(bou12374523)thesis document

Architecture Master Thesis MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE Waste in Architecture Adaptation and Reuse of Old Abandoned Buildings “A look at the Algerian case”

Salima BOUDALI BOU12374523 M. ARCH. INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN The 26th of June, 2014

Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Masters in Architecture (international) at the University of Lincoln.

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Contents Acknowledgments ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 List of illustrations ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10 1

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Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 11 1.1

Problem statement ................................................................................................... 11

1.2

Research question ..................................................................................................... 13

1.3

Aim ............................................................................................................................ 13

1.4

Objectives .................................................................................................................. 14

1.5

Argument statement ................................................................................................. 15

1.5.1

Literature review................................................................................................ 15

1.5.2

Theoretical framework ...................................................................................... 16

An overview of the notion of waste within the spectrum of architecture ...................... 18 2.1

Historical background ............................................................................................... 19

2.2

Waste and the architecture industry ........................................................................ 20

2.3

Waste architecture and modern culture .................................................................. 21

2.3.1

Waste architecture and globalisation ................................................................ 22

2.3.2

Waste architecture and consumerism ............................................................... 23

2.4

The value to waste in architecture............................................................................ 25

2.5

Architectural potentialities within waste “the cradle to cradle concept” ................ 27

Old abandoned buildings in the centre of waste discussions .......................................... 28 3.1

Reasons for building abandonment .......................................................................... 29

3.2

Values of old abandoned buildings ........................................................................... 31

Theoretical approaches to the waste of old abandoned buildings .................................. 32 4.1

Waste ideology behind abandoned buildings ........................................................... 34

4.2

Waste materialism behind abandoned buildings ..................................................... 37

Architectural attitudes to old derelict buildings .............................................................. 41 5.1

Architectural interventions in old buildings .............................................................. 42 2

5.2

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Adaptation and reuse of old abandoned buildings ................................................... 44

5.2.1

Definition of building adaptation and reuse ...................................................... 44

5.2.2

The pros and cons to building adaptation and reuse ........................................ 44

5.2.3

Influencing factors for decision to adapt an old building .................................. 49

5.2.4

Sustainable factors for building adaptation and reuse ..................................... 52

5.2.5

Different approaches for building adaptation ................................................... 54

5.2.6

Case studies of building reuse and adaptation .................................................. 55

An interventional work to an old abandoned building “Algeria case study” ................... 58 6.1

Algeria: geography and climate ................................................................................ 59

6.2

Algeria: people and culture ....................................................................................... 59

6.3

Algeria: Architectural typology ................................................................................. 61

6.4

Case intervention “The Rais Hamidou Castle, Algiers” ............................................. 65

6.4.1

Analysis .............................................................................................................. 67

6.4.2

Design approach and strategy ........................................................................... 73

6.4.3

Design narrative and architectural response..................................................... 78

Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 82

References ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 85

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Declaration I hereby declare that this thesis is my original work. All sources have been duly acknowledged and accurately stated.

---------------------------------------Salima BOUDALI (12374523)

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This work is dedicated to my beloved parents

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Acknowledgments First of all, I am so glad and thankful for all the opportunities that have been given to me in order to develop my research skills and to be able to undertake this Master’s degree.

In the beginning, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my parents, my family and friends for their enduring love and support. Also, my sincere thanks and appreciation are extended to my tutors Dr. Kathleen Watt, and Mr Carlos Marquez for their guidance, their objective criticism, and of course their consistent feedback and supervision of my work. Not to mention the support and help received from Amanda Hufford and Derek Cottrell during the different stages of learning.

My completion of this work could not have been accomplished without the support of my classmates, Mimi Gerna, David Ker, Swamy Nadhan, Soroosh Dada, Saif, Michael and Gao Song. Finally, I would like to thank all who have contributed and helped in the fulfilment of this modest work. My heartfelt thanks.

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List of Illustrations Figure.1: The refurbished ruins of Astley Castle- Warwickshire site (Source: www.theguardian.com)

Figure.2: The interior space of Astley Castle (Source: www.pinterest.com)

Figure.3: Fig-3- Microsoft HQ Istanbul- View into the Atrium (Source: www.kgmimarlik.com.tr)

Figure.4: Microsoft HQ Istanbul- View into the adapted workspace (Source: www.kgmimarlik.com.tr)

Figure.5: Plan of the old city, c.1900, showing the Casbah (1) and the marine quarter (2) (Source: publishing.cdlib.org)

Figure.6: Housing typology of Casbah houses typical house (Source: design.epfl.ch)

Figure.7: Examples of a of the Casbah of Algiers (Source: publishing.cdlib.org)

Figure.8: 1840s French colonial architecture (Source: Hocine Zaourar)

Figure.9: The ruins of the Casbah houses (Source: http: www.blogg.org)

Figure.10: The ruinous condition of a French building (Source: www.lemag.ma)

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Figure.11: View of the chosen site (Source: Author)

Figure.12: Conceptual diagram of existing context (Source: Author)

Figure.13: Context and environment Sketch (Source: Author)

Figure.14: Image of the Castle 1950s’ (Source: www.flickr.com)

Figure.15: Image of the Castel when it used to be a school 1950s’ (de-l-amiraute-a- tipasa.skyrock.com)

Figure.16: The ruinous interior of the building (Source: Author)

Figure.17: Interior of the building Missing floors and roof (Source: Author)

Figure.18: Design strategy diagram (Source: Author)

Figure.19: Site programming approach (Source: Author)

Figure.20: Conceptual section for the proposed development (Source: Author)

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Figure.21: Master plan proposal (Source: Author)

Figure.22: Faรงade layering/old and new (Source: Author)

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Abstract You don’t need to be an environmental specialist to see that waste is a growing problem that mankind is facing every day. Few decades ago waste was not a matter of major concern as its impact on the environment and on the quality of life was not as considerable as it has become in the last few decades. In architecture, waste is usually associated with aging derelict buildings. The left over debris and rubble which result from the demolition of old buildings are one side of the truth to architectural waste.

However, the other side is linked with the social ideologies which are attributed to buildings during their service life. The context of this understanding opens up new perspective for the study of architectural waste. This means that not only the material condition of debris, ruins, and aging derelict structures is of interest for the study of architectural waste, but also the social discourse in which those former elements are placed is very important. Therefore, this thesis attempts to approach architectural waste both in its material and ideological contexts. While considering old aging buildings as opportunities for future developments, this document proposes adaptation and reuse as an integrative design solution to the issue of waste in architecture.

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1 Introduction More than any other industries, the architecture and construction industries are said to be waste generators that cause enormous damages not only on the environment but also on the cultural aspects of human life. Starting from this point, this written document will discuss the issue of architectural waste in both its forms, material and/or ideological. Also, the speed of economic and socio-cultural changes that led to a dramatic change in the way of which waste is perceived and produced are examined. But more importantly, this paper investigates the different possibilities to recover specific architectural waste which is portrayed through the abandon and the destruction of old buildings. Accordingly, this thesis will be addressing architectural waste not as a problem but as a potential resource that has a considerable value to be socially and culturally recovered.

