Contents Page
List of Figures and Illustrations
2
Introduction
3
Chapter 1
The transformation and growth of cities
5
2
Sustainable Aspects
10
Density and growth
12
Adaptive environment
12
Regeneration and Diversity
13
3
Case Studies
15
4
The future of the city
20
Conclusion
22
Bibliography
23
List of Illustrations
Figure 1
Hong Kong's rooftop slums
Page
Wu, R & Canham S (2009). Portraits from Above:
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Hong Kong’s Informal Rooftop Communities. London: Art Data.
Figure 2
Skyroom, London
http://www.davidkohn.co.uk/projects/selected/skyroom/
4
Figure 3
Population Density 2010
Burdett, R and Sudjic, D (2011). Living in the Endless City.
5
Figure 4
1925 Paris Plan
http://morrischia.com/david/portfolio/boozy/research/radiant_20city.html
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Figure 5
Pruitt-Igoe Housing
http://www.pruitt-igoe.com/urban-history/
8
Figure 6
Tower blocks in Hong Kong
http://archidialog.com/2010/10/10/
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Figure 7
Active streets in Dharavi
http://thisbigcity.net/active-streets-in-indias-dharavi-slum/
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Figure 8
Dharavi
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8R4LNN2EUCQ/S1w8rmwxhgI/
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Figure 9
Street life in Marais
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/mar/18/paris-grand-plans-
London: Phaidon Press Ltd.
architecture-redesign
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Figure 10
MVDRV Didden Village
MVRDV. (2010). Didden Village. A + U. 475 (4).
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Figure 11
Hundertwassers Apartments
http://www.visitalltheworld.com/blog/archives/tag/hundertwasser-house-vienna
12
Figure 12
The Highline New York
Corner, J Field Operations and Scofidio, D and Renfro. (2010).
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The High Line New York.A+U.476 (5)
Figure 13
Small building in a suburb of Cologne
Figure 14
Parasite
http://www.coop-himmelblau.at/architecture/projects/rooftop-remodeling-falkestrasse/
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Figure 15
Conceptual sketch
http://www.coop-himmelblau.at/architecture/projects/rooftop-remodeling-falkestrasse/
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Figure 16
Contrasting Roofs
http://www.herzogdemeuron.com/index/projects/complete-works/176-200/
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http://www.manuelherz.com/legal-illegal-cologne
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200-museum-der-kulturen/
Figure 17
A new identity
http://www.herzogdemeuron.com/index/projects/complete-works/176-200/
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200-museum-der-kulturen/
Figure 18
Caixa Forum
Figure 19
Sitting on roof
Figure 20
Transporting Loftcube
Figure 21
Craned onto rooftop
Figure 22
Night view
Figure 23
DVF penthouse
http://www.herzogdemeuron.com/index/projects/complete-works/201-225/ 201-caixaforum-madrid/ Broto, E (2009). Minimum Dwelling Spaces. Spain: Links International.
19 20
http://www.loftcube.net
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http://www.davoine.net
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http://www.davoine.net
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http://work.ac/diane-von-furstenberg-studio-headquarters/?tag=architecture
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2
Introduction Today we are living in an urban age, our cities are becoming denser and ground space within cities is scarce and expensive. Population is growing, and with it, intelligent, creative architecture must be considered to support the growth of our cities and its people. Land can only be allocated once. If our rural natural landscapes are to be cherished, and not eaten up by sprawl, urban growth must be within the cities themselves. I am interested in the unoccupied, undeveloped space that exists in abundance within sprawling cities all over the world.
In European and North American cities, rooftop architecture is perceived as something exclusive or unusual – penthouses for the rich or experimental once off small projects whereas in poorer cities in Asia, Africa and South America, building on the roof is considered normal, and essential for the poor to survive in overcrowded cities. The poorest people construct hidden urban villages on top of the roofs in order to be close to the economic activity, the roof plane provides a space for homes, shops, small businesses, snack bars and even miniature farms. Canadian architect Rufina Wu and Hamburg photographer Stefan Canham have revealed a world of rooftop slums in Hong Kong in their book ‘Portraits from Above’ after recording their findings there over a period of months, the images are both devastating and intriguing. (Wu, & Canham, 2009, p101)
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Cities like Hong Kong and Phnom Penh, constantly scrounging for space, have had them for decades: Rooftop slums, illegal settlements on top of regular residential or abandoned buildings.
