New Living Experiences Within the Old Block:
research preview the royal danish academy of fine arts, schools of architecture, design and conservation school of architecture
ignas uogintas stud 5627, dep 3 master graduation project tutor: troels rugbjerg may 21, 2014
Today existing soviet micro-rayons are in a disagreement with today’s social, political and economical forms of behavior. It is hard or sometimes almost impossible to implement new city structures into those areas as they were designed as closed entities without the vision for change. The result of this is visible in growing chaotic neoriberal city elements onto old soviet social city corpses that confront spacial, functional and aesthetic qualities. The need to renovate and modernise the public spaces and building envelope is an opportunity to re-imagine living in micro-rayon - to create pleasant qualities for the residents and to activate the rayon as a vibrant and thriving part of the city.
3
what is a micro-rayon?
principal diagram of a perfect micro-raoyon, 1961
Micro-rayon was designed as an system: a complete composition of interrelated functions. It comprised residential dwellings and public service buildings. There was a strong dichotomy between individual and common spaces. Every function, which could potentially be shared, was dragged out of the apartments and designed in separate buildings. Reading – in a common library; dining – in a public canteen and so on. Residential complexes were seen as an opportunity to build a collective society, an environment suitable and necessary for the new way of life. Fall of the USSR brought an end to the ideology which had supported creation of the micro-rayon. The end of the ideology also marked the end to the urban principals.
4
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
the birth of a micro-rayon
...there is only one path - and that is the path of the most extensive industralisation of construction!
Mikro-rayon is a residential complex - a primary structural element of the residential area construction in the Soviet Union. It comprised residential dwellings and public service buildings. As a general rule, major motor roads, green ways, and natural obstacles served as boundaries between micro districts, allowing an overall reduction in city road construction and maintenance costs and emphasizing public transportation.
Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev (April 15 [O.S. April 3] 1894 – September 11, 1971) led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War. He served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1953 - 1964, and as Chairmanof the Council of Ministers, or Premier, 1958 - 1964. From the Khrushchev’s speech in 1954: “On the extensive introduction of industrial methods and improving the quality of, and and reducing the cost of, construction”, Proyect Rossiya, March 2002.
The history of micro-rayon as an urban planning concept dates back to the 1920s when Constructivist architecture flourished in the Soviet Union before falling out of favor around 1932. During the 1960s constructivism was rehabilitated to a certain extent. Probably, the main factor for large scale planning and development was the speech, that can be treated as the main manifest for built environment by Nikita Khrushchev (not only in Soviet Lithuania at that time, but in the whole Soviet Union). He initiated the further steps for industrialization of the Soviet building industry as national policy. In a sense that was a continuation of the aborted Constructivist experiment, although under very different conditions.
5
the scale of micro-rayon
About 10% of the wold population lives in socialist mass housing estates. In Baltic states 68% of people are living in mass housing estates. There are only 3 other countries in the World that have greater amounts of apartment building: Russia (72%), Singapore (72%) and Hong Kong (82%). Spatially and functionally the socialist mass housing areas from Berlin to Vladivostok share
6
a lot of values and issues. Vilnius in the soviet times increased drastically in size and was fulfilled with monotonous and repetitive mass social housing. Could this feature be approached not as a problem, but rather as a opportunity to adjust/improve the urban tissue in a unique way?
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
design of the pasilaiciai rayon
masterplan diagram, designed and built in 4 years
The territory was planned for 31,2000 inhabitants (107 ha). 453 000 m2 of living spaces was designed, so that one person would get 14,5 m2 of personal private space. Three micro - rayons were planed with 3, 5, 7 and 9 storey reinforced concrete panel buildings and the fourth one - 3 and 9 storey monolithic buildings. Whole area was designed by City
Construction Engineering Institute. The total construction cost was 135 mln Rubles (13330,062 kg of Gold): 72% of cost for living housing; 21% of cost to cultural and commercial volumes;7 % of cost for engineering structures and landscape. Equivalent of todays currency the price would be 389,8 mln Euro or 2.908 bilion Kr.
7
inspiration
This is NASA prototype for bionic exoskeleton that can give you extra strength. Could one imagine some kind of exoskeleton for the whole crippled post soviet rayon? Could it be a new system for the old stucture, that would follow functional, spatial footprints of the area enhancing benefits, but diminishing the weak parts? Is it possible to create a long term strategy for the micro-rayon even though the territory was not panned with future changes in mind?