1.1 Problem statement Having a quick look at today’s newspapers one would certainly find an infinite number of articles talking about the increase of the world’s population and the challenges that human beings have to face as a result of this increase.

One of the challenges that is prominently highlighted is waste which is a constantly generated matter resulting from everyday human activities.

Nations are now to reconsider the value of things as resources are said to have become scarce and over-consumed. Hence, waste as a material

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component or/and as a conceptual notion is something that needs to be closely observed and deeply addressed in a way that its value is questioned.

It is commonly agreed that the concept of waste is attributed to any unwanted, valueless and undesirable matter. Correspondingly, Ferguson et al. (1995) argued that in order to acquire a clear understanding of what waste is all about, one should first start questioning about “when the material becomes waste? And then, when does this material cease to be waste?” (Ferguson et al., 1995: 8). In the same perspective, however, what could be accepted as waste in some societies is not in other societies just as Jean Aubert and Jean Baudrillard noted: “It is a question of social structures and social contradictions, not a question of illness or deficient metabolism” (Banham, 1974: 209).

As like as in many countries, the population of Algeria is growing fast and in the same degree is the amount of generated waste. No doubt, this amount of waste is impacting on the wellbeing of Algerians as they are struggling to deal with it. Indeed, it is worth admitting that the Algerian perception of waste is different from any other society of course this is due to the particularity of their sociocultural values, traditions, and historical backgrounds. However, as waste is a value related notion, it can then be said that the perception of young Algerian generation of the notion of value has been to some extent influenced by global orders where everything is meant to be mass produced, hence mass consumed (Chikhi, 1991).

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As a result, the notion of waste in Algeria has acquired a global dimension where the value of things has become associated with how much money things cost in the market and not with how much meanings they convey. This is also the case in architecture: old buildings, old construction materials and old spaces are wasted and their value is rarely recognised.

Often, old architectural structures in Algeria are left to falling down, some of them abandoned, some others vandalized and building materials disposed in landfills while no significant actions are being taken to recover and salvage this valuable resources.

Seemingly, old buildings and abandoned structures that are regarded as nonvalue adding assets require urgent interventions and need to be re-examined in the light of the current socio-environmental situation. Relatedly, the possibilities of how to recover and reclaim value through architectural design will be explored and studied throughout this body of work.

1.2

Research question This paper will attempt to answer the following question: What is the contribution of architectural design in regards to the growing stock of old abandoned buildings?

1.3 Aim The aim of this paper is to examine the issue of waste in architecture, not only as a material component but also as an ideological concept. But more 13

importantly, the purpose of this thesis is to consider the waste associated with the abandonment of old buildings in Algeria. This is not solely an investigation of waste as a material substance, but, also an investigation of waste as a socially-constructed discourse.

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Objectives The key objectives this paper is trying to achieve are as follows: 

To determine the reasons behind the formation of waste in architecture.

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To show that the notion of waste is being influenced by global orders where consumption is becoming a socially significant feature.

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To highlight the environmental and social implications of waste in architecture.

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To advocate the idea that waste which is portrayed through the abandon of old structures is a potential resource which requires reconsideration and re-evaluation in the context of architectural design.

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To identify different possibilities to addressing old abandoned buildings in architecture.

Achieving these objectives would allow this investigation to move forward with, firstly, contributing towards improving the living conditions of Algerian residents, who deserve a better environment to live within and, secondly,

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contributing to maintaining the socio-cultural values through the preservation and reuse of old architectural structures.

1.5 Argument statement In this written document it will be argued that waste in general (architectural waste in particular) besides being material, is also a socially-constructed concept. That is what may explain why different societies have different understandings and perceptions of the notion of waste. According to Douglas (1991: 3) “pollution ideas work in the life of society at two levels, one largely instrumental, one expressive”. Which means that waste is performed in two possible ways one is material and the other one is non-material. Douglas (1991: 3) also adds: “it is not difficult to see how pollution beliefs can be used in a dialogue of claims and counter-claims to status… this is a more interesting level at which pollution ideas relate to social life”. In that context it could be suggested that waste is a socially-constructed ideology that extends into the material account. Therefore, and according to the former suggestion, it would be possible to argue that defective judgements of what is called waste could be altered by initiating the appropriate approach and introducing the right method.

1.5.1 Literature review The themes that are going to be reviewed in the literature will try first to put the subject of waste in the context of architectural interest. The starting chapter will be introducing the notion of waste and the different current 15

topics that relate issues of waste with architecture preoccupations. The chapter that follows will be focusing on a specific category of architectural waste, which is the one manifested through old buildings abandonment. In this part the reasons and the effects that surround abandoned building’s waste are closely inspected. In the next chapter, the paper will be shedding a light on the different architectural attitudes towards old buildings recast, and in the same time this section will be inspecting the extent to which the decision making in architecture could be important to the production or the reduction of waste in the built environment. The final chapter of the literature review will attempt to look at the topic of adaptation and reuse of old abandoned buildings as a way to control architectural waste, and this will be sustained by evidence and examples of successful architectural interventions that are made of old, derelict, abandoned buildings continuous and sustainable stages for everyday life sceneries.

1.5.2 Theoretical framework This paper will utilise discourse analysis as a theoretical framework for analysing architectural waste debates. It is commonly agreed that the term of “discourse analysis� has been used to cover a wide range of activities. As Brown and Yule (2003) has suggested, discourse analysis has been applied by many disciplines as sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, philosophical linguistics and computational linguistics. Since discourse analysis is concerned with the investigation of language use, it will be useful to employ it as a basis for the discovery of the hidden scenarios behind the concept of 16

waste as being a matter of discursive formation. One, hence, can also consider waste as “a social text that discloses the logic and the illogic of a culture” (Hawkins, 2006: p.2). In that context it can be said that waste is a sort of a language that communicates culturally and historically variable human practices, as Hawkins (2006: p.2) puts it “what we want to get rid of tells us who we are”.

In the same context, it is worth saying that it would be irrelevant to study contemporary waste without considering its material configuration.

Although it has been suggested that waste is a matter of social understanding one cannot deny that waste is a visible and a tangible object that operates also in the physical world. In order to apply a theoretical approach to the study of material waste (which is a paramount product of modern societies) one would refer to the Marxist approach, because it helps disclose the socially organised relationships laying behind the processes of production and consumption that generates material waste. Indeed, in the Marxist perception material waste is an inevitable phase in both production and consumption processes as O’Brien (2008: 153) refers to Marx’s observation “materials that are wasted in the production process nonetheless enters into the value of the commodity and is an element of its exchange value”.

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2 An overview of the notion of waste within the spectrum of architecture The criteria for defining waste under the umbrella of architecture are almost the same as those applied in the context of general definitions, especially when it comes to the question of value. It is widely admitted that waste in its proper definition, whether it be of architectural nature or not, is something that is valueless and unwanted. In his book, World of Waste, Gourlay (1992) defines waste as something that is failed to be used. Similarly, Zsuzsa (2007) has also proclaimed in this regards that something turns into waste when it has been used up in a way that the need for which it was created has been thoroughly fulfilled. Although, another definition suggests that waste is what remains when value disappears from the physicality of something. (Halperin, 2002)The departure of value alerts our relation with the material world. In the same context Hawkins and Muecke (2003) added that waste is materiality empty of value, materiality with no meaning, materiality with no use. Nothing that retains value could be qualified as waste.

