APPROPRIATION OF URBAN VOIDS RECLAIMING THE INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE FOR THE PUBLIC REALM IN LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA
APPROPRIATION OF URBAN VOIDS RECLAIMING THE INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE FOR THE PUBLIC REALM IN LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA
KRISTEN KUZDUB MASTERS THESIS FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE TALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY | AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF LISBON PARTNERSHIP | UNIVERSITY OF LJUBLJANA MENTORS | PROFESSOR MARUŠA ZOREC ASSISTANT UROŠ RUSTJA PROFESSOR IRINA RAUD REISEUNI04 | 2018
INDEX 6 - 7
ABSTRACT
8 - 9
DEFINING TERMS
10 - 25
PART I URBAN APPROPRIATION - RECLAIMING THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT
26 - 49
PART II EXPLORATION OF LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA - THE CITY AS A CASE STUDY
50 - 89
PART III URBAN SCALE - THE INDUSTRIAL GREENWAY CONNECTION
90 - 105
PART IIII BUILDING ACTIVATION - SPREAD OF ACTIVITY TO THE PUBLIC REALM
106 - 107
CONCLUSION
108 - 109
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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ABSTRACT This thesis explores how we can reinhabit voids within the urban fabric and reclaim them for the public realm. How places that act as physical or ephemeral borders can become bridges of connectiveness for the community. It is an examination of how we can create places of public collectives and reclaim resources for the well-being of the users. It looks at how places that seemingly were considered positive to city growth and now act as a negative impact to the community. There are many voids within the urban realm that do not provide a positive atmosphere for the community. This thesis explores how places like this can be appropriated for building relationships between people, the city they live in and the natural and built environment. The development of this thesis began with the notion of Urban Acupuncture and how finding a specific problematic spot can be reactivated and continue to spread energy further outwards. This led to the examination of appropriation of place and how they create positive connections and typologies. Using Ljubljana, Slovenia as a precedent study of a successful urban experience and generator of a lively, energetic city atmosphere. This research also identified where there is room for improvement, particularly in the expanding city where in the past industrial landscapes and changes were seen as a positive additions to the city scape. Using this theoretical research and the exploration and history of the city itself, the project proposal is of a greenway connection, reconnecting a place that has a border atmosphere rather than open and porous, and building a relationship between the public realm and human scale within the harsh industrial landscape.
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DEFINING TERMS Archipelago | A group of islands or clusters and the surrounding element that connects them. Collective Space | An important focus of connectedness within the urban realm and focus to create spaces that are not strictly for the private or public, but both simultaneously. Often the collective space between the built environment and the public realm. Commons | Creating urban spaces that are not identified as private or public, a common place of usable resources both physically and ephemerally. Democratic Spaces | The city and places within, operating as an open system, places of participation for everyone and facilitators of interactions. Desire Paths | The natural movement of people towards the shortest and most convenient route to a destination, leaving a distinct trail of erosion and clear definition of movement. Porosity | The state of being porous, the permeability of materials and places. How the flow through a place be open and porous both visibly and invisibly. Ruin | The third generation city, the ruins of the industrial city. Reclaiming to integrate the natural progression of city life. Staying Activities | The reason why people stay and use a space. The programme and activity that attracts city life, in turn attracting more. Talkscapes | Creation of ideal circumstances to socialize in the public realm, connecting people through design decisions often through the urban furniture. Weak Edges | Spaces without a defined or active edge, often surrounded by traffic providing an uncomfortable human scale experience. 9|
| URBAN APPROPRIATION RECLAIMING THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT
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“First we shape cities, then they shape us” [1]
APPROPRIATION The process of improving urban life and public spaces begins with finding urban places in crisis. It is taking an urban space that is not working for the public and reclaiming it for a positive use. This is done through means of appropriation of existing urban spaces. Appropriation is the starting point to initiate the final goal of urban acupuncture. It is a way to begin changing a problematic place, it is resolving the crisis. I believe the act of appropriating a space is the biggest defining element to help city life, it encompasses what is needed to begin positive change. Appropriation can be defined as the act of taking for one’s own, to make a new purpose, and can even be a form of occupation. There are the aspects of recycling, recovering, taking back, converting, restoring, rediscovering and salvaging, all of which can be applied to place. Applying appropriation to a physical place can be looked at in a variety of ways. There is the reclamation of the void and unused spaces within the urban fabric, taking these places and making use of them, whether that be empty places between buildings or simply the forgotten excess that is physically there but is invisible to everyday life. There is the continuous effort to reclaim industrial and infrastructural oriented areas, from taking over parking lots to redesigning unused railway tracks, and even the surrounding areas that are impacted by the industries that have not made a place suitable for the public. There is even the aspect of reclaiming natural elements, whether that be people choosing to recover and reconnect, or nature itself taking over. | 12
“The act of setting apart or taking for ones own use.” Appropriation can be seen happening all over the world, through local community initiations, designers and artists, or governmental action. All of these levels and groups of people have the common goal of improving a place because they see it contributing negatively within the everyday lives of the users in its current state. This is what can often be controversial as to whom should initiate the recovery of these places. As sometimes the bottom-up approach may often cause issues legally, which can be attributed to the negative definition of appropriation of taking over illegally, although locally it is often well intended. While on the opposing end of top-down approaches, sometimes the community may not be involved or agree with what is happening, like the tearing down or complete removal of a problematic place, and completely alternative reconstruction, rather than discussing locally of what is needed and what may work best with the needs of the community being impacted by the change. Through the identification of problematic, negative places within a community the process of reclaiming unused urban spaces for the public can begin. It is taking the place back for the people, it is refocusing the use to benefit the users as a whole, once the place that is causing the problem is identified, positive change can begin to occur.
Appropriation of Public Streets Lisbon, Portugal 13 |
“When the city operates as an open system – incorporating principles of porosity of territory, narrative indeterminacy and incomplete form – it becomes democratic not in a legal sense, but as physical experience.”
CONNECTIVITY OF AN OPEN CITY The theory of the Open City relates to my interest in how cities grow and evolve. Throughout my travels I have developed a quick adaptation to each new city and a fascination with each city. I have come to understand that cities influence the way people live, they provide an atmosphere that generates a specific energy to every person using it. The Open City by Richard Sennett looks at these environments that affect people, both in the visible and the invisible.
