Resilience through Revival : a respectful adaptation of a remnant industrial typology James Alec Ho
Stud 5459, Dep. 2
Tutor: Marianne Hansen
Istanbul, Turkey.
Image: by author
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Content - Abstract
...01 - 02.
- Architectural Problematic - To tear down, preserve or rebuild - Premises for reclaiming derelict industrial sites
...06 - 11.
- Conurbation
...15 - 16.
- Curriculum Vitae
...38.
- Epilogue
...39.
...12 - 14.
- DEVELOPMENT THEME & FOCUS
- Resilience
...17 - 18.
- Context & Site
- Characteristics of the proposal site
...19 - 28.
- A glance to a past function
...29 - 32.
- Program
- Proposition
...33 - 34.
- Strategy
...35 - 36.
- Submission
...37. Image: by author
Abstract
A CONURBATED TYPOLOGY
Abstract
A CONURBATED TYPOLOGY
Changes in industrialisation made industrial patterns evident as they are often materialised in most urban landscapes and this was especially true for Istanbul, Turkey. A city manifested by the outward migration of factories from their original central city domains. Due to Istanbul’s vast growth in size and population the topography of Turkey’s largest city is submitted to a ubiquitous phenomena know as; conurbation. The city is constantly adapting, moulding itself and persistently transforming as it does so. The city is known for its relentless transformation, permanence over time and for it´s industrial efforts actualised throughout it’s past, making Istanbul a prime area for a study investigating the urban potential and benefits of revitalizing derelict industrial sites through the reuse of its structural typologies.
Scene of Manchester´s rural landscape pre industrial revolution, 1820
Scene of Manchester´s rural landscape post industrial revolution, 1852
The industrial revolution was an imperatively influential moment for the evolution of cities. This is now less apparent today, as this evidence becomes an ephemeral moment in a city’s history. This decline is due to the technological advancement that rapidly took us into the contemporary age we currently live in. As a result this left behind structures and sites that hold and tell the stories of the past. Zones which now occupy prime central locations of our metropolitan areas, some even considered by certain critics as dismal hazards to the urban image and its economy. 1
Images: by author
My intention is to preserve the existence of the industrial structures through the [re]use and [re]application of their typologies beyond the inhabitation. By applying a specific architectural typology & structural logic to resolve the architectonic problematics of an industrial site at a range of scales; component, building and urban scale (1:50, 1:200, 1:1000 & 1:+2000). Devised from the unique character of the site, that being; it´s scale and characteristics. The site will appropriate multiple functions over a specified chronological period, by doing so the site will respond to its context in accordance to its needs & specific contemporary use with respect to time. A selection of the sites industrial structures will be developed in to a didactic research and development centre for seismic testing & a warning facility. This initial stage will implement a strategy to decontaminate the area, which will in turn regenerate the site and provide the city with a new resource through the use of varying strategies over specific time periods that will deal with the problematics of an industrial site, conurbation and the city´s growing needs.
I fill further specify the content of my material under the chapter of Methodology & Submission.
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“We learn geology the morning after the earthquake, on ghastly diagrams of cloven mountains, upheaved plains, and the dry bed of the sea”. Ralf Waldo Emerson, 1860, Natural Disasters* -“Considerations by the Way” The Conduct of Life. Istanbul´s territory lies across two tectonic plates; the Eurasian & Anatolian plate. Below these two sits the African plate; a mid size land mass, indifferent to its size its movement and activity is one to be recognised. The African plate rotates clock-wise as it borrows under the Anatolian plate (subduction) causing tremors across its affected territory and causing most damage at the point where one plate meets another. Such a point would be the precise location of Istanbul. In the past Istanbul has witnessed the damage the convergence of these two plates can cause and the information at hand only further proves it will happen again as Istanbul sits in a geologically active region. Action must be taken especially considering the rate Istanbul materialises buildings. 3
Image Left & Right: by author
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Architectural Problematic
To tear down, preserve or reuse
“No official European Union definition for brownfield site exist” Dr. Philip Chatney Lecturer in British Politics & Research focus on Urban Regeneration and Environmental Policy at Keele University in the West Midlands, England.