On the other hand, it has been said that waste depicts doubts in the value of its own existence. It is what humans are trying to skip when constantly they exhort one another to succeed, to make a success of themselves and their lives. Consequently, it is worth saying that the notion of waste can only be grasped within the extents of value.

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2.1 Historical background It is said that waste was a matter of concern since prehistoric times. Historical evidences show that many civilisations had developed ways for dealing with their own wastes. (Lemann, 2008) Over 6500 years ago, people who used to live in two story houses in the Middle East had their sewage collected in ducts off into a closed sewer at street level. Similarly, in ancient Greece and Rome water ducts and sewers worked very successfully. However, during the middle ages until the mid-19th century it has been claimed that people were unsuccessful with dealing with their waste, and as there were no pavements and no roads the streets became ideal for waste disposals, by consequence epidemics and other related diseases began to spread over contaminated areas. Starting from the 1870s scientists and developers had the task of coming up with new ideas to make cities healthy and less contaminated, so they came up with the idea of incineration systems which in its turn has resulted in the formation of more complex environmental problems.

Today, if one looks at that waste of architectural nature one discovers that this later has become a very serious issue in that the processes for its generation tend to be more complex than what it used to be in the past time, especially after the advent of the industrial revolution and the increase of mass production. In that context it could be said that the contemporary world is witnessing a ‘waste crisis’ as Tammemagi (1999: 19) describes it “the garbage crisis is at hand”. However, it should be worth mentioning that sustainable approaches are being investigated and implemented within the 19

field of architecture so that the built environment is much more ordered and less wasteful.

2.2 Waste and the architecture industry Architecture is a highly waste producing industry. Indeed, most of the waste generated within the industry of architecture is in solid form which makes its management pricey and difficult. The roots of this particular waste could be traced back to the different acts of construction and demolition. This is what may explain the reason behind its appellation as construction and demolition waste “C&D waste”. C&D waste is basically defined as “the waste of building materials, packaging, and rubble resulting from construction, remodelling, repair and demolition operations on pavement, houses, commercial buildings and other structures.” (Code of Federal Regulations, 2014) Another definition by El Haggar (2007: 261), in which he refers to the Clark County Code (CCC), proposes that C&D waste is composed of two significant material waste categories. The first, construction waste which is “materials that are generated as a direct result of building construction activity; such waste includes, concrete, rubble, fibreglass, asphalt, bricks, plaster, wood, metal, caulking, paper and cardboard, roofing wastes, tar-paper, plastic, plaster and wallboard and other similar materials” and every possible material used in the construction process. The second category is demolition waste which does not differ in its definition that much from the previous one.

The only difference is that the waste materials that are generated through the demolition activity are more a heterogeneous mixtures.

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2.3 Waste architecture and modern culture The developments that took place during the modern period have initiated a very big shift in the way in which people comprehend waste. It is said that objects in pre modern times were created to survive as long as possible.

When these objects reach the point when they become close to the condition of waste, they are treated with great care so that their existence is sustained (Neville and Villeneuve 2002). The very act of discarding something was at that period so difficult to perform because people attributed so much respect to the time, energy, effort and skills invested in creating this object. Neville and Villeneuve (2002) also added that if deterioration of an object is unavoidable, people in the pre modern period, however, were able to associate a social function to each stage of the deterioration process of an object.

When the modern era emerged, values and meanings associated with waste dramatically changed. Since the 19th century, things started to be produced massively and consumed rapidly, and thus cycles of material substitution have sped up; larger amounts of products have been rapidly discarded and made redundant. At the same time destruction processes have immensely exacerbated, although largely overlooked by social researchers when addressing the changing forms of life in modern culture (Gonzรกlez-Ruibal 2006, 2008). The fact that the modern culture developed new forms of power and technology to create new architectural stereotypes is a proof of how much radical new built has caused environmental damages, ruined 21

landscapes of derelict buildings, abandoned places, and huge amount of decaying debris.

2.3.1 Waste architecture and globalisation Today, in the era of the ‘global village’, distance has become blurred, which makes it easy for knowledge to be shared and transferred from one place to another, thus what some think they know about waste could be influenced by some foreign ideologies. Relatedly, in order to apply a holistic and comprehensive overview to the notion of waste in architecture, one should consider the recent economic and social changes, where it is said that uniformity mark the development criteria. Consequently, the concept of waste would need to be examined in the light of globalisation as it becomes so important to think of regional wealth, cultural diversity, and different ways of life and particular local aspects as essential elements to be preserved.

As globalization is considered as a process of geographical transformation of production and consumption networks and sites of power (Beall, 2002:42), it has in some way been identified as playing a negative role in the spread of architectural waste. Implications include the transfer of globalized or internationalized architectural concepts, which are basically meant to increase flows of goods, alter life style and consumption patterns; conflicting with regional contexts. In fact, this process has led to international uniformity of production, trade and culture.

The industrialization mechanism, though it was much accentuated by the modern movement and urbanism in the early 20th century, exploring new 22

urban and architectural forms and materials, it introduced a new dimension of architectural waste which is mainly associated with the idea of ‘the new’ before ‘the old’. The rise of cultural homogenization as successive consequences of globalization have brought about a certain neglect for much of the pre-modern existing architecture “often considered to be a symbol of poverty with values and qualities that are far removed from the mediatized concept of modernity” (RehabiMed, 2007). Seemingly, old architectural forms and materials are going to be sacrificed over the new so-called advanced buildings which means more waste to be disposed.

2.3.2 Waste architecture and consumerism The twentieth century was a turning point for the building industry.

Important changes in the processes of production and culture of consumption have been witnessed as modern forms of mass produced and mass distributed goods found their ways into society. The striking features of this period were reflected through objects that are designed to be purchased and quickly replaced by a vast buying public. Buildings, for example, started to be approached as consumer goods in that they were firmly placed within a discourse of modernisation. As Esperdy (2008) claimed, modernisation has widely opened the door for free market since it was mainly driven by competitive consumption.

The modern architectural production, as any other form of production has also been integrated to conform the growing demands of consumer society.

Lupton and Miller (1996) examined how the kitchen and bathroom in the 23

modern era have acquired new spatial dimensions for administering consumption. As according to them the bathroom become a ‘laboratory’ for biological waste, and the kitchen became a site not only for preparing food but for directing household consumption at large (Lupton and Miller, 1996: 6).

On the other hand old architecture had been called to follow the new tendency of modernisation as store-front manufacturers and the government wholeheartedly agreed on façade modernization because it offered the best opportunity for increasing sales of old outdated buildings (Esperdy, 2010).

However, this has raised questions regarding cultural values, and this has been considered as a form of waste which is a ‘waste of values’

Veblen and Wells (2006) have suggested that consumer society began to emerge just after the initial phase of the Industrial Revolution where the shift in economics from emphasizing production to emphasizing consumption was drastically influential. This notion of limitless consumption meant, according to Brantlinger (2008), in part, that anyone's values or desires were as worthy or as wasteful as anyone else's. In other words the new culture of consumption has raised up doubts about the validity of social and cultural values.

