Urban Gaps & Commons by Karla Burlamaqui

UR BA N |

G APS & COMMON S

AN OVERVIEW OF HOW CITIES CAN BENEFIT FROM COMMONS BASED ON THE CASES OF LEIPZIG AND PRAGUE

MA_ARCH STUDIO CITY COMMONS THESIS ADVISOR: PROF. IVAN KUCINA 2ND ADVISOR: LUCIO ROSSI KARLA BURLAMAQUI

Urban Gaps & Commons is a Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thesis project developed by the student Karla Burlamaqui with support from the supervisors Ivan Kucina and Lucio Rossi. Dessau International Architecture School MA_Architecture June 2016

CON TE N TS ABSTRACT..........................................................................09 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION......................................13 1. URBAN GAPS.........................................................14 2. CITY COMMONS...............................................17 3. CASE STUDIES......................................................19 CHAPTER 2: LEIPZIG.........................................................21 1. URBAN CONTEXT..............................................22 2. GLEISEREI E.V.......................................................30 3. DESIGN PROPOSAL..........................................38 CHAPTER 3: PRAGUE.......................................................47 1. URBAN CONTEXT..............................................48 2. KARLÍN BARRACKS...........................................60 3. DESIGN PROPOSAL..........................................66 CHAPTER 4: LEARNING LOOP................................109 1. DESIGN PROPOSAL...........................................110 REFERENCES.....................................................................139

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.â&#x20AC;? Jane Jacobs The Death and Life of Great American Cities

A BST RACT

This thesis approaches how Urban Commons have the potential of contributing for the sustainable development of the cities by making use of vacant buildings and spaces. These Commons are collective spaces organized and managed by people who share the same interests, for the benefit of themselves and their community. The goal is to understand the dynamics of these kinds of collective spaces by researching and visiting two case studies in Leipzig and Prague. The final result will be two design proposals that aim to explore the architectural possibilities of co-living, co-working and living as a community, as well as creating design strategies that enhances the habits of the Commons. The structure of this thesis is dived in four chapters: Chapter 1 gives an overview of urban gaps and how they could benefit from Commons; Chapter 2 explores the case of Leipzig and a shows a first design attempt; Chapter 3 explores the case of Prague and more consolidated intervention principles; and Chapter 4 goes back to the case of Leipzig to improve the design proposal based on the knowledge acquired during the proposal development for Prague.

INTROD U CTION CHAPTER 1

1. U RBA N G A P S Today some parts of the cities, in general, are going through a concerning shrinking process, as they are - for whatever historic or economic reasons decreasing in population. Most of the times, those areas end up neglected for years, as the state’s efforts and resources are being invested somewhere else. The consequences of that is a chain reaction that leads to property disinvestment, building vacancy, demolition and abandonment. In order to reverse that cycle, it is essential to occupy these urban gaps, since they play an important role in the abandonment process. These so called “gaps” are, by definition, a space where something is missing. When it comes to the urban environment, they can either refer to vacant lots or vacant buildings. These gaps also bring a series of consequences that give the neighborhood a bad reputation, such as an increase of crime rates, lower offer of services and, consequently, poor life quality. In other words, people are not interested in moving there unless it is for a matter of financial need. On the other hand, those urban gaps are also quite interesting, as they tell a story about the area. Even though it is important to occupy the neglected neighborhoods and provide new equipments that will bring them back to life, it is even more important to preserve their history and heritage. As opposed to that, some of those neighborhoods are going through a gentrification process that - instead of recovering those gaps - demolishes them and turns them into a profitable equipment that won’t benefit the people who already live there. Another scenario is when investors also buy vacant buildings in those areas for a very low price and keep them vacant waiting for their value to increase in the future. In that sense, groups of people who live in some of those neglected areas are gathering as a community to be part of the change that will improve their life quality and, at the same time, avoid gentrification and preserve their heritage. With financial support of the state or on their own budget, they are gradually occupying the urban gaps and turning them into an asset for their neighborhood and themselves as a community. Those group initiatives are called “urban commons” and the play an important role on the cities’ long therm strategic change.

