Matter & Memory | Terrain Vague Sites.

Matter & Memory: Terrain Vague Sites.

Portfolio Architecture as Research Presentation A brief re ection of the 4th year (Sem 2) Research through Design.

Illustration: Abrar uz zaman khan

Abrar uz Zaman Khan | 3270881 Group: Neena Mand ARBE 6232.

M.Arch 2017-2019 University of Newcastle Australia

Content Research through Design Preface P 03

Week1 Literature review and research.

P 04-09 Week2 Site selection and analysis.

P 10-12 Week3 De ning questions and research hypothesis through precedent studies.

P 13-14 Week4 (1st Assessment) Research Hypothesis | Data Analysis | Abstraction of data.

P 15-16 Week5 Further site and data analysis.

P 17-19

Week6 Experiments and mapping of abstracted data.

P 20-21 Week7 Research into Space Syntax. Testing data through UCL DepthmapX software.

P 22

Week8 (2nd Assessment) Re ned Hypothesis | Schematic Design.

P 01-00 Week9 Initiation of group work, and nalizing site.

P 01-00 Week10 Amalgamation of projects and revised hypothesis.

Combined experiments.

P 01-00 Week12 Further experiments and design development.

P 01-00 Week13 (3rd Assessment)

P 01-00 Summary | References

P 01

Final design.

Illustration: Abrar uz zaman khan | Nathan Dawes

P 01-00 Week11

Preface This studio examined matter in sites considered as 'terrain vague' through memory. Students examined how the erasure, preservation and perpetuation of memory is connected to matter and vice versa. For its theoretical foundation the studio draws from the process of memory formation and matter transformation. Students investigated the interaction of form, time, space, movement with matter and memory and how it can be rethought and transformed.

The students considered both visible and invisible matter and also their extensive and intensive differences, and the external and internal forces acting within the matter.

For the research through design process, a research hypothesis was constructed by investigating/recording/interpreting how matter and memory are interrelated in sites conceptualized as 'terrain vague' (1st assessment). Second, conceptualization and experimentation on the sites's matter and memory formed the basis of responses at a schematic level (2nd assessment). Combined and re ned hypothesis in a group, for further development and resolution (3rd assessment). The idea was to create an architectural project that is a multi-authored script for memory making and action. The studio used cinematic and digital techniques, and physical sets / models in these interpretations.

Crafting and experimentation into material making was to move beyond the purely technical and functional aspects, and to consider the sensorial aspects related to memory and matter.

Illustration: Abrar uz zaman khan

P 02

Dr. Mand,H.N. (2017)

Week 1

Research and literature review

The research started off with the book Terrain Vague: Interstices at the edge of pale-Patrick Barron, Manuela Mariani , looking at various articles and interpretations of the word coined by the Catalan architect Sola Morales. A thorough study of the ambiguous term and its various qualities lead to a search for a proper de nition and meaning.

Various case studies of terrain vague sites were conducted and were categorized by their varying nature.

Photo: Abrar uz zaman khan

P 03

Looking at Terrain Vagues from a broader perspective lead to the concept of Landscape Urbanism. It deals with the globalizing effects of late capitalist urbanism and provides alternative approaches to urban landscapes, mainly the peri-urban edge of productive lands and the left-over spaces of cities the urban voids ( Armstrong, 2006 ).

The focus of the study was how urban landscapes can be rethought other than just open space for recreation and areas set aside as nature reserves or urban public space (Vienna STEP05, 2005; Sydney Metropolitan Strategy, 2004). The paper Post-Urban/Suburban Landscapes: Design and Planning the Centre, Edge and In-Between by Armstrong, questions simplistic planning policies which encourage redevelopment of all vacant sites, despite their former or current use. It argues for how complex urban functions can co-exist together, taking Australian cities as case studies.

For the precedents of memory, projects and articles related to phenomenology were inspected. Speci cally, writings of Juhani pallasma, Peter Zumthor and Steven Holls were of special interest.

Week 2

Site selection and analysis hrough the newfound understanding of Terrain Vagues, a list of previously visited sites that matched the criteria was created. The idea was to identify the different characteristics of the sites that made them terrain vague, by drawing upon words and phrases from the readings that were unique to each site.

The focus was to check the things that could be recalled from each site, investigating why it could be recalled, in an attempt to understand how Memory works, and in the process de ne what Matter is. Part of the idea was to check each site from an uninformed layman's perspective, in order to be true to the memory of the site.

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Site1

Site2

Ibrahim Textile Mills, Narayanganj, Bangladesh.

Panam City, Sonargaon, Bangladesh.

Site4

Tughlakabad Fort, New Delhi, India.

National Parliament, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Photo: Anwar Hossain, 1975.

Site3

P 04

Recalling Memories from Terrain Vague Site visits.

Week 2

Site selection and analysis Site1 Ibrahim Textile Mills, Narayanganj, Bangladesh.

he site is located in Narayanganj, Bangladesh.

A very old industrial port city, located 18km south-east on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka.