If the development within these places is through the built form we need to ensure that it is a place of activity, that the built form is encouraging activity around it, otherwise it is incomplete. This space around the development, and in any space within a community, it should be as Sennett puts it, a “democratic space”. That the people experiencing it can participate and interact, if this is in these “border” areas of communities this would enforce the aspect of contentedness, the space should be able to evolve depending on what it is needed in the community. This cannot always be predicted by the designer, but this is also There is no denying that cities are continuing to grow, the question is how do we create cities exciting for the designer. and communities that have their own distinct identities while also respecting the existing. Cities need to evolve and there needs to be a constant procession of this progression. In creating an open city it is key that places that are currently acting as borders, become There must be a relationship between the city as it changes and the needs of the people, as bridges. These borders are not always physical and sometimes just a feeling or energy one Sennett describes it is necessary to have a dialogue of past and present, both socially and has, and these bridges are also not always a physical connection, it is also the creation of architecturally. The Open City is essentially an Open System, a system that works together, a new activity that generates life. This activation and breaking down of borders generally although there are different pieces they are developed to interact and evolve to create a will continue to activate the surrounding area and people living there. We constantly need dynamic city open and beneficial to all users. Development and improvements need to be to ask ourselves how to create open places. done over time, and not necessarily to create cohesion but connectedness. Even though areas and communities may be different, this should not be something that is attempted to be changed. Individual identity is important, it is a matter of creating connections between these identities and bridging these differences. A patchwork city is unique and exciting, everyone can find a place they belong, however, they also need to function together. An important aspect of this is creating a place that the users appreciate and that they care about as this will create a positive energy to the community and to the city as a whole. The aspect of bridging the different communities is discussed as the “Passages of the City” by Sennett, that these passages create the city as a whole, they connect places to places physically and culturally. The aspect of walls and borders are making an impact to cities, that these places need a porosity of activity. The places between communities should be places of activity and that just because they have a different identity it should not be separate. We need to develop ways to blend the borders while leaving the individual identities untouched. This can be done both in development of programmes and also the permission of unregulated developments, this can again be seen as an aspect of appropriation. | 14
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Using bridges to build connections, not only physically but atmospherically. The Triple Bridge acts as a socially open space of meeting rather than just a connection across the river. Ljubljana, Slovenia 15 |
“The idea of ‘collectivity’ - something in between the traditional idea of the public and the private, acknowledging the pluralism of an individualized society without giving up the idea that a larger cohesive framework is possible.”
GROWTH OF ARCHIPELAGOS Archipelago is defined as an expanse of water with many scattered islands, or a group with similarities. Within the realm of the city this definition can be applied to a variety of aspects, most clearly the aspect of the tension and differences between places and how these can become formed into collectives. Rem Koolhaas and Oswald Ungers were focused on the idea of redefining cities, as both individual elements and the city as a whole. This notion became the “City within a City”. The interest was in creating a framework for the different elements of the city to become a collective community while still holding onto the individualism. This was looked at especially within the typical European city with the strain between the historical centres that are seen as secure and functioning, and the extension of the growing city which is generally more fragmented and developing. The concern of this difference between the historical centres and urban growth brought forth the idea of collectivism and how to develop these places, how to negotiate between the architecture and the city for the community. This, I believe, is still an issue in most cities today, there is often still a great disconnect between the centres and the extended city. There are some cities that have turned this into a positive like London, England or Brussels, Belgium, that have developed many centres, just because a person does not live in the historical centre, doesn’t mean they do not have the necessary means of city life. Often this can be seen as a benefit because you can choose the centre or district that suits your lifestyle and identity with the best. These to me are functioning cities, they have defining characteristics and individuality but each district is well connected and flows with each other. The Archipelago City examines the way this functioning of cities can be developed, particularly through the form of the city and less about how people actually inhabit the place which is what differs from the Open City previously discussed. The consideration of form is through the way the city grows, creating a “common domain” throughout the city, and in maintaining positive public spaces. This is believed in one aspect to be formed through horizontal restrictions of growth, in creating a regularity in which the users can inhabit, the Manhattan Grid is the example provided of this theory. It provides a rigid form and framework but growth occurs in between this form; | 16
“By offering a strong form, it offers a grounding to the unpredictable and fleeting condition of life within it”. In contrast to this there is also the considerations and emphasis on reclaiming poorly functioning places within the existing urban fabric. Using these places to strengthen the existing characteristics rather than hindering them. It is continuing the patchwork and uniqueness of existing cities, rather than being cohesive. This theory builds on connecting these differences rather than erasing and regulating. This is key in the expanding city, as there are many blank spots that do not function to the full potential and necessity of the surrounding community, many of which act as voids to the community. The key of both of these theories is focusing on the form of connections, that these “islands” throughout the city form the city as a whole and that we as designers need to strengthen the connections. That the form is the base of the city and these intermediate places are providing the canvas for the public to interpret and utilize them as needed. These places need to be flexible yet strong, they need to provide a base that can flourish for the surrounding communities.
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Distinctive building layers and patchworks of a the city. Ljubljana, Slovenia 17 |
“A spark that sets off a current that begins to spread.”
THEORY OF URBAN ACUPUNCTURE The initial theory I became interested in to develop this thesis was the Theory of Urban Acupuncture. This theory has become a popular term because of the inherent need to improve cities and urban spaces in turn to improve the lives of city dwellers within what seems to be an ever expanding urban footprint. The term itself however is very general and can be applied in many ways. It is also unclear as to who specifically coined the term “acupuncture” within the urban context, however there are key figures that have made an impact in progressing and materializing this theory. The original definition of the term “acupuncture” is from the Chinese medical practice and procedure that is a treatment for alleviation of various pain, physical and mental conditions and illnesses. It is done by the insertion of fine needles into the skin at specific points along what are considered to be lines of energy. Considering the definition of medicinal acupuncture, it is clear why many have used this term in the context of reviving urban spaces. It is the art of choosing and making an impact to a specific place that needs improvement due to various ailments. This impact theoretically will make a continuous change to the whole. With this general knowledge of the above it is still clear that this theory is a broad ideal but there are some key elements that I have identified as recurring within discussions of the topic, defining points and a general theme that can be followed. Being that the end goal of Urban Acupuncture is that a public place is active, lively, energetic and purposeful for the users, the goal is to bring life [back] to an unused or under-utilized site. And the hope is that this energy will spread from the given place or point of change to re-energize the larger context. A key focus of Urban Acupuncture is the aspect of community, specifically the community that is directly related and impacted by the proposed changes. It is a way to bring a positive change to a community that will improve how they enjoy their neighbourhood and city as a whole. | 18
Another important factor in Urban Acupuncture is the notion that it comes from “crisis”, that it is solving a problem within a city, community, place, etc... The initial factor is in taking a place that is lacking in popularity, activity, liveliness, atmosphere, usability, and making changes that will make it functional for the everyday user. It is attempting to reclaim a place for the people that was previously uninhabited. I believe that through various implementations and changes the idea of Urban Acupuncture is an end goal of making positive changes to the lives of the users through public space, and that this change will impact a larger context. This is done through various methods, some of which are in the broad sense of simply improving the health and design of a public space, through small scale interventions, community level activism, and sometimes it is necessary to make a larger impact through design.
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Subtle design decisions that activate and connect a portion of the Ljubljanica River. Ljubljana, Slovenia 19 |
“Sometimes, a simple, focused intervention can create new energy, demonstrating the possibilities of a space in a way that motivates others to engage with their community.”