Fig 1
Fig 2
Hong Kong's rooftop slums
Skyroom, London
Rooftop architecture is the antithesis of urban sprawl, as it vertically stacks a variety of functions, materials and periods of time, enriching and adding fresh layers to streets whilst preserving the existing building it sits on. It is as practical as it is delightful. The space upon a roof is sacred ground in our dense metropolis, raised above the noise and smells, offering unlimited daylight, fresh air and captivating views across mans greatest creation – the city. As well as making clever use of disused space, rooftop architecture offers opportunity in the character building of streets and districts. ‘We are convinced that, in terms of both architecture and urban development, it is an interesting way of enriching urban environments and intensifying the use of the city’ (Melet & Vreedenburgh, 2005, p11)
Throughout my essay some very interesting, innovative examples of contemporary rooftop construction will be discussed, along with the sustainable aspects offered by building on the roof and the future potential of rooftop architecture. Taking a closer look at urban life and these particular projects on previously unused rooftops reveals an aspect of architecture and urban design that is rational, sustainable and intelligent.
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Chapter One – The transformation and growth of cities
‘Men come to cities in order to live; they remain in cities in order to live the good life’ Aristotle Since the beginning of civilization, humans have been attracted to the city as an environment to inhabit due to the tremendous opportunities for community, employment, excitement, culture, education and interest that it offers to us in abundance.
“Cities are our greatest creation. They embody our ability to imagine how the world might be and to realise those dreams in brick, steel, concrete and glass” (Smith, 2012, xi)
Fig 3 Population Density 2015
Today we are undeniably living in the ‘Urban Age’ and in the last 200 years, our population has exploded. Whilst only 2% of the earth’s surface is occupied by cities, 53% of the world’s population - over half of the seven billion people on earth – lives in them, and ‘the growth if cities is currently unstoppable’. The unbalanced distribution of dwellers across the world is revealed in Fig 3, which highlights where the highest population densities will live in 2015. City Dwellers get jobs, produce and earn more, have better access to education and health, cultural amenities, and become part of a networked global society. What they also do is
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consume and pollute more, and in regard to developing countries, are exposed to extreme floods, violence, disease and wars, and many live without rights to land, shelter or votes. Globalisation has established huge wealth worldwide, but this wealth is extremely unbalanced in distribution, and our cities reveal this as the poorest and the richest people live in remarkably close proximity. ‘33% of city dwellers live in slums’ Today the design of our cities is under scrutiny, as our urban environments have to deal with issues such as climate change and overpopulation. But it is not the first time that urban design has attracted global attention. (Burdett & Rode, 2011, p8-43.)
In Europe and North America in the late 19th and early 20th century, social reformers had similar concerns. The Industrial Revolution left cities swamped by new migrants in search of jobs and opportunities. Vast amounts of people moved into towns and cities in a short space of time resulting in a crisis of overcrowding, pollution, crime and hunger. Disease was widespread due to a chronic lack of hygiene and sewage coming into contact with drinking water. Life expectancy in Manchester was as low as 22 years.
fig 4 1925 Paris Plan
Le Corbusier envisioned a utopian solution to cleanse and restore urban slums in Europe, by lifting the city’s urban masses – who he saw as living in chaos and squalor – off the street and into the sky, in fifty-meter high densely packed residential units. However the reality of these visions meant entire existing districts and communities in traditional city cores were ripped apart, road widening schemes and large-scale blocks replaced the fine grain of city streets and the car was given priority in the city over the pedestrian. This extreme large-scale master planning which attempted to imprint order and organization upon the city with strict zoning separated the functions of daily life. (Lemes, 2013) These modernist planning ideals were highly influential for decades in the design of public housing projects, fig 6 illustrates this, however some became undeniably associated with
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social alienation and crime, such as the famous Pruitt-Igoe housing project, fig 5, in St. Louis that was demolished just 18 years after it was built.
fig 5 Pruitt-Igoe Housing
fig 6 Tower blocks in Hong Kong
Today, we need to look at a more organic, adaptable, responsive methods of developing our cities so that culture and communities are cherished.