The workshop
The mill
The factory
Each E.U country defines brownfield sites differently in accordance to its unique policy goal. However the CABERET (Concerted Action on Brownfield and Economic Regeneration Network) defines these spaces as, “sites affected by their former use, are derelict or underused, may have real or perceived contamination problems, lie in developed urban areas, and require intervention to bring them back to beneficial use” [1]. Using the United Kingdom, Italy and the United states as exemplars, the topic of recovering abandoned industrial land lies on policies and governance regimes that steer the discourse towards economic terms they define as, “obstacles of economic progress and urban redevelopment along with issues of pragmatism and cost effectiveness”.[2] Ultimately dampening the idea of reusing Brownfield sites. We are now approaching a turning point when considering Brownfield sites, were the United States can allow its self to over look this mater at hand as it can simply acquire new land for development considering they have approximately twice the area of land available and half the population of that of Europe.
The Blacksmith
The Industrialist
The mass producer
The Iron Age, 17h Century
The Industrial Revolution, 18th Century
The contemporary factory age
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Images: internet references, industrial revolution*
However on the other hand Europe’s limited territory available for construction will eventually force the European conglomerate of countries to reconsider their strategy of reusing Brownfield sites. As these lands will eventually become a valuable resource considering their vast size, character, centralised locations and above all as the resource of square meterage runs low, a fact that is imminent. [1] [See www.cabernet.org.uk, accessed: 8 January 2009] [2] Hula, Richard C. Reese, Laura A. Jackson-Elmoore, C. Reclaiming Brownfield Sites
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Architectural Problematic
To tear down, preserve or reuse
Architectural Problematic
To tear down, preserve or reuse
Strategy A, “Tabula Rasa” - to tear down. The Czech Republic is one of the first countries to find themselves in such a position and has developed a strategy of its own to confront this growing problem. Choosing 1989 as a point of reference in the more resent history of the country, due to a large shift in numbers from the primary sector to the tertiary sector of the work force. The unprecedented drop in the industrial sector meant that the land previously used for production was now evolving into Brownfield sites. A national survey carried out by CzeckInvest shows that there are 2,355 Brownfield sites in the Czech Republic totalling a landmass of 10,326 Hectares (2001). After such research the National Strategy of Brownfield Redevelopment was implemented in 2005. Were its goal is to create suitable motivating environments for quick and effective redevelopment projects and to prevent new Brownfield sites. The strategy to redevelop these sites in the Czech Republic is Tabula Rasa strategy; to completely remove all obstacles on sites leaving clear and exposed ground.
These charts show the criteria set by the Czech Republic for establishing the redevelopment of Brownfield sites in an orderly manner. The projected time line for the redevelopment of all Brownfield sites is to be completed by 2025.The Criteria also takes into account sites potential to allow a prompt economic turn around and also establishes a hierarchy for the sites that will most aid the urban context in which they sit. 7
Figures / Images: Brownfield site, Czech Republic 2004, redevelopment strategy; Tabula Rasa
Images: ALEXOVÁ, M., 2007: Regenerace brownfields (Regeneration of Brownfields).
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Architectural Problematic Iron bridge, Coalbrookdale, UK Architects: Darby & Wilkinson, 1875
Spinning Mill, Berlin, Germany Architect: Karl Friedrich Schinkel, 1835
Sayner Hütte, Bendorf, Germany Architect: Karl Ludwig Althans, 1830
To tear down, preserve or reuse
“Industrial archaeology” Michael Rix, Birmingham University, 1955 Strategy B, “Preservation” - to preserve. Michael Rix coined the phrase “industrial archaeology” when writing an article about the need to greater understand and preserve industrial sites from the 18th and 19th century and especially from the industrial revolution.
