THE INSIDE THE RING THE OUTSIDE REDEFINING IDENTITY OF THE RING A10 IN AMSTERDAM
SYNOPSIS MAGDALENA NALEPA / MASTER THESIS SUMMARY / 2017
HUMAN AND THE HIGHWAY In the 20th century, when the use of automobile gained popularity, the new system of the road – the highway - was developed as an answer for the increasing need for the fast movement. Since then, roads have been considered as an infrastructural element in the city, having one, strictly functional purpose – a place to move from A to B. Its evaluation has mostly been done through numbers indicating its capacity and logistics. Even though the size and the physical structure of the highway is disassociated with the human scale, its impact on the citizens and the city life seems to be apparent in many urban developments. Amsterdam is one of the places where this phenomenon occurs. Its ambiguity is present in the way how it is perceived. 1. It is a NON PLACE – there is only inside or outside 2. It is a BORDER between expectedly 2 different sides 3. It serves as a LANDMARK that gives sense of location 4. It is a FORGOTTEN LAND yet its overwhelming presence is felt by everyone The “Rijksweg10” with its 32 km going around the city center became part of the Amsterdammer’s everyday lives and gradually rooted in people minds. The highway Ringroad A10 gained local parlance as “The Ring” and started being used in everyday conversations. When someone wants to know where you live, the question asked is “ Do you live inside or outside the ring?”(dutch: Binnen of Buiten de Ring?). It does not only relate to the physical condition but also has impact on territorial and social sense of identity and the perception of existence of the Ring A10. It shows a specific phenomenon of the relationship between the human and the highway, that became a trigger to dive into the topic of the Ringroad in Amsterdam and its role as part of the city.
2 INTRODUCTION
3 INTRODUCTION
MULTILAYERNESS OF THE RING When analysing the relationship of the Ringroad A10 and the city in multiple scales, it seems that even when serving one purpose, the Ringroad plays many roles in the city. In the national scale it serves as a connector between Amsterdam and other cities (A8 with Zandaam, A5 with Rotterdam, A4 with Schiphol and Schiphol Airport, A1 with Amersfoort and A2 with Utrecht). Furthermore, it is an edge of the city in Amsterdam Noord, it marks the urban development in the west and undoubtedly it is a physical barrier that cuts urban tissue. Furthermore, its multilayered character adds to its ambiguity. The Ring A10 is not just a highway anymore. It becomes a phenomenon in itself, in the city of Amsterdam affecting the city and its citizens in many ways. The aforementioned multilayerness hides potential to be taken into account when discussing the role of the highway and unveils opportunity to redefine the identity of the Ring A10 in the city of Amsterdam.
4 INTRODUCTION
CHALLENGES OF THE GROWING CITY Amsterdam, since its establishment has been expanding rapidly and it still continues to do so. In the process of growing it has been challenged to overcome the barriers that had been previously created and to build new structures to protect the city. First the medieval walls were created, then replaced with the Defense Line of Amsterdam, finally the fortification encircled the city. When the walls stopped serving their purpose, they have been demolished and the city faced a challenge to absorb the newly gained space into the city tissue. Nowadays, the development of the city seems to follow the same pattern although in a new, modern form. The ring A10 can be seen as the 20th century fortification of the city, not necessarily protecting it from the enemies but definitely separating it from the surroundings. Since the urban expansion moved much further outside the Ringroad, there is a big challenge for the City of Amsterdam, to transform the border making it part of the city rather than the barrier.
XIII Century-Dam in the river Amstel
XVII Century - Canal Rings
XVIII Century - City walls
XXI Century - Ringroad A10
5 INTRODUCTION
HIGHWAY AND THE CITY Recently, the interest in the role of the Ring A10 increased and it became a hot topic in the upcoming discussion about the highways and the city. It gained interest of the municipality of Amsterdam considering it as a focus point in the urban development plans of Amsterdam Koers 2025. Moreover, the AMS institute is looking for multidisciplinary innovations affecting the transportation network and the comfort of the users in order to reweave the city with the Ring A10. Finally, architects and urbanists found it challenging to look at the issue from the architectural interventions perspective as well. The BNA in collaboration with TU Delft, invited architects to conduct a research on the highway and the city and to come up with the new concept of that relation. As a result the spectrum of solutions seems to focus on the logistics and profitability of the highway and growth and development of the city. In order to come up with the right place for the highway within the city, the exploration has to include the link between the two - The Human. Since the highways are built for people to move more comfortably from one place to another, we should also ask ourselves - how do they perceive the space of the highway? What is the quality of the time spent there and what the actual experience is about? Moreover, since we are trying to find a solution for the ringroad A10 being place within the city, surrounded by the urban tissue on both sides, I ask myself -How the highway affects them living in the city? How do they experience crossing it/using it/ moving around the city? This implies looking at the stated issue from a socio-cultural point of view and different scales. Only after an extensive research on the relationship between the highway and the citizen we can atempt to ask another question : What can be done in this field to improve the current situation?