It used to be a very important trade route or hub during the medieval Mughal period for the European tradesmen. It is a derelict industrial site at the moment, operated and owned by Ibrahim textile mills. The site is over 50 acres and situated right beside the Shitalakhya river. It is basically clusters of old and new buildings, a mixture of abandoned and in-use mills, warehouses, housing for the workers and some places of worship.

Some of the blocks are totally in ruins, and others are still in use. For the most part, it is urban voids and vacant lots.

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Derelict Industrial Site

Vacant lots

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Seemingly Abandoned and Overgrown

....The landscape is left to its own devices or suspended redevelopment....

Leftover Wasteland

Mariani, M., & Barron, P. (2014).

Photos: Abrar uz zaman khan

Ambiguous

P 05

Strange

Week 2

Site selection and analysis

What is interesting about the site is the interstitial spaces. A very strong tactile environment with varying nature of artifacts and adaptations.

MEMENTO MORI: Remember You must die Functionally interstitial and intervening

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Natural materials express their age and history, as well as the story of their origins and their history of human use.....this fear of the traces of wear and age is related to our fear of death.

Photos: Abrar uz zaman khan

P 06

Pallasmaa, J. (2014)

Week 2

Site selection and analysis Site2 Panam City, Sonargaon, Bangladesh.

anam city has a very strange and eerie feeling to it. Built mostly during the Sultanate Period between 1100-1300 CE, it is a small town with residences on either side of a narrow street. The buildings are unlocked yet unattended, with quiet popular legends of the town being haunted. The site lacks maintenance with the facades being partially collapsed and overgrown with vegetation.

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Neglected Mariani, M., & Barron, P. (2014).

“ Photos: Panam Nagar Archives.

Blighted

Vacant

P 07

Ghost city

Week 2

Site selection and analysis Site3 Tughlakabad, New Delhi, India.

ughlakabad Fort is a site which is more on the ruin category. It was built in 1321 during the Tughlaq dynasty, of the Delhi Sultanate of India, to act as the major fort for the capital. It was later abandoned in 1327.

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Nostalgic and Touristic associations.... questioning the city’s vast ruins

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Containers of Fragmented shared history illuminating the imperfect process of memory and constantly attempts to recall and reconstruct the past...

P 08

Mariani, M., & Barron, P. (2014).

Photos: Qurncr.

Wasteland?.....Heritage?

Week 2 Photo: Anwar Hossain, 1975.

Site selection and analysis Site4 National Parliament, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

errain Vague or not? Built over a span of 21 years by the legendary Architect Louis. I. Kahn, the National Assembly of Bangadesh is considered a masterpiece of architecture today. Due to lack of funds and political instability, the site remained abandoned for some time during construction. With the independence of Bangladesh, the site was opened to the public in the mid-70s. The grand plazas of the South and North were open to the people and were used for public gatherings and events. Kahn designed the squares as an expression of accountability of the MPs towards the people. All that changed in the recent years as the whole complex was barricaded with walls due to security reasons.

The site is now very paradoxical in nature, with a very blurry edge condition.

Photo: Skyscraper city, 2013.

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“

Blurry Edge - Unclear spatial and behavioral norms and codes.

Paradoxical Space

Screenshot: Nathaniel Kahn. My Architect.2003.

Timelessness with both Absence and Presence.... the space of the possible, of expectation.

Reminiscent

P 09

Mariani, M., & Barron, P. (2014).

Week 3

De ning questions and hypothesis through precedent studies he site nalized for the schematic design was site1, the industrial derelict site at Narayanganj. This site was visited a couple of years back, but is the most recent and well documented amongst the others. The area is mainly known for the production of jute and textile fabric. It had the largest jute factory in the world in 1800 CE and was known for the production of the nest cotton in history called the 'Muslin' during the Mughal empire. The history of the area goes back hundreds of years, but what is prominent is the history of the past century. Previously known as the Dhakeshwari Cotton Mills, it was founded (1922) by Surya Kumar Bose. It was the rst cotton mill in the district of Dhaka. In 1927, the rst mills were erected, and by 1937, it was expanded by commissioning a second mill unit (Banglapedia, 2013). After the Partition, the government of Pakistan acquired the Dhakeshwari Cotton Mills by force.

With the independence of Bangladesh, the site was purchased

by Ibrahim Group in 1983, and renamed Ibrahim Composite Textile Mills (Banglapedia, 2013).

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British Period

1922

1947

Active

Bangladesh

1971

2017

Abandoned Suspended

Figure: An Alluvial depiction based on information from multiple sources.

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In that timeframe the site went through a couple of regime and ownership changes. From being a British colony, to East Pakistan, and nally present day Bangladesh. Due to this political and cultural struggle, it went through multiple phases of abandonments and suspensions. There is presence of distinct architectural styles of the different cultures, examples include Indo-saracenic, art-deco and modern buildings.

Pakistan

Week 3

De ning questions and hypothesis through precedent studies or the Hypothesis, the questions most resonating to the site were materials from Landscape Urbanism, ones that deal with urban voids and Terrain Vagues.

