Redeveloping industrial Heritage

REDEVELOPING INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE WITH HIGH ARCHITECTURAL AND SOCIAL IMPORTANCE

Redeveloping industrial heritage with high architectural and social importance Course: Assignment Student: Student number:

7x660 Product Presentation Graphic design Pieter Deijkers 0719463

Cover photo: Galen, van (Fotograaf) - Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed

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Preface Eindhoven is a city full of industrial heritage. Because of the industrial revolution around 1900, Eindhoven started to grow.

Many buildings belonging to the company’s who made Eindhoven grow are still there. These buildings have a big impact on the cityscap have high architectonic and social impact. As a student architecture at the University of Technolyg Eindhoven, you will learn and understand the value of this heritage during your study.

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Table of Content Title page Preface

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Introduction Why should we recovelop old buildings

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Eindhoven City of redevelopment

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Redevelopment Approaches Three approaches for redevelopment

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Conclusion Redevelopment the sublimation of sustainability

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Introduction Why should we redevelop old buildings?

Redevelopment of existing buildings is becoming a substantial part of the architectural field in the Netherlands. Every year new buildings are added to the list of monumental buildings, which prevent them from demolishing. Although not all of these buildings are practical, energy efficient or are situated on convenient spots, they are protected by the law and architects will be asked to create a redesign for these buildings.

It is questionable whether this is a good development, because many of those building are at the end of their lifetime and demolition is probably a better option. The reason to save buildings from demolition is mostly based on feelings and social cultural aspects. Good research to the benefits of redevelopment is missing.

One of the main reasons to save buildings is because of their appearance, replacing these buildings will have a big influence on the cityscape. Another reason to preserve buildings is because of their architectonic value. Some buildings have played an important role in the history of architecture, this can be used in advertisement for the area of the building. In cases like this, buildings have a lot of potential to provide economic benefit for the area. The ‘Rietveld Schroderhuis’ is an example for one of those buildings.

The Rietveld Schröderhuis

Research has already stated that in most cases a new building would be economically a better option than redeveloping an old existing one. According to Michael Braungart, author of Cradle to Cradle [1], all old non-functional buildings should be demolished and be replaced by extremely energy sufficient and recyclable buildings. In his opinion; you don’t restore an old refrigerator full of toxic chemicals, so why should you restore an old building? photo: Galen, van (Fotograaf) - Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed [1] William McDonough & Michael Braungart, (2002), Cradle to Cradle, Remaking the Way We Make Things, North Point Press, US

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It is evident that most old buildings do not satisfy nowadays regulations of comfort and building physics, due to the limited knowledge at the time the building was built.

On the other hand many old buildings are becoming touristic attractions which have benefits for the area. Research has been conducted to the benefits of those buildings which provide an economic impulse to the region. In most cases these buildings are preserved, or restored its original appearance.

Redevelopment on the other hand has a different approach. The aim of redevelopment is to give a building a new function to expand its lifespan.

Although many old buildings will be preserved, research to the benefits of redevelopment is missing. The grounds to preserve these buildings are always very case specific, which makes it hard to conduct research. Every building has its own background and its own architectonic and cultural value. Therefore, general guidelines are missing to validate a building on its value.

Good research to the benefits of redevelopment can give decision makers like governments, municipalities and other authorities a tool to make the right decision. Most buildings are saved because of the view of the cityscape, on the other hand a new building can give an impulse to the surrounding as well.

Research can save decision makers from spending money on a building which eventually will still not function well after the redevelopment. It can also advice the decision makers which part of the building should be saved. In some cases the front faรงade is the only valuable part of the building, therefore the rest of the building can be demolished and be replaced by a new good functioning and energy efficient one.

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Every building has its own background what makes it difficult to make general assumptions. Each building should be analysed on its own valuable aspects and its importance on architectural and social importance. Architectural importance can somehow be determined by proper research.

Some buildings played an important role in architecture because of the use of revolutionary systems or constructions.

Other buildings have a big social importance, for example the ‘Lichttoren’.

This tower has been into the city centre since 1909 and therefore has a big impact on the cityscape. An other aspect of this building is its social importance, many people from Eindhoven and surrounding have been working for Phillips. This buildings has become a part of their life. On the next page you can find an photo of the redeveloped ‘Lichttoren’. Because of this redevelopment the memory’s to the building and the history are preserved.