In his novel ‘Underworld’ Don DeLillo (1997) exposed the way in which the new consumption features created a world of representations, and simulations. DeLillo keeps the material world in the centre of his novels 24

thereby highlighting the environmental implications of this marked shift in production and consumption processes and emphasising its lasting connotations to our consciousness. His fiction instead, drives the attention to the idea that our environment is an integration of culture and nature (Martucci, 2007), in the current situation an integration of consumerist culture and nature.

2.4 The value to waste in architecture Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics could be one of the first works to discuss the matter of value (Korsgaard, 1986). Value is usually correlated with monetary vocabulary, and defined by economic measures. Although, value can also be comprehended in respect of something’s usefulness, adherence to a certain given order.

Menger (1950) believes that value is subjective because it is formed and set by individuals, and hence the notion of value differs from one individual to another. He adds, although, subjective judgement can contribute significantly to the founding of perceptions over value of something’s virtue or paucity, it can also be understood in terms of objective connotations, like cost and price. However, utility, aesthetics, cultural significance and market are also other relevant measures of value.

In fact, it is widely claimed that the prime purpose of a built space is to convey maximum value for the user, while making a reasonable profit on the resources invested. Emmitt (2010: 57) has suggested that value changes according to one’s circumstances and expectations at a particular point in 25

time. This means that the architectural oeuvre could have different values as it evolves within time. A prestigious building of today may be one of the redundant, ordinary, if not abandoned buildings of tomorrow.

From the point of view of the user, value is the combination of two distinct elements which are price and quality (Ndihokubwayo, 2009). For the architectural oeuvre, setting value is what the architect places on a process (the project), and the outcome of that process (the product). In that measure, it can be said that the recognition of an objective best value for a group will vary from the individual’s perception of value (Christoffersen, 2003).

Apparently, the advent of modern architecture implied obsolescence of buildings that display “fashion of yesterday” and “old architectural forms” as they are accepted as factors leading to an inevitable decline in business, rent, or property values (Esperdy, 2008). Seemingly, if an old building failed to generate meanings under the banner of modern style then it goes directly to waste as it is no longer generating expected profits.

As the usefulness of a building is of prime importance for the success of its architecture, investigations are being done to uncover the existence of nonvalue- adding activities in all stages of the construction process. A non-valueadding activity usually originates from deficiencies, ineffective use of resources (Saukkoriipi, 2004). The existence of any kind of non-value adding activity would lead to the abandon, and waste of both materials and spaces,

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and hence this helps buildings to get rapidly used up. That is why buildings today are getting evaluated even before they get to be constructed.

2.5 Architectural potentialities within waste: “the cradle to cradle concept” As it has been said that the planet is running out of resources, researchers directed their interest into investigating sustainable ways for reusing what already exists. Waste, as a result, has been targeted and identified as a potential resource that can be reused if properly managed. The most recent works on the issue of waste reuse is the work of William McDonough and Michael Braungart. The two have come out with a new concept for sustainable recycling of resources, which they call ‘cradle to cradle’. Their slogan “Waste Equals Food” has rapidly won over major decision makers as well as environmentalists from many various camps.

McDonough and Braungart claim that the ‘Cradle to Cradle’ concept might be the successful way to balance ecology and economy. Imitating nature and its limitless cycle of life, the two architects suggest that transforming human production from a linear into a circular model is what is needed to end the environmental problems (McDonough and Braungart, 2002).

Consequently, this concept aims to define two separate spheres in the production process: the biosphere and the techno sphere. Based on the argument that all the products of nature sustain other life in ecosystems with an endless number of possibilities, they want to reorganise the process of production so that nothing is wasted. According to their perception, All 27

products of industry would need to become either biological or technical nutrients, so that it would be easy to cycle them just as in nature ‘the very concept of waste does not really exists’ hence, in industry “waste should equal food” (McDonough and Braungart, 2002).

3 Old abandoned buildings in the centre of waste discussions From a technical point of view, the association of waste with old and abandoned buildings is manifested through debris, and mortars of those structures after they get either demolished or dilapidated by time factor. This has been observed by Limbachiya and Roberts (2004), who noted in this regard that the huge amount of construction waste, which includes all kinds of materials that a building may contain, result from the demolition of old buildings.

However, the most important association this paper is trying to address is the one that considers the sociological notion of waste within old abandoned buildings. If the terms ‘Old’ and ‘Abandoned’ are taken apart from the notion of the building, one would think of the forgotten and the homeless.

Consequently, when those terms are associated with the building this means that the concerned building has been forgotten by society, and is no more a home for any form of social life. According to St.Claire-King (2003: 356) old abandoned buildings have been handed over to the city, and the city labelled them with big ‘condemned’ signs and forgot about them.

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In fact, a lot happens in abandoned buildings, littered with cigarette butts and beer bottles, some buildings are ideal places for gang members. Some others serve as depositories for garbage and human waste and many of them are homes for the vagrants. In this context it can be said that old abandoned buildings may represent the abandoned people, the abandoned communities, and the abandoned memories Cahill et al. (2010) have considered things left behind by people as important objects to study. This is because those objects represent a trace of human existence in time. The trace, in fact, is distinctiveness which implies presence and meaning. Although, the distinction between absence and presence has never been sufficiently understood, traces of old abandoned buildings may help people to remember that there was always somebody there before them. Indeed, even when buildings are left behind and ignored by people, attempting to build new by eliminating them –those structures will always convey disorder and confusion of people’s own beliefs about what is valuable and what is not. Everything that remains or will remain is both part of the existing people and the discarded debris of the past. In other words one can understand that old abandoned buildings are part of people’s identity and memory and both the unordered and the left behind represent important parts of social life.

3.1 Reasons for building abandonment Buildings may get abandoned and left behind for many reasons. In fact, the primary causes for abandoning a building are associated with decay and 29

deterioration in physical condition of those structures. For Chudley (1981: 2) the dilapidation and degradation of buildings is caused by many factors, such as: “human, chemical, atmospheric, structural, moisture, fire, faulty design, faulty construction, faulty materials, faulty components, faulty systems, cleaning, and vandalism�.

In the same context, Dauglas (2006) summarises the factors leading to obsolescence of buildings. He attributes decay and obsolescence to, first, the technological change which makes modern production processes much more different than what used to be in time. The disintegration of building’s structure and fabric is also one other reason for abandoning buildings, because this lowers their performance in satisfying the user needs in terms of safety. It also makes the appearance of the building unsound for carrying out functional attributes. In addition, the recent changes in the patterns of economy, which resulted in the shrinking of the manufacturing sector and expansion of the service sector, has drastically affected working practices; hence, available usable space unsuitable in terms of layout and/or size. The upgrading of those buildings to comply with contemporary regulations and standards may not be applicable as the improvement works required could be costly. And finally, the restrictive morphology or structural configuration of the building makes it inflexible and sometimes not easy to adapt to same or other uses.