8
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
bionic NASA exoskeleton
‘domino’ cities
“Domino” by Le Corbusier if to be multiplied
Even though constructivists and later on functionalists designing micro-rayons were inspired by Sir Ebenezer Howard’s “garden cities of tomorrow” and Le Corbusier works on that topic, they have definitely overlooked his project “Maison Domino”. IInstead of providing structure that might be independent from the structural system providing endless variations in the arrangement of the interiors micro-rayons have provided standard finite
designs for each apartment unit. Likewise apartment units for micro-rayon, ”Maison Domino” was designed as a building prototype for mass production, but it can be seen as the precursor to the clear separation of support from infill in housing when social apartment house is just a collection of enclosed boxes stacked on top of each other in large quantities.
9
identity via dwelling
folk artist Veronika Daukutienė; “painting”, 2014
The enjoyment of self-actualization of an individual identity, according to Martin Heidegger, is the true essence of dwelling. In his essay “Building, Dwelling, Thinking” he traces the meaning of the german word bauen, “to build”, back to its etymological root, the High German word buan, which also means “to dwell”. In their original meaning, building and dwelling prove to be inextricably linked to each other: building is related to dewlling; dwelling implies building. And Heidegger goes further: even the conjugations ich bin, “I am”, and du bist, “you are”, of the German verb sein, “to be”, can be traced back to the same root word, buan. In this, based on its root meaning, he imparts dwelling with an existential dimension as well: people are because they dwell, unified in the ancient word
10
for building; dwelling and building are a form of self-realization (Darstellung) that shapes earthly existence (Dasein).1 It is encoded deeply within Lithuanian DNR to build and use his/her own living environement. The illustration shows a painting by a self educated folk artist Veronika Daukutiene. It the painting you can see a farmstead with a farmer himself plowing fields - working on the production of his own food. 1 Martin Heidegger, “Bauen Wohnen Denken” (1951), transl. Albert Hofstadter, in: “Poetry, Language, Thought” (New York: Harper and Row, 1971), 143 -161.
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
ambition
The motivation behind personalisation of spaces is twofold: out of a demand that is not being filled and a shortage of alternative solutions, and out of the need to create our environment to suit our own imagination. It may be that if residents were to first improve upon their own dwellings and their immediate surroundings, they would then have an interest in protecting their investment within the broader context of the entire building or neighborhood. This may in turn result in a more stable and enduring system than currently exists. The relation between an individual and his environment and the possibility for the individual to influence his environment for the personal well-being is essential for the area to exist and grow in harmony.
11
120v construction series apartment buildings (1978 -1991) The first 120v series projects were made in City Building Design Institute (Miestu Statybos Projektavimo Institutas) in 1970-1974 and the first building (40 apartments; constructed from two 120v-01/1 building units) was realized in 1975 in Seimyniskiai Street. 120v series contained five types out of 2, 3 and 4 building units five storey apartment buildings; four types of nine storey buildings out of 2 and 3 building units; and from 3 to 5, 5, from 7 to 9, 9 and 10 storey one building units apartments. The full 120v series document contained 31 standard designs. Instead of standard design of the whole building, but with building units it was given a chance to design more unique architecture and master planning
schemes. One building unit had 1,2,3 and 4 room apartments. The spaces inside the apartments were grouped into working zones and relaxation zones, transition rooms were being avoided. Logias were designed in such a way that it would not make the apartments darker. Engineering were designed on the central core, therefore it was easier to use it from the both sides. Some extra space was added to the toilet room so the washing machine could fit. Kitchens were made larger (8 to 9 m2) as well as technical spaces, corridors, storage spaces. The first 120v apartment buildings were realized in Seskine in 1978. Later it was implemented in Justinskes, Pasilaiciai and Fabijoniskes micro-rayons.
120V 33/1 unit has four apartments, lift (going from first to one before the last storey), garbage shaft. Majority of the rooms were not passable, many rooms had balconies and logias, toilets and showers had slightly more space to fit the washing machine. Spaces - 2.64 m height. one floor out of housing unit Nr.III-120V-33/1 4 apartments; axonometry
12
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
120V series apartment building detail
13
structural principles of a segment
“It’s a bunker!” Torben Lange
120v structural elements
120V 33/1 unit usually had four apartments, lift (going from first to one before the last storey), garbage shaft. Exterior/ interior walls and slabs create overall structural integrity, therefore it is difficult to modify, change or remove exinsting elements as it might have an effect on the overall structue.ult to modify, change or remove exinsting elements as it might have an effect on the overall structue.