From the readings through papers, certain questions were highlighted. For precedents of Matter and Memory, certain references on phenomenology were studied closely.

Pallasma's theory of the peripheral vision was of special interest. It was compelling to see how the unfocused vision enfolds the subject in its place, and how the existential experience and perception of places is related to the unconscious peripheral vision.

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Figure: Memory Parallax. Photomontage using photos of the site.

Foreground, middle-ground and distant view, together with all the subjective qualities of material and light, form the basis of complete perception.

Holl, Steven, Juhani Pallasmaa, and Gómez Alberto Pérez. Questions of Perception. 2006.

Where are the meditative places for urban introspection?

How do we quietly reflect on the culture of our everyday life and our recent past?

How do we connect with these forgotten places’ as a layered landscape – complex and disturbing as much as reassuring?

How do we regain the ability to accept the ugly’ with its strange and resonating qualities?

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Post-Urban/Suburban Landscapes: Design and Planning the Centre, Edge and In-Between Professor-Emeritus Helen Armstrong,

Week 3

De ning questions and hypothesis through precedent studies The very essence of the lived experience is moulded by hapticity and peripheral unfocused vision. Focused vision confronts us with the world where as peripheral vision envelopes us in the esh of the world.

Peripheral vision enfolds the subject in the space.....

Unconscious peripheral perception transforms retinal gestalt into spatial and bodily experiences

Pallasmaa, J.The Eyes of the skin. 2007.

Intitially, this theory was used as a strategy to do abstractions and mappings on the site which made way for further investigation and experimentations.

P 12

Figure: Abstraction of Pallasma’s theory of vision. Photomontage using photos of the site.

Week 4

Research Hypothesis | Data Analysis Abstraction of Data

Is memory retained in the conscious, sub-conscious or super-conscious mind?

Figure: Mapping Perception | Perceived Map.

P 13

U

sing the aforementioned theories and studies, an abstraction of the map of the site was created based on the way it was perceived, recalling from memories and photos collected during the visit. Using pixels, the idea was to chalk out spaces with clear, vague and no memory, and trying to nd out the reasons behind it. Abstractions with photographic data formed a key part of the project, trying to understand the sensory layers and the experience of the site. Elements such as historic layers, materiality, colour and tactility, were closely studied based on the chronological sequence of the journey.

Week 4

Research Hypothesis | Data Analysis Abstraction of Data Figure: Abstraction of Sensory Layers.

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4

4 5

Adaptation and interstices.

Contrast in the temporality of industrial artifacts.

Perhaps some of the best memories of the siteis engraved near the river deck.

Sense of emancipation for the labors.

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Extreme weathering textures along facades and old artifacts.

Strong tactile stimuli.

2 1

3

2 An eerie mixture of architectural styles of dierent times.

Indo-saracenic, Bungalows, Saw-tootthed mills, Modern industrial warehouses.

1

Highly contrasting with surrounding environment.

Immediate spatial awareness upon entry.

A mix of blighted ruins with heavy industrial machinery.

Sense of hearing and smell activated.

Hypothesis :

P 14

Layers of memory are united through the manipulation of visibility and consciousness. - Abrar Khan.

Week 5

Further site and Data Analysis he data collected on-site was used for further analysis of the varying layers.

Visual separation of the used and unused portions of the buildings were highlighted with a gure-ground diagram and closely studied.

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In-Use vs Abandoned (Figure-Ground).

Abandoned Layer

LIFE

re ection appreciation interpretation

DEATH

P 15

In-Use Layer

Figure: In-use vs Abandoned (Figure-ground).

Week 5

Further site and Data Analysis o highlight the different layers of envelopes from different times, a colour-coded plan was made. The area coverage for each timeline was examined and the buildings were identi ed and categorized according to their time-line. Separation of these layers provided insights to the underlying interfaces and morphology of the site. It was also useful for the revelation of spaces within the site that had the most variety of layers.

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18%

of site 22% derelict British Period 1922-1947

6.79% of site 8.5% of site 16.6% derelict

18.5% derelict

East Pakistan

Bangladesh

1947-1971

1971-2017

Figure: Layers of Envelopes.

P 16

Layers of envelopes

Week 6

Experiments and Mapping of Abstracted Data.

Figure: Mapping Sensory Layers.

nother important part of the process was the 'act of mapping' of the abstracted data. This was the amalgamation of the precedents, research theories, photographic data and personal recollection. The black line is the axial line of circulation. The red cone being the focused vision, and the yellow being the unfocused. Some other sensory elements such as smell, hearing, touch, emotional awareness, etc, were mapped as they happened. A correlation was established between the axial line, focused/unfocused vision, to the conscious, sub-consious and super conscious mind. The red zones have a strong memory and the yellow zones have a vague. The red zones overlap with areas of interest, and the yellow are more of the over-grown void spaces of the site. The conscious memories are scattered, but the sub-concious memories stitch it all together creating the overall perception.