REVITALIZING THE PUBLIC REALM A physical change Lerner points to in improving cities is healthy mobility and connectedness, public transportation, incorporating and allowing the natural environment and vegetation to thrive, continuity of the city and mixed-use integrations. Though he addresses many other elements that promote healthy cities, through my research, Lerner seems to focus on the above elements as key initiators. One of his impacts to the city of Curitiba during his time as Mayor was the alteration to the public transport system and proposal of Express-Bus tube stations. Rather than taking up half the city Lerner proposed a simple raised bus terminal His idea of Urban Acupuncture originates again from the elements of medicinal acupuncture: for users to enter through. These changes greatly improved the accessibility and ease of “The notion of restoring the vital signs of an ailing spot with a simple using the existing city bus system, thus helping to make the city as a whole function better. healing touch has everything to do with revitalizing not only that specific The ephemeral changes that can be seen throughout Lerner’s work generally provide an place but also the entire area that surrounds it.” idea of what is a successful place, it is the result of change and reaction to a problem, With this notion he applies it to struggling cities to provide positive change, and hopefully a many of these cannot be predicted but generally if you design a successful place that will continued spread of action. His specific view of Urban Acupuncture is broad and applicable mean that some or hopefully most of these ephemeral elements develop within that place. to many urban scenarios, however he is the example of the simplicity within the theory of There is a great focus on the impact to the senses and creation of memories that are Urban Acupuncture, being that of a place that is transformed positively, that draws and developed within a place, that they should evoke a sense of community, identity, and be a builds excitement and activity for the people. He is also an advocate for the aspect that catalyst for interactions, solidarity and confidence of ones place. Urban Acupuncture is a response to a problematic area or place of crisis, it is to take a place and revitalize it, to make it a place the community can enjoy. Jaime Lerner is a key theorist and advocate for the notion and implementation of Urban Acupuncture within cities and neighbourhoods. He is well known for his work as Mayor of Curitiba, Brazil, where he implemented changes that altered and greatly improved the city and livability of Curitiba. He is a strong believer that it is possible to change city life in less than three years through the implementation of focused, creative, precise and quick interventions.
Though Lerner seems to have a broad notion towards the general improvement of the city, he consistently identifies some key elements that seem to be his focus on the improvement of place. Many of which are a movement either physical or an ephemeral change, of which is generally an atmosphere and energy subsequent of the change. | 20
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A sunken pedestrian parkway enriching the commute of pedestrians within the urban context that is often overtaken by vehicular mobility. The simplicity of lowering the promenade provides an escape from the busy city life directly encompassing it. Helsinki, Finland 21 |
“I am interested in material urbanity, urbanity made of touch and vision, of sensations and suggestions.”
LAYERS OF THE CITY Author of the book “ A Matter of Things”, Manuel de Solà-Morales was a Spanish architect, urban planner and theorist who closely examined the aspects of urbanity and was also someone who contributed to the idea of Acupuncture within the urban context. Morales, unlike Lerner, looks more intensely within the materiality, physical and philosophical aspects of Urban Acupuncture, and less about the resulting effect within an urban space, though still interested in the urban experience: “Contact between our bodies and these forms of physical matter that constitutes the urban experience.” Morales has a strong philosophy through relating the city directly to that of the body and skin, emphasizing the relationship of medicinal Acupuncture. He looks at the physical nature of skin, how it is strong yet sensitive, it can be injured, scarred, altered, broken, and yet it heals, it is seen as light and superficial, yet it holds everything together. These thoughts build on how the skin is the surface of the city environment, it is what connects the city as a system. Like medicinal acupuncture, an alteration to specific points on the skin of the city will affect everything connected to it, like it does with a human body. Likewise, with all the theorists of Urban Acupuncture discussed in this thesis, he points out that the location of the point is a sensitive point, one of crisis. However, Morales also challenges the approach of Urban Acupuncture as being a broad general analogy of improvements to cities, through elements like transforming the functioning aspects of a city, and that this | 22
is not focused enough to make impactful changes. That realistically we cannot change everything at once, that change is a process through what is existing. That to make change to a city we need to make concentrated alterations to fragments of the city, and that this will hopefully continue to resolve the larger problems for the city as a whole. Through looking more directly at the city as a skin, one can begin to build on the aspect of ever changing and of everything being connected. Similarly to Jane Jacobs who states: “Healthy cities are organic, spontaneous, messy, complex systems.” That graduality is essential for city growth, and that neighbourhoods and cities are ever evolving. There are countless theorists and planners who have emphasized the importance of treating the city as a living, breathing entity. Whether that entity be skin or an organism, either way it requires subtlety and sympathy. That the city needs to be sensitively altered, to build and work with what is there and be careful not to damage it beyond repair.
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A memorial parkway of the Berlin Wall is an example of the layers of the city. That even though the skin of the city can be damaged, eventually it can be revitalized and renewed. That a place doesn’t need erasure but the memory should be altered into a positive influence. Berlin, Germany 23 |
“Ruin is when man made has become part of nature.”
CATALYST OF THE RUIN Finnish architect, environmental artist and theorist, Marco Casagrande, is known for his work within the realm of Urban Acupuncture mainly throughout Asia where he actualizes his core belief of the connections between nature and the built environment with the utilization of local community based knowledge and abilities. Casagrande is hands-on with students and the local communities to revitalize living standards in neglected areas that have been impacted negatively by urbanization. Though he often works with settlements that are near demolition, instability and often low income class, he sees these places as primary energy points that need to be actively revitalized, and directly works with the local people to contribute to their needs and wishes. Using the local knowledge and strength of the existing community to make change is a key in Urban Acupuncture, as in the end the place is for those using it and no one knows what they need better than themselves. Casagrande, out of all the theorists, most focuses on the aspect of urban appropriation, through the community and naturality, to reclaim places for the community directly impacted by what is or was there. Another key focus of Casagrande’s work is not only through the existing local population but also through the natural environment, which is a way to counteract the negative impact that the industrial city has done to the locality of communities. He is focused on the “ruining” of industrial cities, for people to fight to connect back to the natural environment. Much of his work directly relates to the incorporation of the natural environment into the project, | 24
which I believe is important in combating the industrial large scale cities, to re-scaling and revitalizing these places back to the human scale and focus. Casagrande brings into focus what I believe is the most important aspect in recovering places through Urban Acupuncture. As stated with Lerner, the theory of Urban Acupuncture can be very broad as the general improvement of a place, which is why I find Casagrande’s focus on specifically revitalizing places that are in severe crisis as a key element. He works with places of “ruin” as the first step in the spread and success of energy. Whether that means the revitalization of truly ruined structures, or trying to “ruin” places or elements that clearly are not working for the people and local community.
