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Intergenerational cohabitation in Drimonas settlement, in Greece, as an act of reactivating lost economies Διαγενεακή συγκατοίκηση στο Δρυμώνα Λευκάδας, και ενεργοποίηση ξεχασμένων οικονομιών
Spatial Design Perception and Detail 4th Semester Konstantinos Fetsis 150167 Supervisor: Lise Juel
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Copenhagen June 2017
Many thanks to: Nicholas Thomas Lee Spiros Filippas ‘Drimonas’ Newspaper The occupants of Drimonas Cover photo by Fritz Berger / Εξώφυλλο, Fritz Berger
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation
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Intergenerational cohabitation in Drimonas settlement, in Greece, as an act of reactivating agricultural economy Διαγενεακή συγκατοίκηση στο Δρυμώνα Λευκάδας, και ενεργοποίηση αγροτικής οικονομίας
Spatial Design Perception and Detail 4th Semester Konstantinos Fetsis 150167
Supervisors: Lise Juel
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Copenhagen June 2017
Contents / Περιεχόμενα
Abstract p.1
Introduction p.3
The site p.5
Vision p.15
Project framing p.17
Specification p.19
Storyline Context Typology p.21
The Big Exodus p.25
Bringing Generations together p.29
Genius Loci p.31
Working Method p.39
Deliverables p.40
Scedule p.41
Presentation Plan p.43
Appendix Bibliography p.44
Konstantinos Fetsis p.45
The Greek coffee houses, Yiorgos Pittas, 1956 /Τα καφενεία της Ελλάδας, Γιώργος Πίττας, 2013
Abstract This project is focusing on an example of extreme depopulated rural settlement in Greece, as a result of migration to the urban centers, through the last decades. Nowadays a growing number of Greeks is returning to the countryside due to the crisis. It’s a reversal journey of their grandparents. Such a ‘historic event’ should be considered as a chance for re-enable the countryside and its economy and requires imminent steps from the authority side. An intergenerational cohabitation project in depopulated Drimonas village, in Lefkada island, Greece. A network of transformation projects, achieving cohabitation of the existing elderly generation and younger one, who want to return and startup agriculture activities, in order to regrow the lost communities of the rural settlements. The exchanging generations will tend to re-enable these rural communities and agriculture can be again the main pillar of the economy, contributing to the economic dead-end.
1
Introduction
They seem to be the last carriers of the rich history, tradition and economies of these ‘topos’.
Greek economic map has changed the last decades leading us to the so-called crisis of the present. After constant sociopolitical changes, such as World war and economical shrinkage that was followed, the country has faced extreme urbanization activity. Urban centers population reached 50% of the overall country’s population, leaving rural areas left out. Countryside along with agricultural dynamic started to fade, letting one of the most well established economic pillar of the country to weaken. The countryside along with its architecture and traditional societies started to fade.
‘‘Around the world we are facing certain challenges in maintaining our cultural heritage and updating its energy profile. We also need to integrate it into the present, which means embracing our cultural heritage as a basis for architectural design that is identity-forming today....The world is changing and so are we. Along the way, there are things that are going to disappear from our lives forever; things which will never see again. We may miss them, but this will not always be the case – the loss could feel like a relief. We may be replacing it with something better. Perhaps through a stroke of fortune or due to a certain resilience or perseverance from it ourselves; some things are destined to stay with us for a long time. As faithful moments of our everyday life, or consistent character of our culture amidst this dynamic world and its ever changing inhabitants.’’
Constant dialogues between authorities and economists lead to the necessity of a big exodus from the cities re-enabling the countryside and as a result triggering agriculture empowerment along with local businesses and professions that use to exist and sustain the countryside. (Dimitris Michaelides, tvxs.gr) In Greece, as elsewhere in the Mediterranean, most families have traditionally invested heavily in real estate and land, which are seen as far more stable than financial investments, and it is common for even low-income Greeks to have inherited family property, that most of the time remains unused profitably. Many Greeks own farmland that went fallow after their parents and grandparents moved from the countryside to cities during the nation’s post-World War II economic boom. Now, after years of crushing austerity, ever more are turning to their agrarian roots as a backup plan. A main interest in agriculture keeps rising. Greeks of different professions return to the rural settlements to start up agricultural activities, finding out as a more profitable action for their future life. The rural settlements, along with its vernacular architecture and agricultural land, has been left out waiting to be used again. The last occupants of these areas, that mostly represent older times and belong to the old generation are struggling to survive and maintain the initial character of these communities.
3
(KADK_LostandFound)
This project highlights the importance of identity and ‘spirit’ of the topos and investigates the dialogue between contemporary and vernacular, in order to achiev a symbiosis between generations. ‘‘Spatial Design is a new and growing field that investigates the mutual relations between physical and social spaces, including Spatial Organisation, Interior Design and Microarchitecture. Students work with architectural projects on a human scale that relate to subjects of relevance to society and social issue.’’