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Mapping Sensory Layers

Emotional Awareness Smell Hearing Tactile

Super conscious

Unfocused

Conscious Sub-conscious

P 17

Focused

Week 6

Experiments and Mapping of Abstracted Data.

Least Isolated

Most Isolated Figure: Visual Step depth analysis.

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Visual Step Depth An Average of three starting points were calculated for the open areas (circulation path), to show the most isolated parts of the site. This could also be interpreted as a measure of the circulatory sequence for the site.

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visual step depth analysis of the site was conducted using the space syntax DepthmapX software. The step depth shows the number of steps it takes to get to each other location in the graph, starting from the current location. The current location has step depth 0.

All locations directly visible from it have step depth 1, and all locations directly visible from those at step depth 1 have step depth 2, and so on through the graph. The result is a cumulative isovist growing from the initial location (Turner. A. 2016).

Week 6

Experiments and Mapping of Abstracted Data.

Area of Focus Proposed area for intervention The site analysis and step depth experiments were juxtaposed to nd out a suitable area for the proposal.

One with the most amount of derelict buildings, variety of layers and isolated pocket spaces.

Layers of derelict buildings.

Layers of variety, of building types and history.

Figure: Overlapping of dierent layers.

P 19

Layers of pocket spaces and overgrown areas.

Week 7

Experiments with DepthmapX.

Least Integrated

10000m

Most Integrated

Figure: Visual graph analysis.

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The word ‘Non-place’ refers to the term coined by French anthropologist Marc Augé.He used this term to refer to spaces of transience where the human beings remain anonymous and that do not hold enough significance to be regarded as “places”.

Visual Graph Analysis This data is interpreted and related to areas that are non-places, don't have focus, where the human mind remains sub-concious and anonymous.

P 20

visual graph analysis (VGA) was conducted to see the visual quality of the void spaces. It shows a visual integration measure of each space to the other. Each location is assigned a colour according to how many other locations are visible from it. Well integrated locations are red, poor ones are blue (Turner. A. 2016). The conclusion from it is that blue areas are hard to view, out of reach spaces, and the deeper the tone, the more sub-liminal, sub-concious and out of focus these spaces are.

Week 7

Experiments with DepthmapX.

The data was then extruded, giving the least visible, liminal spaces a lower head room and the most integrated ones a higher headroom. This is part of a strategy that shortens down the cone of vision and brings in more focus over the non-places. This information was then turned into a mesh structure with a gradient, over the desired proposal site.

Lowest height

Maximum height

P 21

The sensory map was then overlaid on the mesh.

The strategy was to highlight the buildings of interest with a bigger cone of vision and focus.

The mesh was bulged in those areas, nally ending with a punch overhead to make them open to sky.

Week 8

Schematic Design.

he answer to the question, of how a layered landscape can co-exist together is through the hypothesis: Layers of memory are united through the maipulation of visibility and conciousness. thematic/heritage interpretation centre was proposed. A space for the dessimination of knowledge of the culture and heritage of a site. A specialized institution for communicating the importance of heritage (Brochu, Lisa .2003). Since the industrial history of the site is about textile and fabric, a hanging fabric structure was envisioned. One that brings in diffused light from top, sways with the wind, changes its qualities throughout the day with the movement of the sun. The idea was to create a very sensory feeling over the terrain vague. Rather than going through the buildings/envelopes, the layers are stitched through the exterior spaces, by creating an indoor-outdoor relationship. The hanging structure is meant to take the shape of the mesh but the form of it is left for further functional development.

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The goal is to help the site visitors understand the signi cance of the place they are visiting, and connecting those meanings to visitors' own personal lives. The aim is to provoke the visitors to learn and think about their experiences (Moscardo, G.1996).

Drawings: Abrar uz Zaman Khan.

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Week 9

Initiation of group work and nalising site.

Project: Memory Parallax | Schematic | Abrar Khan.

Project: Post-Traumatic Resilience | Schematic | Nathan Dawes.

he students were divided in a group of two, with careful consideration into projects that resonated best with each other. This project was combined with a project by Nathan Dawes, who was working with 'Post-traumatic resilience' at Christchurch Cathedral, Newzealand. Both the projects were uniquely site speci c and speci cally driven by personal recollection of site visits. This limitation of personal memories and experiences of ambiguity was leveraged in a strong attempt to being true to the memory of the site. Both had a strong focus on keeping the character of the site alive while trying to give a future direction.

Similarities in Focus questions:

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Can we alter an individuals perspective of an object through augmentation of fractures and fragments?

Nathan Dawes

P 23

How do we regain the ability to accept the ugly’ with its strange and resonating qualities?

Abrar Khan

Week 9

Initiation of group work and nalising site.

Final Site Christchurch Cathedral, Christchurch, New Zealand.

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Photo: McGREGOR. 2017.

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Photo: Greg O'Beirne. 2006.

onsolidating the focus of investigation into one site, the exploration led to examine the physical effects of trauma on the Christchurch cathedral. This site was chosen over the site in Narayanganj due to personal experiences of earthquakes, and the abundance of online resources available.