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A public space which acts as an escape from the busy city through nature and scale. Tel Aviv, Israel 25 |
|| EXPLORATION OF LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA THE CITY AS A CASE STUDY
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LJUBLJANA PRESENTLY This thesis is based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, which I chose to study in because of its rich history of urban development and architecture, and overall positive atmosphere of its public realm. Ljubljana has also made many improvements over the last decade which have made it an excellent example to better understand what aspects have worked for the public life and what aspects are still necessary to improve. Ljubljana is the largest city in Slovenia, yet as a capital city it is relatively small in both physical size and population. The population of Slovenia as a whole is around 2-million people, of which around 300,000 live in Ljubljana. This number however is relative, as there is a huge increase during the school year from around September - June, as Ljubljana is a university city. This is positive to city life as it brings a very young and lively atmosphere to the city and the faculties of the University of Ljubljana are scattered throughout the centre of the city, as well as some more condensed places with more of a campus feel. This provides a positive atmosphere to the city as a whole rather than one core campus area like many other cities have, which causes an island effect for the students. The population increase can also be considered as a difficulty to the city of Ljubljana as during the summer months there is a lot less local activity and a lot of vacant apartments, but this provides ideal circumstances for tourists which have increased significantly over the past few years. This increase in tourism I believe is both positive and negative to the local community and atmosphere. Through my time spent in Ljubljana and talking to both locals and tourists I can see that at first glance the city centre is working positively, however I have noticed that there is a huge shift as soon as you leave the city “centre� limits, by merely crossing certain roads this can be visible. As soon as you leave the centre the density begins to decrease, and the vibrancy quickly changes. Currently the city centre is working for tourists, but because of tourists the local community has been getting pushed further and further outwards because of increased living costs and less and less availability. Since this has happened there has become a disconnect between the centre and the areas that residents are living in, many places are acting as a wall and border and not creating a positive bridge and transition for people going to and from the centre. There is a lack of community and comfortable feel to these border communities, that mobility becomes more difficult and that the main activity is still having to commute to the historic centre. This has also been caused by changes throughout the history and design of the urban fabric, as with the many eras of design throughout the city’s history some have made positive impacts and some impacted the city as a whole more poorly. Because of the aforementioned, Ljubljana has grown into a patchwork city of sorts, where there are distinct areas throughout the large scale of the city. Some of these areas are working and some are not functioning as well as they should be for the residents. Despite so many differences and unique fabric to the city, especially for its size, it needs to be ensured that the diversity continues but that there are smooth transitions and connections. | 28
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EMONA The layers of Ljubljana’s history are still very present in the existing city, both in the way the city is organized and in the exposure of certain elements that are sometimes very clear and direct while other times subtle nods to what came before. This exposure is an element that makes Ljubljana unique compared to many other cities. It has developed,as discussed previously, through the slow growth rather than making grand gestures.
are distinctly visible within the surrounding structures and incorporated to use where people can sit and climb, or also just visit to understand the history of this unique city. This is another key in the development of an open and diverse city, it makes visible the history and identifiable characteristics of this segment of Ljubljana. There are no barricades or walls creating a display for the ruins, the historical element is directly incorporated into the city fabric so that it is not only for tourists, though many come to visit. A person on their The city of Emona was the starting point of development for Ljubljana. This ancient city daily commute can directly interact with the history of the city which brings people closer was strategically placed along the Ljubljanica River which is still a key identifying feature to identifying with the city they live in. of Ljubljana today. As with most ancient Roman Empirical cities it was built as a defensive city giving it limited space for development within the walls. Eventually the Roman Empire This makes use of the past history and shows that elements do not need to be hidden or merely on display, that even if they have historical influences they can be used and was defeated where only the ruins now remain. continue to impact the daily life within a city. Within present day Ljubljana the ruins of Emona are still influencing the development of the city. The Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik ensured that the display and incorporation of the ruins would be visible for the everyday passerby and visitors. Though the overall urban organization of the past city is not clearly visible in the urban fabric as with other historical influences, there are subtle displays of the ruins, some incorporation act as entries to public spaces or axial connectors and others are simply making visible the historical influence. What is unique about these ruins compared to many from other cities, is the fact that Plečnik incorporated them into everyday life and not made to act only as a display. They | 30
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[Figure 9]
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NATURAL DEVELOPMENT Ljubljana has always been a green city even from its origins through the development around the Ljubljanica River. This focus on nature has continued throughout the cities development and is still visible today. Looking at a map the natural growth of Ljubljana is immediately apparent as the city is surrounded by mountains which made the expanding city grow within the valleys of these mountains. This way of growth shaped the city into the woven pattern of naturality and developed areas which are considered green fingers or wedges. Though there are many green pockets throughout the dense core, the further you move from the centre the more nature is incorporated. The mountains forming the city are visible in the distance along many of the main axis’ of the cities, as these follow the valleys directly toward the nearest large cities. These surrounding mountains visibly provides orientation within the city and help to make this city unique. An important change to the city happened with the re-direction of the Ljubljanica River within the city centre. This was done to help with flooding by partially rerouting the waterflow away from the centre through dams. From this the river now splits at the southern end of the city centre, circulating around the central hill and reconnects north-east of the city. A key greenway for Ljubljana is the Path of Remembrance and Comradeship which follows the old route of the fence that surrounded Ljubljana during World War II. This recreational path is along the outskirts of the city which provides a green belt of activity. With this importance and influence of naturality throughout the city, especially at the larger scale, I believe some open areas within the city centre have the opportunity to be more usable parkways and greenspaces. Some sites within the city are currently acting as parks but are not utilized to their full potential. Many of these “open spaces� are actually acting as barriers to their surroundings rather than connecting them. I believe there are potentials within the city to provide greenways and urban parks to reconnect to their surroundings, to be reprogrammed to a more usable space. Though there are many smaller green spaces within the city centre, many of the natural elements of development discussed are not in the city centre and not usable for the everyday visit. These open spaces within the city can make everyday connections to nature easier. The city provides a strong baseline of green space incorporation, but how do we continue this history and revitalize any unused open spaces to re-appropriate them for better use? | 32
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INDUSTRIALIZATION Another important aspect of the railway is the train station itself, which is also where the international bus station is located. Whilst discussing with both local residents and visitors to Ljubljana everyone agrees that a new railway station is necessary, the current one is very small, has not had many necessary upgrades for the growing size of the city and number of commuters, and overall is not very attractive or comfortable to use. There is currently a proposal for a new station west of the existing area, where there currently is a The railway was built in 1849 and as with this time of development, it was seen as a positive large parking area, the proposal itself has mixed reviews but as of now seems to be almost influence to the industrialized city, and development of the city grew around it. Directly confirmed, either way it is clear a new station is necessary for the city. surrounding the track the built environment was rapidly growing, this also brought a lot of the development north of the city centre to what is now Bezigrad, directly extending With all of these proposed alterations coming forth for the station and the railway tracks, from the north side of the tracks. Though these developments expanded because of the it brings up the question of what is an alternative solution of reclaiming this industrial railway, it still managed to act as a hard separation between areas and a struggle to create landscape back to the community, rather than just hiding it? How do we reconnect the positive connections across them. Development continued with large roadways making surrounding communities that are currently separated by this industrial element? How do these connections, both alongside and below the railway, however these connections only we make the area surrounding it more appealing and usable, especially for visitors and their first impressions of the city? make the issue for pedestrians more unpleasant. The introduction of the railway to Ljubljana is an issue many cities are currently dealing with. Although the railway is an important and key connection outside the city, the railway track is generally considered an annoyance and hindrance to the city scape. Particularly with the installation in Ljubljana it became a major border within the city, even cutting directly through the main entrance and axial connection from the city centre to Tivoli Park.