Friedrich Steinberg Hat Factory Luckenwalde, Germany Architects: Erich Mendelsohn, 1923
Fagus Works, Alfeld on Leine, Germany Architects: Walter Gropius, 1914
Boots Pure Drug Factory, Nottingham, UK Architects: Sir Owen Williams, 1932
Buildings often survive their original uses, as their structures serve as witnesses of their past functions over of time. But these buildings and sites must be preserved to allow these unique domains to become part of our leisure, culture and as constructs that pay respect to the city´s industrial vocation. The question, to conserve or to demolish? Arises when confronted with a derelict industrial building.
Malaxa Factory, Bucharest, Romania Architects: Horia Creanga, 1931
United Airlines Maintenance Hangar San Francisco, USA Architects: Myron Goldsmith, 1958
Bacardi Rum Factory, Carretera, Mexico Architects: Felix Candela 1960
Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage. UNESCO World Heritage Org. Definition of heritage (2013)
Factory, Lissone, Italy Architects: Angelo Mangiarotti, 1964
Office Furniture Factory Münsingen, Switzerland Architects: Fritz Haller, 1964
Electrinics Factory Swindon, UK Architects: Team 4, 1966
Images: Adam, J. 2004, A design manual, Industrial Buildings, Germany
http://whc.unesco.org accessed January 2014
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Architectural Problematic
To tear down, preserve or rebuild
The buildings of our past form part of our culture, a sense of memory, quality and character which should be preserved and the existence of organisations such as; the UNESCO World Heritage Organisation only further prove the necessity to do so. Strategy C, “[Re]use” - to rebuild.
“Recycling of buildings is a fundamental act in establishing sustainable development necessary on an individual and collective level.” Cristina Paredes, Rome, 2006 Rebuilding serves environmental, social and economical advantages, to do so is a fundamental move for recycling. In addition to preserving the “energy within” – the energy involved in the process of creating the structure and further more to preserve the memory of the construct. Industrial sites are the conglomerations of industrialised buildings within the confines of a boundary that serve the same purpose, to mechanise a process to mass produce. A key turning point from the original industrial dwelling; the workshop (end of the eighteenth century) which then evolved into the larger working space; the mill and in turn gave way to the factories we know today.
Architectural Problematic
Strategy D, - “Reciprocal” - to create the new through the old My proposal puts forward the idea of reviving these industrial relics of our past through the [re]habilitation of them through a new use and the reapplication of their structural concept. Even though a new function will be implemented, the characteristics of the building will remain and reinterpreted through the structural arrangement in a way that pays respect to the building´s history wile accommodating a new purpose. We should understand design, especially for the revival of past constructs, as a temporal infrastructure, to apply an “active regard for the memory of the site” [3] The suggestion of reusing derelict industrial sites within cities is not a new concept and has been a topic for discussion far and wide. If applied these sites would provide favourable opportunities and benefit the city’s memory, quality, function and economy opposed to the cumulative problems they may trigger as idle enclaves of the city. The material has been exhausted and the argument seems to always lie on the generalisation of - the renewal strategy. Under the assumption that, all industrial sites can be classed under the similar nature of, dangerous and volatile spaces, implying they would all look alike. A point that I will argue with the proposal of my own strategies. The CABERNET (Concerted Action on Brownfield and Economic Regeneration Network) has stated some of the main reasons why a Brownfield site should be redeveloped.
a) area-wide redevelopment
f) reduce environmental risk
c) removes eyesores
h) promotes green space
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Premises for REVITALIZING DERELICT INDUSTRIAL SITES
b) increase efficiency of infrastructure d) creates jobs
e) reduce public health risk
g) reduce sprawl
i) increase tax revenue
[3] Marot, S. Sub-urbanism and the Art of Memory, 2003
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Architectural Problematic
Premises for REVITALIZING DERELICT INDUSTRIAL SITES
So far I have covered three contemporary strategies that deal with industrial abandoned sites (Brownfield sites) in different ways.
Architectural Problematic Tabula Rasa
Preservation
Premises for REVITALIZING DERELICT INDUSTRIAL SITES
[Re]use
Strategy A, Tabula Rasa; a “blank slate”. To remove all obstacles and leaving the site bare. Establishing no link to the site´s history or existing structures.
Reciprocal
?