Mumbai has become the prime example to understanding the complexity of the emerging global city. With a population of approximately 15 million, it is India’s biggest, fastest, richest metropolis. “The exhaust fumes are so thick the air boils like a soup”
55% of its dwellers live in slums, most of whom are migrants from rural India, who have left brick houses in the village with its two mango trees and its view of small hills in the east, so that their offspring has a chance of progressing a livelihood in the city and maybe one day work in Europe or America.
“Like ant colonies, people here will easily sacrifice their temporary pleasures for the greater progress of the family”
fig 7 Active streets in Dharavi
fig 8 Dharavi
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Within the slums of Mumbai, and many slums around the globe there is a very strong sense of humanity which could be considered as a lesson in social and economic aspects of urban planning around the world. Slum dwellers of Mumbai do not use the word slum, they have a different word for it; “basti” which means community. A “basti” exists in basic communal spaces – in lines to the toilet and at the water tap or in front of the hundreds of little shops servicing every human need. The basti is a strong, self-built unit, created by the people, for the people. (Mehta, 2011, p102-107)
The Slums of Dharavi are the largest slums in Mumbai and an urban planners dream, its main street filled with shops and small businesses, vegetable traders, hardware stores, convenience kiosks, sari sellers….etcc The streets are a throng of people, young, old, women, children, people shopping, running errands, and going about their daily business. In this real, not manufactured street, people interact; they talk, they laugh, they shake hands, they share, they drink Chai with friends, they buy, they sell, they trade. Children walk to school hand in hand, bicycles weave through groups of chatting people. (Smith, 2013)
fig 9 Street life in Marais
Today we marvel at districts that are full of culture and artistic character – Lisbon’s Old City, Travestevere in Rome and New York’s East Village, all of which were ‘slums’ 100 years ago. (Mehta, 2011, p102-107)
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The lesson we can take from this is not to wipe out slums. The poor have already created their own architecture and urban grain – which doesn’t need to be demoloished, but improved, with clean water facilities, drainage, working toilets and reliable electricity. When comparing these lively slums with Le Corbusier’s urban master plans, it is easy to see how socially alienating they are. Corbusier’s’ modernist city promotes a closed society, due to the strict zoning of functions which Jane Jacobs rejected in the 1960s, when she put forward the idea that the city is for communications and interactions between people. The city should be formed around the behavior of its people, be adaptable to changing contexts, and not be preplanned on a huge scale. The pattern of this kind of city resembles a semi lattice, which promotes an open society. This pattern emerges from how people and businesses relate to each other, action – reaction, things changing etc. Each small part affects the grand scheme of things. Rooftop architecture can be conceived as a reaction to its changing context and allow its surroundings to respond to it. In Mumbai, people view their city as a “bird of gold”, a place of fortune, where you can change your destiny and fly.
“A golden bird, try to catch it if you can. It flies quick and sly, and you’ll have to work hard to catch it, but once it’s in your hand, a fabulous fortune will open up for you. This is one reason why anyone would still want to come here, leaving the pleasant trees and open spaces of the village, braving the crime and the bad air and polluted water. It is a place where your caste doesn’t matter, where a woman can dine alone at a restaurant without being harassed, and where you can marry the person of your choice. For the young person in an Indian village, the call of Mumbai isn’t just about money. It’s also about freedom” (Mehta, 2011 p107)
This idea captures the universal need that as humans we have to pursue our dreams, our freedom, and in this urban age the city is the epicenter of opportunity and liberty. So with the sacrifice and hardship that no doubt must come with living in a polluted, overcrowded third world city such as Mumbai, the vision of freedom prevails the temporary discomfort.