Currently following the railway track as a pedestrian is very difficult especially if it is the first time you are attempting it. Many paths just end when you are supposed to be travelling straight, while others (unknowingly) are redirecting you back and forth underneath the road and railway, both of these issues among others make it very difficult to travel in a direct straight path which is what pedestrians look for when travelling to and from specific locations. This amplifies the issue of the railway seemingly acting as a barrier, following the railway distance there are many spots visible that people have made their own pathways through regularly and unsafely walking across the tracks because there are not enough locations available to cross. There is currently talk of moving the railway below ground because of these many issues. However, this is a very costly solution to the city and may not be necessary. An opportunity of the location of the railway is the fact that there is a great deal of unused space surrounding it, this can be seen as a possibility to incorporate a greenway that makes it more comfortable for people to travel along the outskirts of the city centre. That even though there is a railway track, the spaces around it can be reclaimed for public use. | 34
[Figure 10]
35 |
Ljubljana Main Railway Station and Main Bus Station
| 36
Connection to Tivoli Park under the railway and Bleiweisova cesta
One of many pedestrian crossings along the railway
An example of many locations without any separation to the railway
37 |
[Figure 11]
PLEČNIK’S LJUBLJANA It is clear that the biggest influence on the design development of Ljubljana is the Slovenian He was unique in the way of creating public spaces within sites that are usually not seen architect Jože Plečnik. He not only designed various buildings throughout the city but also as a typical public space, like his approach to bridges and connecting places. All of the was a key planner to the overall atmosphere and urban fabric of the city. bridges he was involved in designing create a feeling of a space in which people can stay, and still to this day they are public spaces and meeting points within the city. They all have Though Plečnik’s designs in Ljubljana were developed throughout the early 1900’s he vertical elements of carefully placed trees and/or columns that give the feeling of edges, created a very modern identity for the city. He designed or was involved with many of the while horizontally they are widened to act as a space rather than just a bridge. iconic sites throughout the city including the Slovene National and University Library, the Triple Bridge and Cobblers Bridge, river embankment alterations and the open air market Throughout Plečnik’s designs the careful implementation of tree varieties provide a and halls, among many others. He also made changes throughout the urban fabric and rhythm and softness to his designs. The public spaces he has designed are still highly streetscapes by creating strong axial connections between sites. utilized and popular today and something we can observe and implement for successful designs. Designs are still following his ideas to continue his influence on the city, by more Although the overall style of his designs have a classical appearance especially with his connections to the river banks, to the continuation of pedestrian connections and comforts signature addition of vertical elements and mixture of various columns, landmarks and within the city of Ljubljana. natural elements, his overall approach can be looked at as a very modern and current ideal. He had a clear focus on the human scale yet juxtaposing the impact of the larger scale. This can be seen through his axial connections which have subtle visual cues for the pedestrian to create direction and orientation, even when the axis may not be directly from one point to another. His elements of verticality and experimentation of textures and materials provide a human scale, orientation and comfortable atmosphere for people. | 38
[12]
[Figures 13-14]
39 |
Public Space of the Cobblers Bridge
PLEÄŒNIK INFLUENCES IN LJUBLJANA | 40
Incorporation of various greenery varieties and revitalization of the river edges
Visual cues and axial connections - Tivoli Park Axis
Strategic placement of verticality and nature
41 |
AXIAL CONNECTIONS Throughout Ljubljana there is a consistent incorporation of strong axial connections both at the large scale and small scale of the city. These connections are sometimes visual through landmarks throughout or completing an axis while others through strong directionality and orientation. At the smaller human scale the presence and influence of Jože Plečnik is apparent where he focused greatly on creating walkable yet impactful axis’ by highlighting key landmarks to direct the users throughout the city. These axis’ are still key places of orientation throughout the city centre and provide a human scale to stretches of distances between points. Vehicular axis’ also developed greatly throughout the growth of Ljubljana, these directions as discussed are based around the existing landscape characteristics. Again they provide a feeling of orientation within the city in knowing what lies beyond, even at the human scale, and the strong roadways provide an understanding of the distance within Slovenia and beyond. | 42
1KM 43 |
1 | Pedestrian Street
2 | Triple Bridge
3 | Bicike(LJ) Station
4 | Slovenska cesta
MOBILITY An element in Ljubljana that has made it a successful place for people to live and for me to research for my thesis are the changes in mobility throughout the city centre. These changes make for a much more comfortable street experience and makes the city very unique. As previously mentioned, one of the points of Urban Acupuncture required to revive city centres is successful and easy mobility. Ljubljana has succeeded through implementation of various mobility changes to make the centre a very walkable and energetic atmosphere.
Ljubljana has also always been a very bicycle friendly city because of its landscape and city size. However, with the introduction of the pedestrian area and shared rental bikes it is even more apparent that this is the most popular mode of transportation within the city.
Not only did this shift the atmosphere within this zone, it also made it clear that pedestrians and bicyclists are the catalysts for movement within the city centre, and this can be felt as even nearby roads for cars often become shared because of this energy naturally extending outside the pedestrian only zone. The introduction of free public transport within the city also ensured that it is still accessible to all visitors and residents and promoted the success of the removal of vehicles.
With all of these changes the ease of mobility is incredible and enjoyable for anyone visiting or residing here. This pedestrian priority and focus is something that makes Ljubljana such a unique city and so comfortable to live in, making it something many cities can learn from and be inspired by. Even small changes to specific points within an urban environment can help to revive an area that may need help.
However even with all of these successful changes to the way people move within the city centre, it is clear that there is still changes that need to be considered the more you extend outwards. There is a clear shift to vehicular orientation immediately, this can be The biggest change made was the removal or banning of vehicles in 2007 from the city seen through the change in scale of roads, speeds and parking areas. Of course it makes centre. This completely altered the atmosphere of the city centre. What is unique is the sense because these places are further and people do need to commute easily however expansive area which is pedestrian only now, occupying 300,000 square meters including I believe this transition could be improved and hopefully to also promote more shared options for commuters to the city. more than 30 streets within the city, with discussion for further expansion.