6 INTRODUCTION
LOGISTICS
GROWTH
PROFITABILITY
DEVELOPMENT
SPEED
LIVEABILTY
CAPACITY
COMUNICATION
W AY H IG
CIT Y
H
CIT Y
H
W AY H IG
DRIVERS EXPERIENCING UNDERPASSES
CITIZENS MOVING IN THE CITY
H U MA N 7 INTRODUCTION
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CHAPTER II Research
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FOCUS ON THE HUMAN In order explore the relationship between the human and the highway, I decided to make use of the participation both in the research and the design process. Participatory approach not only boosts creativity but also allows avoiding subjectivity of the researcher (later also designer) Since the main aim is to find personal data, it was necessary to arrange meetings with the participants, talk with them about the Ring A10, participate in the research as well. This was done in multiple forms such as interviews, working on the sensitizing books, association clouds but also actual experiencing of the site through sensory walks. Participatory approach has been then continued also in the design in order to make sure, the design proposal truely answers human needs and stimulates perception. The research questions i have asked myself and the participants are: What role does the Ring A10 play in creating perception of the inside and the outside? What are the differences in perception of the area within and outside of the ringroad A10 in Amsterdam West in terms of cognition, identity and sense of place? What are the elements creating identity of the aforementioned places? What is the process of creating identity of a place about?
PARTICIPATION
DESIGN
RESEARCH INTERVIEWS WORKBOOKS MENTAL MAPS SOCIAL MEDIA SENSORY EXPERIENCE
WORKSHOPS DISCUSSIONS BRAINSTORMING MULTIDISCIPLINARY CONSULTS
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THREE SCALES OF RESEARCH The research has been divided in three parts focusing on different kinds of identity and different scales starting from general, more common perception related to experience, cognition and memories (Urban scale), virtual image analyzed in the district scale and ending with very personal, individual experiences including use of senses (Local scale). In order to find an exhaustive answer for the research questions specific research tools tackling different aspect of perception were used. By that the author aimed to look at the way the inhabitants of Amsterdam experience the highway as a whole, as part of the district and as a physical element that they can relate to for instance when crossing everyday going to/from work.
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URBAN SCALE In the urban scale phase of the research, I looked into the way how the citizens of Amsterdam see the city and whether or not the highway plays role in it. The aim was to get to know how often they visit or pass the highway to go to another side and why. How is it affected by the structure of the highway? These part studied the identity of a place understood as memories, feelings and personal experiences combined with the reputation of a place. This part has been done with help of 40 participants – citizens of Amsterdam who either used to live or still live in the city, being from 19 to 75 years old. It was important to find the participants living on both sides of the ring, in order to get a clear perception of the inside and the outside.
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WORKBOOKS The method decided to be used was inspired by the “sensitizing workbooks� used mostly in Industrial design studies to understand the users needs. It allows to gather very personal, qualitative data and to trigger the respondents to think more about the researched issue which led to interesting discussions on the Ring A10. The book consists of various questions to stimulate the participant’s creativity including design exercises, yes/no questions and long answer questions. What was found very important in designing the tasks was that the more improbable or abstract they are, the more it stimulates the participants to think creatively. For instance, the participants had to write a letter to a stranger from another side of the ring, or they were asked to imagine themselves waking up in a random place in Amsterdam, having no idea how they got there and try to figure out where they were. The answers of such abstract questions seemed to give the most interesting results The workbook also included the mental mapping. However unlike Kevin Lynch, the aim was to encourage the participants to express their emotions attached to the sites in order to examine the associative processes registered in the environment.
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task 5
task 6
on which side of the ring could the picture be taken?
if you could move now and had freedom to choose the side to live, which one would you choose and why?