On the other hand, the absence of regular maintenance of buildings would consequently lead to dereliction and decay, and thus abandonment. As every 30

building has a certain life expectancy perishing in time is inevitable. However, when maintenance is not performed adequately this would imply a reduced life of the building.

3.2 Values of old abandoned buildings The argument that gains credit today is that old abandoned buildings are so rich in terms of values. According to Brooker and Stone (2004) the economic and financial value that an old abandoned building embodies lays on the remodelling incentives that could generate benefits out of its preservation. In addition to that, one would mention about the environmental value that old vacant buildings embody. As being considered as a “past energy stored up in a useable form that is waiting to be used and enhanced�, the rescue of those old buildings would generate in energy saving through minimising waste in a regeneration project (Said et al., 2013: 270).

On the other hand, the cultural and social values of old derelict buildings are usually neglected, until the point where the future character of a place is endangered. It is at this moment when concerns regarding the importance of saving those values start to rise up. As Said et al. (2013) claimed, the sociocultural values are essential features of an object, building, or a place because people refer to them for historical awareness and glory of the past, and hence they constitute crucial parts of their identity.

In fact, the acknowledgement of values that old abandoned buildings materialise has been established just recently, where the reuse of the 31

insignificant and overlooked is being put into practice. The reworking of odd and left-over buildings of the city has become the prevalent way of recognising the value of old derelict buildings. Changing their function into a completely different use, can now be accepted as a viable architectural approach. People have always been interested in values and meanings of their living environment for this reason regeneration is of prime importance in enhancing and intensifying quality and character of place (Brooker and Stone, 2004: 13).

4 Theoretical approaches to the waste of old abandoned buildings The theoretical framework applied in this paper will be grounded on the assumption that waste can take many forms which could be physical and/or nonphysical in the same time. Accordingly, the theoretical perspective applied in this paper will be focusing on both material and non-material waste, however the concern here will be on the waste that is portrayed through abandoned buildings. The different theoretical lenses that have been applied to the study of waste will be similarly applied to the examination of abandoned buildings issue.

It is suggested in this paper that the notion of abandoned buildings is correlated with that of waste which made it relevant to question the absence and departure of value from buildings or more accurately to question “when does a building start to become valueless as waste?� , and “when does it stop

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to be valueless?”. The answer to these interrelated questions of course could be read from the definition of what is meant by “Abandoned building”.

It is worth recalling that more attention should be drawn when defining abandoned buildings as they are usually confused with vacant buildings. It is admitted that the notion of vacancy goes under the comprehension of abandonment and not the opposite, this may refer to Kraut’s definition of abandoned buildings “those that are vacant, hazardous to the surrounding community and deteriorating due to the lack an owner’s lack of interest”.

(Kraut, 1999: 1143) Once again this definition was maintained by Hillier et al. (2003) who added that abandoned structures are those of which local officials declare “imminently dangerous” because of their structural defectiveness that resulted from neglect.

However, while many scholars have attempted to define abandoned buildings referring to the notion of physical disorder as Snell (2001: 20) did “physical disorder refers to abandoned buildings, the presence of graffiti, visible trash, and unmaintained homes and lawns”, few others reflected on the social disorder within which abandoned buildings emerge. In considering social disorder both cultural and economic aspects that abandoned buildings embody need to be observed. Hence, in the following sections those aspects will be approached theoretically in order to uncover the materiality and the non-materiality of waste behind abandoned buildings.

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But initially one needs to cast light on some of the most prominent theoretical works on abandoned buildings. Sociologists, as for instance, James Wilson and George Kelling have exposed the issue of untended property by referring to it as the “Broken Windows Syndrome” (Kraut, 1999: 1148). Their theory suggests that one broken window, if left in neglect, will indeed induce individuals to break more windows. In other words, this implies that neglecting a property is much more harmful to the community compared with breaking more windows (Wilson and Kelling, 1989: 46-48). In this regards Thomas (1994: 54) also added “The crumbling of order and resulting self-destruction of the community starts with broken windows not being fixed”.

Respectively, other sociologists argued that a physical dilapidation in a neighbourhood appearance, frequently informed by an abandoned building can designate to both community residents and even outsiders that no one is in charge or at the measure of imposing rules of order in this neighbourhood, thus giving opportunity to those engaged in destructive acts. In accordance to these sociological approaches one can conclude that abandoned buildings that are left to become ruins destabilize communities and destroy social cohabitation. But the question that arises from this is how much of a ruin can be instructive for a better social life?

4.1 Waste ideology behind abandoned buildings Usually when waste is mentioned a series of images of abandoned things such as trash, pile of junk, scrap, rubbish and even black bags pop up into 34

mind. Never the ideas that one holds on waste were uncontaminated.

Indeed, this seems to be a ubiquitous case as Van Loon (2002: 120) asserted “the problem of waste is a universal one�. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that the understanding of waste may vary from one society to another and what could be accepted as waste in one society is not for the other one. This may lead us theoretically to think about waste in a way that the sociological structures inside which the idea of waste develops are observed.

As the abandoned building goes under the umbrella of waste, the discourse behind its valueless condition will be addressed. Here the social construction within which a buildings falls into neglect is what constitutes the main concern. It is said that a building happens to become abandoned only because it is judged valueless by the society who in return decides of the selection of what belongs and what does not. A good example of that would be old aging buildings that are constantly in risk of falling down, most often left to dilapidation as their structural condition has been decided to be unsound to maintain. Consequently, this existing stock of old buildings are condemned to be discarded and eliminated from cities and townscapes.

On the other hand, during the time when aging buildings are getting abandoned and neglected in certain societies, some other societies grant them with great care and even they act strongly so that these buildings become listed. In the same context, while usable buildings are still left vacant and derelict in other communities this is far enough to happen. In that 35

measure, it can be suggested that abandoned buildings just like any other cultural settings are embedded within a complex social discourse. Therefore, they might be clues to understanding a culture’s main classification rules of order and disorder.

Yet, it is worth admitting that ideas about waste exist in every social configuration. However, those ideas are subjected to cultural and social discourses hence they are communicated differently to the point where for some communities order is accepted as disorder, right as wrong and wealth as waste, and for other social groups this would be the opposite. For that reason it can be suggested that abandoned buildings’ waste is something that expands beyond the material artefact just as Douglas (2002) affirmed, the essential quality of waste is not to be discovered through its physical properties.

Apart from being indicators of social defectiveness as McLaughlin (1971: 1) proposed “…evidence of the imperfections of life, a constant reminder of change and decay. It is the dark side of all human activities”, abandoned buildings are durables run off value. The argument for this, for Thompson, is that the social landscape is dissected into three intertwined realms of value upon which worldly objects are judged; this are ‘durables’ such as buildings and works of art, ‘transient’ like modern computers, and ‘rubbish’ like the everyday domestic waste. (Thompson, 1979) Now that abandoned buildings are declared valueless the same social discourse that put them under that context may illuminate us on the 36

discovery of what is valuable, worth saving from the destructive effects of time. Consequently, understanding such social codes would certainly help intervene on the positive aspects of waste and make the best of them so that it is valuable once again as Goldman et al. (1986) contended that waste is also important as long as it gives glimpse of the past and informs the present so that the future is predicted.