Even the simple shift of a stretch along the main north-south axial connection of the city Slovenska Cesta to a shared roadway of buses and pedestrians made a huge difference as it changed the priority and promotion of less personal vehicle transport. | 44
[15]
MOBILITY NETWORK 1 | Pedestrian / Shared Zones 2 | Bridges 3 | Public Bicycle Locations 4 | Public Transit Enhancements 1KM
| Rail Network 45 |
1 | River Activation
2 | ROG Factory
3 | Metelkova
4 | Central Market
EXISTING APPROPRIATION Though Ljubljana is a smaller capital city than most, it is extremely active and lively all throughout the city centre. While living or visiting here it is quickly visible what places are activity generators both for locals and for tourists. The city provides many temporary activities in order to have variety and excitement, while also having consistent locations that seem to be lively either throughout certain times of the day, daily or permanently. Even with its size it also manages to have very small centres that are active for the surrounding community and provide a unique identity to each place. These centres make for a unique city scape as many people consider the centre of Ljubljana to be varied and have differing opinions, this makes for the city to have a diverse identity for residents. The other aspect is that many of these places have evolved into activity generators as they have been reclaimed for a better and more current use. The rerouting of the river brought a new life to its edges, and there are continual changes happening that help people feel more connected to the beautiful river banks. Like designs provided by PleÄ?nik of bridges or steps bringing people to the river edge, or more current changes with the proposals that create a vertical rhythm to the stream or activities on the water. There are few cities that are this well interconnected and provide so much activity to the river going through them. With these examples the appropriation and activation is provided through design. | 46
While on the other spectrum there are many places that have developed through user appropriation, or with a bottom-up approach. Most notably is that of Metelkova and the abandoned ROG Factory. Both of these locations were decrepit and abandoned buildings, and both have a new, very active energy since local artists and community members have taken them over (both legally and illegally). Currently Metelkova is a thriving alternative energy of bars and activities. While the ROG Factory is lesser known but is community driven to provide an underground party scene, with a built in skate-park, and many other activities. However, with the bottom-up approach the issue of privatization and commercialization of the space or activity will almost always eventually be brought forth, as is happening at the ROG Factory. Among these examples and many others throughout Ljubljana it is clear that there are many aspects that are successful in reclaiming spaces for positive public use. The aim should be to reclaim unused places, to make them inhabitable for a new use that is positive to the community. I believe the best response is designing with the community and providing a safe place for the activity to grow as needed by the users.
BEŽIGRAD ŠIŠKA METELKOVA
Ajdovščina
ROG FACTORY TEMPORARY EVENTS Tromostovje CENTRAL MARKET Kongresni Trg
Mestni Trg
Poljane
Vrtača HISTORICAL CENTRE Novi Trg Trg Francoske Revolucije
Stari Trg Gornji Trg
KRAKOVO MIRJE
RIVER ACTIVITIES Trnovski Pristan “BEACH”
ACTIVITY GENERATORS
PRULE
1 | Nature Oriented Areas 2 | Programmed Activity Buildings 3 | Neighbourhood Centres 1KM
VIČ
4 | Temporary Events 47 |
Restaurants/Bars
DISPERSION OF ACTIVITY Another element that has made the city centre of Ljubljana so successful is the dispersion of various programmes. That they are spread throughout the city making for a varied urban fabric with activity levels changing all throughout the day and night. That all the necessities are spread out promoting walkability in the programmatic sense. Through the analysis of various building types it is clear how this spread is working, though it is visible there are often clusters of certain types, mostly it is spread evenly. With the exception of the residential diagram where it is clear the higher density of solely focused residential buildings disperses outwards. Though there are still residences within the centre it is more mixed use focused and not whole buildings devoted to residences. This would continue to become more and more clear the further outward you go from the city centre where more and more single use homes are available. This map makes it clear that the city centre is successful in the multi-use dispersion of programmes however it draws the question of how can this continue outward to the growing city? | 48
Institutional
Public
Residential
1KM 49 |
||| URBAN SCALE THE INDUSTRIAL GREENWAY CONNECTION
| 50
APPROPRIATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE The site chosen for this thesis through the general research of Ljubljana is a large area of under-utilized space stretching along the railway track. It is surrounded by industrial programmes and infrastructure with major roadways on the east, south and west sides. It is a large unused and forgotten space with a lot of potential to become a positive connection between the many sites and areas directly surrounding it. Currently the programmes of this 85,000 square meter site are varied, and yet it still feels very empty and not a place for visitors to stay and enjoy. Approximately one-half of the site is considered a “park�, however in reality it is a large empty un-maintained field, apart from the south-east corner where there is a sculpture area. The other half is almost completely devoted to vehicular use, of which is a petrol station and large car park. The majority of people who use this site are going to and from their car, and walking through to the surrounding programmes.
Currently, with all of these elements of the site, it is acting as a border rather than an open area with a positive transition to the important surrounding sites. It was a place designed for the industrial city and is no longer a positive or comfortable place for the public. It acts more as a wall despite there not being any vertical disruptions. It is the ideal location to reclaim connections in each direction, there is the potential of continuing a user friendly parkway to connect the train station to the east and Tivoli park to the west. The edges of each provide a border of a different city typology, it can reconnect the surrounding districts. It has the potential to be a natural resource despite its history and surrounding industry. Though the surrounding areas are varied, it can become a common space for these diversities. By involving programmes that cater to what is existing, users would not only use it as a place to walk through but they would have a reason to stay, making the area more lively.