Strategy B, Preservation; to keep in tack or alive. The site is made safe and protected from any modifications to the structure. Strategy C, [Re]use; the site is made safe by modifying existing structures to new uses and functions.
?
The examination of these strategies has brought to light my own strategy. Strategy D, Reciprocal; the creation of a new structure that establishes a visual & physical reciprocal respect to its past structural logic. To revitalise industrial sites through the appropriation of existing structures. A response that will preserve the memory of the industrial constructs and reapply the typologies of such structures to create new builds that will encode the industrial character within its structure.
?
Due to the nature of the constructs on site, the existing structures will accommodate the seismic testing facility and as clean land gradually becomes available, this will allow the construction of new structures. A strategy that will simultaneously; clear contamination wile providing new clean ground, control the advancement of conurbation and have in mind the emerging need for new dwellings for the resident of a seismic city.
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Hafen City, Hamburg, Germany.
Saline Royale, d’Arc-etSenans, France.
Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, Germany.
Yedikule, Istanbul, Turkey.
Images: http:/artandarchitecture.org.uk, accessed 12th January 2014
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Architectural Problematic
Conurbation; | känər bāSHən|
noun
CONURBATION
Architectural Problematic
Conurbation
My initial approach was to harness the materialising force of conurbation to create desired urban typologies, rather than an arbitrary construct formed as a by-product of an ungoverned urban phenomenon. However I have rationalised that the laws that govern such a happening are evidently uncontrollable and so, I have decided to first apply a construct that is formulated independently before conurbation becomes tangible on site and exacerbates the area.
An extended urban area, typically consisting of several towns merging with the suburbs of one or more cities.
An industrial site is an extensive territory inhabited by mechanisms & constructs of an automated nature. Often large structures interconnected and sitting in some form of contamination which gives the site a somewhat hostile nature. Conurbation is held back from sites with such a character as, a hostile environment. But once the contaminant is removed conurbation will then drive the reconstruction and redevelopment of the newly available land. I will sub categorise the territory in to zones with respect to the degree & toxicity of the contaminant, existing structures and the ability of the sites peripheral areas to interact with its urban context, with the intention that this will inject life into the dilapidated site. These zones will then form part of a regeneration strategy to combat the contamination and allow time for a construct to evolve simultaneously as the land is rejuvenated, characterised by various life spans. Zone - 01, which will be imminently inhabitable, zone 02 - within 1-5 years, zone 03 - 5-10 years, zone 04 - 1020 years. Once the land becomes available conurbation will then drive the [re]development, [re]construction and eventually the [re]inhabitation of the spaces. The materialising force of conurbation will be restrained by the anti-contamination strategy as this will dampen the speed of this materialising force and allowing to construct with purpose. The zoning of the site will be part of my proposal. Further on I will elaborate on various strategies of my own to combat a contaminant and their varying applications which better suit different degrees of contamination and site topographies. These strategies will be put to the test by the re-adaptation of site specific structures from the industrial age.
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Conurbation development in Istanbul European side
Images: by author
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Development Theme & Focus
What is resilience?
“it could be said that an apparently vacant site has a metaphysical occupancy throughout; a layer of dust on a windowsill, a bullet hole in a stone wall, or the profound additional meanings attached to disused rail tracks in the city. It is by studying these attributes that we can build and accumulate an archive of possibilities with which to develop design proposals that register the properties of the site while contributing to the creation of something new”.
Development Theme & Focus
Resilience
“The memory of the events endures through the material absence”: …objects that witnessed the events. “only found objects are able to speak, potentially animating memories of the site, affording possibilities of thinking and making”. Ella Chmielewska, Resilience, Pamphlet architecture 32, Stasus, P24, 2012, Princeton, U.S.A.
James A. Craig, Resilience, Pamphlet architecture 32, Stasus, Princeton 2012 As a great contrast to Tabula Rasa I aim to establish a methodology to identify and exploit resilient elements (constructs) within my field of exploration. Material context, implied mythical narratives, incidental connotations, and historical & pre-historical implications – an investigation of the resilient qualities of industrial structures, qualities drawn out from that which already exists.
