VI - Architectural Proposal

PROJECT INTENTIONS

The project addresses several key intentions oriented around the concepts of Leisure, Play, Water and Commons.

[Local] The genius loci of the space but also the Lefebvrian notion of Right to the City asks us to direct a proposal which solve local issues before wider scales. The creation of a network of people which inhabits or uses the spaces nearby and involve them in the creation and appropriation of this nearby space is one of the intentions of the proposal.

[Commons] In this intent, the creation of a community, does imply creating a space of expression for this same community. This space is not only material, but material architecture does make room for a immaterial production of protocols and interactions. The spatial presence of a community on the Plaza does allow a permeability between the commoners and the Notyet commoners.

[Play] As explained in the theoretical framework, the role of Play, as a transformative and crucial role in the development of children, should be architectured and thought about in contemporary cities. The proposal will inscribe and architecture transitional spaces which allow (free) Play as Van Eyck intended to do in the 50’s.

[Water - Play] Water, as a play element will be used to create this material interaction necessary to Play.The abstract and fluid characteristics of water makes it an ideal medium to conceptualise and allow imaginative interactions invoking Play behaviours. This will be represented on the architectural scale of the project by fountains and it’s derived water mirror but also with smaller elements such as showers and waterfall architectonic details.

[Water - Refreshment] Water does not only implies Play behaviours but also refreshment characteristics. Its physical properties, involve with its evaporation, the refreshment of the nearby environment. For this reason, the fountain will cool the surrounding environs creating a micro-climate of around 4°C lower. A surrounding space, named Urban beach - as used by G. Brunfaut in his 1934 Pool Masterplan - will create a leisure, beach vibe allowing people to tan and enjoy this cooling effect. The cooling effect could be enhanced if the person gets wet. The proximity of a reasonable size water component does have several gradients of cooling processes allowing multiple usages.

[Water - Circularity] The way water is used nowadays, and most of the time in excess - due to its low price - should be reconsidered. The fact that rainwater is dumped directly in the sewage system - as a waste - should also be changed. This is why, one of the element of the project imagines a rainwater collection system which makes water available to further uses. This infrastructure is made visible - in connection with Berlin water system - to raise awareness and visibility of water consumption in urban settings. It’s main objective is to educate people for a better more responsible use of this precious resource.

SITE

Axonometric of the site (From a base drawing of M.Levy & A. Siraut)