Nilofer Afza Tajuddin Q4 - M.Sc. Urbanism TU Delft AR0067 - Architecture and Urban Design Tutors: Tamara Rogic, Luisa Calabrese
DESIGNING FOR THE PAUSE Transforming the crossing into a place
Studio : Architecture and Urban Design This studio based in Zagreb, Croatia explored the possible links between the fields of architecture and urban design to regenerate urban envrionments.
The area selected for this study and design project was that of the west station area in Zagreb. Despite a rich history. the area is rapidly deteriorating and faces multiple issues due to the railway line that cuts through the entire city, bisecting it as north and south. The studio focussed on addressing these urban issues and proposing a regenrative urban strategy along with architectural interventions for the area.
Inspiration The concept for the project was inspured from this image of an old woman patiently waiting while the train passed by. This wait or induced pause was part of the person’s everyday life, an activity part of their everyday routine. In the dynamics to north and south of the railway, the entire east-west spine of the railway acted as a static element which induced multiple points of pause at every intersection or crossing. These crossings became focus points with unique design potential. These crossings, their nature and characteristics were studied.
LEGEND Built form Infrastructure Pedetrain movement Vehicular movement Tram line Railway 20 0
60 40
EXISTING PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS
LEGEND Built form Infrastructure Pedetrain movement Existing Green spaces Paved - Parking/Unused Railway 10 0
30 20
LAND-USE MAPPPING
LEGEND Residential Mixed-Residential Industrial Offices Sports and Recreation Railway Station Abandoned 10 0
30 20
GREEN STRUCTURE
LEGEND Built form Infrastructure Pedetrain movement Existing Green spaces Paved - Parking/Unused Railway 10 0
30 20
TERRAIN CONDITIONS
LEGEND Ground level G-2m
10 0
30 20
UN-USED/DISUSED OPEN SPACES
LEGEND Built form Infrastructure Pedetrain movement Existing Green spaces Paved - Parking/Unused Railway 10 0
30 20
EDGE CONDITIONS ALONG RAILWAY
LEGEND Porous Wall
10 0
30 20
The existing open spaces abutting the crossings and along the railway are disused and are dilapitated. With multiple structures abandoned and in poor state, not only is the entire zone inaccessible but is also non-engaging despite high potential. This proposal intends on reviving the zone using programmes that engage not only the pedestrians who use the crossing but also attract people from accross the city as a place to go to for leisure and recreation. The composition of programmes hence is derived from two user groups. The proposal creates two coniditons.
“ While one condition creates an experience for those in the state of pause, another creates a pause in the city itself. �
THE URBAN STRATEGY The urban form initially responded to the railway, with the block structure along the tracks and uninteractive with the surrounding context. The new block structure proposed, responds to the visual lines across the two sides of the railway. What is perceived as a physical barrier is now made VISUALLY COHESIVE by re-organising block structure to respond to visual stimuli. This inturn encourages the use of the open spaces desgined along the railway tracks and the crossings.
VISUAL LINES THROUGH FABRIC
EXISTING URBAN FORM
PROPOSED URBAN FORM
Dynamic form is used as a massing strategy to frame the static railway spine. While architectural form frames the railway lines and create a visual play in the area, programmes such as recreation and leisure are used as catalysts to trigger public activity. The viewpoints from the crossings couples with extension of activity onto the streets along the railway play crucial roles in the regeneration of public life in this forgotten strip of the city.
IMPRESSIONS
The currently un-used and disused open space is revived through means of programmatic rejuvenation and architectural massing. Using visual play and programme as catalysts, public life along the railway lines is encouraged. This design tranforms the residual space of the railway into a destination that people from across the city enjoy. It also adds value to the pause that is part of everyday life. The pause is perceived as a positive experience and encourages people to actively use the crossing and the spaces around it.
Nilofer Afza Tajuddin Q4 - M.Sc. Urbanism TU Delft AR0067 - Architecture and Urban Design Tutors: Tamara Rogic, Luisa Calabrese
DESIGNING FOR THE PAUSE