The location within the city context is key yet challenging. The feeling of a border needs to The north side of the site is cut through by the railway which separates via north and south be broken and instead needs to become a bridge, it needs to be a place for the people. directions. Throughout many visits to the site it is clear that there is a connection missing The goal is to reclaim this industrial landscape, provide a programme for lively activity and from the residential area of Bezigrad and the south parkway to city centre, as there are to unlock the potential for appropriation of the surrounding communities. multiple people crossing the railway unsafely, so much so that there are pathways along the parkway where users regularly cut over the tracks. | 52
1:7000M 53 |
Hologram Europe - Sculpture Park
EXISTING SITE SITUATION | 54
Petrol Station
EXISTING SITE SITUATION 55 |
Union Brewery Connections
EXISTING SITE SITUATION | 56
Railway Network
EXISTING SITE SITUATION 57 |
Existing Park
EXISTING SITE SITUATIONS | 58
Desire Paths and Parkway
EXISTING SITE SITUATIONS 59 |
Key crossing location for pedestrians between the city centre and surround districts
EXISTING SITE SITUATIONS | 60
Terrain Differences from the walkway
EXISTING SITE SITUATIONS 61 |
CASE STUDY | GLEISDREIECK PARK The case study of Gleisdreieck Park by Atelier LOIDL, in Berlin Germany provided a good as necessary. It is a place where people from the surrounding communities should want to example of how to work with a challenging site shape of a large expanse of under-utilized escape the busy city daily life and relax, exercise and enjoy. land that has direct relations and views to the railway network. The goal was to reintegrate The park provides many open spaces yet also several programmes for activation, like the railway into the urban structure and utilize the unused space below. many sports facilities, playgrounds and various pathways, light fixtures and furniture. This The expanse of the site is four meters above street level and provides a plateau available diversity provides many reasons for people to visit. to work with and escape from the busy city surrounding it. The design aims to contrast the grown natural and built elements, proving to be a green-space break from the city. The space is still widely open to be redefined and flexible for the public to utilize. The focus is on the future development of the parkway, to show the history of the railway as a starting point without it being the main attracting programme. Since the area itself has a great deal of history and is nearby the old quarters of the city and the new life around Potsdamer Platz, this park will provide a connection between these two identities. To be a place that bridges these areas and allows for a space for the people to utilize. Like with the Theory of Urban Acupuncture the goal of this design was to provide a spark within the surrounding community to reignite interest and excitement. It allows for the idea of changes to happen, yet leaves it open enough to develop depending on what is seen | 62
[16]
63 |
CASE STUDY | KOGANECHO CENTRE In the city of Yokohama, Japan the proposal for revitalization of a stretch of land under an active railway line managed to create a community hub where previously there were many social issues. The concept was to delineate set spatial grid for various architects to design community centered proposals within. To reclaim a place that was not working for the community and provide it with a new life and excitement. Within only around a 100 meter stretch of land, the allotted spaces all have a diverse identity because of the seven unique architectural perspectives provided. The various programmes of an art gallery, cafe, library, studio, meeting space, workshop and open-air public space, provide a framework which appeal to a vast range of visitors who will come and reactivate the direct and surrounding area. The defining element of this project is the interaction between the railway structure and new design. These interactions vary yet overall create a cohesive element to the various designs. The columns both mediate the spaces and create a dynamic shared experience. This project is a positive example of utilization of an overpass and how to make this industrial urban element a place for the human experience, where people can enjoy rather than avoid. It has become a positive space not only to the city fabric but also for the community because of the community centred programmes. | 64
[17]
65 |
2 | Union Brewery
3 | Islamski Verski Center
1 | Petrol Station
KEY LANDMARKS The site of this thesis proposal has many influential connections directly surrounding it that currently feel very disconnected within the site. Directly nearby are multiple types of programming from sports, single use residential, industrial influences, public resources and hospitality, many of which serve as landmarks also to the larger scale. This ideal location and relation to the surrounding programmes provide an excellent framework to start with reconnecting and creating a usable identity to the space. However, this diversity of the bordering environment provides a challenge to the design and how to create a flexible space for all of these uses while also providing a strong reason and identity to the space that visitors will recognize and enjoy. Directly visible on the site is what is currently a Petrol Station. The architecture of this structure is unique and impressive for its time of development. It was designed by well known Slovenian architect Edvard Ravnikar (who was a student of PleÄ?nik). He was an important figure in the development of infrastructural architecture throughout Ljubljana. The structure on this site has the potential to provide the initial identity and atmosphere to the site proposal as a whole. | 66
4 | InterContinental Hotel
5 | Ljubljana Railway Station
3
2 5
1
1km
500m
4
1:7000M 67 |
Šiška District
Bežigrad District
URBAN GEOMETRIES A major influence to the orientation and geometries of this proposal came from the distinct surrounding districts that will be connected through the public realm, rather than bordered and separated from the railway. The challenges are the various orientations and building types around the site and how these will relate to the proposal. | 68
City Center
Šiška District
Bežigrad District
EXISTING BUILDING VOLUMES
1KM
City Center 69 |
SEQUENTIAL CONCEPT SKETCHES
| 70
71 |
| 72
73 |
| 74
75 |
MASTERPLAN The final design for the masterplan provides two distinct focuses of a linear east-west greenway connection that follows the railway network, and the various directional connections of a sunken platform that draws visitors under the railway through to the surrounding neighbourhoods. The public realm also acts as an extension to the various proposed and existing programmes. The linear greenway reclaims half the site that was solely devoted to vehicular programmes and makes it a parkway which connects Tivoli Park towards the train station or its new location in direct relation across the street. Utilizing the unique architecture of what was the petrol station by Ravnikar it becomes an entrance and crossing point of the two key layers of the design, it provides a strong place of meeting and orientation within the site. Overall the greenway is left relatively open in order to stay as a flexible park and act as a point of connection between the many surrounding elements. Research of existing trees within the site provided the softness and incorporation of greenery, providing clusters along the northern railway edge and an increased amount along the southern roadway edge to build a separation to the busy traffic. There is a strong axial pathway parallel through the petrol structure for quick connection across the park. The existing sidewalk is extended for a more comfortable human scale along the traffic edge. The separation from the railway is provided by an increase in topography creating southern facing hills. On the western side a flexible open sporting field is provided surrounded by low steps to also act as benches for viewing, along with a triangular sand yard junction with pillars for hammocks or slacklines. The community connection and activation of the public space is within the sunken plaza. There are accessible ramps along all the entrances to the plaza which make clear directional connections to each of the surrounding neighbourhoods. While the main entrance extends from the petrol structure it includes both seated landscaped steps with sporadic Birch Tree plantings and a quick access staircase. The areas that stretch below the railway are extremely wide compared to any others in Ljubljana making the entire sunken area a large public space. Because of the tall edges being sunken 5 meters, vertical colour and art is incorporated to brighten and open up the atmosphere. A few trees are clustered throughout the main area of the plaza but the space is left open for the extension of public programmes and from the building activation that provides the staying activity of the site. A ground level fountain is incorporated which can be invisible when off, again leaving the space flexible for temporary activities. A large ramp of varying degrees and steps on one side provides for an interesting and dynamic entrance to the building and which promotes playfulness around the space. The railway is incorporated through materiality and as a visual cue, while interacting with the proposed building structure. The flexible yet solid public plaza challenges the framework and restrictions of the site while being a bridge to reconnect the surrounding neighbourhoods. It is an alternative solution to incorporating the past industrial focus for a positive public impact. The contrast of an open greenway and the hard edges of the sunken plaza provide a unique atmosphere, proving that a design can reclaim the existing under-utilized resources and make a positive impact to the community. | 76