Christchurch Cathedral is a deconsecrated Anglican church in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Named after the city, Christ Church in Oxford, the city grew with a grid-iron pattern centered around the cathedral square. Construction of the cathedral started around 1864, and is considered one of the most identi able landmark of the city today. Registered as a 'group one' site by the city council, the church is the oldest Anglican cathedral in the country and the only one designed by George Gilbert Scott in New Zealand ( Dean, M. Hare, J. Thornton, A. Nov. 2017).

The Building has survived repeated earthquakes throughout history, but the worst one hitting on February 2011 destroyed the spire and part of the tower, and severely damaged the structure of the remaining building. Hundreds of buildings across the city collapsed or suffered severe damage.

By late 2013, 1,500 buildings in the city had been demolished, leading to an ongoing recovery and rebuilding project ( Wikipedia. Aug .2017).

Week 9

Initiation of group work and nalising site.

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P 25

Nathan's research and schematic suggested: It is imperative that the cathedral becomes a symbol of rejuvenation and healing for the city. The cathedral has shifted from a symbol of the city to a memorial to the earthquake and must now become a symbol to rejuvenation. Since the site has been deconsecrated, it is no longer a place of worship and has been offered to the city as a public space. The religious heart of Christchurch has shifted to Shigiru Bans Transitional Cardboard Cathedral, which is quickly becoming considered as a permanent solution. Thus the site must become a place for healing and contemplation for all, not just those of religious conviction.

Photo: Holmes consulting group. 2011.

ix years after the earthquakes of 2011, the cathedral remains signi cantly damaged.

Protracted litigation between Christchurch Property Trustees (Owners) and the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust (a charitable trust established to preserve the heritage buildings), has delayed a decision on the cathedral's future ( Dean, M. Hare, J. Thornton, A. Nov. 2017). One of the major issues with the future of the building is weather it shoud be 'reinstated' ( a combination of repair, restoration, replacement and seismic strengthening) or 'replaced'. As the latter would cost much less, there is a divide and dispute between the concerned authorities. Throughout the years, both the approaches has received multiple design proposals from the architecture community, but what is best for the Cathedral and the city is still disputed.

Week 10

Amalgamation of projects and revised hypothesis.

Focused vision confronts us with the world whereas peripheral vision envelops us in the Pallasmaa, J.| (Abrar Khan). esh of the world

Trauma names that moment after our image of the future is destroyed but before is has Acciavatti, A.| (Nathan Dawes). been replaced

Taking forward how the Fractures and fragments can move past being in the conscious parts of the mind to a subconscious or unfocused layer of memory.

Resilience gives parallax of memory – layers of memory together. Taking the previous city and the trauma and focusing it on the future of the site..

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A

fter coming together to combine the projects, a comparative study of the research theories was done.

For this project, what evoked a lot of interest was Juhani Pallasma's descriptions on the role of peripheral and unfocused vision in our lived experience of the world, as well as in our experience of interiority in the spaces we inhabit. Whereas Nathan was increasingly intrigued by the ideas from Anthony Acciavatti, who in Post Traumatic Urbanism discusses the idea of resilience, which is the ability of a system to creatively explore new forms of stability after a state of trauma. From there onwards, research and brainstorming for combining the strategies and hypothesis of the two projects started. Explorations began on how focused and unfocused vision could join with resilience and trauma to create an alteration of memory.

Week 10

Experiment

Strategy

Highlight fractures to alter perspectives:

Re-use and altering of fragmentation:

Inserting a new material: Pictures Source: http://www.archdaily.com/785923/crystal -houses-mvrdv

Drawings: Implementation of strategies in schematic.

Prescedent

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o begin with, the experiments, research theories and precedents from Nathan's project were re- analysed. For the schematic phase, he formed certain strategies to investigate the physical effects of trauma in the Christchurch Cathedral. One of the strategies was to highlight the Fractures on the facades and treat it in a way that keeps the pain in sight but signi es resilience, in an attempt to alleviate trauma. A clever way to alter the perspective of the physical damage to gain a positive outcome. The precedence for this was from The Japanese art of Kintsugi, the resultant architecture was instead considered more valuable and beautiful, taking history forward to the present.

Sambuichi's idea: 'Use what exists to create what is to be' was another strategy where he removed the fractured building to reveal only the fragments. This highlighted the potential to creating a reconstituted material out of the fragments.

Another one was looking at inserting new materials within the existing and studying the probable outcomes from it.

If you take something out, and insert something else, how much of the embedded memory do you retain? -MVRDV.

Pictures Source: http://www.stylebyasia.com/kintsugi-mending-with-gold-art/

Amalgamation of projects and revised hypothesis.

Week 10

Amalgamation of projects and revised hypothesis.

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Photos: Nathan Dawes. 2017.

n experiment from Nathan's schematic started to stitch the two projects together. It was a physical model looking at the affects of trauma through transverse wave motion. An abstraction of motion and resilience. By breaking the motion down into snapshots, he was able to understand the intensity of the forces acting at speci c moments within the time period.