W-within, 0-Outside if both, then cross both letters
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
w/o
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w/o
w/o
w/o
research book on the PERCEPTION OF THE WITHIN AND THE OUTSIDE OF THE RING A10 what is your name? how old are you? Are you a student/ employed/unmployed, or retired what is your field of education or interest? business/architecture/medicine/science/art ...?
do you live within or outside the ring? how long have you been living in amsterdam?
task 1
task 2
choose a symbol that represents your approach to the “within or outside the ring?� issue
write a letter to someone from another side of the ring.
task 7 imagine you are the urbanist and you can design a new plan for the ringzone, locate the functions and main zones on the map
Dear stranger from the within/outside the ring,
outside
ring
within
take into account: work, houses, green areas, sport, commerce culture, meeting points, entertainment, relax and symbols use the prepared stickers
best regards, leave a comment
task task 33
task 4
task 8
imagine you wake up in the random place in amsterdam and you have no idea how you got there. How do you know/find out on which side you are?
which associations do you have with the ring itself? please choose top 5 putting numbers next to the key word you can add your words too
do you use the highway?
waste public space
future of the city
fun
no never
few times a month
few times a year
do you see necessity in connecting the sides?
party
yes
pollution
no
what is missing on your side that you can find on the other? culture/ entertainemt
sport facilities
other?
...........................................
what is the quality of your side, that the other side does not have?
ART
what is the quality of the other side, that your side does not have?
danger
murder
few times a week
every day
green spaces
future
opportunity
energy
connection
frame
street
yes sometimes
how often do you go to the other side of the ring?
division park
producing energy
yes often
safety
BORDER
destination positive
imagine there is no ringroad, what would be there instead?
car free sunday
Fig.20 Workbook design 15 RESEARCH PHASE
thank you for your help
COGNITIVE MAPPING This well-known method of cognitive research was proposed first by Kevin Lynch in his book “Image of the City”. Even though it provides useful and otherwise overlooked data, nowadays it is rarely used in the architectural studies. In the research the respondents were asked to mark the points that were important for them, draw lines of their way of going through the area and mark the zones of specific memory or feelings. This task also created opportunity to discuss what was drawn and what was not and the reasons behind it. To analyse the collected data, all the maps were combined and generalized in order to create one common cognitive image. The ring A10 was drawn mostly as a reference line, there was no specific association or feeling linked to it. However, the way how people perceive the zones changes a lot on the edge of the highway. Generally concluding, people know more about “the inside” and had more positive emotions attached to it. The outside was rather described as a “ do not know, do not want to know” area. Most of the respondents had more to say about the inside, showing the places they often go to such as friend’s houses, cafes or bars. There were more memories linked to the inner part of the ring. The collective image shows very clear differences of the two sides. However, it is not caused by the ring itself but rather by the distance from the city centre and the way how the city developed. The new initiatives were pointed out in the close proximity of the ring but the ring has been left without any coments
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ENVISIONING THE NEW RINGZONE The participants were also asked to play a role of the urbanists of Amsterdam and imagine a new scenario for the ringroad and its surroundings. This was done by sticking the prepared symbols of the zones in the city ( housing, culture, entertainment, office, commercial zones, green spaces) on the schematic map. In most of the designs the space of the Ringroad A10 was preserved. That implies that it is deeply rooted in people’s perception of the city and the linearity of it might be a characteristic creating its identity in the city. The designs can be divided in three main concepts. 1. In strategy one, the ring has been transformed into a boulevard, keeping function of the road and the general zoning of the city as it is perceived now keeping the identity of the sides. High culture was located in the centre and low culture and relax-related functions were placed on the outside. 2. Most often strategy included preserving the shape of the ring but transforming it into a place to be used by both sides. It could be seen as a meeting place where all the culture related and sport related activities take place which would redefine the identity of the place in the context of the city. 3. The third concept presents the city with no border, and no sides. Everything is chaotically mixed together and the urban plan shows a gradient from the urban to the rural environment.
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DISTRICT SCALE The second phase of the research has been done with the focus on the sense of identity of the districts next to the ring presented online. This was done by analysing the representation of the specific neighbourhoods and the ring itself in the pictures posted on photo-sharing websites such as Instagram and flickr. The reason to analyse them is that nowadays the virtual identity of a place gives a powerful image of it in the real world, having impact on the way how people perceive it, creating reputation and general cognition of it. The analysis also focuses on the qualities of the spaces trying to find similarities and differences between the sides of the Ringroad A10 and the space of the Ringroad itself.