LEGEND Existing Buildings Proposed Building Volumes
TREE VARIETIES Betula pendula | European Silver Birch Tilia cordata | Little Leaf Linden Ailanthus altissima | Tree of Heaven
Pterocarya fraxinifolia | Caucasian Wingnut Populus nigra| Black Poplar (Columnar)
1:2000m
a a ulic Parmov Kurilniška ulica o Piv
-1.0
var niš ka uli ca
0.0
A B 0.0
-6.5
-3.0 +1.0 0.0
C
-5.0
+1.0
jska
cesta
-1.0
Duna
-1.0
0.0
Existing Sculpture Park
-1.0
Petrol Structure
Sand Yard
Revised Bus Stop
Revised Crossing
Proposed Train Station
-2.0
Revised Bus Stop
Masarykova cesta
Sports Field -3.0 -0.0
lska
ces
ta
Vošnja
kova ul
Tivo
ica
Tivoli Park
Ce lov ška
-2.0
nska Slove
sta
cesta
ce
77 |
AXONOMETRIC | SITE LAYERS | 78
Building Volume
Sunken Plaza | -5m
Greenway Connections | -1m
Railway Relations | 0m
Masterplan
79 |
MATERIALITY The materials throughout the site are key in creating a positive atmosphere among the harsh industrial landscape surrounding it. There are few existing materials that will be kept within the site but of course a major influence is that of the railway and the concrete pieces throughout. The integration and horizontal materiality is concrete slabs with varying shades of light and dark to provide a more dynamic experience. The directionality of this materials draws the visitors through the site and provides the near invisible incorporation of the water fountain, separations for tree growth and extruding benches. The vertical elements provide the unique identity to the sunken space particularly, providing energy and visual interest through colour incorporation. Because many of the edges are between 3-5 meters tall the incorporation of colour and art provides a canvas for visual interest and temporality of changing art. It creates a framework for a more comfortable feeling and escape from the city through art that draws your eyes upwards. The integration of coloured reinforced glass along the railway incorporates this industrial element while separating it enough to make the space comfortable, it makes it a positive element to the public space rather than a negative. Though the materials are of a more industrial atmosphere this is inspired by the surrounding urban fabric. The softness and comforts are provided by the greenery throughout and bright vertical elements. | 80
[19]
EXISTING
PROPOSED | HORIZONTAL
[18]
PROPOSED | VERTICAL
[20]
81 |
| 82
1:300m
A | SECTION
83 |
1:300m
B | SECTION
| 84
1:300m
B | SECTION
85 |
ATMOSPHERIC PERSPECTIVE SUNKEN PLAZA AND GREENWAY CROSS AXIS
| 86
87 |
ATMOSPHERIC PERSPECTIVE GREENWAY CONNECTION
| 88
89 |
|||| ACTIVATION SPREAD OF ACITIVTY TO PUBLIC REALM
| 90
HOUSE OF EXPERIMENTS RELOCATION The programme used to activate and create a staying activity within the sunken public plaza is the relocation of the existing House of Experiments, otherwise often known as an interactive science centre. The current centre location is on the eastern edge of the city centre but is at a critical level of necessary expansion from the small 500 square meters as the popularity and city continues to grow. There is also the need and opportunity of more room for temporary events and exhibitions both interior and exterior. The centre acts as a place of learning and exploration but it requires the space in order to do this successfully. The proposal of this programme brings a new activity to this area of the city, provides the necessary space and reactivates an otherwise little used space. This type of programme is ideal for the large flexible public space in order to bring a new energy. The surrounding communities provide an ideal location for being nearby many residential areas, still within the vicinity of the city centre and in direct relation to the railway and public transport facilities for visitors or commuters. Throughout researching Ljubljana there were various events put on by the House of Experiments and the public realm provides the opportunity to regularly extend the programme activity to the public. It becomes a place of sharing and connectedness for the local public and visitors. The unique connection to the industrial landscape also provides an additional layer to the programme where kids can safely understand the railway system and have a unique perspective on the active trains adjacent to it. The railway interacts and depicts the building design providing a unique exterior view and connection from within. It becomes a positive addition and relation to the building structure and programme. The final proposal is a flexible building design for temporary, permanent and exterior displays and events within the approximately 5000 square meters of usable space. It provides space for classrooms, administrative facilities and large rooms for specified interactive programmes, separated by the building communications. A large roof terrace on the north half of the building provides an interaction with the railway and views to the surrounding landmarks. | 92
93 |
| 94
95 |
BUILDING + RAILWAY INTEGRATION CONCEPTS | 96
97 |
1:1000m
-1 | GROUND FLOOR PLAN | 98
Storage/Admin
Proposed Building Volume (Unprogrammed)
W/C
W/C
Lockers
Classroom 1
Classroom 2
Classroom 3
Ticket Office
99 |
Storage/Admin
1:500m
0 | FLOOR PLAN | 100
W/C
W/C
Storage/Admin
Roof Terrace
1:500m
1 | GROUND FLOOR PLAN 101 |
1:300m
C | SECTION ELEVATION
| 102
1:300m
C | SECTION ELEVATION
103 |
ATMOSPHERIC PERSPECTIVE SUNKEN PLAZA
| 104
105 |
| 106
CONCLUSION In conclusion this proposal addresses the issues of reconnecting the diversity of a city not by creating cohesion but a common space to be utilized and enjoyed. It provides a place of connectedness and a human scale while also relating and working with the impact of large scale urban elements. It takes a place that is a problematic void in a key location within the city of Ljubljana and reclaims it for a public use to draw new energy and activities where there is a great deal of growth in progress. It draws from the existing layers of change throughout the site and city to build an identity unique within the urban fabric. The final design provides a relationship between many contrasting elements rather than the erasure of aspects that are seen as problematic. There is a great deal of potential within the site, and the proposal provides a flexible gateway to unlock these resources and utilize them to create a lively new place for the people.
107 |
| 108
BIBLIOGRAPHY 1| “Cities for People”. Gehl, Jan. 2010 2| “The Open City”. Sennett, Richard. 2006 3| “The Archipelageo City: Piecing Together Collectiveness”. Schrijver, Lara. Koolhaas, Rem and Ungers, Oswald Mathias. 4|5| “Urban Acupuncture: Celebrating Pinpricks of Change that Enrich City Life”. Lerner, Jaime. 2014 6| “A Matter of Things”. Solà-Morales, Manuel de. 7| “Urban Acupuncture”. Casagrande, Marco. <http://thirdgenerationcity.pbworks.com/f/ urban%20acupuncture.pdf> 8| “Ljubljana – Phases of Urban Development”. Aleksander Jakoš. 12| “Jože Plečnik and the Making of a Capital”. Stamp, Gavin. 2000 <www.jstor.org/ stable/29544194> 15| <www.ljubljana.si/en/ljubljana-for-you/transport-in-ljubljana/transport-around-thepedestrian-zone-of-the-old-town/> 16| “Gleisdreieck Park / Atelier LOIDL”. ArchDaily. 2015 <https://www.archdaily. com/592245/gleisdreieck-park-atelier-loidl/> 17| “7 Architects Create 7 New Community Spaces Beneath a Disused Japanese Overpass”. Dobbins, Tom. ArchDaily. 2018<https://www.archdaily.com/894480/5architects-create-5-new-community-spaces-beneath-a-disused-japanese-overpass/> “Urban planning for the strategic spatial development of Ljubljana”. Šašek Divjak, Mojca. < www.jstor.org/stable/24920802> Images: All images taken by Kristen Kuzdub unless otherwise noted 9|10|11|13|14| “Ljubljana skozi stoletja : mesto na načrtih, projektih in v stvarnosti”. Korošec, Branko. 1991. 18| <www.pinterest.ca/pin/423619908692984733/> 19| Bergera, Iñaki. ArchDaily. 2013 <www.archdaily.com.br/96342/escola-infantilmunicipal-de-berriozar-slash-javier-larraz-plus-inigo-beguiristain-plus-inaki-bergera> 20| <www.amazon.com/Banksy-Balloon-decoration-Great-Art/dp/B00Z6O8F3Y> 109 |