Dimitris Charisiades, 1956 /Δημήτρης Χαρισιάδης, 1956
The site Lefkada, or Leucas or Leucadia or Lefkas or Leukas[2] (Greek: Λευκάδα [lefˈkaða]; Ancient Greek: Λευκάς), is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea on the west coast of Greece, connected to the mainland by a long causeway and floating bridge. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Lefkada.[3] It is situated on the northern part of the island, approximately 1 hour by automobile away from Aktion National Airport. The island is part of the regional unit of Lefkada. Lefkada measures 35 kilometres (22 miles) from north to south, and 15 kilometres (9 miles) from east to west. The area of the island is about 302 square kilometres (117 sq mi), the area of the municipality (including the islands Kalamos, Kastos and several smaller islets) is 333.58 km2 (128.80 sq mi).[4] Its highest point is the mountain Stavrota, 1,158 metres (3,799 feet) above sea level,[5] situated in the middle of the island. The island has a typical Mediterranean climate: hot summers and cool winters, especially in the mountains. The island is related to ancient mythology such as Sappho’s suicide at Cape Lefkada but also to other myths linking the island to the ancient Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, and to Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s Odyssey. German archaeologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld, through excavations at various locations of the island, was able to obtain funding to do work on the island by suggesting that Lefkada was Homer’s Ithaca, and the palace of Odysseus was located west of Nydri on the south coast of Lefkada. There have been suggestions by local tourism officials that several passages in the Odyssey point to Lefkada as a possible model for Homeric Ithaca. Being located between Greece and Italy, the island presents vivid mixed cultural traces in architecture and linguistic behavior, carrying interesting
5
chronological and historic events such being under Venetian, Ottoman and Greek domination. The island’s population in 2011 was 22,652, mostly inhabiting the main city, but a minority in numerous mountainous villages that used to be built in between the rocky anatomy of the island, in order to be protected from the pirates in older times.
The project’s site is located in the traditional village of Drimonas, part of the mountainous settlements of the island, with 523 meters elevation. It is one of the few rural communities that has maintained the biggest part of its original architectural character, since only few extentions and transformations have taken place the last decades. Although, it is expected to start changing the next years since the island becomes more and more popular due to the massive tourism that attracts, especially in seasonal periods. The authorities are constantly avoiding, through bureocratical skips, to recognize most of the mountainous settlements of the island, including this village, as cultural heritage. By law the state is obligated to support financially the owner that wishes to renovate or make changes on an existing building that if is part of a cultural heritage recognized area. This has as a result changes to the general character of the vernacular architecture to occur. Existing cultivating plots, excavated in the rocky landscape and olive tree fields are left out or being used sporadically by the last occupants. The village is located in a steep rocky and mountainous landscape with a view to the Ionian sea. Earth tremors are common in mainland Greece and on most of the Greek islands. Greece accounts for more than half of all earthquakes registered in Europe, and quakes regularly hit the area around Lefkada. Many buildings of the village have been abandoned because the constant earthquakes through history have made a big damage to their structural integrity. Through the last decades, the population of the village have been degreased dramatically from 159 in 1981 to 7 today, due to migration to the bigger cities, for a better life, and the inactive agriculture market in the area. The village is consisted mostly of ruins of lost vernacular architecture that most of the case the owners are unable to maintain or due to lack of communication between the families that claim the property, a common difficulty case in Greece.
7
Drimonas
2015
7
2011
28
1991
133
1981
159
* Permanent population of Drimonas village, Lefkada, Greece and A Data taken from ελστατ, http://www.statistics.gr
Drimonas
9
11
50 0
m
ΑΠΟΣΠΑΣΜΑ
2/9/17, 5:0
13
Vision An intergenerational project in depopulated Drimonas village, tends to achieve cohabitation and exchanging of older and younger generations, benefitting both financially but also socially. Re-enabling these rural communities, agriculture will be reactivated and be again the main pillar of the economy, contributing to the economic deadend. The prospect young couples that are moving back tend to learn from the older and establish a community of exchanging lifestyles.
m
The network will be consisted of transformed ruined buildings of strategical positions that in a way ‘gather’ the whole story and narrative of the whole settlement.
50
15
0
Young couples can inhabit those spaces in a low rent, reactivating the agricultural foundations that surround the community and re-create the community along with the existing occupants Each house should inhabit a young couple and the existing family that owns the property. The historic paths are the linkage and initially the ‘heart’ of the village between these transformed units, that should be considered to communicate in away with the surroundings and not be considered a something individual and private.