URBAN GAPS

HIGH MAINTENANCE COSTS

DECREASED PROPERTY VALUE

COLLAPSED BUILDINGS

ABANDONMENT

HIGHER CRIME RATES

PROPERTY DISINVESTMENT

BAD NEIGHBORHOOD REPUTATION

A few examples of commons: AgrocitĂŠ project, in the suburbs of Paris / P.F.1 (Public Farm One) , urban garden concept / Campo de Cebada, in Madrid

2 . U R BA N COMMONS The urban commons are collective spaces organized by people who share the same interests and the responsibility of managing them. They encourage participative citizenship, where the people take an active role in the changes of their community. As a way of reclaiming the city and its neglected spaces, those commons are emerging everyday. They can be a community garden on the rooftop of a building, a leisure space on an empty lot or a living space inside an abandoned building, for example. Regardless of the purpose, the important aspect about those commons is that by making a simple punctual intervention they benefit themselves, their community and, therefore, the sustainable development of the city. The commons have the potential of regenerating the previously mentioned urban gaps simply - but not exclusively - by occupying them. Some institutions are already investing in the idea and providing loans so that the commoners can buy a vacant building, for example, and turn it into their home and source of income. This building, that once was a burden for its neighborhood and because of its maintenance costs, will now be occupied, renovated and looked after, preventing it from crumbling. In that sense, there is a cooperative relationship between the commoners and the city for the benefit of everyone.

3 . C A SE STUDIES The two cases analyzed in this thesis will focus on neglected areas in Leipzig and Prague. Both areas have been through different urban changes that lead to a situation of abandonment and further start of a regeneration. Even coming from different backgrounds, both cities could benefit from commons, which could provide: • • • • • •

New public spaces for the community Spaces that can encourage other commons to arise More job opportunities Awareness about the problems and solutions for the neighborhood Preservation of their heritage Improvement of the life quality of the neighborhood, as well as its image

The process for making these interventions should involve a few steps, such as: gathering people, locating the urban gaps, analyzing the surroundings, making design proposals for temporary or permanent uses and executing them.

URBAN GAPS

IDEAS

FABRICATION

USE

LEIP ZIG CHAPTER 2

1. U RBA N CO N T E X T 1.1 Leipzig The first case study is a collective house project - the Gleiserei - located in the Eisenbahnstraße, a street in the city of Leipzig - Germany. Leipzig is a city that is full of potential Commons to take place, once it is a developing city that is still relatively cheap and not so big (circa 520 thousand inhabitants). For the past few years the city is getting known as the “new Berlin” or “the better Berlin”, because many young people are moving there in search of opportunities, cheaper rent and better life quality than in a big city like Berlin (circa 3.5 million inhabitants). Those people are reclaiming the neglected former-industrial buildings in the city and using them for living, working, doing art, parties, among other things. The fact is that they are keeping the city alive and influencing people to do the same. 1.2 Eisenbahnstraße The east part of Leipzig, more specifically the Eisenbahnstraße, is a clear example of an area of the city that is coming back to life. Once an industrial zone and later on a commercial hub, the area has also been through years of abandonment and crime. Today the situation is getting better with the help of the government, institutions and, more importantly, the community. For that reason, it’s important to understand the historic events that lead to the current situation of the street and what’s the role of the community in that context.

Sachsen Region, where Leipzig is located, Germany

Area where the EisenbahnstraĂ&#x;e is located, in the east part of Leipzig

Gleiserei e.V., EisenbahnstraĂ&#x;e

Eisenbahnstraße, years unknown

19th Century The Eisenbahnstraße has that name because there used to exist the railways that connect Leipzig to Dresden until 1879. After the industrialization, a large scale housing development was built in the area for the working class. The scenario was simple life, high density of buildings and people, high share of industries, few green areas and pragmatic infrastructure. 20th century Around 1900 the street developed as a result of a rapid population growth and it flourished as a business corridor. That changed after the war, when the population was made mostly of vulnerable social groups that were offered grants to live there. In the meantime the middle class population moved out and the area was left to decay. From the 90’s, there was an even bigger decrease of residents and further abandonment of the area. According to the news articles, it became dangerous, dirty, the buildings were abandoned and it was even considered to be “the worst street in Germany”.

EisenbahnstraĂ&#x;e, 2014

21st Century Since the year 2000 there was an stabilization of the population due to the influx of lower income families and foreigners to the area. The city of Leipzig has also been investing in programs and funds to improve the street and make it safer. Among other initiatives, many organizations were created with the goal of helping people - bureaucratically and financially - to occupy the vacant historic buildings and keep them alive. After years of negligence, the EisenbahnstraĂ&#x;e has started to go through a slow process of urban transformation.