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Yedikule Gazhanesi, Yedikule, Istanbul, Images: by author
Artefacts collected form the site 14 October 2013, Images: by author
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Site & Context
Characteristics of the site
My site, Yedikule Gazhanesi, from the remaining 43 industrial sites of the former 256 that used to occupy the city, it is acknowledged that the industrial heritage of Istanbul is gradually withdrawing from the city’s landscape,
Context & Site
Characteristics of the site
The site is formed by a particular set of pressures that shape and define the industrial site, such as; The this portrays a clear definition of a hermetic boundary.
Wall,
Theodosius Wall
A defensive front 19
Image: by author
Images: by author
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Context & Site
Characteristics of the site
The Infrastructure, sets a series of interconnected pathways that allow the flow of activity to and from the surroundings but do not penetrate the domain of the industrial site - isolating it.
Infrastructure
Characteristics of the site
The Green Space, this space has protected the coast line from constructs & the city.
Green Sites
An island 21
Context & Site
A series of peninsulas Images: by author
Images: by author
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Context & Site
Characteristics of the site
The Town, which is also defined by adjacent pressuring forces. Limited to extending its territory into the industrial estate purely due to the contamination on site. The flow of the town feeding into the site (conurbation) will therefore be controlled by the contamination strategy, part of a larger process of [re]vitalising.
The City
Characteristics of the site
The Industries, as they are no longer functioning make the industrial structures the only forces counteracting these previously stated forces. A unique set of variables that come together as a system.
The Industries
A peninsula 23
Context & Site
An archipelago Images: by author
Images: by author
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Bus yard
Industrial cleaning facility
Train repair hanger
Water storage
Steel structures for access to large machinery
Loading docks
Dog pound
Remaining steel components
Air vents
m
1k
The Constantinople dungeon entrance
Gasometer
Constantinople wall
The demarcated area in red is the area of the site I will use and focus my studies on.
The site and its contextual elements can be considered as; islands, archipelagos and or peninsulas. Where their interactions form part of a larger system which define the site through the creation of specific boundaries .
Images: by author
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Context & Site
Characteristics of the site
Context & Site
Characteristics of the site
The site has a unique phenomenological condition which must be translated in to the new experience of the site. The materials used play a big role in this atmospheric expression and I explored this through the literal use of the materials and their character on the site. Steel sheet (sand blasted to expose the steel), timber, contaminant (to oxidise the steel).
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Image: by author
Images: by author
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Context & Site
The components of the site
Gasometer
Longitudinal section through the site, exposing all of the industrial constructs, from the Theodosius Wall to the sea of Marmara. 29
Air Vent
Compressor
The most interesting mechanisms on site are those that are directly involved in the production of gas from its raw state; the Gasometer, Air vent & Compressor, all of which function together as a system. Images: by author
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Context & Site
A glance to a past function
“…buildings and machinery, workshops, factories and goods produced are all parts of the industrial heritage. It is important to identify, record and protect industrial heritage for the benefit of future generations”. Ruşen Aktaş, Ex· Change – Industrial architectural heritage developing awareness and visibility, Istanbul, Turkey. The disappearing industrial sites, result in the loss of the city’s heritage; architectural structures and technical characteristics that can be considered as the foundations of today’s´ affluent city of Istanbul. Therefore this heritage should remain as part of the city. The image to the left is a diagrammatic representation of the sites past function - Yedikule Gazhanesi is a raw gas treatment plant. It describes the systematic procedure of the gas; treatment, process, the components and elements involved. From the many structures on site I have selected the gasometer, air vent and compressor chamber of the treatment plant, selected on the basis of their condition, variety, function and personal criteria.
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Image: by author
Left: Yedikule´s gas works system of treating raw gas, image by author
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Programme
Programme
MULTIFUNCTION ESTABLISHMENT
The site will be appropriated with multiple programs over the course of time.
The graph shows the implementation of the different strategies over time & how this process is actuated by the implementation multiple strategies acting simultaneously - overlapping of strategies.