Athens
Athens Authorities Authorities
$
Rural
$
$
* Cohabitation program proposal * Cohabitation program proposal
Rural
$
$
$
Project framing This project is focusing on a specific example of extremely depopulated vernacular settlement, as a pilot study of my proposal. Drimonas village has been chosen since it presents good examples of vernacular architecture and a vivid character that struggles to survive. It draws out the impact of the initial character of a topos after a massive migration movement to the big cities. Nowadays a growing number of Greeks is returning to the countryside. It’s a reversal of the journey their parents and grandparents made in the 1960s and ‘70s, but this time returning back to the agrarian routes as an alternative option. Such a ‘historic event’ should be considered as a chance for re-enable the countryside and its economy and require imminent steps from the authority side. The settlement is mainly consisted of ruins of lost vernacular architecture that most of the case the owners are unable to maintain or due to the lack of communication between the families that claim the property, a common difficulty case in Greece. Furthermore, inactive agricultural facilities and land in its surrounding periphery area can be renewed and offer the foundations for a reestablishing agricultural activity by the new owners. The government should introduce a law to promote smooth population distribution but also protection of vulnerable territories, by supporting owners to renovate their property with the terms of a lower rent. This would have as a result the encouragement of moving young couples to move to those areas, leaving the big cities, since they cannot afford the life there anymore. The families that own a ruined building in these settlements will be able to renovate and form the space in a more efficient way for the prospect arriving occupants but also revive and protect the initial character of the building. Furthermore, the authorities should aim to regrow those communities but also protect them from increasing development, by planning a controlled arriving population plan, depending the scale of each settlement. The number goal for our case should be set up as 160 permanent occupants, similar to the 17
population standards in the 70’s able to sustain the community and its economy. A proposing network of transformations through the whole settlement will revive and reform 6 dilapidated buildings that would host the owning families and 6 arriving young couples, that are ready to invest and move permanently and establish a community. This project will tend to focus in one of these cases, although it is necessary to state that the authorities should tend to achieve multiple transformation cases in order to support the natural phaenomenon of decentralization and interest of returning back to the agrarian routs. It is vital to establish a controlled number of young generation cluster, arriving to the community and cohabitate it along with the existing occupants. The authorities from their side will eventually have to invest on these territories after a greater interest in occupying and working in these settlements. Additionally, every single change should play a greater part on the whole environment and community so it is necessary to introduce a network of transformations that reform in overall the whole character and operation of this community. This might include small transformations of the historic pathways of the village that operate as linkages through the settlement. Focusing on individual dilapidated buildings is an opportunity to work further with the idea of a dialogue between vernacular and contemporary and the chance to revive something that has been totally lost. The majority of the owners of these estates most of the times cannot afford the maintenance and renovation costs with the results of loosing their property due to the extreme weather. Ruins will be the footprint and the traces for the new proposal that complete the whole composition. I aim to explore through the design process, the dialogue between contemporary and vernacular, and how space can achieve symbiotic qualities between generations and communication with the public space. Intergenerational cohabitation introduced an act of exchanging knowledge and economies, These groups tend to learn from each other and benefit financially but mostly socially, by experiencing new societal and collective behaviors.
Rural Rural
Athens Athens Authorities Authorities
existing existing settlements settlements
$$ + +
$$
investments investments
cohabitation cohabitation architectural architectural proposal proposal
$$
* Cohabitation program proposal * Cohabitation program proposal
Specification The working site is a 130 sqm old building divided into two houses of 65sqm each. Each house is a two stories stone building. One used to be inhabited by an elderly couple that abandoned the building because of damages caused from an earthquake and the second on is totally dilapidated. The proposal should consist the renovation of the existing scheme of the building, respecting the existing living conditions and spatial configurations of the existing elderly couple. Furthermore, a new living space for a young couple should be introduced, including 2 bedrooms a kitchen and a bathroom. It is encouraged to propose a space that empowers the vicinity and cohabitation between the two generational users. As we discussed above, during the design process, the architect, using the atlas material should criticize the necessary actions in terms of communicative design, connection between inner and outer space, and the impact of every design action to the overall character of the settlement. The need for over transformations or additions to the village gathering spaces or pathways should be a decision of the architect, in relation to the proposing building project.
19
Context Typology As Greece sank into its worst economic crisis since World War Two, agricultural economy has been strongly important for its economic growth since the formation of the Greek State, taking a downgrading performance from the 1960s. Significant changes by the state’s economic policy, major shifts in the international labour market and large-scale population structure changes, has affected deeply the long process of Greek’s agriculture modernization and growth. In 19th century export oriented agricultural economy of Greece was transformed to an introvert and autarkic economy during the interwar period; as a result of the financial and agricultural crisis (1892-1908) and a great transatlantic emigration phainomenon (1900-1924) mainly from the rural areas to the US. The post-war agricultural economy was later on modernized and slowly growing but the income crisis was strongly related to the rural depopulation and massive emigration towards Western Europe, Canada and Australia (1955-1974) (http://agriregionieuropa.univpm.
it/it/content/article/31/43/what-way-greek-family-farmingdefying-economic-crisis)
Since the 19th century, the Greek economy was largely based on public administration and service sector related activities, especially in the urban centers. Compared to other European cities, industrialization in Athens was relatively limited and focused on consumer goods. (https://www. urbandivercities.eu/athens/). The extreme phainomenon of urbanization in Athens is not a result of the industrialization, but it is linked to the specific political and economic conditions of the post-war period. Large concentration to the urban centers had as a result an extremely increasing building activity through ‘antiparochi’ law, a temporary solution by the government to solve the housing shortage. As an outcome, construction market was one of the basic economic pillars of this period. These conditions had as a result the gradually depopulation of the
21
countryside, leaving rural settlements’s vernacular architecture and economies to decay. Traditional communities that carried a certain amount of population, professions and economies have been left out and sometimes being ghost towns. Constant dialogues between authorities and economists lead to the necessity of a big exodus from the cities re-enabling the countryside and as a result triggering agriculture empowerment. A more increasing number of Greeks returning to the countryside as an alternative solution to their financial difficulties has established a new green movement (Dimitris Michaelides, tvxs.gr). More increasing interest into enrolling to agricultural courses in universities and skills of using the natural resources has created the necessity for attention from the authorities side. Younger generation chooses to return and learn how to use the rich soil and its profitable potentials as they cannot afford the life to the cities. Older generation that carries the skill, the tradition and the richness of the vernacular architecture, has remained on the rural settlements, craving for attention and support from the state as a left out society. A possible co-existence of the young minds, learning from the older generation could lead to greater societal and economical change, through exchanging economies and social norms, refreshing the rural environments and reactivating the economical realm of these territories. A greater attention to these areas will be achieved benefitting both generations.