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# HASHTAGS ANALYSIS One of the parts investigated the use of hashtags “ Buiten de ring” “ Binnendering” and “ RingA10” analysing the amount of them, the character of the pictures and the identity depicted by the images posted on Instagram #Buitendering #Binnendering #RingA10 There were 160 posts found on Instagram that used the #Buitendering. That implies that there is a strong identity with the place. The pictures mostly show green areas, people having fun and picturesque landscapes. The amount of posts and the character of the pictures implies that there is a certain need to present or manifest the outside as an important zone of Amsterdam. The hashtag #Binnendering has been used only 24 times and depicted a variety of different elements with no specific character. This might imply that people do not feel the need in manifesting the fact that the picture was taken within the ring. It might be related to the fact that for many people Amsterdam is what happens inside and then they use #Amsterdam. If it comes to the hashtags #RingA10, there have been 96 posts shared on Instagram. An interesting thing is that even though there is also a RingA10 in Berlin, all the hashtags depict Amsterdam Ringroad. That shows potential in the ring as becoming a place to be. The pictures show people having fun while driving creating a relatively positive or neutral image. It shows long perspectives with natural landscape or modern architecture behind the noise barriers
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PICTURE ANALYSIS The images have been analysed in terms of architecture style, character of nature, people’s activities and the overall atmosphere. The pictures from the outside depict more sport activities and open spaces on the contrary to the pictures from the inside presenting mostly busy streets and city life. They also show modernist and modern architecture as well as the construction sites. On the other hand the architecture presented in the pictures from the inside shows mostly Amsterdam School style along with brick buildings. Outside the ring, the majority of the pictures has been taken outdoors, unlike the pictures from the “within the ring” which mostly show interiors of the buildings and indoor events. A very clear difference can be also noticed in the way of presenting human activities. Outside the ring, the images show people doing sports and spending time outdoors enjoying the natural environment and the photos from the within the ring present people partying or meeting friends inside the buildings. If it comes to the way of depicting the Ringroad A10, it is not part of and it does not play any significant role in creating identity of the analysed districts. The only exception was seen in the pictures of the Bos en Lommer district where the ring actually goes through cutting the urban fabric which literally touches the highway. In the way how the Ringroad A10 is depicted it can be concluded that the ring A10 does not show any specific identity that would be different than any other highway.
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LOCAL SCALE The last part of the research focused on the physical perception - the sensorial experience of the space that includes sense of smelling, hearing touching and seeing. This experimental part of the research focuses on the temporality of experiences trying to find permanent role of the ring in perception of the sides. This was done during the field excursion when the participants were asked to pass under the highway in three locations, different in terms of their typology and function - Wiltzanghlaan, Leeuwendalersweg and Erasmusgracht. The participants were divided into groups of two. Their task was to walk slowly from one side to another, crossing the highway using underpasses, writing down on the map what they experienced.
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SENSE OF SMELL
Starting with the sense of smell, the experiences were similar on both sides and on each of the locations. The smells on the sides included leaves, food being cooked and gasoline. The sides did not differ much. They fragrances were considered as neutral and not distracting. The underpass was mostly described as “no smell” or “the smell of moisture”. All in all, the sense of smell was hard to investigate because of the low temperature of the air which made it harder to smell fragrances.
SENSE OF HEARING
The next experience taken into consideration studied the sense of hearing. Within the ring, more activities have been heard as if there were more people actively doing things. On the outside it has been only recorded people passing by. Moreover, there has been a very clear gradient from the natural sounds of the city to the overwhelming noise of the highway on the both edges of the underpasses. In the underpasses it suddenly became quiet and the participants did not hear much. The suddenness of the experience was surprising for the participants and evaluated as relatively relaxing. They could hear neutral, sounds from the above and rhythmical movement of the cars passing by above their heads. When they reach the other edge of the underpass, it became very noisy again which was associated with negative feelings and insecurity.
SENSE OF TOUCH
In the research of the sense of touch the main findings regard the materiality of the environment. Inside the ring it seemed to be less homogenous. The materials changed often from soft and natural such as wood and bricks to rough and cold like concrete and glass. The underpasses have been described as raw and harsh in its texture, with mainly concrete and metal used for the structure and detail work. On the outside it seemed to be more consistent. The facades of the buildings were mostly brick or natural stone.
SENSE OF SIGHT
Findings about the sense of sight showed mostly similarities between the sides in architecture style, materiality and scale. There have been few exceptions found within the ring, where the human scale was lost, especially next to the ring, where the new middle rise buildings had been constructed. The ring itself was perceived as a dark monotonous space. That emphasizes the sensorial experiences at the edges where you get the “light in the tunnel” feeling.