14
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
Exterior Walls
Interior Walls
120V type eterior walls are done out of one layer rinforced concrete. Ceramsit sand was used for the pannels (concrete mark 50: 600 - 900 kg/m3). For nine storey buildings and higher concrete mark 75 was used (1150 - 1200 kg/m3). Cellar exterior walls had 30 cm thickness, all the rest - 35 cm. 120V type 35 cm exterior wall heating resistance is R0=0,85 m2 KW.
Interior walls were done out of reinforced concrete (16 cm) and delivered to the site ready-made. Proportions were minimized to four types: 2.475x 2.64 cm; 3.00 x 2.64 cm; 3.60 x 2.64 cm; 1.275x 2.64 cm.
Slabs
Balconies
Height of the slabs is 16 cm, the same as interior wall thickness. Sound isolation was reached by cladding linoleum onto soft and temperature isolating layer. Wooden floors were instaled only on the ground floor, where additional insolation from the cellar was needed.
Balconies and loggias were constructed out of special reinforced concrete pannels, made from waterproof concrete. Concrete partitions had reliefs or special finishes. Onto nine storey buildings evaciation ladders with lids were introduced from 9th to 5th storey.
15
the court: research
1
2 3
alternative options were being investigated in different courtyards
1
the program under the carpet
the fence with program
the platform for activities
the fenced block with volumes
16
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
2
the stepping courtyard
row housing and the inner street
the extended ground floor
the court and the street
3
the garden
the volume under the green carpet
the spiral volume
the volume with patio
17
the roof vision
The biggest evident change that would infulence the whole community would be an introduction of a new urban tool - communal roof path with activities. It would open up new perspectives towards the micro-rayon, allow extensions of existing apartments and new facilities to emerge. The facade is facing the west side and the street therefore activities happening on the ‘urban stairs’ would be well linked and seen from the surroundings.
18
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
19
the south facade
Apartment owners get an opportunity to have more space for their own living and to have a new experience via personal winter-garden. Large, generous and vivid winter-garden spaces are highly insulated creating an intermediate space that is both interior and exterior of the volume. The south facade should work as a passive environmental strategy - providing a tempered environment that is adaptable to seasonal and daily change.
24
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
existing situation
balconies are on the same level
balconies 50 cm lower
balconies 50 cm higher
open facade
closed
fence
glass
shaded
hidden
translusent division
green barrier
25
the ground floor
The main goal for the community of one staircase - to link staircase with the landscape on the south side and open up the possibilities of movement. Now it can not only be seen from the balconies, but reached directly from the lobby. To emphasize the connection and activate the landscape on the south side the community center has been introduced. It might hold events, seminars, exhibitions, become a center for all the neighbors from the block to gather. Furthermore, it enables people in a wheelchair to reach an elevator.
30
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
1
1 4
2
3
3
1
entrance: detached volume enhances the significance of an entrance, makes it more convenient and pleasant.
2
community space: new functional typology enriches the block life and enhances connectivity with the gardens on the south side.
3
personal access: additional accesibility creates opportunities for wider range of functions to introduce instead of an apartment on the ground floor, such as small community facilities.
4
cut the walls: small interventions into the structure are possible in various locations. By making bigger openings simply bigger spaces with more light are created.
31
32
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
33
35
TOOLBOX
Rather then a fixed design to “open up� the micro-rayon we need a strategy that might be flexible for changes. Therefore I introduce a toolbox, which will allow micro-rayon living environment to be (re)constructed. Those tools illustrate a rich variety of alternatives for the monotonous and repetitive post soviet blocks.
block archetypes Before proposing design direction, multiple strategies were being tested. Those strategies might be summed up into 3 archetypes: perimeter block, row housing and enhancing existing structure. Based on investigations tested during study course the third option appeared the most appropriate.
actors involved The dialogue in the early stages of a development process should ensure a sense of ownership and involvement among affected stakeholders. It is also a way to inform the project with important local knowledge which might affect future development.