Faced with the 21st century social and environmental challenges of overcrowded cities and climate change, we more than ever need successful cities – cities that are sustainable, that allow their inhabitants to live fulfilling and prosperous lives in inspiring yet liveable environments, and that bring people together rather than dividing them. For the environmental and social challenges of the twenty-first century will be won or lost in the city” (Smith, 2012, p338)
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Chapter 2 – Sustainable Aspects of Rooftop Architecture
Sustainability is as much about delight and optimism as it is about co2, energy and water, and the experience of being elevated above the masses on a rooftop is indeed a very pleasant one. When considering the urban challenges our cities face today, initially rooftop architecture may seem trivial or irrelevant as a design solution. But what is interesting as the roof as new land for building is the sheer amount of it. “A general, but very conservative estimate of the building potential in The Hague indicated that a mere 2.3% of the usable flat roofs would yield an extra surface area of a half a million square metres, enough for some 3,600 homes. (Buildings dating from before 1910 have not been included in this estimate because they would probably not be able to support the weight of an extra floor) “ (Melet & Vreedenburgh, 2005, p10)
fig 10 MVDRV Didden Village
fig 11 Hundertwassers Apartments
Sustainable urban places have a strong conceptual link with livability concepts. The idea of a livable place has two main aspects – livelihood and ecological sustainability, so for a city to be livable i.e. sustainable, it must be a fusion of both aspects. Hundertwasser was an Austrian artist and architect who considered a leafy roof to be a requirement in all buildings, fig 11. Fig 10 shows MVDRV’S Didden Village in Rotterdam, a roof landscape on top of a former tram shed. It must provide a livelihood for its inhabitants (ordinary and affluent) in ways that also preserve the quality of the environment. A livable urban system contributes to the physical, social and mental wellbeing and personal development of all its citizens. (Bandarabad & Shahcheragh ,2012, p1063)
Delightful and desirable urban spaces play a huge part in this, as safe beautiful outside spaces promote social interaction, self-expression and health. In dense urban environments where space is scarce, the roof holds huge and very exciting potential for public activity. It
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has access to 100% daylight, natural ventilation and is away from traffic, noise and congestion. These sacred parts of the city should not be solely developed for the elite in the form of penthouses of rich businessmen - as they currently are - but for the public citizens to enjoy and celebrate their cities. The Highline in New York which is a public park upon an elevated rail structure on Manhattan’s West Side, is a very successful example of how previously disused space has been transformed into a socially vibrant, eco-friendly, creative public space and offers the people an elevated landscape to sit, rest and experience the city in a new way. (Corner, J Field Operations and Scofidio, Renfro, 2010, p60)
fig 12 The Highline New York
It is vital that we evolve towards sustainability in urban form, transport, landscape, buildings, energy supply, and all the other aspects of vibrant city living. Part of this will involve making cities more suitable for people, and therefore moving away from the previous policy of cities being for cars. Creating streets for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport is a key aspect of sustainable development.’ (Ritchie & Thomas, 2009, p21)
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Density and Growth Rooftop architecture invites density, allowing the ever-evolving city to expand upon itself without sprawling. Intensifying the existing street, building on the roof provides an opportunity to achieve a social mixture and a higher density.
Large dense cities consist of many smaller districts of characteristic identity. This is a result of the organic progression of a city as people sharing similar interests and values naturally come together. The lack of available ground space in dense cities restrict the growth of these existing villages from the ground up, but rooftop architecture offers vertical growth and strikes a balance in economic growth with keeping character of district.