EisenbahnstraĂ&#x;e, 2014

Potential vacant spaces and buildings in the surroundings of the EisenbahnstraĂ&#x;e, 2015

Vacant buildings Vacant spaces

Buildings in process of renovation

Today Today the people have gathered as a community and they are working together to turn the EisenbahnstraĂ&#x;e into a better and safer place to call home. Many buildings have already been occupied and many are in process of renovation. Some Commons are settling in the area and they are making use of on-line platforms to help each other build and renovate their houses. These people are concerned about the future of the neighborhood and what they can do to help. Nonetheless, the area still has many vacant buildings and gaps that are currently used as shortcuts, dog parks or green spaces. One way or another, those gaps are already being used by the community, but they have much more potential.

2 . GL E IS E R E I e .V. The Gleiserei e.V. is an association that was created in the beginning of 2014 by the initiative of a group of young people who had the vision of creating a collective space for living and hosting social and cultural projects. The idea emerged because of their beliefs in an alternative self-sustained way of living and working, which is beneficial not only for them but for the sustainable development of the city. With the help of associations from Leipzig, they found a vacant house located in the previously mentioned Eisenbahnstraße and started to renovate it to make it livable again. The chosen house – now also named Gleiserei –is a 4-storey building with a commercial unit on the ground floor and a small garden in the backyard, which has the potential of being expanded onto the neighbor’s vacant lot. Based on the idea of communal living, their vision is to renovate the entire building and turn it into a collective space. The Gleiserei also plays an important role for the city of Leipzig and for the community that has been growing in the surroundings of the Eisenbahnstraße. Their goal is for the house not just to be about collective living, but also a collective space of cooperation for the community. In that sense, they want to use the ground floor, basement and attic for social and cultural purposes with a cultural café, open workshops, meeting rooms, a recording studio, concerts and space for exhibitions, lectures, discussions and for the development of individual projects and ideas. It will be basically a place for giving support for social projects and, as they say, for “mutual assistance, experimentation and alternative aesthetics”.

Gleiserei, 2015

The house was built around 1875, which, according to the Saxon Monument Protection Act, qualifies it as a historic building (Denkmalgeschützt). For that reason, after years of abandonment, not only the interior of the building has to be completely renovated – in order to be in livable conditions again –, but also the facade needs to be restored to its original appearance, according to the protection regulations. Even though the house is in bad shape, it has beautiful features that should be preserved, such as the brick structural walls, the wooden staircase and the doors and windows.

Gleiserei, 2015

With a limited budget, the commoners are doing the design of the spaces themselves and - with the help of professionals - they are learning how to renovate the house with their bare hands. So far their idea is that each of the first three floors will be turned into an apartment big enough to accommodate 5 to 6 people with a common living space, kitchen and two bathrooms each. Even though each apartment will be a separate unit on a separate floor, the intention is for the inhabitants to live as a community throughout those floors. In that scenario, the staircase plays a big role in the house, as they explain that it â&#x20AC;&#x153;is not only used as a connecting room between floors, but revived and interpreted as an extension of living space and a link to the tenementsâ&#x20AC;?.

Unused

Co-housing

Social and cultural uses

Drawings showing the Gleiserei teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision for the house, 2015

“Parts of the house will be available to give space for ideas and to support external projects of cultural and social fields of other interested and motivated people – in addition to the residents of the Gleiserei. As a collective house project, we aspire to live and act as a community. (…) the group’s aim is to be an asset to the surrounding neighborhood in East Leipzig.” Gleiserei team

3. DE SIG N P RO P OS AL Researching about the Gleiserei team and their vision was an important step to understand how to design for Commons. Since their budget is limited and they do most of the work themselves, the key point was to think of sustainable collaborative design principles.

PRIN C IPL ES 1.

Support the development of the neighborhood

The vision of the Gleiserei team is very important for the neighborhood and the whole city of Leipzig. Not only they want to make a difference, but also help other commons to be born and do the same. In that sense, in addition to the living spaces, the design should support their ideas and provide an informal collective space for mutual assistance, experimentation and cultural events. 2. Encourage a “DIY” type of construction The team already works in a self-sustained way, doing most of the renovations themselves. For that reason, the design should encourage that idea and provide them the possibility of working with low-cost materials and DIY (do it yourself) techniques. 3. Extract rather than add The Gleiserei has beautiful architectural elements that should be preserved, not only for nostalgic reasons, but also for economic reasons. That being said, it’s also important to create more dynamic spaces, that allows the commoners to interact at all times and live as a community. To accomplish that kind of space some walls and parts of the floors should be removed, but maintaining the main structural elements. 4. Re-use demolition materials When building the additional house on the neighboring lot, the material that was extracted from the Gleiserei - such as bricks and door, for instance - should be re-used. The intention is to encourage a sustainable design, save money and bring a little bit of the Gleiserei’s history into the new building.