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CONCLUSIONS The way whether or not and how the ring is perceived changes in scales and ways of perception. It does not gain much attention in the general discussion about the city and serves only as a reference line on the map with no dimension. It disappears surrounded by two considered as different sides. The ringroad is also regarded as noone’s, being left in between “the within” and “the outside” lacking specific identity. In the theoretical discourses on the identity of the Ringroad, it might be crucial to focus on all three scales of cognition in order to redefine the image of the RingA10 and recreate it as a place to be. Moreover, from the gathered set of elements of identity, it would be necessary to focus on the most common ones such as form, shape and spatial arrangement which have impact on the visual cognition of the site.
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OUTSIDE THE RING Undiscovered Land Lacking character Open space
URBAN SCALE
INSIDE THE RING Inside Amsterdam Historical buildings Dense
RING A10 reference line no emotions attached
OUTSIDE THE RING Relax and sport Open air activities Nature
DISTRICT SCALE
INSIDE THE RING Entertainment and Culture Inside the buildings activities City life
RING A10 road artistic character of underpasses OUTSIDE THE RING similar to the other side
LOCAL SCALE
RING A10 nothingness strenghtening the experiences of the sides
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INSIDE THE RING similar to the other side
32 PROJECT PROPOSAL
CHAPTER III Project proposal
33 PROJECT PROPOSAL
PROBLEM STATEMENT
THE GOOD, THE BAD (AND THE UGLY)
The research conclusions set a clear image of the current situation in Amsterdam. The city consists of two zones - The “Inside” which is considered as “the good” and the “Outside” (“The bad”) with the space in between that is not considered as part of the city but has strong impact on it. The outside is characterised as dense while the cty within the ring is open. The outside is described as ugly and boring, at the same time the within the ring is nice and full of entertainment. This led to a problem statement that the way how the within and the outside is perceived, puts them in conflict which is strengthened by the physical barrier of the Ring10. In such case, i posed myself a question How to deal with contradictions of Amsterdam? What role should “The Ugly” Ringroad A10 play in the discussion? 1. The differences between the sides come from many different sources, including political decisions, social diversity, urban growth of the city, economic changes and the history of Amsterdam. They cannot be reversed nor changed by the architect. The attempt to do so is unrealistic and utopian. 2. Contradictions need each other in order to coexist. Trying to blur the differences between the sides would create a grey zone and contribute to killing identity of the sides. 3. Taking into account the spatial potential of the Ring A10, I propose redefining the baundry as a field in itself. Its mental connection with the citizens unveils possibilities to become an urban place of its own. 4. This is an opportunity to reconsider the city division: from a two side city to a three zone city of multiple identities. Striving for uniqueness and redefining the identity of the Ring A10 will contribute to the changing perception of the whole City of Amsterdam.
34 PROJECT PROPOSAL
35 PROJECT PROPOSAL
PROJECT PROPOSAL
REDEFINING THE IDENTITY OF THE RING A10
The project aims to recreate the identity of the Ring A10 by shifting the general perception and boost the creation of mental identity with the space of the ring. I propose a placemaking project of the Ringroad, transforming from a space to a place to be, this “non-place” bcomes a multiplace of different activities. The Ring A10 would serve as a separator rather than connector of the two sides, creating relations between the sides rather that stitching them together. This would contribute to the new image of the city. From the yes/no question about the sides to a multiple answer question where each answer is correct. The Ring A10 is not anymore a leftover space in between the within and the outside, but i want to create a third equal zone in the city of Amsterdam which affirms its presence. So that it would add to the expression Within the ring, in the ring or outside the ring?