The functions and use of the territory will change according to time, available clean land and the development of it in accordance to the zoning of the land as mentioned in the conurbation - chapter. Where some zones will be planted with trees to combat the contaminant over i.e. 30 years wile other zones will be used immediately and other zones will be appropriated in time intervals of i.e. 1-4, 5-9. 9-10 years respectively and so forth. The programme will use existing structures to establish a seismic testing facility that will bring knowledge to the area. A centre that will allow experts from various fields to test out botanical, seismic & contamination strategies. Providing the necessary facilities for a teaching and research centre, made from constructs reminiscent of the industrial structures on site. I have broken down this process into smaller steps that overlap not to be taken as exact processes that start and end once the previous one has taken effect.
Str. 4
Str. 2
Step 2. Seismic Facility - To redevelop selected existing structures to house the seismic research & warning facility, to carry out the explorations of structures - resilient to seismic tremors.
Str. 1
Phase 3. Constructs - To amalgamate the findings from the explorations of seismic resistant constructs (on site) with the three industrial typologies to formulate a catalogue of dwellings; specific to the areas conditions & that ultimately portrays the resilience of a past structure.
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0
TIME
t (years)
Phase 4. Back to the City - The site will give back to the city over the entire process, the intention is to establish a mutual interplay between site and city where both parties benefit from the revival of the industrial site. 0 yr Image by author
STRATEGIES
Str. 3
Step 1. Decontamination - Proceeding the sub-categorisation of zones, apply the corresponding strategy to combat the contaminant, specific to the zone´s nature and topography.
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CHRONOLOGY OF STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION
100yrs 34
An industrial site
The site boundries
Sub-categorising in zones
Contextual pressures
Connecting the iner-site to its context
Aknowledging the areas seismic activity
Identifying the archipelago within
Seismic testing facility
Step 1 - Decontamination Step 2 - Seismic facility Step 3 - Constructing dwelings Step 4 - Back to the city
Botanic strategy territory
SITE
Step 1 - Decontamination Step 2 - Seismic facility Step 3 - Constructing dwelings Step 4 - Back to the city
Project proposal Images: by author
Curriculum Vitae
Submission
Drawings
Models
Location Plans
Design development models
Photo-montage
Site model
Urban drawing 1:1000
Proposal model
Site plan 1:500
Concept model
C.V
Plans & Sections 1:100/200 Axonometrics Component drawings 1:50 Atmospheric drawing / Collage Diagrams / Concept strategies / Sketches
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Model maker at 3XN, Sep ´13 - current. Kunstakademiets Arkitektskole, Afd. 2, Cand.Arch / MA. Architecture [2012-2014 expected] BA [Hons] Architecture. Kingston University, London Sep ´08 – July ´11. A-levels & G.C.S.Es, St Anthony’s College, Málaga, Spain Sep `01 – June ‘08, 38
Bibliography
Epilogue
Hula, Richard C. Reese, Laura A. Jackson-Elmoore, C. Reclaiming Brownfield Sites. Images: Adam, J. 2004, A design manual, Industrial Buildings, Germany Marot, S. Sub-urbanism and the Art of Memory, 2003
“Architecture was the most important means of materialising place and culture... However today´s globalized, instrumentalized, technologized and commodified construction forcefully eradicates the sense of place and culture.”. Pallasmaa. P, Encounters, Rakennustieto, Helsinki, 2012.
James A. Craig, Resilience, Pamphlet architecture 32, Stasus, Princeton 2012 Ruşen Aktaş, Ex· Change – Industrial architectural heritage developing awareness and visibility, Istanbul, Turkey. Pallasmaa. P, Encounters, Rakennustieto, Helsinki, 2012. Paredes, C. Industrial Chic: Reconverting spaces, 2008. Adam, J. Industrial Buildings, A design manual. 2004, Birkhouser, Germany. Reclaiming Brownfield sites; a comparateive analysis of adaptive reuse of contaminated properties, 2012. Massimo Sargolini. Urban Landscapes; environmental networks & quality of life. Redesigning Wounded Landscape; the iba workshop in Lusadia, 2011. Edt. Anna Jorgensen & Richard Keenan. Urban Landscapes.
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