3.4 Conclusion

programmes such as recreational activities or cultural activities can develop into a social and cultural hub both on a local and regional scale.

Such hubs, equipped with facilities, easy accessibility and exciting sights, can attract tourists, promote the site’s identity as a recognisable feature, and strengthen the local people’s sense of belonging to their place of residence (Muceniece, 2015).

Fig 58: Collapse of a building through time. Adapted by author 202, from Muceniece,2015:6

The literature, theory and architectural approach reviewed in this chapter were chosen according to their relevance to the topic of the study. The theory outlined in the chapter and the suggested design, site and programme are relevant to Berea Park as a disconnected-derelict site with the potential to become a valuable resource to society once revived and reintegrated into the active urban fabric. The suggested design should feature multifunctional programmes (democratic spaces) that may entice enterprises to relocate to or near the site, in this way developing social, cultural and economic interests in the surrounding area.

In line with the ideas concerning the social sustainability of the architecture, the proposed design will concentrate on public creational aspects, recreational activity and a social interchange area to produce a location that may become well-suited for human culture, habits and procedures over time. These spaces have the potential to be multipurpose, which is related to responsive social architecture.

As the design intervention may act as a stimulant for growth, this social response is vital in restoring urban regeneration.

In the suggested design project, adaptive reuse is a critical architectural approach. However, the analysis presented above revealed that neglected structures do not always need to be revitalised through restoration or the addition of new contemporary layers to be designated as adapted. Ruins can play a significant function in demonstrating the location’s historical significance and should be a feature paired with minor social intervention.

The proposed design will incorporate one building into the intervention, with the ambiance of the structure remaining apparent despite the addition of a new role.

The adaptions will, thus, showcase the historical layers while adding smaller programmes to celebrate the old buildings. Programmatic features should highlight the existing atmosphere and the materiality, forms and shapes used, enabling the genius loci of the site to be present.