NO-GO ZONE
YES-NO
ONE PURPOSE
SPACE
VIBRANT ZONE
ALL ANSWERS CORRECT
MULTIPURPOSE
PLACE
36 PROJECT PROPOSAL
37 PROJECT PROPOSAL
INTERVENTION APPLIED IN THREE SCALES
Y WA
CI
TY
HIG H
In order to recreate the identity of the Ringroad A10 as an equal part of the city, it is essential to keep in mind the three-circle Venn Diagram and try to find a common ground for the infrastructure, the city and the human. Aiming to find the real link between them, the design should make use of the existing research on the possible technological developments of the infrastructure and simultaneously keep focus on the phenomenology of the built environment in relation to the human. Since the image created in three scales of the research differed, it seems crucial to focus on all three scales in the design as well. Redefining the identity of the ring in the scale of the city, the district scale and the local scale ( which is the actual architectural design)
GROWTH DEVELOPMENT
PROFITABILITY TECHNOLOGY
ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE
HUMAN
38 PROJECT PROPOSAL
IDENTITY OF THE RING A10 - URBAN SCALE To start the tranformation of the mental image of the ring A10, the existing research on the highway has to be taken into aacount. The project proposes three steps of intervention concerning the highway itself. 1. Research shows that the driving speed of 70km/h provide the optimal transport network with efficient movement of traffic and minimal traffic congestion problems. 2. Introducing the automated public transport on the ring A10 would decrease the amount of cars on the road and it might lower the car ownership in the surrounding area. Both the availability of the railway network and its high accessibility are the features which the ring A10 has potential to provide. The research done by Technical University in Copenhagen also suggests an increase in the interest for living in the areas close to the public transport network that in the long terms affects the demographic composition of the neighbourhoods. 3. One of the existing scenarios of developing the Ring A10 proposes redirecting the national transport to the Ring A5 (that has room to expand) leaving the Ring A10 for the local transport, transforming it into a city road.
3,1 1,5
3,1
2,8
4,5
15
15 4
3,6
3,6
3,6
3,6
3,6
3,6
3,6
3,6
2,8
4
3,1 1,5
3,1
4,5
45 15
15
42
3,6
3,6
3,6
3,1
2,8
15 4,5
1,5 3,1
3,1
2,8
15
45
3,6
3,6
1,5 3,1
15
45
4
4,5
15
3,6
3,6
3,6
4
2,8
3,1
42
3,1
1,5
4,5
15
45
2,8
3,1
3,1 15
4,5
15
1,5
4,5
1545
39
PROJECT PROPOSAL
3,1
3,1
2,8
15 4,5
15 45
EXISTING LANE DIVISION
1,5
15
PROPOSED LANE DIVISION
1,5
3,1 15
3,1
2,8
By downgrading the traffic in three steps, the Ring A10 would be transformed into city road, given back to the citizens. This gives opportunity to reconsider the lanes division and its size. Keeping the initial dimension of 45meter width of the Ring, the project proposes dividing it into 3 parts, two roads with 2 lanes each with the designated automated public transport track on each side. This solution gives 15 meters space in between the two parts of the flyover which would become a green Ring of the city, a public park used by both sides which would be entered from the ground level and from every station of the automated fast city tram going around the city center. In ths way the identity of the ring could be transformed from a barrier into a place to be, a linear sequence of events that orders the spaces into a single identity. It would start the process of reconceptualization of the space of mobillity in Amsterdam.
40 PROJECT PROPOSAL
41 PROJECT PROPOSAL
IDENTITY OF THE RING A10 - DISTRICT SCALE The strategy for redefining the identity of the ring A10 in the districts scale focuses on the public transport stations. They serve as the gates to the new zone in the city. The zone of the Ring A10. They should also be seen as tactically planned “injections of modular urban interventions� The stations would be planned according to the current urban dymanics to revitalize the neighbourhoods but they would also provide an opportunity to create new vibrant areas attractive for people living on both sides. The Ring A10 becomes a public interior by itself, a place Amsterdammers meet at and talk about.
42 PROJECT PROPOSAL
EXISTING BUILDINGS AND URBAN INTERIORS
PROPOSED STATIONS AND NEW PROJECTS EXPO CENTER
SLOTERDIJK MULTATULIWEG STADIUM WOW AMSTERDAM
MARKET
BOS EN LOMMER PLEIN KLIMHAL
SPORTS ARENA
DE SCHOOL
EVENTS HALL
KUNSTWERK RING A10
DE APPEL ARTS CENTER UNIVERSAL PICTURES INTERNATIONAL
EXHIBITION HALL
WORLD FASHION CENTER DELFTLANPLEIN
COMMUNITY CENTER
SOCIAL SERVICE
43 PROJECT PROPOSAL
IDENTITY OF THE RING A10 - LOCAL SCALE Redefining the indentity of the Ring A10 in the local scale requires looking deep in the perception of people. The research results show that the space of the ring was somehow one-dimensional. Its quietness and senselessness makes the experience overwhelming and unpleasant. In order to change it it is essential to stimulate the experience of the user by providing factors that people can relate to - the events that people can experience. The stimuli understood as building forms where people meet and spend time. Redefinition of the identity of the Ring A10 in the local scale is about transforming it into a three-dimensional space with its unique character that affirms its presence. It is about creating a landmark that merges the urban renovation and placemaking through architecture.