This experiment was reminiscent of the imbalance, blurriness and slowing of time, endured during an earthquake. It resonated very well with the theory of focused and unfocused vision. The result was the linking element of the projects where one was looking at it from a structural point of view, while the other extrapolated a sensory reaction.

Week 10

Amalgamation of projects and revised hypothesis.

Precedence Analysis:

Methodology

The methodology included looking into further precedence that resonated best with the two schematics. Then further investigation into the combination of these precedence gave new case studies for the project, thus informing the nal design strategies.

Through the amalgamation of research theories, it was observed that the ideas resonated best with Lebbeus Woods. Inspired by these ideas, both digital and physical experiments were done to develop form nding strategies and nal design.

Research Theory:

Analogue and digital experiments:

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Each time you recall something awful, the memory and its associated distress are strengthened. The trauma is recreated and enhanced with every recollection - Lebbeus Woods.

Week 10

Amalgamation of projects and revised hypothesis.

Aim | Objectives The combined objective was to connect the individual with the history and memory of the site through an altered perspective, thus giving a deeper understanding through material while eliminating the trauma. The aim was to improve, enrich and alter the visitor experience by helping individuals understand the signi cance of the place they are visiting, and connecting those meanings to visitor s own personal lives. The cathedral has shifted from a symbol of the city to a memorial to the earthquake and must now become a symbol to rejuvenation.

A point of conclusion was reached, where the project combined its previous hypothesis together, and formed into one amalgamation.

Previous Hypothesis Layers of memory are united through the manipulation of visibility and consciousness. - Abrar Khan.

Transformation of fractures and fragments in post traumatic sites dislocate the trauma from the matter. - Nathan Dawes.

Revised Hypothesis

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Manipulating focus in post traumatic sites alters the perception of trauma resulting in resilience.

Week 10

Amalgamation of projects and revised hypothesis.

Combined Strategies

Manipulation of vision.

Reuse of fragments.

Layering of Memories

Broadening cone of vision.

Inserting new material.

Removal and insertion.

Shortening cone of vision.

Highlighting fractures.

Unfocused space.

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Based on compatibility, the strategies were combined, which eventually informed the design decisions and architectural gestures.

Week 11

Combined Experiments.

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Figure: VGA of 2009

Figure: VGA of 2017

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dopting the previous experimentation strategies using Space Syntax, a visual graph analysis for the cathedral square was investigated with both post and pre earthquake situations. The results show a signi cant shift of focus on the cathedral site in the post earthquake scenario. The same experiments were done with the plan of the church to look at the visual quality of the interior spaces. The readings and interpretations were taken similarly as done in the schematic. It shows a visual integration measure of each space to the other. Each location is assigned a colour according to how many other locations are visible from it. Well integrated locations are red, poor ones are blue. Similar Step Depth graphs were created, with starting points at the west porch and transepts as entry points. It shows a cumulative isovist view of the oor plan. It is a good interpretation of the sequence of spaces within the plan, and also as layers of vision.

Week 11

Combined Experiments.

VGA Graph Visual graph analysis.

Step Depth analysis 1.

Least Integrated

Step Depth:

Step Depth analysis 2.

1

2

3

Integration HH.

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Most Integrated

4

Week 11

Combined Experiments.

Figure: Schematic model. Nathan Dawes.

he combined experimentations reiterated what Nathan had found through one of his schematic models, where a string was used to highlight the fractures and similarly came to a single point of focus, af rming the VGA experiments. The form nding process started with the VGA and converting it into a line drawing. Each line was drawn on the points where the colours intersect, creating distinct zones based on visibility.

Figure: Experiments with VGA.

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More Focused

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Less Focused

Week 11

Combined Experiments.

The person in the centre of mass, would only detect a weak earthquake - Zagreb. 1911.

his research provided an interesting idea, resonating with the experiment of the transverse wave motion; the most resilient point within a building is the centre of equilibrium. Thus, an experiment was done to nd out the centre of gravity of the cathedral. With the use of a weighted string, the oor plan was suspended at different points. The intersections of the string were marked and a perfect point of equilibrium was found.

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Photos: Abrar & Nathan.

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Week 11

Combined Experiments.

Figure: Experiments with VGA.

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The next step was incorporating the previous schematic experiment, where the new strategy of highlighting fractures through the peripheral was employed by connecting the mesh to the fractures.

Photo: Nathan Dawes. 2017.

ll the vertices from the VGA line drawing were then connected to the centre of mass of the plan, creating a mesh structure. The lines from the previous experiment were extruded down to this focal point and nally assigned a height for each colour, dependant on how visible they were. The idea was to create more focus in the central zone by lowering the cone of vision, and making the fractures fall into the peripheral vision. The more focused spaces had less height assigned to the mesh, and less focused spaces had more height. Thus all points lead to one focus point with varying heights informed by the VGA.

Week 11

Combined Experiments.