The Phillips ‘lichttoren’ in 1993

photo: Galen, van (Fotograaf) - Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed photo next page: Onna, van Orbert (fotograaf) - www.onna.nl

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Eindhoven City of redevelopment The region of Eindhoven has developed into an economic region, where manufacturing, high-tech and design come together. The process of Company Town to Brainport evolves steadily, but there are some substantial spatial differences between the old and new economy.

Until well into the twentieth century, the progress of Eindhoven was equivalent to building new impressive industrial complexes and the realization of advanced office buildings, modern educational buildings, sports facilities and spectacular contemporary exhibition spaces.

The development of Brainport do not require large new industrial complexes, but intelligent and sustainable buildings. Innovative incubators are more important than mono functional and closed manufacturing and office buildings, for a region like Brainport.

We are now working and living in open structures, at any time at any place we want to have or share information. ‘Het Evoluon’ exhibiton space of Phillips

photo: Aalst, van der Ruud (Fotograaf) - Eindhovens Dagblad

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The exchange of knowledge and connecting the right people and companies will lead to a thriving city and region. New companies do not necessary need new buildings. The industrial complexes of the past can be transformed to offer space for new programmes.

Therefore the most important task for Eindhoven will be the renovating of old buildings and not building new ones.

Eindhoven has many buildings out of the hey days of Philips.

These buildings are nog longer in use by Philips and are waiting for a new programme or demolition. A good example of these buildings is the area Strijp-S where you can find a combination of redeveloped, re-used and new buildings.

Arial view of Strijp-s

Masterplan redevelopment Strijp-S

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photo: www.eindhoven-in-beeld.nl masterplan: www.skyscrapercity.com

Redevelopment projects are paradocial for an architect. It’s quite a difference to make a design for an empty place or an existing building, designed by a different architect in a totally different time and that exists for decades at a certain place. nowadays, design decisions are made more on the basis of functionality of the user and the structural component is rationalized as much as possible. This is in contrast to the conversion of existing buildings.

Potential users and an existing building does not necessarily fit together. Sentiments icon value and sense of place often play an important role. It fits the architect to operate with a modest attitude in these cases, to be careful with the existing architecture and the new program.

It is not the job of the architect to restore the building to its former glory, but to bring a building into the next phase.

Conditions have to be made in which several users can feel at their place in a building for long and short time. The reuse of an existing building can also give a boost to the immediate area and give the place a new meaning.

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Redevelopment approaches Three approaches for redevelopment For a successful conversion, it is important to get a grip on the value of the building. What properties does the building have to make it worth to redevelop it? What is the strength of the building? Focussing this strength will offer new opportunities for interventions that are necessary to exploit the existing programmatic and spatial potential and to meet the current energy standards.

Of high importance for the end result is the manner in which old and new meet. Each case has its own solutions. There are now standard solutions, because the context and condition of the existing combined with the new program always lead to unique challenges. By improvising the redeveloped building will receive its stature.

Although no case is the same, there are basically three types of transformation: the addition, the reorganization and transformation. Respectively, they affect to a greater extent to the existing object, but you will see them often in a combination.

The picture on the right is the re-use of the Dominican church in Maastricht. By placing a construction inside the church, it is turned into a book store. This is a good example of an addition.

Pit M., (2011), Diederendirrix architecten De kracht van vroeger voor later, Lecturis, Eindhoven Photo: Merx+Girod Architects

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Addition First of all, existing spaces can be enlarged, penetrated or repositioned by: additional constructions, additional levels, a connector or the integration of a different volume. While the old building itself (partly) remains intact, it is made suitable by adding the new, to large programs and will receive a new framework. In such an operation, the various layers of time are often clearly readable. At the same time, that addition is only successful when it will form a new and complete building with the existing forms. Often, the characteristics of the old building are leading to the architecture of the addition. Thus, in the hangar in Eindhoven the elegant architecture of the hangar was used as a basis for the design of the new volumes. photos: www.dearchitect.nl left: edevelopment ‘De Hangar’ By Diederendirrix Architects right: Artwork Peter Struycken inside ‘De Hangar’

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Reorganisation A second way is the reorganization: the prominent skin is left as intact as possible because of its historical value, while the interior is adapted to the need of the new function. Sometimes this happens radical, but also small changes can have a big effect.