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CHAPTER IV Design proposal
45 DESIGN PROPOSAL
LOCATION OF THE INTERVENTION The design intervention is proposed in the central location of the Ring A10 West, next to the Rebrandt Park for multiple reasons. 1. This is the place from which the Ring A10 has started being built. It seems that the transformation of the ring should also begin in its source. It can be seen as a kickstart project, followed by the series of other interventions around the ring in the future. 2. The location shows spatial potential with the consistent highway typology. It is placed on the dyke keeping the same height of 5 meters for 800 meters between two crossroads. 3. Looking at the socio-functional situation in the area, it becomes clear that the urban renovation is needed. An urban injection that will bring life and activities to both the forgotten Rembrandt Park and the neighbourhood outside the Ring. 4. With the Rembrandt Park considered as the foreground of the intervention, the designed building reveals potential to become an iconic element of Amsterdam West cityscape.
46 DESIGN PROPOSAL
47 DESIGN PROPOSAL
THEORY REDEFINING THE IDENTITY OF THE RING The research results show that the identity on architecture consists of two collections of elements. Tangible group relates to the actual built environment such as shape and form, spatial arrangement so everything that can be visually perceived. The other group consists of intangible aspects that concerns memory, experience and the notion of phenomenology in architecture. The research conclusions confirmed that the identity of the sides was recognised mostly by their visual characteristics related to the architectural aspects. This is why the physical qualities gained special focus in the design process and were emphasized in the design proposal. The new definitions of Identity was established as a guideline for the design process.
Identity -A sum of specific material components and features which promote the unique non-material character of a place (distinguishable from the environment).
IDENTITY IN ARCHITECTURE
TANGIBLE
INTANGIBLE
SHAPE&FORM
MEMORY
SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT
EXPERIENCE
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
ACTIVITIES
VISUAL PERCEPTION
PHENOMENOLOGY
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WORKSHOPS ON IDENTITY In order to redifine the identity of the Ringroad A10 is to recognize its exclusive character, a feature of the environment that does not change with the time. From the distinguished attributes the notion of street was chosen to be then generalized into speed, traffic and transport. Then in the process of metaphorization the the words were transformed into the ideas, carefully chosen to provide as big creative potential as possibe. This served as a starting point of the workshops on symbolic representations of ideas. During the workshop session, participants were asked to translate the chosen notions into visuals using typical architectural drawings such as plans sections and elevation drawings. Inviting people in the design process was necessary to avoid subjectivity of one mind of the designer. This also let me understand how people imagine the RingA10, what is the visual interpretation od the associations with that space and what the new identity of the RingA10 should be about. This resulted in 150 drawings, 150 individual interpretations of concepts that were combined and analyzed in order to find a common bedrock for the new identity of the Ring A10. The process was time consuming because it required looking at each proposal individually simultaneously trying to find a common pattern in all the drawings. This excercise occured to be a turning point in the design process. It led to forming a specific design strategy. It consists of 4 points that gave directions to any further design decisions. The 4 design principles emphasizing 4 features of the new identity of the RingA10. Since they have been formed by people in the participatory process, hence the features will be easily recognizable by the future users. By that I made sure that the new identity of the RingA10 has already been planted in people minds. They have translated into a masterplan and then emphasized in the design layers.
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DESIGN PRINCIPLES The Kunstwerk is arranged according to the four design principles mentioned before. Each of them finds its physical representation in a particular layer of the design. The four components relate to ubiquitous motion, internal character of the building, linearity of the park and the shouting dominant of the floating gallery. Even though each component emphasizes one quality, the design principles are interrelated and can be seen throughout the whole design.
METAPHOR OF MOTION
INTERNAL CHARACTER
Static form that changes its appearace Allowing different types of motions to appear. The motion is ubiquitous
Focusing on the “In the ring” Distinguishing it from the surroundings. Making clear borders with their own qualities.
