containing pockets in which fungi bags developed in the lab could be hung. Each pocket is made of different mixtures of mushrooms and materials. It is a living lab. From

these mycelium pouches, we imagine that you could slowly

repair the building with prototypical alternatives to traditional building materials, gradually filling in the gaps. The building is left in a better state than it was found. Previously glancedover properties are now hubs of activity. They serve as a

meeting space, changing the perception around E-waste, while providing a more accessible way for people to access the 3E recycling network. Other Shab Labs Own Drawings

The Makerspace in Process Gabriel Sigler

Phenomenon of Incomplete Constructions Gabriel Sigler

Phasing Process Own Drawings

Axonometric / Speculative Occupation Own Drawings

Disassembly by Decomposition

Own Drawing

Networked Metabolism Own Drawing

Symbiotic Plug-in

Own Drawing

Cyclical Amplification Own Drawing

SOSE 2020

A THEATRICAL TIMBER FACTORY Neukölln, Berlin, Germany

Street View

Anastasiia Soshnikova

Industrial Waste Map Anastasiia Soshnikova

The fourth industrial revolution is upon us. In this mixed-

used building in Neukölln, we investigate the possibilities of Industry 4.0, the mixing of people and machines, and

the potential of recycling and upcycling industrial waste. Through industrial symbiosis we hope to create a platform

reaching out from our site, establishing collaborations with

other companies in a sustainable way. The site is situated in an island-like landscape surrounded by industrial and

residential areas. A number of nearby carpenters and timber workshops, and the lack of local timber recycling plants led to it being our core focus and primary material. Timber is

the common ground for all the processes in this building.

The project seeks to shift how those who experience it think about waste, the potential of timber, and the definition of

Industrial Waste Count Anastasiia Soshnikova

a factory. A recycling centre, a public workshop, an urban

allotment garden complex. An exhibition space, a furniture company, a futuristic living concept. A 3D-printing lab, a wood-pulp clothes manufacturer, a productive greenhouse. All exist in unison and share the commonalities of community and timber construction or use.

Nearby Recycling Failities Anastasiia Soshnikova

Sectional Perspective Tamar Gürciyan

2 3

4 5

6 7

10 11

Wood waste from nearby factories Watering Shredding Electromagnetic separation (removes ferrous metals) Hammermill Permanent magnetic separation Magnetic drum (removes ferrous metals) Sawdust Timber Blocks Timber Pallets Timber Boards

Timber Filament

Sawdust, pallets, boards, and filament move

Automated production workshop, robots,

Smart and automated machinery

Products

Labs (research-based)

Hand-based Production

to workshops and labs and machine-based users

3D Printers, CNC router

Packaging

3D Printers

Laithe, band saw, drill press, table saw, etc.

Exhibition of Products

Products used in the Theater

Products

Products Sold

Sawdust and organic waste of residential

Compost is used as fertilizer

units mixed

Wood-waste from the upcycling process is

Wood-waste of the workshops and labs is

collected and reused collected and reused

Timber Processing Tamar Gürciyan

East Elevation

Anastasiia Soshnikova

Primary Section

Anastasiia Soshnikova

Tower Perspective Section Anastasiia Soshnikova

Axonometric Tamar Gürciyan

Name

Final Model

Materials

Triplex, Foam Board, Acetate, Balsa Wood

Size

450 x 300 x 250 mm

Scale

At a Scale of 1 : 200

Model Photographs Own Images & Work

69 107

Basement Plan

Elif Civici 1:1000

First Floor Plan Elif Civici 1:1000

Typical Tower Plan Elif Civici 1:1000

Ground Floor Plan Elif Civici 1:500

WISE 19/20

THE HYBRID KITA Charlottenburg, Berlin, Germany

Ground Floor Plan Alexander Hartway

TU Berlin Analysis

Alexander Hartway

TU Berlin Students with Children

Places available in TU Berlin / UdK Kitas

2000 - 3000

172

“For many students combining family life with academic work represents a challenge. What if day care and research

activity would be arranged in close proximity? The Hybrid

Kita is proposing a spatial model that combines educational facilities for kids with study rooms, workspaces and research

labs. Based on diverse pedagogical concepts, education spaces for kids and for students are similarly experimenting

with diverse set-ups. The Kita turns into a kindergarden

landscape that interacts with academic spaces and inspires in a playful and unconventional way.” M-Arct-T Website

Multiple Actors, One Field Alexander Hartway

In a teacher-centred learning format, students are passive receivers of all information communicated by an instructor. A strong spatial hierarchy supports the teacher’s control over his/ her students. Frontal-teaching spaces, which are acoustically isolated, respond to a variety of class sizes and also offer appropriate qualities for focused workspace.

In a student-centred format, learners derive their knowledge from their own processes of inquiry. The teacher assumes a role of a facilitator and offers guidance to his/her students who are encouraged to assume thei own responsibility for their learning. Study hubs offer an array of discussion platforms and private nooks while also serving as circulation to encourage interaction between user groups.

In a collaborative learning format, every participant is a learner. The distinction between teacher and learner is absent. Opportunistic learning moments occur through experimentation and play. Modular furniture, which is mobile and can be spontaneously appropriated for a variety of experimental applications.

Typological Vocabulary and Morphology Alexander Hartway

Model Photographs Edyta Baran

Model Photographs Own Images & Work

Name

Final Model

Materials

Triplex, Foam Board, Acetate, Balsa Wood

Size

450 x 300 x 250 mm

Scale

At a Scale of 1 : 200

Model Photographs Own Images & Work

77 107

Thank You

Nikita Schweizer