4.2 Waste materialism behind abandoned buildings If the material condition is to be targeted in the theoretical inquiry of abandoned buildings one should consider the work of Karl Marx in this regard. Before going on to discuss how abandoned buildings materialise social disintegration, it would be useful to look first at how those wasted structures enter into the vicious cycle of production and consumption. Just as Bauman (2007: 27) noted on the subject of waste and the production mechanism “waste is the dark, shameful secret of all production”.

Since the means of production are not under the supervision of the entire society the degree of production cannot be collectively monitored. When it comes to waste it seems that every social individual is responsible for its generation as he takes part in the production and consumption of capital goods. Accordingly, for Marx “materials that are wasted in the production process nonetheless enters into the value of the commodity and is an element of its exchange value.” (O’Brien, 2012: 153). This would support the assumption that waste is inevitable in the production process hence a constituent feature of capital goods.

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In the spectrum of the architectural business buildings happen to become abandoned because they are believed to be used up by the owner who reciprocally seems to attach less importance into its maintenance.

Apparently, buildings in recent years are considered as consumer goods, once they age their value in the market diminish and they are left to decay and deterioration. The point here is simple enough as Bauman (2003: 49) described it “In the course of consumption the consumed things cease to exist, literally or spiritually. Either they are ‘used up’ physically to the point of complete annihilation […] or they are stripped of their allure […] and so become unfit for consumption” However, most often owners hold on to their decaying properties while they refuse to maintain them as this would reveal profit intentions “while a building may decrease in value because of age and use, land will often appreciate due to events in the surrounding community, such as a major urban revitalisation event”. (Kraut, 1999: 1148) Respectively, as it was mentioned above the production of capital goods, as for example buildings, is only in the hands of those who own the means of production hence there will always be an excess of goods i.e. more new buildings than ever as the main purpose of the capitalist is to produce more capital as Bauman (2012: 156) puts it “the over-production of capitalism itself as a consequence of the ‘perverse’ application of capital to generate more capital rather than satisfy human needs”.

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In short, it can be derived that buildings are more susceptible to get abandoned as more new, judged highly efficient, buildings are being produced in order to keep the capital flowing. However, when a building stops operating profits, sometimes it could be a new building, in this case whether it gets demolished or in some other cases reconverted into new useand exchange-values so that the process of producing capital continues.

In addition to fact that abandoned buildings generate profits for their owners they, at the same time, materialise and concretise social disintegration.

Fernandez (2006) has suggested that besides buildings being material things their condition is a reflection for the broader state of society. Usually abandoned buildings exist in decaying areas where the most deprived communities live as for example the famous ghettos in the US. Poverty, crime, vandalism and drugs dealing are the most popular trends associated with derelict buildings. While many people stay without shelter, communities lack basic housing needs, the perfect environment for buildings to get abandoned is often purposely satisfied which makes owners and speculators in a position of constant anticipation for any future profit opportunity.

Correspondingly, a closer observation of abandoned structures may disclose the social disorder that has been caused by the capitalist mode of production. While capitalists acquired more capital poverty is still taking over large number of areas within cities where very serious levels of social exclusion can be noticed. According to Towers (1995) the early nineteenth 39

century had initiated rapid urbanisation as people moved into cities for labour, however cities at that time were inadequately planed, then it did not take too long before pollution and decay started to take over. As a consequence to this critical situation positive efforts were directed by philanthropic institutions and public authorities in order to improve the quality of life of the urban working class. This what was recognised as “social architecture� with which many social problems had aroused.

Apparently, the poor were unable to endure life within industrial cities as they were socially segregated in polluted derelict areas. Thus, after the Second World War more efforts were put into urban development in order to solve the problem of ghettos and slums. It seems that this urban renewal which consisted of sweeping away old settlements and replacing them with multi story flats impacted on the shaping of today’s city. In the same time, this has been followed by community actions against the annihilation of familiar environment by those seeking to capitalise urban redevelopment.

Yet, abandoned buildings and derelict structures have become a matter of interest as they are provoking environmental problems and economic crisis.

The attempts of renewal and rehabilitation that take place nowadays are again a proof of how dilapidated buildings, which usually shelter a particular social group, are being valued by means of production for the sake of generating more capital, hence bringing about more social disintegration.

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5 Architectural attitudes to old derelict buildings History attests that old buildings have always been subjected to interventional works and transformations. As political, religious and economic systems rise and fall, buildings on the other hand survived civilisations, and changed respectively. Although attitudes to reusing old buildings differ from civilisation to civilisation, the ancient common sense was that old buildings get reused and re-inhabited. Stanton and Magnoni (2008) gave the example of Maya people to illustrate how ancient Mayans used and reused their old structures, without protection of the old being their desired incentive. Powell (1999) also mentioned that Greek and Roman temples were altered to churches, English monasteries reused as country houses and national palaces became post war revolution museums. In fact, the motivation behind the reuse of old buildings was at first pragmatic, or in other words, functional and financial. It is just in the ninetieth century when legislation was put in place with the aim of rescuing and protecting old buildings (Powell, 1999).

The idea of old buildings as sacred compositions, was forged in Europe by Viollet-le-Duc, Ruskin and Morris during the nineteenth century (Pendlebury, 2008: 16). Apparently, these prominent conservationist figures had worked with old buildings and valued them. While Viollet-le-Duc was an advocate of restoration, Ruskin and Morris believed that buildings should change as societies change, or in other words repairing the old by recreating the past is unacceptable and pointless. Later on, according to Powell (1999), a more 41

revolutionary approach to addressing old buildings had emerged in post war Italy, which is more about the reuse of the old by merging it with the new for a better exploitation of historical spaces.

Contrarily, the twentieth century witnessed the advent of modern architecture with its new ideals of urban renewal. However, as modern architecture failed to address urban regeneration a bright idea of reusing old redundant buildings came out of necessity. Today, old buildings are being recast and converted just because it is cheaper and a less complicated process than building the new. Seemingly, it is not any more about protecting the old but is more about recycling and sustaining the existing (Kinney and Brilliant, 2011: 225).

5.1 Architectural interventions in old buildings Within the practice of architecture, there are many different ways in which intervention can be done to an old building. In fact, the type of intervention would depend on the building and its existing context. Brooker and Stone (2004) recognised a number of different approaches to dealing with an old existing building; they emphasized the importance of distinguishing between those various methods as all of them have already been used in the conservation of old structures.

According to Brooker and Stone (2004: 11) these methods are classified as follows:

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Preservation is defined as the way in which the building is maintained as it has been found by improving its safety and preventing any further decay. This would imply that whether the building is ruinous or not it would not matter as the ruined condition is that much essential to the historical understanding of the place.

Restoration is described as the process of bringing the building back to its original condition, and this usually includes the application of materials and techniques of original period to guarantee that the building looks the same as it used to look when first constructed.

Renovation is understood as the process of renewing and recasting a building. In other words, this would mean that the concerned structure is gutted and upgraded to current standards. Although this process may sometimes require removal of parts of the original structure, the function of the building is often maintained.