Co-housing

Collective Space

P ROGR A M The Gleiserei team have a very a strong vision of what they want their house to be and how it can help improve the community. Even so, the space that they have is very limited for accomplishing all that they want. In that sense, on the design concept their program and vision will be respected, but the zoning will be changed in order to provide better quality spaces. The housing part will be shifted to the adjacent lot and the main building will be used to for the common spaces, as it provides a connection to the Eisenbahnstraße. Co-housing • • •

Bedrooms for the commoners connected to the main house Punctual common spaces Public green backyard

Collective Space • •

Living areas for the commoners Opened cultural and social spaces for the community (café, co-working rooms, workshop rooms, atelier, gallery, spaces for events, recording studio, etc)

Gleiserei in a strategic position to work as a collective space for the development of the community

Gordon Matta-Clarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work in the 70â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

CO N C E PT Based on the idea that the commoners will do the job themselves, the main concept for the intervention on the Gleiserei was to extract rather than add new parts to it. The idea was based on the work produced in the 70â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s by the north-American artist Gordon Matta-Clark, where he uses a saw and other tools to create voids in vacant buildings. When it comes to the Gleiserei, the idea was to demolish the walls that divide the spaces and create some internal voids in order to visually connect all the floors and create fluid common spaces. As for the new co-housing building, it should make use of the leftover materials obtained by the demolitions in the Gleiserei.

First design attempt: floor plan and section showing the common uses inside the Gleiserei and the new building with the housing program

FIRST D ES I GN AT T E M PT The first design attempt focused on following the principles and concept that were previously mentioned, but it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t satisfactory. Even though the spaces inside the Gleiserei did become more fluid, the new building and its program were too stiff and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t translate the Commons spirit and ideology. At this point it was clear that the uses should be suggestions on how they could use the spaces in a dynamic way instead of setting a fixed program.

First design attempt, external and internal views

PR AGU E CHAPTER 3

1. U RBA N CO N T E X T 1.1 Prague The second case study is a semi-abandoned building - the Karlín Barracks located in the neighborhood of Karlín, in the city of Prague, Czech Republic. Prague is an old city whose origin dates back to the 9th century, during the Romanesque era. On the following centuries, the city developed and flourished by the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque eras, which resulted in an amazing mixture of architectural styles. Now, twelve centuries later, Prague still manages to maintain its character and architectural splendor. Today Prague’s low cost of living, as well as its rich history and its strong cultural scene, are attracting many young people who go there to live, study and work. Those people are the potential commoners in Prague, the ones who will look for cheap and alternative ways of living in the city. They are occupying mostly the suburbs or Prague and making creative use of vacant spaces and buildings. 1.2 Karlín Karlín plays an important role in the history of Prague because it was the first district to grow outside the old city walls in the beginning of the 19th century. Back then, the area was residential and later became an industrial hub, but that scenery changed a lot throughout the years. Today Karlín is still in constant mutation, which requires an understanding about the general history of the area’s development.

Prague, Check Republic

Karlín district, Prague

Karlín Barracks, Karlín

Sokolovská street, 1825 / Karlín map showing factories zones in black, 1890

19th Century Karlín (officially Karolinenthal) was founded in 1817 as the first suburb of Prague outside the old city walls. Back then, the area was a pleasant neighborhood with low-rise residential buildings, parks and gardens. This scenery started to change thirty years later, when the first factory was built in the area. From that point on, many other factories and houses moved in and the wealthy residents moved out, as it became an industrial hub. Later on, new railways were built in and around Karlín, which eventually became known as one of Prague’s less salubrious quarters.

PobreznĂ street, 1900 / Breitfeld-Danek factory in KrizĂkova street, around 1905

Karlínské square, 1959 Pernerove street

20th Century In the beginning of this century most buildings were vacant and in need of renovation. From 1989, as Prague expanded, Karlín’s potential was spotted by real state firms: it was partly vacant, cheap and close to the city center. For that reason, they started investing on the redevelopment the area, renovating some abandoned buildings and constructing new ones. That changed the character of the neighborhood and people started moving back in.