1961
1991
2001
2011
Athens
1.852.709
3.594.817
3.761.810
3.827.624
Macedonia & Thrace
2.247.209
2.287.907
2.786.803
2.771.929
Aegean islands
477.476
456.582
508.807
508.206
Ionian islands
212.573
189.430
216.382
207.855
* Permanent population of main peripheries in Greece through different years Data taken from ελστατ, http://www.statistics.gr
Drimonas
2015 20157 2015
7
28
133
159 1981 1981 159 1981
159
133
3.761.810
1971 19712.540.2412.540.241
1971
2.540.241
1.852.7091.852.709 1961 1961 1.852.709
1961
* Permanent population of Drimonas village,Lefkada, Lefkada, Greece and Greece Athens * Permanent * Permanent population of population Drimonas ofvillage, Drimonas village, Greece Lefkada, and Athens and Athens taken from ελστατ, http://www.statistics.gr DataData taken Data from ελστατ, taken from http://www.statistics.gr ελστατ, http://www.statistics.gr
23
3.827.624
2001 20013.761.8103.761.810 2001
28
133 1991 1991
1991
2011 20113.827.6243.827.624 2011
7
28 2011 2011
2011
Athens
Attica (Athens)
Central Greece
Crete
Aegean islands
Ionian islands
0-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
347.662
302.782
332.225
402.523
50-59
60-69
70-79
80+
221.303
160.733
123.000
67.944
0-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
50-59
60-69
70-79
80+
53.587
48.652
52.013
31.527
0-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
50-59
60-69
70-79
80+
65.150
58.929
52.242
47.505
0-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
50-59
60-69
70-79
80+
65.150
45.469
38.213
25.620
0-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
50-59
60-69
70-79
80+
20.567
17.875
18.224
13.002
44.154
65.566
46.199
17.531
41.169
57.011
41.082
15.444
42.378
55.888
39050
13.825
52.002
65.512
45.904
17.575
* Born and permanent population of main peripheries in Greece by age groups in 2013 Data taken from ελστατ, http://www.statistics.gr
40-49
328.270
40-49 56.872
40-49 65.512
40-49 46.311
40-49 19.995
The Big Exodus As Greece’s blighted economy plunges further into the abyss, more and more Greeks, of different profession, are leaving the urban centers starting up agricultural activities since they cannot afford living in the city anymore. In Greece, as elsewhere in the Mediterranean, most families have traditionally invested heavily in real estate and land, which seemed far more stable than financial investments in different European countries. It is often common Greeks of low-income to have inherited family property. (http://www.nytimes. com/2012/01/09/world/europe/amid-economic-strife-greekslook-to-farming-past.html)
In comparison with most of European countries, Greek soil performance is very high. 51% of the main land is arable soil and 27% permanent corps sets a lot of profitable possibilities for agricultural activities which unfortunately the last decades the land us keeps falling. ‘’Between 2000 and 2010, the area of arable land fell by 10% to 1.8 million hectares and permanent crops also reduced in area by 5.1% to 950,270 hectares. In contrast, land under permanent grass and meadows increased by 24% to 750,660 hectares in 2010 (Eurostat, 2012). Farm holdings seem to have increased their specialization in recent years possibly due to their particular orientation in the local agricultural economy and the Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) support. Specialized olive farms made up the largest share (38%) of the farms, followed by general field cropping farms (10%), specialized in cereals, oilseed and protein crops (9%), various permanent crops (8%) and specialized fruit and citrus fruit farms (8%).’’
(http://agriregionieuropa.univpm.it/it/content/article/31/43/ what-way-greek-family-farming-defying-economic-crisis)
Many Greeks own profitable farmlands, or land just able to be reused and provide enough maintenance, that went fallow after their parents and grandparents migration to the urban centers for a better life, during the nation’s post-World War II economic boom. 25
After years of austerity measures, more and more are turning to their agrarian roots as an alternative choice.(https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/greeks-
try-farming-as-a-backup-plan/2013/06/28/66eb6088ca0c-11e2-9245-773c0123c027_story.html?utm_ term=.26b25aa06227)
‘‘Nearly 1,300 Greeks, over 68 percent had considered moving to the countryside, with most citing cheaper and higher quality life. Most expected to move permanently.’’ (Kapa Research) With unemployment reaching 18%, rising to 35% for young people between the ages of 15 and 29 — up from 12% and 24%, respectively, in late 2010, these generations are facing a simple choice: be left without money in the city, or return to the geriatric village where they grew up in order to escape. Agricultural sector has been one of the few to show profitable prospects, since the crisis hit. Between 2008 and 2011, 32,000 jobs were secured through this sector (Pan-Hellenic Confederation of Agricultural Associations.).
It is very common that profitable land owned by low income Greek people never be used in an efficient way or perceived only as a prospect built land. Arable soil that used to be profitable and treated by the older generations in the rural territories are no longer in use, being left out, waiting to be reused again. The skills and agriculture education has been forgotten till now.“We have all this land that we haven’t exploited correctly,” says Charitini Kontopoulou, a doctoral student in agronomy who runs the classes at the Center of the Earth organization, in an interview for Washington Post. “All my friends come to me and say, ‘Hey, Charitini, I have this land. What should I do with it?’’. Enrollment in agricultural schools is keep rising according to Panos Kanellis, the president of the American Farm School in Salonika which was founded in 1904, continuing education in sustainable agriculture. Applications in related courses and educational activities have been tripled in the past two years and enrollment in classes like cheesemaking and winemaking has been rising.