Figure1: Basic outline of fractures joined together.

Figure2: Development of the outline of the fractures.

Figure3: The geometry of the outline were altered according to design.

Figure2: Fractures joined with the mesh from VGA. All points lead to one focus point with varying heights informed by the VGA.

P 37

Through alterations and experiments, the nal form of the mesh was developed. Through this process, it was realised that the integration of the VGA graph was essential to provide a more dynamic and engaging form.

Week 11

Combined Experiments.

Figure: Insertion and connection of mesh to fractures.

This was then inserted into the building, as a geometric mesh, providing continuity in scale and proportion to the original cathedral.

P 38

These new insertions were reminiscent to the original arches and provided a dramatic contrast of compression and expansion, which had a potential to create a new experience with the existing building.

Week 11

Combined Experiments.

The picture depicts the model created showing the interior of the cathedral in its original form without a roof.

Drawing: Modelling of the interiors.

P 39

The modelled interior was combined with the Geometric mesh to start to gain an understanding of the spaces this would create.

Week 12

Further experiments | Design development.

Unfocused Earthquake and Trauma Transitional Space

Focused Resilience Spiritual Space

Focused | Resilience Unfocused | Trauma

Figure: Zoning diagram.

P 40

T

he insertion of this mesh acted as a divide between two distinct zones. The zoning was broken into an unfocused space; which experiments with altering the perception of the trauma through a transitional space. And a focused space; which looks towards resilience to create a space for healing and contemplation. The idea of being true to the memory of the site is enforced through this type of circulation. Where the visitor transitions through the trauma, but in a much more treated manner, and nally enters a threshold of resilience and an uplifting experience.

Week 12

Further experiments | Design development.

Step Depth: 1

Zoning trauma on the oor plan from the fractures.

2

Step depth analysis showing cumulative isovist and sequence of spaces.

T

P 41

o develop on the research of vision, further extrapolation of data from previous experiments were conducted to inform materiality. By overlaying the fractures on the oor plan as a zone of trauma, a new division was created. These points were then overlaid on the step depth graph.

3

4

Week 12

Further experiments | Design development.

GSEducationalVersion

Overlay of Trauma on the other layers.

Identifying three dierent translucencies.

Reective

Translucent

Transparent

Integration of materials in mesh.

y the overlay of these points, it created a further division into three speci c areas of visibility, and these zones would result in varying levels of translucency, informing materiality.

The most focused spaces were designed to be transparent, while the unfocused zones would be re ective. This gradient followed the contours of the mesh as it gradually engaged with the fracture sites through the increase in translucency.

P 42

B

Week 12

Further experiments | Design development.

Photos: Experiments with lenses.

Drawing: Modelling of the interiors.

Experimenting with these ideas digitally, started to create the unfocused space that was envisaged. To gain a physical understanding of how these materials might start to create the unfocused space, studies using convex and concave mirrors were done. It was found that re ections can be ipped, warped and disturbed to create a sense of illusion. These could create ambiguity, change the atmosphere and scale and could be potentially used to be implemented for the unfocused space.

Source: instagram.com/studioolafureliasso.

P 43

This approach has successfully been implemented in Olafur eliasson s work, where spaces are created to shift the perception of the visitor into a completely transformed dimension of space.

Week 12

Photos: Experiments with prisms.

Further experiments | Design development.

For the focused space, this experiment looked at how magnifying lenses could highlight or bring a point of resilience into more focus as required. Using a magnifying glass, there is a point where the image becomes more focused.

This could be implemented to increase the scale of these speci c points of focused resilience. Refraction of light through prisms, has the potential of dispersing white light into a full coloured spectrum. Implementing this idea into the architecture, by placing these prisms at the site of the fractures, the negative connotation of the trauma could be replaced with an ephemeral therapeutic quality, essential in the process of healing.

Source: archdaily.com.

P 44

Looking to precedence for the focused space, Calatrava s design for the St. John the Devine cathedral in New York, tells a story to the city as it stands as a bold statement of resilience. This is achieved through the insertion of the new structure, which exempli es strength and takes the building forward to the future.

Although this proposal was never built, it represents a successful way of over coming a traumatic past of discontinuity.

Week 12

Further experiments | Design development.

Desensitisation Suspension

T

o implement the experiments and research into the design, the two main zones were further divided into spaces to encourage healing. Of the different approaches that could be used to deal with trauma, a chronology of spaces were created, based on suspension, desensitization, contemplation, solace and re ection. Leading the visitor through a process of cleansing and healing, while gaining new experiences with the architecture that was not possible before. This added another layer of embedded memory; the procession through the site. By reinstating a transitional ow through a sequence of spaces, the memory continues yet alters to form new experiences in response to the architecture.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing uses eye movement techniques to allow the brain to reprocess traumatic memories it can signi cantly shorten recovery time and because it only requires the patient/client to focus brie y on the trauma, it is less likely than traditional talk therapy to activate the trauma.