PERCEPTION OF SPACE
SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT
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LINEARITY CONTINUITY
SHOUTING DOMINANT
Providing a continuous flow within the design. Sequence of experiences
A place of surprise Imposing rather than dissolving
VISUAL PERCEPTION
FORM & SHAPE
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KUNSTWERK RING A10 The design should serve one main purpose, it should invite people to experience the RingA10 as a place to be. It should become a third place for people living on both sides of the ring. A place where you can meet old friends and make new friendships. Second of all, instead of imposing a strange, unfamiliar association, the programme should play with the function of the road creating new mental connections with the RingA10. It attempts to stimulate the users to perceive the Ring A10 as a place to be. Considering the significance of Art in the social and cultural discourse, the choice of the programme - Art Center seem to fulfill all the previously posed requirements. It is commonly agreed, that the process of creating art connects people of any age, status or origin. This will maximize the potential of the space of the Ring A10 by stimulating users cognition. It is a place to explore the nature of perception, develop sense of beauty, learn to look out of the box and notice what has never been noticed before - The Ring A10 as a place to be. In dutch “Kunstwerk” has two meanings: Civil work (Civiel Kunstwerk - Bouwkundig)(e.g. bridges, infrastructure) and Work of Art. The play of meanings serves as a starting point in the discussion on the new identity of the Ring A10. These two expressions contrasting at first, may create a relationship highly stimulating the perception of the new zone - The Ring A10. The Art Center Kunstwerk built within the infrastructure is a house where civil work meets art. Those two coexist in a perfect symbiosis benefitting from each other’s qualities creating a dynamic environment. The play of contrasts - hardness and solidity of the infrastructure and lightness and ambiguity of art strengthens the cognition and creates new clouds of associations.
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KUNSTWERK
CIVIL WORK
WORK OF ART
A HOUSE WHERE CIVIL WORK MEETS ART SPACE OF CONTRASTS A 3RD PLACE
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CONTINUOUS PERCEPTION OF MOTION
The main arrangement has been done to provide a continuous perception of different types of motion and movement in different perspectives. In the central location you can see the cars passing by under through the glass floor. Looking to the sides you see bicyclists and people walking in the green park. When you look up you see people on the platform waiting for the tram, driving cars and trams arriving, stopping for a minute and departing. The layers of motion intermingle, letting people experience ubiquitous dynamism while standing still. This can be experienced on all three levels of the building.
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INTERNAL CHARACTER
INTERNAL CHA
MULTIFUNCTIONALITY OF
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ARACTER
F THE FACADE
The building aims to create an internal character both by closing off from the sides and opening up to the middle part. The functional rooms are put on the sides aligned with the edge of the ringroad making it clear where the new zone starts. The facade reveals its internal character also in its multiple functionality. The west facade facing the backyards of the existing buildings (outside the ring) is more closed. It is formed of two meters wide panels and one meter wide windows. The facade becomes part of the interior being used for instance as a bench, a table or as a shelf.
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INTERNAL CHARACTER
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The east facade facing the Rembrandt Park clearly marks the edge of the ring by the sequence of one meter wide facade panels that can be used from the outside. They serve as the benches, plant pots or podiums or they accomodate the services. This creates a rythm of two meters glass facade and one meter wide concrete panels. By making the facade multifunctional it invites people to approach the Ringroad, make use of it enjoying the view towards the greenery of the Rembrands Park.
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LINEARITY & CONTINUITY
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The linearity of the design is reflected on the green line - the city park crossing the building, linking the tram stations and other future interventions in the Ring. The greenery becomes a public interior of the Ring A10. The long concrete stripes go along with the lines of low greenery, high bushes, plants and trees. In the central part of the park there is a water feature working as a gutter collecting rain water from the park storing it in the underground storage prepared for the rain overload. The green line is divided into more natural zones with higher trees and extended surfaces of greenery. In other parts it serves more as a meeting place for teenagers and a playground for children. Somewhere else, it becomes a city farm where locals can grow their own vegetables.. The Green Ringpark runs around the city, being a 32 km long green corridor easily accessible for the people living on both sides.
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SHOUTING DOMINANT
The final component of the design acts as a statue on the podium of the Ringroad. The form that proudly shows its dominance over the surroundings. It is a statement of the Kunstwerk Ring A10 which is a Kunstwerk itself where all four design principles are combined in order to create a landmark affirming its presence during the day and the night. The notion of movement has been reflected both on the programmatic arrangement of the interiors and the interior design itself. The exhibition space (a space of movement) is divided in two by the reflection zone to play with the flow dynamics inside the building. The lines of the exhibition spaces are long and relatively narrow, empasizing the linearity. It is also strengthen by the glass floor through which you experience the movement of the cars underneath. The infrastructure becomes part of the exhibition and the art becomes part of the infrastructure.
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SHOUTING DOMINANT
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BUILDING PERFORMANCE Summer
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