Map of KarlĂn, 1980 / Corso KarlĂn before and after renovation in the year 2000

2002 flood caused the collapse of many buildings in Karlín

21st Century The 2002 floods that happened across Central Europe were a huge setback on Karlín’s development. The district was one of the most damaged by the flood in Prague. For that reason, people were forced to evacuate their houses and offices, some never to return again. The scenery was devastating: vacant houses, collapsed buildings and no lighting in the streets. It took about one year before people returned to their normal life. After that Karlín managed to pick itself up and went through a process of intense construction and renovation. That rapid urban change brought positive and negative consequences upon the district. The positive ones are clear: the area developed and a few buildings remain abandoned. The negative part is that the fact that only a few buildings remain abandoned is because many of them were demolished, either because of the flood consequences or because of the gentrification process that Karlín is going through.

Danube House, 2003 / Main Point KarlĂn, 2011 Cornlofts, 2013

SokolovskĂĄ 91 - year unknwon / Year unknown / 2013 KrizĂkova 59 - in 2007 / Demolition in 2013

Pernerova 40 - year unknown / Demolition in 2003

PobreznĂ 15 - years unknown / Demolished in 2012

Potential vacant spaces and buildings in Karlín

Modern buildings

Vacant buildings Vacant spaces

Today The gentrification process that Karlín is going through can’t be ignored. Many new developments are arising and they’re all profit-oriented rather than community-oriented. The general feeling is that Karlín’s history is being wiped out as old buildings are being demolished instead of reused and the vacant spaces are rapidly being occupied by those new developments. Even so, the remaining vacant spaces due to the demolitions still carry a lot of history and reminds of what once was there. It’s important that the community realizes how important those spaces are and the potential that they have for commons that will enhance Karlín’s life quality and protect its history, as well as its character.

2 . K A R L Í N BA R R AC K S The Karlín Barracks is a big UNESCO cultural heritage complex that served the military for over 160 years. It was built in 1845 for the Austro-Hungarian Empire and it was originally named Ferdinand Barracks - name that then changed to Jan Zizka after the collapse of the empire in 1920. “At the time these barracks were among the largest if not the largest ever military barracks in the Czech lands. It could hold up to two thousand troops,” says military historian Jaroslav Láník . The reason why the barracks were so big, well protected and located in Karlín, was to defend Prague - which back then was still surrounded by the old city walls. The complex consists of three parts: 1. The main three-winged building (Karlínská Kasárna) with five floors and a basement; 2. An inner courtyard with an area of about one hectare; 3. An additional multipurpose building that was used as a rehabilitation center, car wash, garage, among others things. Today the Barracks are only partially used by the Czech police, which is a problem not only for the state - that has to bear with its expensive maintenance costs - but also for Karlín, that doesn’t benefit from a potential common space. For that reason, the Barracks are being offered for sale by the state. Even though the Karlínská Kasárna is such a big building, with a significant visual and historical presence in Karlín, it seems to go unnoticed or even avoided by the locals. That may be due to its military history and because of the fact that it is occupied by the police. Regardless of the reason, the fact is that the complex needs to be integrated to the area and used by the people.

Facade view from the Krizikova street / Inner courtyard

Barracksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; access blocked by the smaller multipurpose building / Side entrances closed by gates / Main entrance door

Common hallway / One of the rooms / Main entrance door

Due to its original function, the floor plans of the barracks are rigidly composed by a series of cells for lodging soldiers. Even though the repetition may seem somewhat boring, it becomes quite interesting from the structural perspective. Another special feature of the building are the beautiful arches on the ceiling of the rooms and common areas.

Original floor plan and sections / Archway in the circulation

3. DE SIGN P RO P OS A L The case study in Leipzig was very important to start the design process in Prague. Researching about the Gleiserei and the surroundings of the Eisenbahnstraße was crucial to understand the Commons vision, how they are managed and have an idea of how Karlín could too benefit from Commons regenerating its urban gaps. The first design attempt for the Gleiserei was also important for understanding better the role of the architect when designing for Commons. First because the uses of the Commons are so plural and dynamic that it’s important for the design to be flexible rather than having a fixed program. Second because of the fact that the commoners do all the renovation work by themselves and count on a limited budget, which leads to a scenario where the architect should not just think about their present needs, but also about future interventions that they might want to do. In that sense, the architect should set design parameters for them to do their own design instead of designing for them. When it comes to Karlín, the concept is to create groups of Commons that will occupy the Barracks, do the renovations inside the building and also provide common spaces for the community by making interventions in the courtyard. These interventions will play an important role on a process of de-gentrification and appropriation of the area by the community. In that sense, the interventions intend to encourage participatory design by the community and for the community. The design proposal will be guided by five principles:

PRIN C IPL ES 1.