government initiator of the project; owner of the public space; responsible for services
housing community
individuals (flat owners)
responsible for renovation, comunal spaces and facilities; medium of folk in the block
owners of the apartments; responsible for modifications of flats, comunal facilities
roads
• asphalt surface dominates (lots of cracks) • pedestrian paths are very narrow (0.8 m)
• brings new, more individual, identity to the inner street • more generous sidewalk (cars become guests - 3.25 m for cars) • street lighting for bigger safety at night • new character with for the space with plants (alnus glutinosa) • porous stone or brick pavement for slower car movement, better water penetration and easier maintenance
+ existing situation width - 6.25 m; sidewalk - 1.5 m
• wide enough for the emergency car to move (4.5 of clean space) • lighting polls and urban furniture for the community to gather in the public space • new character for the space with plants (tilia cordata) • applied in the places near the entrance to the house, therefore public space becomes more articulated
shared street width - 3.25 m; parking - 2 m; sidewalk - 2 x 2 m
• soft pebble surface might change existing concrete tiles in the landscape • transition between hard and soft surfaces diminishes • better water penetration
+ pedestrian buleward width - 6.5 m
38
pebble path with - min 1.6 m
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
ground floor + landscape
• volume is lifted 1.5 m above the ground • generic landscape surrounds the volume • no sense of individuality • no intermediate scale - private apartments and all the rest is public
• connection between apartment and public space brings a feeling of ownership to the public space • volume is stronger fixated with surrounded public space
existing situation generic green around the volume segment (120v-33/1)
connecting base ground floor apartments have personal staircases connecting with the landscape
• brings a feeling of ownership and safety to the public space around • community might decide how to use and maintain communal landscape • community space might facilitate functions, like playgrounds for kids, barbecue, flower gardens
• connection between apartment and public space brings a feeling of ownership to the public space • apartment owners maintain their garden and look after the public space around it
+ communal garden housing community is sharing a garden next to the volume
private gardens residents on the ground floor have their own private terraces
39
public space
• left as formal and functionless “green area” • residents do not consider those spaces as theirs • old paving, poor variety of plating and biodiversity
• diversity of uses and habitat • intimacy and connetion • easy to maintain, change or adjust • it might both be private or public garden
existing situation generic green public space; pedestrian paths (1.5 m) and random plantings
gardens existing generic green islands might be transformed into a series of gardens
• variety of tree species create vivid and rich park landscape • experience the surrounding nature changes every season • more diverse, natural and sustainable
• provides more sunlight into the court • open loan for barbecues, playing frisbee or just reading a book • easy to maintain, change or adjust • open views
+ forest maximum effort on enhancing natural flora
40
open field loan for variety of activities
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
• if nessesary, parking demand might be increased into the landscape islands • design it well to fit with the landscape strategy
• court for range of sports: basketball, tennis, volleyball, etc • creating sense of community and shared responsibility and strenghtening citizen’s sense of place identity
paking lot careful design of parking spaces and landscape
sports active court
• pavilion in the landscape might attract visitors • gather the community • hold events, lectures,workshops • facilitate activities, that do not fit into existing housing volume • art and culture emphasised
• kids could gather in one of the courtyards to play in a sandbox, skatepark, or slide down a tube • creating sense of community and shared responsibility • strenghtening citizen’s sense of place identity
+ pavilion attracts neigbours and guests to the area
playgrounds the court for kids
41
volume: facade
• poor insulation • aged materials • monothonic facades in massive scales
• individualized interventions, like enclosed wintergardens and new window frames (already happening) • brings diversity, but interventions are not synchronized, lack of quality and common aesthetics
existing facade element 35 mm thick monolitic exterior walls
personalised facade owners of apartments are doing local interventions
• more sunlight into the rooms via bigger window openings • facade is insulated (15 cm of insulation layer, 5 cm of finish) • additional elements are cleaned providing even more sunlight inside
• more sunlight into the rooms via bigger window openings • facade is insulated (15 cm of insulation layer, 5 cm of finish) • acording to personal needs owners could chose from range of options their facade element preference: none, balcony, wintergarden, extension of living space
+ clean facade insulated and with bigger openings
42
small additions insulated, with bigger openings and modular elements
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
• existing facade untouched • passive insulation layer (in winter it acts as a warm buffer zone that reduces heat loss, in summer it can be opened ad ventilated • moving shaders open/ close on demand
• self supporting structure, existing structure will not be compromised in any way • new entrances and inner path created - direct physical link from apartment to the park • apartments can vary in size, as rooms can be linked via new corridor • inter-reaction between neighbors as move along the south facade