This method of transformation is also used for the building, Anton. The existing representative appearance - that recalls the major television production by Philips - has not been erased, while the spatial potential revealed as a place for meeting.

photo: Bagen, Arthur (Fotograaf) - Arthurbagen.nl

Metamorphosis The last form of transforming, the metamorphosis, is a total makeover. The existing building is reinterpreted by today’s standards. This results in profound architectural interventions that make that the object changes in appearance, shape, or structure. It is not so much the historical relevance central role as the spatial potential of the robust support structure - the only element that (usually) is retained in this case. This potential is exploited and extended to cover the new program, so that the old building will have a new life. As the old chemistry building (photo on top) was redeveloped to Vertigo (photo on bottom), an inspiring environment for future architects and the focal point of the campus of the University of Eindhoven.

Chemistry building TU/e

Vertigo TU/e photos: TU/e (Fotograaf) - www.tueencyclopedie.nl

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Conclusion Redevelopment the sublimation of sustainability Redevelopment of old buildings is becoming a substantial part of the architectural field. Previously, architects especially loved working with new construction, but nowadays there is a clear shift towards the existing building stock. Education will resort in monumental factories, living and working are combined in old schools, one man shops are located in former churches and vegetables are produced in office buildings.

The program which had once a specific tailor-made building, also appears to thrive in a different environment, although several adjustments had to go in advance. Usually these changes relate to the reduction of energy consumption. Sometimes the interventions are as effective and resourceful that the redeveloped building provides the new user more than a new construction ever could.

The historical significance of the building is the first value of those buildings, some even have the status of a monument.

They belong to the memory of a city, because they represent a certain period of time and therefore they give their environment identity. Like the infrastructure, the street pattern and the land development, these traces from the past is like a layer on which the city is developing. By keeping this layer in honour, preserves the architecture of the city its relevance. Old buildings are landmarks and reference points in people’s lives because they often exist longer, they evoke a sense of nostalgia and familiarity.

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In addition, many existing buildings offer spatial qualities of their excess that would never be realized in new buildings because of cost considerations. High rooms were rather common than luxury, the convenient channel plate was still unknown territory – therefore the structures were much more robust and thanks to the absence of requirements related to daylighting, some floors spanned as long as a football field. However, these spatial qualities are not evident. Only by making full use of the opportunities and to break with existing conventions in terms of use, they are revealed. Often, this tension between what is possible and what is essential, results into an unusual use of space and inspiring environments.

On the right page you can see an example of redvelopment, the office of Ector Hoogstad Architects. The former lower vocational technical school (LTS) was designed on the basis of a modular construction system. The unique roof structure is particularly interesting. Eighteen glass pyramids allow daylight to stream into the building, creating an overwhelmingly light and spacious atmosphere.

Following renovation, the assembly hall has become one big, five-metre high studio. This space was never realised with a new building. the qualities of the existing building made it possible to design this office.

photo: offices of EHA - www.ectorhoogstad.nl

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Rezoning prolongs life and reduces the energy consumption of the existing building stock and is therefore regarded as the sublimation of sustainability. Often this process leads to distinctive architecture in every form of transformation. Because the addition, the reorganization and transformation usually are combined, a different dynamic between old and new is always created. This does not mean that a revote building has no generic properties. A successful transformation has precisely a certain neutrality to allow adjustments in terms of use and durability without the need for a next round rezoning.

Through new forms of communication, advanced technologies and emerging industries, the demand for space is changing faster and faster with more and better responses to energy issues.

How often did it happen in the previous century buildings which provide their own energy were realized? Who would have thought that the number of self-employed would rise this drastically within the last five years and pop-up stores are becoming more and more a part of the streets? A successful redevelopment is characterized by a specific, distinctive architecture and on the other hand, a generic, solid basic structure, which provides an opportunity for new interpretations.

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Vink, J. Vollaard, P. (2011) De Architect #4, Architectonische improvisaties, Sdu uitgevers.

J채ger, F.P. (2010) Design Manual for Revitalizing Existing Buildings, Birkhuser, Germany Klanten, R. Reireiss, L, (2009) Build-On, converted architecture and transformed buildings, Gestalten, Germany