Make the barrier a destination

Due to its history the Barracks have been a barrier against people in Karlín. The concept of “barracks” needs to be reinvented and their spaces used in an inclusive way. The building needs to open its door for the community and provide alternative living, working and leisure possibilities. 2. Make the most of the Barracks The Barracks have very solid structure and beautiful arches that should be preserved as much as possible. Apart from that, it’s also important to keep the renovation costs to a minimum, once the commoners work on a limited budget and do most of the work themselves. 3. Provide common spaces for permanent and temporary uses The common spaces are important for local development, as people will have the opportunity to gather as a community, meet their neighbor and work on strategies for a better future for Karlín. Permanent uses such as library, meeting rooms or workshops, can provide that kind of opportunity for the area. In the mean time, the temporary uses such as markets, food fairs or seasonal activities can also change people’s view on Karlín and bring long-term benefits to it. 4. Encourage a collaborative work environment When it comes to living as a community and making changes for the community it’s important to not only provide living and working spaces, but also tools for spontaneously creating other kinds of spaces that fits their agenda. In that sense designing something that can be executed by the people themselves is an important aspect of the design. 5. Create a smart construction system In order to help the community build itself, it’s necessary to set parameters for all the future interventions that will happen in and outside the Barracks. That means working with a parametric thinking and creating modular designs that will work as guidelines for any kind of use that they might wanna have.

STA RT I NG P O I N T In order to destroy the barrier between the Barracks and KarlĂn and integrate it physically and visually to the area, it is necessary to open the building to the street. First by opening the side and front entrances - which today are close by gates - and second by demolishing the back multipurpose building - which becomes a big wall closing up a dead end street and covering the beautiful internal facade of the Barracks. Without those barriers the people who walk by will have a glimpse of the building and feel invited to walk inside and explore the not-so-enclosed courtyard.

View of the internal facade after demolishing the multipurpose building

INTERV EN T I O N S The interventions will happen inside the Barracks and outside, in the courtyard and on the neighboring windowless facades. The program for those interventions will be suggestions of multiple uses that should be spontaneously decided, developed and executed by the commoners.

BARRACKS

COURTYARD

+ (CO-) HOUSING

+ SOCIALIZING

(CO-) WORKING

INTERV EN T I O N S > > BA RRAC KS The Barracks have a series of cells that were previously used to lodge soldiers. The concept for those cells is to imagine how they could be used in alternative ways, either for living, working, socializing or all of those uses mixed and/ or combined. The current vacant spaces would have a completely different meaning as people move in and live as a community. The architecture of the Barracks - with its long hallways - would also work in favor of the commoners, as they will be bale to constantly interact and visit each other. The architecture also provides the possibility of combining the cells in different ways as needed, creating different kinds of lofts for the previously mentioned uses.

INTERNAL CELLS

CELLS GRADUAL OCCUPATION

CE LLS The cells can be combined in different ways according to the specific need of the one inhabiting it and turned into lofts for living and working. When designing those cells, the challenge is that even though they have a good size (circa 80m2), they only have two windows. In that sense, an alternative way of living would be ideal for the Barracks: integrated spaces with few walls to make the most out of the cells.

Loft 1 Example of a single cell where two roommates can live together, each with their bed nook and a common living space.

Loft 2 Example of two cells combined horizontally in order to create a living space and a working space.

Loft 3 Example of two cells combined vertically in order to create a living space and a working space.

View of the main circulation of the Barracks once people move in

+ ARTS

+ GASTRONOMY

SPORTS

+ LEISURE

SEASONAL ACTIVITIES

+ EVENTS

SOCIALIZING

INTERV EN T I O N S > > CO U RT YA RD The courtyard will host the common activities by making use of pop-up modular structures that can be combined among each other and that can always be changed according to the need. Those modules will sit on a grid that’s extended from the inside of the building and that will serve as guidelines for any future interventions. The result will be a dynamic space where people can interact, exchange ideas and be a community. The U-shaped courtyard plays an important role on those activities, as it makes it easier for the commoners to have not only physical, but visual interaction at all times. So even though one might in one end of the building, he/she can decide if it’s worth going to the other end by checking what’s going on outside the window.