Land leasing is related to the type of land use, which in the case of Greek agriculture differs a lot compared to the other EU member states. In 2010, the Greek Uaa mainly consisted of arable land (51%), permanent crops (27%) and permanent grassland and meadow (22%). Between 2000 and 2010, the area of arable land fell by 10% to 1.8 million hectares and permanent crops also reduced in area by 5.1% to 950,270 hectares. Specialized olive farms made up the largest share (38%) of the farms, followed by general field cropping farms (10%), specialized in cereals, oilseed and protein crops (9%), various permanent crops (8%) and specialized fruit and citrus fruit farms (8%). Cost of agricultural households tend to be 21.6% less than urban households.
*(http://agriregionieuropa.univpm.it/it/content/article/31/43/what-way-greek-family-farming-defying-economiccrisis) * elstat.gr
The land tenure data show that only 62% of the Uaa were farmed by the owner in 2010, and 35% were farmed by tenants. At the other end of the spectrum, there are regions with high proportion of land farmed by the owners, such as: Ionian Islands (82%), Attica (82%), Peloponnese (80%), Western Greece (76%) and Crete (76%). An analysis of the farmers by age category illustrates to some extent the succession problems faced by Greek agriculture, which is evident by the fact that the proportion of farmers younger than 35 years has declined to nearly 7% in 2010 compared to 8.6% in 1991.
*(http://agriregionieuropa.univpm.it/it/content/article/31/43/what-way-greek-family-farming-defying-economiccrisis) 27
Farmers aged 65 years and over have increased their share in the total number of farmers from 25% in 1991 to 33% in 2010. There is some optimism in the fact that the age category of 35-44 years has improved by 0.5% between 1991 and 2010 Enrollment in agricultural schools has been tripled in the past two years and enrollment in classes like cheesemaking, winemaking and agronomy has been rising.
*(http://agriregionieuropa.univpm.it/it/content/article/31/43/what-way-greek-family-farming-defying-economiccrisis) **(http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/09/world/europe/amid-economic-strife-greeks-look-to-farming-past.html)
Bringing Generations together Cases of young couples but also families moving to the countryside and taking advantage of the richness of the soil keeps raising and translated by the international press as a symbol of an alternative end of the Greek economic dead-end. ‘Greeks are fleeing to the countryside and looking back to the country’s rich rural past as a guide and hope to the future’. (NYPress) After years of depopulating communities and decaying agricultural settlements there are still ‘surviving’ communities that carry history, knowledge and equipment, which help them survive or unfortunately has remained inactive the last decades. The majority of the population that consists rural environments, especially in the islands is older generations that refused to move to the urban centers and remained to their agrarian environment, trying to maintain their initial routine character and agricultural activity. It is widely common that the authorities due to its financial shortage but also un-efficient management lacks of equally distributed attention through the country’s peripheries, especially in rural areas. Mountainous villages and vernacular settlements, that support the tourism industry in a great scale, tend to become active only in seasonal periods and in winter being left out. Elder generations that tend to consist and keep these ‘territories’ active and alive are struggling due to the inaccessible authorities. Re-enabling those communities and as a result its economies, in this case agriculture, could contribute further to the economy, but also save these settlement’s character and history. Intergenerational programs are being more common across Europe, such as Humanitas retirement home in Deventer, that offers rent-free housing to students with the terms to be a ‘good neighbor’ with the older occupants, socializing with them for at least 30 hours per month. ‘’Both social isolation and loneliness in older men and women are associated with increased mortality’’ according to a 2012 report by the Nation29
-al Academy of Sciences in US of America. Similar examples have been applied in France, and Spain. Different generations are meant to interact in a more meaningful way. Sharing stories and activities has as a result a benefitting learning process for both groups but especially for the older occupants, improving their emotional and health conditions just by sharing a simple joy of viscinity and interaction.
‘Parvas’, Gerasimos Rigas, 1956 / ‘‘Πάρβας’’, Γεράσιμος Ρήγας, 2008
Urban-Rural Exchange in Oregon, involves youth ‘’as a catalyst for change for a sustainable Oregon future by providing a venue for rural and urban youth and families to share their stories, their lifestyles, their beliefs and their practices for managing the land for the next generation’’. Through this program, urban youth travel to rural
Eastern Oregon to live and work alongside 4-H ranch and farm host families for 6 day. During their stay with their host family youth participate in daily chores in caring for the land with their host family. More importantly though, youth are involved in all aspects of community life of their host family. They attend school for a day, participate in community events, shop at the local store, attend a local sports
08
game, meet local neighbors and sometimes attend church to name a few of the activities. Prior to loading in the vans and heading across the mountains to their host family, all youth and adult participants in the program must first complete a series of 4-H educational programs designed to prepare them for their experience. These kind of activities tend to have
have a benefiting impact for both side such as familiarize with the different lifestyles, or understanding the beliefs and practices for managing the land. Rural participants familiarize further on the urban youth, the modern lifestyle and stereotypes. Depopulation and centralization in the urban centers is an unfortunate event that was keep growing from World war and maintained through different socioeconomical and political episodes that formed the Greek state till now. Different parallel societies that existed in different chronological frames but still exist come to decay and vanish, along with each traditional character and qualities. History has shown that the younger learns from the older. It is a ‘historic’ event for the economy and a perfect time for rational changes in the greater economical and sociopolitical strata. The younger generation that was raised by the one that left the rural areas for a better life, now comes to return and play the role of a natural balance and maintenance of a society, its character, and the traditional cluster it may carry. Depopulation and decaying traditions shouldn’t be encouraged in the name of modernization. Architecture comes to contribute into establishing this act of intergenerational cohabitation in extremely depopulated communities. A need for a ‘transforming’ solution that encouages interaction and exchanging economies could revive traditional architecture, along with the lifestyle that carries, and awake the dying agricultural and social dynamic. Using existing foundations and facilities, these rural settlements and communities already offer, could restart their economies, that mostly consist agricultural activities, and achieve equal distribution of the population and contribution to the economy. Architecture comes to also contribute in the dialogue between vernacular and modern standards of cohabitation and intergenerational co-living. Young and older generation benefit from the social exchange, reconsidering their living attitudes. Different economies and social groups come together, reinstalling a ‘community’.