Debra Gibson N.D. Trauma Center

P 45

Reection

Contemplation

Figure: Procession of cleansing

Solace

Week 13

Final Design

Illustration: Upon entry | Abrar Khan | Nathan Dawes.

P 46

The combined strategies and research theories lead to this space of transition and suspension, where the cone of vision lowers from the highlighted fractures to create a central point of focus. This is the main threshold into the focused space where one proceeds through.

Week 13

Final Design

Illustration: Longitudinal Section | Abrar Khan | Nathan Dawes.

P 47

The section shows the divide between the two spaces.

A resilient timber structure was inserted to create a nestled space. This is reminiscent of the original architect Scotts vision for the cathedral; a timber forest.

Week 13

Final Design

Illustration: Section | Abrar Khan | Nathan Dawes.

Illustration:Transverse Section | Abrar Khan | Nathan Dawes.

P 48

New levels were created within the building, allowing the individual to gain new experiences of the architecture.

Visitors can ascend into the expanded space of the transcept.

Week 13

Final Design

A new resilient building is presented, with contemporary elements. As part of a strategy, the spire is envisaged to be lled with rubble from the destroyed buildings of the city. This is a symbolic gesture acting as a landmark.

P 49

Illustration:Exterior | Abrar Khan | Nathan Dawes.

Week 13

Final Design

The focused space has the potential to be used by the city as it needs, and extends past just being a point of healing and re ection.

P 50

Illustration:Interior | Abrar Khan | Nathan Dawes.

Summary

Manipulating focus in post traumatic sites alters the perception of trauma resulting in resilience The trauma of the past must be alleviated in order to move forward. Utilizing the combined threads of focus, from both the projects, it was attempted that the perspective of the trauma be shifted from the strict ties of negative emotions and memories, to a positive and uplifting experience. This houses the potential of laying new memories of hope and rejuvenation, to be intertwined with the embedded. The therapeutic qualities of light are explored in the project through experimentation to shift the intensity of recall.

P 51

The resulting architecture provides a place for the city to move beyond trauma. By employing the strategies, the architecture becomes a physical link in the process of a city recovering. It provides a platform to creatively explore new ideas of resilience for the city. By shifting the perception of trauma, this cathedral has the potential to signi cantly shorten recovery time, promoting the cathedral as a symbol of rejuvenation, rather than a landmark to trauma, held in suspended animation.

Illustration: Abrar uz zaman khan | Nathan Dawes

History shows that the secular buildings in the city were once inspired by the architecture of the cathedral, where the basis of the Anglican settlement was formed.

Post trauma, it is necessary for the city to give back to the cathedral, to allow the memory of the city to live on.

References

Mariani, M., & Barron, P. (2014). Terrain vague: Interstices at the edge of the pale. New York: Routledge.

Solà-Morales R., Frampton, K., & Ibelings, H. (2008). A matter of things. Rotterdam: NAi Publishers.

Pallasmaa, J. (2014). The eyes of the skin: Architecture and the senses. Chichester, Australia: Wiley.

Post-Urban/Suburban Landscapes: Design and Planning the Centre, Edge and In-Between Professor-Emeritus Helen Armstrong.

Vienna Development Plan

STEP05, (2005) http://www.wein.gv.at/stadtentwicklung

Bourke, Vernon J. Rationalism. N.p.: n.p., 1962. 263. Print.

Holl, Steven, Juhani Pallasmaa, and Gómez Alberto Pérez. Questions of Perception: Phenomenology of Architecture. San Francisco, CA: William Stout, 2006. Print.

Rykwert, Joseph. Endorsements: Architecture and The Crisis of Modern Science. http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=6054 Zumthor, Peter, Maureen Oberli-Turner, and Catherine Schelbert. Thinking Architecture. Basel: Birkhauser, 2006. 85-86. Print.

Brochu, Lisa (2003). Interpretive planning. Fort Collins, CO: InterpPress. ISBN 1-879931-12-5.

Moscardo, Gianna; Ballantyne, Roy; Hughes, Karen (2007). Designing Interpretive Signs: Principles in Practice. Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing. ISBN 978-1-55591-550-6.

BEYOND MEMORY | LEBBEUS WOODS. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://lebbeuswoods.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/beyond-memory/ Christchurch Quake Map. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz Remembering Christchurch Cathedral. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygWD-1NrUgg&t=9s Cook, E., & Lara, J. J. (2013). Remaking metropolis: Global challenges of the urban landscape. New York, NY: Routledge.

Woods, L. (2002). War and architecture =: Rat i arhitektura. New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press.

Post-Traumatic Urbanism_ Architectural Design - Charles Rice by alejandro de leon - issuu. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://issuu.com/alejandrosax/docs/ 120823201906-992c8c7334094c6eb9538cbcf3b426eb Craig, J. A., & Ozga-Lawn, M. (2013). Pamphlet Architecture 32: Resilience. New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press.

Forces of Nature and Cultural Responses, 51-67. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-5000-5_4 Longitudinal and Transverse Wave Motion. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/waves/wavemotion.html