extra layer on top new structure mounted on top leaving the existing exposed
new entances and balconies (hepth - 2.5 m) bigger balconies and second entance via active facade
• depth of balcony is adjustable, therefore it might be just a balcony for one resident while the other might have extended living space towards the facade • strong urban outer facade system created • more light and greater sense of space is created • extension of living space • tempered environment that is adaptable to seasonal changes
• height of balcony varies, therefore different terraces are more intimate and personalized • strong urban outer facade system created • more light and greater sense of space is created • extension of living space • tempered environment that is adaptable to seasonal changes
+ personalized winter-gardens (hepth - 4.5 m) self supporting structure with balconies and wintergardens
lifted islands (hepth - 4.5 m) personalization of winter-garden space
43
volume: entrance
• lifted entrance • no lock ( usually with obvious lock code) • garbage box next to the entrance • entrance to the basement on the outside • repetitive entrances to all volumes in Pasilaiciai rayon (107 ha)
• cleaned space - no walls nor staircases to the basement cleaner and safer design • canopy provides shelter and identifies the entrance zone • each entrance should be personalized with unique materiality • garbage boxes are moved further away from the entrance
existing entrance generic condition for all entances
cleanded entrance optimised entrance with moved garbage boxes (underground)
• brings unique character and aesthetics • creates space for bike parking • shelter from wind, snow and rain • new post box
• separate structure with function, such as small room for kids to play or postal box might be added • brings unique character and aesthetics • creates space for bike parking • shelter from wind, snow and rain • post box
+ expressed entrance self supporting structure, more dignified entrance
44
entrance with function self supporting structure, additional function integrated
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
ground floor + landscape
• ground floor is lifted 1.5 m from the surrounding landscape leaving the possibility only to look out, but not reach out • small balconies have unpleasant spaces underneath • the only entrance is via the main staircase
• to provide link with surroundings personal entrances created • by cutting openings in existing interior walls bigger spaces can be created that are necessary for facilities, like office space • terrace to the south facade (intermediate space)
+ existing situation ground floor
• by sacrificing one room the whole staircase might benefit with a direct link to the landscape on the south side • a ramp for disabled people might be introduced to access the elevator and the staircase
studio space with separate entrance and terrace creating personal entrances and intimate spaces
• the structure is linked with the main lobby and has a direct entrance from the landscape • it might facilitate housing community center or other functions that might need bigger space • large terrace next to the park • ramp for disabled people that links with the main staircase and lift
+ staircase connected with the landscape via community room
community space concrete structure on the ground floor
45
volume: roofscape
• terraced roofs are not used at all • roof scape forms an urban composition in the overall micro-rayon masterplan scheme, but is irrelevant in the smaller scale • empty wall facade towards the street and west side • heat loss is most evident in the top floor apartments, it is being lost not only via thin facades but also housing roof
• roof terraces for communal activities • openings in facade and roof can be created to provide access onto roof terraces both from private apartment and from communal staircase
existing situation stepping roof of the volume
cut openings and add terraces access onto roof terraces
• changing the facade element on the upper floors does not compromise overall structure • provide views and access to the giant roof terrace from flats and main staircase • insulation of west facade • roof deck might be easily accedes from the internal staircase
• extension of the apartment • roof terraces and convenient entrance to the terrace from the main staircase • provide views and access to the giant roof terrace from flats and main staircase • insulation of west facade
open up the closed facade changing the facade element
structure on the facade bigger apartments and community room
46
ignas uogintas / preview / the royal danish academy of fine arts / master graduation project / 2014
• activate the roof with terraces • all the spaces on the roof would have a private entrance • variety of facilities could emerge (small studios, communal terraces, small facilities for residents) • roof deck might be easily accedes from the internal staircase
• lightweight structures might be added on the roof to provide bigger apartments or bring more functions, • a separate entrance to the facilities via the roof • roof deck might be easily accedes from the internal staircase
+ add stairs on top prefabricated steel and timber structure
add volumes on top prefabricated steel and timber structure with facilities
• taking out existing elements brings the standard volume roof to range a of unique private and communal terraces • the apartments are loosing square meter spaces • new additions might also provide necessary roof insulation
• a new multisorey lightweight structure might be added onto existing • additional flats, studios, other facilities might be located there • 120v is designed to withstand the loads of a 9 storey building
take some elements out removal of existing elements
add structure on top a new multisorey lightweight structure
47
the royal danish academy of fine arts, schools of architecture, design and conservation school of architecture ignas uogintas stud 5627, dep 3
may 21, 2014