Adaptive Environment “Among the most admirable and enjoyable sights to be found along the sidewalks of big cities, are the ingenious adaptations of old quarters to new uses…In successful districts, old buildings ‘filter up’, newness and its superficial gloss of well-being, is a very perishable commodity” (Jacobs, 1961, p207)
Rooftop adaptation does not only hold potential aesthetic benefits which Jane Jacobs would perhaps approve of, in the creation of vibrant walk able streets, but a number of strong economic benefits: •New Land does not need to be purchased •Demolition costs are reduced •Older building heightens its value •Older buildings are affordable to buy •Conservation of energy (natural lighting, ventilation, windows, energy efficiency not lost from older building)
Durability can be described as making full use of the potential of what has already been provided – or built. For instance, what we know is based on rethinking and interpreting the knowledge that has been accumulated by earlier generations.
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Regeneration and Diversifying the Mono-Functionality of a District In the book ‘Rooftop Architecture’ the authors point out how unlike historical cities, districts in today’s cities are primarily mono-functional – the centre is for shopping, business areas for commerce and work, and residential areas are mostly for sleeping. The reality of this is that these parts of the city are completely disused and lifeless at certain times of the day and the chances for unexpected encounters are severely restricted. Due to the technological age we live in, we no longer need the city for communication, yet we still like to meet one another there in the flesh, as it is meaningful. Cheap airlines and the Internet have transformed the conventional city from being the center of society to being an attractive tourist destination. Historic parts of the city are frozen to generate tourism in western cities. (Melet & Vreedenburgh, 2005, p17-22)
In Venice, tourism has been a part of the life of the city for centuries, however in recent years this is causing problems as its residents flee to the mainland because of the rising living costs and the damage that with mass tourism is having on the city. It is of great concern that Venice will turn into a museum. (TED,1997)
Ideally when visiting a foreign city, one would like an authentic experience of that place and the local people play a huge part of it. Historic areas of cities should not be frozen in time for the sake of tourists. Local commerce should be generated so that the economy is not solely relying on tourism. Rooftop construction can help to regenerate areas that are mono-functional. An additional layer could breathe new life into those parts that are lacking it, without having to disturb the existing spaces. Consider the addition of an open cinema or public garden space placed on the roof of an office or residential block in a district with unusual and individual architectural value? If something extraordinary occurs on the roof, a wave of excitement and anticipation ripples through its district.
The home of the architect Manuel Herz fig 13, appears to be, but is not strictly speaking a rooftop building. In terms of urban planning and architecture it generates a similar impact as a genuine rooftop building, and successfully reanimates and brings a new dimension to the street.
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fig 13 small building in a suburb of Cologne
In regard to the creation of vibrant streets: “Intricacy and variety of surrounding buildings, unpredictable changes in views and hidden architectural treasures stimulate curiosity and interest in the setting and encourage exploration around the area� (Jacobs, 1961, p207)
Rooftop architecture can balance the character of a place and new investment economic regeneration. Streets should be designed to allow freedom so that they can grow and flourish in a way that is all their own.
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Chapter 3 Case Studies In terms of rooftop architecture I have identified its application in two categories – making use of the disused space above for residential benefit (prefabricated rooftop structures) and the idea of a parasite in a streetscape urban environment, where the rooftop architecture makes a strong contrast with the building below it to add a distinguishable new layer, perhaps to generate an impact in the public realm. This idea offers potential in urban renewal as it has the ability to reanimate the street.
Coop Himmelblau, Rooftop Project at Falkestrasse 6, Vienna
The most well known rooftop building is in the Falkestrasse in Vienna. Vienna has topped the rankings as most livable city in recent years. Its city center is very pleasant and well maintained, and overall the management of history and identity has been rather successful. The structure is located in Vienna’s first district, which has now been selected as a world heritage site. It was designed in 1983 when a law firm wanted to extend their offices upwards. This is a good example of architectural layering of time, in terms of materials and structure. Construction Fig 14 Parasite
began in 1987 and it was completed in 1988.
The building is both an architectural wonder and a clever technical construction. Whilst designing, a lightning bolt reversed was fig 15 conceptual sketch
envisioned and a taut arc. This space-creating taut arc, an important element of Himmelblaus architecture, is the steel backbone and posture of the project. This energetic solution breaks the existing roof and opens it.