COURTYARD GRID

MODULAR INTERVENTIONS

PA R A S I T E MO DU L E S The first interventions will be vertical structures that connect the Barracks to the courtyard. Those structures are composed by modular containers that also allows them to change their shape with time, but the idea is that they have a more permanent character in order to provide some services for the commoners and the community.

Example of three uses applied to the sizes of the modular grid

PA R A S I T E MO DU L E S When combined, those modules will create Parasite structures that will be used as common spaces. They are going to be located along the U-shaped facade and will have punctual catwalks connecting them to the lofts. As a way of respecting the main structure of the Barracks, those vertical structures are being treated as parasites, as they are not really craved in the building, they are only attached to it.

Examples of how the modules can be combined for different purposes

Workshop Rooms FabLab

Kitchen

Studios

Library Meeting Rooms

Multipurpose Rooms 87

FUR NI T U R E M O DU L E S In order to create possibilities for a number of different uses, modular furnitures were designed to be combined among each other and set on the courtyard grid. The size of those furnitures respect this main grid, but they are subdivided to be smaller or bigger according to their functions. Those furnitures and uses can be combined in many different ways, creating spaces with completely different characters. Needles to say, new modules can be designed and built by the commoners whenever it is necessary.

Example of three furniture applied to fractions of the modular grid,

Other examples of the furniture modules designed for the common uses. Those modules can be combined among each other and placed on the courtyard grid.

Examples of how the uses and furniture modules can be combined

M O DU L E COMB IN ATION S The furniture modules were designed based on a series of dynamic uses that can be combined among each other in many different ways. Following are a few examples of how they can be combined. Exercise Educate Play Run Socialize CYCLE Perform Teach Explore Drink Eat Build Laugh Learn Listen

Work Sing Relax Picnic Exhibit Design Sell Camp Jump RELAX Buy Dance Skate Walk Run

Slide SIT Stand Lay Think Write Read Connect Create Swim Watch Shop Rest Sleep Dance

Barbecue Climb Gather Interact Imagine Arrive Depart Meet Greet PLANT Swing Talk Move Entertain Participate

M ODU LE COM BI N AT I O N S Examples of how the uses and the furniture modules can be combined and connected to each other.

DE SI GN L AYERS The interventions are meant to happen gradually and spontaneously. With due time all the design layers will come together (the community, green spaces, new structures and existing structure) and combined would change the character of the Barracks.

Community

Green

Structures

Barracks

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

L E ARN IN G LOOP CHAPTER 4

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1. DE SIG N P RO P OS A L The design proposal in Prague was also a leaning process that resulted in going back to the Leipzig case and applying the same principles that were developed for the Barracks in the Gleiserei. The idea now is to propose a more flexible and parametric design based on the following principles:

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PRI N C I PL E S 1.

Support the development of the neighborhood

The vision of the Gleiserei team is very important for the neighborhood and the whole city of Leipzig. Not only they want to make a difference, but also help other commons to arise and do the same. In that sense, in addition to the living spaces, the design should support their ideas and provide an informal collective space for mutual assistance, experimentation and cultural events. 2. Make the most of the Gleiserei The Gleiserei has beautiful architectural elements that should be preserved, not only for nostalgic reasons, but also for economic reasons. That being said, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also important to create more dynamic spaces, that allows the commoners to interact at all times and live as a community. To accomplish that kind of space some walls should be removed, but maintaining the main structural elements. 3. Encourage a collaborative work environment The team already works in a self-sustained way, doing most of the renovations themselves. For that reason, the design should encourage that idea and provide them the possibility of working with low-cost materials and DIY (do it yourself) techniques. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to not only provide living and working spaces, but also tools for spontaneously creating other kinds of spaces that fits their agenda. 4. Create a smart construction system In order to help the commoners created and fabricate on their own, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s necessary to set parameters for all the future interventions that will happen in and outside the Gleiserei. That means working with a parametric thinking and creating a modular design that will work as guidelines for any kind of use that they might wanna have.

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INTERV EN T I O N S The interventions will happen inside the Gleiserei and outside, on the vacant lot. The program for those interventions will be mostly co-living, co-working and commons spaces for the commoners and the community, but they will be flexible enough to give room for changes in the future.

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GLEISEREI

VACANT LOT

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+ LEISURE

+ CO-WORKING

+ CAFĂ&#x2030;

SOCIALIZING

+ ARTS

EVENTS

INTERV EN T I O N S > > G L E I S E RE I The Gleiserei - that first was envisioned to be housing - will now host the common activities that the team envisioned spread along the house. Even so, each floor will be one opened flexible space which allow the uses to be changed at any time or temporary events to happen. The void used in the first design attempt is also going to remain there in order to visually connect all the floors for constant interaction between the commoners.