Remodelling refers to the process of altering a building by revising its functional and structural composition; however, function is usually the most distinct change. Some other changes may be done to the building itself such as circulation routes, the orientation, the spatial relationships; moreover, additions can be introduced and other areas may need to be removed. This process is sometimes referred as adaptive reuse.

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5.2 Adaptation and reuse of old abandoned buildings 5.2.1 Definition of building adaptation and reuse Adapting and reusing old building stock is not a novelty. In fact, underused and abandoned buildings in cities have long been objects for adaptive reuse, providing double advantage: the building and resources invested into its construction does not go to waste, and the neighbourhood gets a boost of vitality through regeneration (Kohler and Hassler, 2002). In fact, the term adaptation comes from the Latin word ad (to) and aptare (to fit). In the context of buildings, adaptation refers to many major works of adjusting, reusing or upgrading a building to comply with current safety standards and modern spatial requirements. Usually, building adaptation definitions are associated with change of building use where an extreme maintenance of original structure and fabric is assured, and the useful life of the property is extended (Ball 2002; Mansfield 2002; Douglas 2006; Bullen 2007).

Douglas (2006: 9) summarizes that adaptation is about managing change in the context of the functional and physical condition of existing buildings.

Typically, adaptation and reuse of buildings is based on the premise that buildings are not static; hence, their use and condition change over their service life.

5.2.2 The pros and cons to building adaptation and reuse The preservation of old buildings used to be solely concerned with maintaining classified monuments and historical buildings. However, in 44

recent years more buildings are being preserved and reused just because building owners and developers have come to recognize the potential value behind the large stock of old buildings (Kroller, 1987). According to Highfield (1987) the limited availability of funds, and extended effects of demolition on the environment have incited city planners and developers to think of the adaption of old redundant buildings, as a mean to providing modern accommodation at a lower cost, and in a shorter time than the alternative of new construction.

Following to Douglas (2006) classification of the advantages and the disadvantages within the reuse and adaption of buildings, the coming paragraphs will be looking at those positive and negative aspects in categories: economic, technical, spatial, environmental, and social and cultural.

On the one hand the advantages of building reuse and adaptation could be multiple. From an economic point of view, adaptation and reuse of old buildings may be cost effective. Douglas (2006: 15) claimed that the reuse and adaption of an existing building is often much economical than to demolish and redevelop a site. In the same context, Kroller (1987) mentioned that conversion, and alteration of old buildings when compared with constructing a new building is financially advantageous. The reasons why the costs of adaptation usually is lower than new build are, first, the process of adaption is quicker compared with that of a new development because foundations, basic services and superstructure already exist. Secondly, less 45

time will be needed for the physical work than when demolition is proceeded (Douglas, 2006). While time is saved during the construction stage, it is also saved during the pre-contract design and planning permission stages, which typically take much longer for new development than for adaptation (Highfield, 1987: 2). Therefore, it can be argued that adaptation and reuse of old buildings is economically beneficial as it offers the owner the possibility to obtain a re-casted building in shorter time, which would allow him to earn revenue from it sooner.

The technical utility of building adaption is also to mention. As the fabric of the building is already in place this saves much of the work, and transportation of new materials is reduced. At the same time, fewer arrangements will have to be made for the storage of materials as the existing building itself can serve as a proper storage place. Thus, building only needs to be modified and enhanced to comply with the user needs (Douglas, 2006). One more point that could be added to the technical gains within an operation of reuse and adaptation is that the old arts and crafts of the concerned structure will be used and reused to show their best advantages in terms of forms and materials (Highfield, 1987).

Furthermore, the spatial benefits are also to be mentioned. For Douglas (2006) the owner of the building to be adapted will gain more floor space by maintaining the property, because an old structure may permit a higher ‘plot ratio’ than the new build. Similarly, Kroller (1987) claimed that the spatial benefits of adaptation lay on the availability of space in which more mixed 46

and more varied possibilities of use are provided. Kroller (1987) also added that building adaptation makes a way for new architectural forms. This means that the old building will gain a completely new architectural philosophy which cannot be grasped within a new build, as the outcome would be a quality space that merges between different architectural ideologies.

When it comes to the environmental significance of building reuse and adaption, there is much that can be achieved in this regard. Besides the enhanced qualities of the existing, more energy is to be saved and sustainably used to extend the life of the structure. According to Douglas (2006) old buildings seem to have thick solid energy consumption, because past time builders used to make thick masonry walls to insure the building is structurally and climatically adequate. This implies that the reuse of old buildings makes additional heat insulation unneeded.

Kroller (1987) also noted that pollution of the environment is reduced when an old building is retained and enhanced in that minimum energy is spent for the transportation of raw materials as old valuable materials will be raw materials themselves. This would mean that these original materials, which today cannot be made in the same quality and quantity are not destroyed, and even not wasted. Consequently, this would encourage better use of existing scarce resources which means less energy consumption and less waste generation (Douglas, 2006).

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One more important point that positively credits adaptation and reuse of old buildings is related with the sociocultural achievements. While the character of the neighbourhood is retained, the salvage of disused old buildings can bring back life to deserted urban areas. In other words adaptation and reuse of old buildings can offer hope to communities and neighbourhoods (Douglas, 2006).

On the other hand, the adaptation and reuse of buildings may not be always advantageous. As Douglas (2006) mentioned, the performance of an adapted building will be lower than that of new build, therefore the needs of the user might not be fully satisfied. Moreover, there are too many constraints within the adaptation process because the form, structure and scale have already been established.

From a technical perspective, the extended life of an adapted building will always be inferior compared to that of a new building. There is no certainty that the adapted building will overcome all the deficiencies in performance after it gets recast. In fact, all old buildings have certain degrees of deficiencies that might be found, sometimes, too difficult and expensive to repair (Douglas, 2006).

The economic shortcomings of building adaptation may be that the costs required for the maintenance of old buildings is much higher. Moreover, the financial profit may not be as high as that obtained within a modern facility that fully fulfils the needs of today’s user. Similarly, sometimes it is difficult to

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fit insulation standards within old structures, and some of the materials required for use in adaptation work may be pricey and not easy to find.

With regards to environment, not all adaption and reuse operations were successful in improving indoor or outdoor environment. The physical display or energy efficiency of the retained building may not be fully achieved (Douglas, 2006).

5.2.3 Influencing factors for decision to adapt an old building According to Douglas (2006: 13) building adaptation takes three significant forms: changes in function (e.g. conversion); changes in size (e.g. extension), and changes in performance (e.g. refurbishment). The degree of intervention depends on the users’ needs as well as the structural condition of the facility.

In the long run, additional considerations would need to be taken into account when deciding what form of change to carry within an old building.

These considerations correspond mainly to the availability, distribution, suitability and quality of the property (Douglas, 2006: 43).

It is commonly known that all buildings, before they get to be erected, a feasibility study is done to decide whether or not a construction project can be executed. The same thing happens when it comes to adapting an old building. (Douglas, 2006: 48) Whether involving new build or adaptation a construction project has to undergo three levels of feasibility study which are economic, physical, and functional feasibility.