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This is a perfect example of rooftop architecture making a statement, a parasite, as it forms a stark contrast with the historic building, which it sits on while reanimating the street. It also redefines a sense of place to its site and the architecture speaks of time and change. (Himmelblau, 1988)
Herzog and du Mueron, Museum der Kulturen, Basel, Switzerland
fig 16 Contrasting Roofs
fig 17 A new identity
The existing Museum der Kulturen building dates back to the middle of the nineteenth when the classicist building replaced an Augustinian monastery. The ‘Universal Museum’ as it was then called opened in 1849 and was the city’s first museum building. Today it holds one of the most important ethnographic collections in Europe. In 1917 an extension by architects Vischer & Sohne was added to house 40,000 artifacts, and in 2001 Herzog and du Mueron proposed to accommodate what had by now become holdings of 300,000 objects. A new entrance for the museum was also needed, which would give it a new identity. Extending the building outwards would have meant reducing the size of the courtyard, so instead the Vischer building of 1917 has been given a new roof. Consisting of irregular folds clad in blackish green ceramic tiles, the roof resonates with the medieval roofs cape in which it is embedded, whilst working at the same time as a clear sign of renewal in the heart of the district. It sits happily among its older roof neighbours and similar to Himmelblaus project it speaks of two distinct eras. (Herzog & du Meuron, 2010)
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Caixa Museum Forum, Madrid, Herzog and de Meuron
fig 18
Caixa Forum
This beautiful new cultural center stands on a site facing the Paseo del Prado and the Botanical Garden vis a vis. Until now the site was occupied by unspectacular urban structures – the Central Electrica Power Station and a petrol station. The architects decided to knock down the petrol station, which opened up the site offering a central plaza to the public. The Caixa Forum was conceived as an urban magnet, the building itself is intended to be an attraction along with the cultural program it houses. “The only material of the old power station that we could use was the classified brick shell� The classified brick walls, which were kept, are reminiscent of the early Industrial Age in Madrid, and combined with the rusted corten steel, the building radiates a distinct industrial aesthetic. This is a desired aesthetic in our contemporary cities as manufacturing industries today have left the inner city in search of more space and cheaper rents, it speaks of the past. The Green living wall adjacent to the building speaks of the future as we take steps in making our cities more ecologically sustainable. (Herzog & du Meuron, 2008)
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Prefabricated Rooftop Structures The Loftcube Project
fig 19
Sitting on roof
fig 20 Transporting Loftcube
The Loftcube Project was initially proposed in 2003 by Werner Aisslinger, offers some very exciting future possibilities in terms of prefabricated rooftop housing. The loftcube itself is a beautifully designed customizable living/working pod which can be installed via crane in 2-4 days and costs 55,000 euros. The story of the loftcube relates to the role of cities today, how people don’t need the cities for function and the action follows the people. Things happen where the people are. The loftcube will suit people of a nomadic lifestyle that are living for short periods of time in large cities and dense urban areas. It offers sanctuary and social structure. Where could such a thing be built? Aisslinger see’s that in Berlin, the endless flat tops of the postwar high-rises in the city and suburbs are an undiscovered treasure of sunlit property. What would life be like on the rooftops of Berlin? Try to imagine a loosely constructed, transient sort of cosmic rooftop community. Aisslinger proposes that the matter of logistics could be broken up into two categories: those who own a loftcube and those who pay rent. Either the free and easy tenant who moves from city to city in his own loftcube, and sets up house in a parking-space-on-theroof provided by the landlord, or the tenant who simply rents an existing loftcube from the building management. Both scenarios are possible. The renting option sounds more realistic and could be very exciting if executed, who knows what will happen in the future? (Aisslinger, 2003, p45-46)
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Piper Rooftop Houses
fig 21 Craned onto rooftop
fig 22 Night view