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Example of how the space can be used in the Gleiserei. This floor shows the main living area for the commoners with a common kitchen and a connection to the bedrooms.

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+ CO-HOUSING

SOCIALIZING

INTERV EN T I O N S > > VAC A N T LOT The vacant lot will be used for co-living with private spaces - the bedrooms - and some common spaces - the balconies and terraces. The housing will be separated from the Gleiserei so that the commoners have privacy, but they can still access the main house and go back and forth through every level. The design is developed using the principle of modular structures than can be combined among each other. The size of the modules were designed based on the available space on the lot and so that the bedrooms have a comfortable size.

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VACANT LOT GRID

MODULAR INTERVENTIONS

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HO U S I NG MO DU L E S The modules should be primarily used for housing purposes, but they can also shift their use if necessary. The containers will also allow for the construction to happen little by little according to the commonersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; budget. More bedrooms or common spaces can also be added in the future.

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Example of three uses applied to the modular grid

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HO U S I NG MO DU L E S When combined, the housing modules will have a dynamic shape that can be used in many different ways. The balconies and terraces provide natural sun light and the possibility of interaction between the commoners at all times.

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Examples of how the modules can be combined

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BE DROOMS The modules are big enough for bedrooms that can fit up to two people and that can be used and laid out in many different ways. They could also be combined in order to make bigger lofts, but the idea of having individual units comes from the Gleiserei teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original floor plans, since there are many of them.

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Bedroom 1 Example of how the bedroom can be used by two people with space for a small living room and bathroom.

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Bedroom 2 Example of how the bedroom can be used by one person with space for a small working area and bathroom.

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Bedroom 3 Example of how the bedroom can be used by one person with space for a small working area, a kitchenette and bathroom.

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R EFER E N CE S

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ROZENDO, Adryana Cavalcante. Arquitetura Parasita: Uma intervenção no SPA das Artes. Thesis Project – UFPE. Tutor: Nei Brito Dantas. Recife, 2010. STANG, Alanna; HAWTHORNE, Cristhopher. The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2005. Commons transition http://commonstransition.org/#about Urban commons have radical potential http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/jun/15/urban-common-radical-community-gardens Urban Commons http://www.uncubemagazine.com/index.html Leipzig https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leipzig Germany: Is Leipzig the new Berlin? http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/sep/11/is-leipzig-the-new-berlin Die Eisenbahnstrasse in Leipzig: Gentrifizierung im Barrio Ost? http://raputation.de/eisenbahnstrasse-leipzig-gentrifizierung/ Protection and preservation of monuments and historic buildings http://english.leipzig.de/construction-and-residence/building/protection-and-preservation-of-monuments-and-historic-buildings/ Kollektivhaus in Leipzig: Gleiserei e.V. https://gleisereihausprojekt.wordpress.com/ Stifung Edith Maryon http://www.maryon.ch/foundation/en/eisenbahnstrasse-150/#.VpkM6_ krK01 I want to live in a Baugruppe http://grist.org/cities/i-want-to-live-in-a-baugruppe/ Gordon Matta-Clark http://summer77.eu/ Karlín 2010 http://www.casopisstavebnictvi.cz/karlin-2010-hledani-industrialnich-stop_ N3311 Proposta para recuperar vazios urbanos e estimular a reativação econômica em cidades espanholas http://www.archdaily.com.br/br/623263/proposta-para-recuperar-vazios-urbanos-e-estimular-a-reativacao-economica-em-cidades-espanholas

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Karlín Barracks http://praha.idnes.cz/armada-prodava-kasarna-v-praze-karline-dxx-/praha-zpravy.aspx?c=A131202_2007085_praha-zpravy_svc Karlín, Praha 8 https://www.facebook.com/KarlinPraha8/photos/?tab=album&album_ id=120764071369127 The Prague flood of 2002 http://www.livingprague.com/flood.htm Vacant space manual for Prague https://praguewatch.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/vacant-space-manual-forprague-city-of-a-hundred-spires-and-countless-vacancies/ Prague Districts: Karlín - part I. http://www.expats.cz/prague/article/the-czech-republic/prague-districtskarlin-part-1/ Prague Districts: Karlín - part II. http://www.expats.cz/prague/article/the-czech-republic/prague-districtskarlin-part-2/

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