Genius Loci Designers and architects always work with the socalled context. And Architecture, in all kinds of periods, has been in a constant dialogue with socioeconomical conditions, being formed from them or even the other way round, affecting them. In every area, vernacular architecture and its ornaments or old constructing techniques can dictate a period, a history, an identity with potentials of reviving and reusing its dynamic in modern standards. Every ‘topos’, especially in rural environments presents vernacular settlements, with each own history and identity. Lawrence Durell once said ’’as you get to know Europe slowly, tasting the wine, cheeses and characters of the different countries you begin to realize that the important determinant of any culture is after all the spirit of place.‘’ ‘’The quest for a deeper approach of contemporary architecture to nature sometimes conceals the achievements of the past. Vernacular architecture is, by its definition, aim and structure, the most integrated architectural form in communion with the environment. Two important traces of vernacular architecture can be resources for contemporary architecture: the deep respect and perfect communion with the natural environment the perfect relation and understanding of users needs. The result of a complex balance between material, shape and natural context, vernacular architecture could become an extremely useful model of inspiration for the present..“(Vernacular Architecture As A Model For Contemporary Design, Creangă, E)
Although, needs of the modern era, has brought radical changes to the process of making and constructing. Radical changes in production and design, letting tradition, old social norms and craftsmanship to fade, in the name of global coexistence, becoming memories from the past. It seems that especially in rural environments, elements and qualities of vernacular architecture are fading along with crafting techniques and economies of a 31
different era, as a result of migrating population and isolating economies. Rural areas along with their independent economies and hand made professions that used to sustain previous era’s architecture and living standards have started to decay. Modern living has introduced different ideas canons and necessities in terms of spatial planning. Contemporary epoch requires openness. The building’s profile ‘communicates with the urban realm and advertises the building’s function. Light qualities and private-public zoning is vital. The building itself plays a unique part in the overall urban landscape and has an impact on the environment. Living in the city is suggesting different manners and compositions in the urban landscape than in rural environment. Different environments present different cultures, routines and generations. Especially those mountainous villages still present authentic, well-preserved premises and ambiance. There is an intangible wealth expressed in the history of people, their folklore, language, music, food, arts, crafts, skills and industries. But what happens when different generations, and their context they carry, come together? During the post-war period, Athens was suffering from a housing shortage, after enormous number of population arriving to the urban center from the countryside. The government had to introduce imminent measures to solve the problem and one of them was ‘antiparochi’ system, a flat for land exchange system where the land-owner assigned the land to the constructor in return for flats. This in theory was actually solving the problem but didn’t control the harmonious urban development. This had as a result, dense concrete zones, uncontrolled urban planning, few green spaces and the demolition of low rise neoclassical buildings that were representing the history of the city. The increasing migrating wave of young population back to the countryside requires an efficient way from the authorities to deal with the harmonious distribution and cohabitation of the existing and arriving population. The government comes to deal
In spite of its immense worth, rural vernacular heritage is threatened on several fronts. Worldwide economic, cultural and architectural homogenisation of the agricultural sector is in large measure responsible for developments in the rural habitat. Rural depopulation, itself in part a result of the homogenising industrialisation of agriculture, may leave buildings disused and perhaps abandoned to people who do not see or care about their inherent value ‘’As one gets to know different countries; talking with people, eating with people, feeling with people,using their places, one beings to realize that the correspondence of man and place has not changed much throughout history. The local human attitude is surprising constant, and we
must agree with Hegel that it determines the people’s ‘’place in world history’’.’’ * futurope - http://www.unimi.it/img/news/Futuropa_1_EN.pdf ** Christian Norberg-Schultz
with a similar social-economical phaenomenon. It is necessary to protect the cultural heritage of the rural environments and protect the vernacular architecture, introducing laws that could deal with the moving population but protect the cultural character at the same time. The authorities should focus on these ‘ghost’’ communities that struggle to survive, by promoting reuse of the land and reenabling these communities. Depopulated rural communities should be able to accept a controlled number of moving population in order to reestablish the ‘community’ but also maintain the initial vernacular character, in dialogue with contemporary transformations. These ‘modest’ transformations should achieve harmonious cohabitation between the old and young generation and revive the story and the ethical norms of these communities. Lefevbre discusses about the societal phaenomenon of how we perceive our life qualities. It seems that the groups of people that are interested in moving back to the countryside, seek something different, present a will of changing attitudes towards the lifestyle they have been having. A lifestyle of commodities becomes an attitude of ‘experiencing’ society, documenting experiences of social participation and ethical re-establishment. These cases of transformation should satisfy the domestic needs of the different generational users but also achieve healthy vicinity, promoting the idea of community and social participation. The modern world we live in has promoted atomization and egocentric function of the human being, especially in the big urban centers as a sub-conscious function and survival mechanism in the new global world. Christian Norberg-Schultz in Genius loci, states that ‘‘man lost his identification with the natural and man’made things which constitute his environment. This loss also hinders the process of gathering and is therefore at the root of our actual ‘ loss of space’’. Things have become mere objects of consumption which are thrown away after use, and nature in general is treated as a ‘resource’.’’ It is interesting to see that traditional communities present valuable stories about vicinity, coexistence and social 33