In London, prefabricated structures have been constructed in factory and then craned onto the rooftop. This method of construction is especially suited to rooftop additions as it causes minimal disturbance to the existing building. The property developers Baylight redeveloped Piper Building, which was originally built as office and research space for North Thames Gas, into 77 apartments within its existing fabric. After completion of this, Baylight identified two water tank rooms on the roof of the building and thought they had potential for conversion. Architect Pierre d’Avoine was invited to make a proposal for their change of use and extension as residential units. The roofscape evoked memories of the vast shingle expanse of Dungeness, a pebble beach with seaside structures and furniture. His design concept relates the new houses to each other as they look at each other across the informal landscape. The rendered elevations are wrapped in shimmering gauze that seems to dissolve the boxes, creating an ethereal effect, similar to the other worldliness of Dungeness beach. (D’Avoine, 1998)
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Chapter 4 – The Future of Cities In future decades our cities will no doubt undergo huge change as we are faced with global issues of climate change, energy crisis, our cities are the models for the rest of the world for answering these questions. We need solutions that allow us to live sustainably and harmoniously within our urban environments, with sensitive consideration to the earth and its natural sources. If we are to learn from the past, we can see that mechanically efficient solutions are not enough – as well as running with high efficiency and stimulating the economy our cities must also nourish the soul with diversity, poetry, whimsicalness, playfulness and excitement.
Genius Loci is important to consider in the design of our cities ‘When we visit a foreign city, we are usually struck by its particular character, which becomes an important part of the experience’ (Norberg Schultz, 1980, p14)
The unique character of a place is referred to as the ‘genius loci’, which translates to ‘spirit of place’. The presence of ‘genius loci’ is both tangible and elusive and exists in both designed and natural landscapes. Rooftop architecture, in its light and temporal abilities can sensitively respond to the practical needs of a location and simultaneously contribute to its ‘genius loci’ in its layering of time, physical material and identity. Its flexible nature allows for endless future opportunities, as it does not just extend the life of the existing structure it perches on, but enhances its significance too. It also relates to metaphor of city as ‘palimpsest’ where the physical historical remains and intangible culture of a site are considered and restored in the design process of new spaces. “The word palimpsest comes from the Greek ‘palimpsestos’ ,to wipe clean, and refers to the medieval practice of scraping ink from parchment in order to use it again. Such scraping did not remove everything, so that there was always some remnant of text left behind.” (Bell, 1993, p106)
This layering of new upon old favours the wiping clean of precious remains of materials, details, spaces and uses, and creates an architecture of rich quality and instills an awareness of heritage.
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“Where there are more surviving vestiges, especially located together, there is more likely to be a stronger sense of ‘genius loci’” (Bell, 1993, p106)
In projects I have mentioned previously – Caixa Museum, Falkestrasse, and the Highline – ideas of ‘genius loci’ and ‘palimpsest’ are evident and help to illustrate the potential of rooftop architecture in the design of successful urban environments.
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Conclusion
fig 23 DVF penthouse
As our cities will inevitably have to adapt to the 21st century challenges of urbanization, globalization and climate change, the architecture and urban planning will play a huge role in their success or failure. History has taught us that demolishing and rebuilding is not a desirable option so we must look towards creating an urban environment that is adaptable and responsive to its people and their communities. Until now, rooftop architecture has not been a feature of urban renewal. Many interesting projects exist but they are so incidental and spontaneously scattered among different cities that it is impossible to measure their impact on urban life on a large scale. However, there is much evidence to suggest that it can have a positive effect within our metropolis. As our urban population continues to grow, and building upwards and high density becomes inevitable, it is vital that we use the roofscape to its full potential to avoid sprawl and improve our urban living environments, both public and private.
The flexibility that is essential to a city’s energy and spirit is almost destined on the roof plane, due to the temporary nature and the endless opportunities it holds.
‘The final characteristic of rooftop buildings is the passion with which they are created. There is already more than enough mediocrity around, and there is no room for it on the roof. It is too unusual a location for that. If the second ground level is to succeed and to make an impact on the test of the city, it must dazzle.�
(Melet & Vreedenburgh, 2005, p11)
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