behavior. The old generations that especially grew up or was part of these ‘lost’ communities were raised in different ethical and social norms such as cooperative behavior, contributing to the greater good. Louis Kahn stated once that streets are ‘’rooms of agreement’’. ‘’The street is dedicated by each house owner to the city’’. If we took a look at the mountainous villages of Epirus in Greece we would see how the community was planned in relation to the anatomy of the landscape but also the necessities of the society these days, such as a central gathering, where every building and house is related and grew around it. An ‘agora’/square, a public interaction and constant communication was mostly vital in every single rural settlement in Greece and similar cases in Mediterranean countries. Earth was the ‘’ ‘stage‘ where man’s daily life takes place. The steep natural landscape becomes cultural landscape, that is, an environment where man has found his meaningful place within the totality.’’(Christian Norberg-Schultz) This creates a question of how a place preserves its identity under the pressure of historical forces of constancy and changes? How it can adapt to the changing needs of public and private life in modern living? This idea of preservation, determines that architectural history is also a ‘’collection of cultural experiences, which should not get lost but remain present as ‘possibilities’ for human ‘use’.’’ (Christian Norberg-Schultz). Architecture comes to visualize the ‘genius loci’ (spirit of the place) of the ‘topos’ but also return to revive and preserve it. Space is determined as a 3-dimentional composition but also a perceptual field. An organization of elements and meanings that compose the term of ‘atmosphere’. History demands physical implications due to sociocultural changes. To preserve genius loci is not about copying old patterns but appreciating the identity of the place and use locally founded parameters in new ways. Modern life carries the idea of international character. Architecture shouldn’t be local or regional, but is required to follow the similar principles everywhere. According to Christian Norberg-Schultz many of
Paramythia / Epirus, Frédéric Boissonnas, 1913/ Παραμυθιά / Ήπειρος, Frédéric Boissonnas , 1913
these buildings ‘’lack the ‘substance’ and presence of many old buildings, their volumetric composition and structural integrity fully satisfy modern man’s demand for freedom and identity.’’ The ‘ascetic’ character of modernism becomes monotonous when is transferred in urban level. ‘’ The essence of settlement consist in gathering, and gathering means that different meanings are brought together. The architecture of exclusion mainly told us that the modern world is ‘open’; a statement which in a certain sense is anti-urban. Openness cannot be gathered. Openness means departure, gathering means return.’’ When coherency ‘breaks’ in these settlements, a cultural coherency also occurs. ‘’less is more’’ becomes delimitating and overlaps the social structure of the topos. Architecture should be able to achieve harmonious coexistence between the two architecture languages that carry different chronological stories, norms, qualities and ethics. Modern and vernacular should come together and not overshadow/overlap each other. It revives the old and respects the new. ‘’that only by manifestation of the present, you can make the past speak. If you try to run after it, you will never reach it’’.(Sverre Fehn) This project aims to explore the spirit of the place and understand further the importance of identity and character of the topos. It is vital to investigate further the working site of the project, by producing an archive of interviews and architectural registrations that will help us read further the importance of the surviving or totally lost qualities that compose the area. A collection of mapping interviews and photographic material will help us engage with the Genius Loci of ‘Drimonas’ village.
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Landscaping of the Acropolis of Athens, Dimitris Pikionis, 1954 - 1957 / Διαμόρφωση του αρχαιολογικού περί την Ακρόπολη χώρου, Δημήτρης Πικιώνης, 1954 - 1957
Landscaping of the Acropolis of Athens, Dimitris Pikionis, 1954 - 1957 / Διαμόρφωση του αρχαιολογικού περί την Ακρόπολη χώρου, Δημήτρης Πικιώνης, 1954 - 1957
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Takis Zenetos, Aghia Galini, structural system, responsive to the natural topography of the area / Τάκης Ζένετος, Αγία Γαλήνη, πολεοδομική μελέτη για την Αγία Γαλήνη
Working Method For the following stages of the project I am planning to produce an Atlas document of registration of the vernacular character and context that consist the community. The site is required to be understood in greater depth, analyzed socioeconomically, politically and reveal what factors forms the existing conditions. This will give me the opportunity to understand further the general context and lead to topics and frames that can inspire the design stages. This act of enthusiasm has also aim to contribute an archival material to the community which at the moment has all the interest to maintain and explore the history and the character if this topos. The Atlas document should be an archive of lost or surviving vernacular elements that represent tradition stories and economies of this settlement.
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This stage will be followed by individual interviews with the few permanent occupants of the village. These dialogues, along with visits of their own personal archive would help understanding further the history and the social economies the area has to present. I am planning to investigate one of the main historic pathways of the village sectionally that leads to the working building site in order to understand the idea of ‘communicative design’ in relation to the overall character of the village, as discussed in previous chapters. Models of existing conditions and proposing process models should be the main design generator for this project
Deliverables
Atlas document / site registration: that includes sectional drawings, intrviews with the permanent occupants, facade investigation of vernacular buildings that represent the history of the area, photographic registration, historical background, mapping exercises, sketches etc. 1:100 sectional analysis of a historic path of the village 1:50-20 Plans/sections/elevations of existing condition 1:50-20 Plans/sections/elevations of proposal Physical process model Process booklet 1:20 - 1:5 detail scale 1:200 Site model Process models 1:50 - 1:20 Proposing model
Scedule
Week 1(23-30 Jan) Presentations Tutorials Program Research Program Writing Program Draft/Final Submission Site Visit Interviews Registration Mapping Contextual Drawings Site map drawings Atlas (putting all reg. material together) Design Site Models Process Models Final models Proposal Drawings Renders Process booklet Photographs of models
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L+N
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
L+N
L
L
A+N
L
Week 8
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
A+N
L
N
L
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
L
A+L
L+N
Week 17
Week 18 L
Week 19 Final
Presentation Plan
Context Render
Render
Render
Render
1:100 Sectional analysis of path
1:100 Plan of path
1:50-20 site elevation
1:50-20 site section
1:50-20 site plan
Program/ design process
1:50-20 proposing elevation
1:50-20 proposing section
models
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1:5 details
1:50-20 proposing plan
Bibliography
- Norberg-Schulz, Christian. Genius Loci. 1st ed. New York: Rizzoli, 1996. Print. - Harlang, Christoffer. Lost And Found. 1st ed. Kobenhavn K: Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, 2013. Print. - Conway, Meagan K., “An Emptying Village: Transformations in Architecture and Spatial Organization at Streamstown Village, Co. Galway” (2011). Graduate Masters Theses. 73. http://scholarworks.umb.edu/masters_theses/73 - International Business Publications, Usa. Greece Investment And Trade Laws And Regulations Handbook. 1st ed. [Place of publication not identified]: Intl Business Pubns Usa, 2008. Print. - Tvxs.gr - Washington Post - NY times - NYPress - Δρυμώνας Λευκάδας : Ελεύθερη Έκφραση Δρυμωνιωτών-Λευκαδίων σε Τοπικά και Πανελλήνια Ζητήματα [περιοδικό] / Σύνδεσμος Δρυμωνιωτών Λευκαδίων Αττικής “Ο Δρυμώνας” -http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/dutch-retirement-home-offers-rent-free-housing-studentsone-condition/ -http://www.sbs.com.au/news/dateline/story/my-93-year-old-flatmate -http://agriregionieuropa.univpm.it/it/content/article/31/43/what-way-greek-family-farmingdefying-economic-crisis -http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/dsd_aofw_ni/ni_pdfs/NationalReports/greece/Greece_I_ Agriculture.pdf
KONSTANTINOS FETSIS Gråbrødretorv 17A, 3rd floor København, 1154, DK Contact: (+45) 52529630 (dk) (+0030)6979638666 (gr) Email: fetsiskonstantinos@gmail.com Website: http://fetsiskonstantinos.wordpress.com/
Profile
A Part I (ARB/RIBA, BArch) architecture graduate, currently pursuing his master in KADK, interested in gaining more knowledge and exploring more aspects of Architecture within an internship. Enthusiastic about different strategies and skills development. Always looking forward to meeting and collaborating with people who have the same ethos for Architecture, film, and arts. Education 2015 - present
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (KADK) - Master degree in Spatial Design perseption and Detail
2011 - 2014
University of Nottingham (Nottingham, UK) - BArch (Hons) ARB/RIBA Part I
Experience 2015 - present
- Student representative in the student commitee, The Royal Danish Academy of Fine arts
2014 - 2015
- Part I Architectural Assistant at Jamie Fobert Architects, London (12 months)
2012 - 2013
- Transport Secretary in Tongue and Groove Architecture Lectures Society, Uni. of Nottingham
2011 - 2012
- 1st Year Representative in Tongue and Groove Architecture Lectures Society, Nottingham - Volunteering work in Prototyping Architecture Uni. of Nottingham (exhibition featuring work by Amanda Levete Architects, Barkow Leibinger, Kieran Timberlake, Yves Ebnoether)
Awards/Workshops 2016
- Built winning group student entry, 6th LIXIL Int. Student Architecture competition 2016, Japan
2013-2014
- Participated to 3-day workshop, to design and build the stage for the ‘End of Year’ show of Architecture Department, University of Nottingham
2012 - 2013
- ”Re-Vamping Paramithias St.” , 4-day Upcycling Workshop by Transfodesign Col, during Remap 4 contemporary art programme, Athens, Greece - Participation and Exhibition of ”Omni[progra]chromatic I Kitsch Prothesis” work results, Advanced Architectural Design/Maya software Workshop by X|Atelier, Benaki Museum, Athens
Skills Language
Greek (Native proficiency) English (Professional working proficiency)
Software
Photoshop *** Illustrator ** In-Design ** Autocad 2D *** Bentley Microstation 2D ** Sketchup *** Rhinoceros * Maya * Mac OS X op. system *** Windows op. system *** Microsoft Office suite ***
Interests
Art, Traveling, Photography, Films, Skiing, Tennis, Community Architecture, Urban Interventions
References MArch Yr 1 KADK Tutor BArch Yr 3 Studio Tutor
Merete Ahnfeldt-Mollerup (Merete.Ahnfeldt@kadk.dk) Nicola Gerber, director at FUSIONstudio (nicola@fusionstudio.eu)