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1. Viability (economic feasibility) Usually when considering the viability of building adaptation and reuse many factors are included. However, the basic elements to consider are time and costs of adaption works such as labour and material (Chudley, 1981: 9).

The reason why time is an important factor for assessing viability is because the process of adaptation would not be worthwhile if it takes a longer time as this means more money to be added to the initial estimated expenses (Chudley, 1981: 23).

The general method for evaluating the viability of adapting an old building resides in comparing the capital expenses spent on the works of adaptation and the estimated yearly benefits with other forms of similar investment over the same period of time, with same amount of capital outlay. This method is usually referred to as discounting method, and is defined as a “mean of calculating the present value of a sum of money due in the future� (Chudley, 1981: 57). The reason for using this technique is because it helps give an approximate idea of how much profit owner can get in the future from the money he invested today in the adaptation project.

2. Practicality (physical feasibility) Physical feasibility of adaptation may be affected by two factors. The first factor is the structural condition of the building. In order to assess the physical condition of an existing building a technical survey will be needed.

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This survey includes measuring and photographing and in site inspecting of all parts of the building (Douglas, 2010) Availability of physical resources is the second factor for decision over the practicality of adaptation and reuse of buildings. When considering adaptation, the availability of materials and components for the future proposed work would need to be taken into account (Chudley, 1981: 21). This means that research will have to be done in terms of material textures to find out how to blend existing materials with adjacent materials, or maybe what materials could be best suited for a successful combination of contrast.

3. Utility (functional feasibility) Functional feasibility is more about the future use and life of the building to be transformed and adapted. For Chudley (1981) the question of future use of a building when planning to carry out an adaptation operation needs to be fully considered. Although a functional survey of the existing enclosure will be necessary, the proposed adaptation would have to target long term utility.

This means that, the design can be done so that the life of the proposed adaption will last as longer as it could be anticipated from an enhanced existing structure.

Faulkner-Brown (1987) believes that the functional feasibility of building adaptation depends on the needs of the user and whether or not the existing fabric would be coping with the proposed changes. Similarly, Chudley noted that the forthcoming effects of the changed use building on the social life should be considered before any decision is taken to carry out an adaptation 51

operation. In addition, if the building to adapt is under use, nuisance which may be caused to the users will have to be taken into account (Chudley, 1981: 21) In fact, these considerations are not of balanced weighting. Each project is unique and the decision making in building adaptation depends on the needs of the client, and circumstances of the projects themselves. However, viability is usually the most important factor for the decision in building reuse and adaption project.

5.2.4 Sustainable factors for building adaptation and reuse Working with the existing, or the old has long stopped to be only about preserving history. Indeed, it has become more an economic and ecological obligation. Nowadays, reusing and adapting the existing built environment, repairing and restoring it for a more sustainable use became the rule.

Moreover, instead of destructing more green spaces, wasting resources and polluting the environment, the idea of reusing the old and the existing is regarded as the most effective strategy (Schittich, 2003: 9).

Retaining the old and making the best out of it is a necessity, especially at time in history when demolition and change became orders of the day (Earl, 2003).

Seemingly, the works of building adaptation and reuse are centred on the idea of sustainability. In other terms, sustainability is about achieving an

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acceptable quality of life, through growth, without disinheriting future generations (English Heritage, 1997).

Providing that sustainability is no longer an optional extra for building adaptation works, the factors that contribute to the success of building recast operation are mentioned by Douglas (2006). The first factor for sustainable adaptation is profitability. It is true that an adapted building can hardly attain the same rate of returns as the new build, however the latter cannot match the former in terms of being cheaper to run. The second factor is flexibility.

The adapted building will have to be altered and enhanced in a way that it will increase chances of reuse in the future. Although it might be difficult to achieve this point with adapted buildings, the flexibility of the proposed design, indeed, can be accomplished by paying particular attention to water, heat and power systems, health and safety measures (Douglas, 2006).

Energy efficiency is another factor to consider when it comes to sustainability. According to Douglas (2006) adapted buildings can best achieve energy efficiency by keeping energy consumption to its limits, and by minimizing heat loses. Consequently, adaptation schemes should therefore optimize natural daylighting where necessary. At the same time, natural ventilation would need to be maximised as this helps minimize the need for artificial air conditioning. Furthermore, sustainable adaptation schemes should aim for the use of eco-friendly materials which are considered as environmentally acceptable, because the main purpose of sustainability is to improve the environmental quality of the existing fabric.

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5.2.5 Different approaches for building adaptation There are many different approaches according to which an existing building can be adapted. According to Schittich (2003) three different approaches could be distinguished in the works of existing building adaptation and reuse.

1. Preserving the old in its totality- the original is main source of inspiration This approach is typically concerned with the protection of heritage. The projects that fall under this category bear a close resemblance to the original intent or structure. Within this approach the use of the building may not be changed that much from the original. This means that in conversions undertaken in the spirit of conservation, the design principle is based on authenticity and explicit preservation of the old in its totality.

2. Layering old and new fragments: the idea of contrast Basically, this approach is developed over the idea that the old and new live by each other in a converted building. This approach implies different historic layers interacting one with the other. The idea of one consistent unity is superseded by two multi-layered configurations. Therefore, the spatial outcome is a composition of contrasted fragments which only can be considered as a new hole in the context of dialogue between new and old.

3. The existing fabric as a material substance for the new design This design approach is based on the idea that accounts the existing building as an abundant and changeable material resource to be retained and 54

reworked in order to fashion a new entity. The existing fabric can be manoeuvrable at will, while no restrictions or demands for authenticity are required. While the original fabric stays apparent, the object is totally remodelled. Therefore, this design attitude, instead focuses on the aspired resolution without aiming to contrast layers and fragments.

5.2.6 Case studies of building reuse and adaptation 1. Astley Castle- Warwickshire

Fig-1- The refurbished ruins of Astley Castle Warwickshire site

Fig-2- The interior space of Astley Castle (Source: www.pinterest.com)

(Source: www.theguardian.com)

Astley Castle was a home to three queens of England, then a parliamentary garrison during the civil war, and later a raucous hotel and bar, before it was ravaged by fire in 1978.

Now, after being refurbished Astley Castle which is near Nuneaton in Warwickshire have been declared the best building of the year 2013, and was granted the RIBA architecture award “ the 2013 Riba Stirling prize�.

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The design response in which the architects “Witherford Watson Mann� have proposed was based on the concept of stitching a series of brick and timber walls into the ravaged shell. While a forcefully modern approach was intertwined with the strong sense of the original ruin, crafting a layered sequence of spaces was one of the ways in which this project celebrates the building's 800 years of history. Every view of the refurbished building is carefully designed, forming layered fragments of old and new. Rather than attempting to recreate the original, the refurbishment retains the castle as a ruin and build within its remains. The new insertion can be noticed as an emerging structure that stands out of scratch of the 15th and 17th century castle. The windows of the new house are incorporated in a way that they span the gaping openings in the original walls of the castle.

This project exemplify a successful reuse of a ruinous structure in that it revives the old spirit of the building while creating a new space for living that satisfies the needs of nowadays user.

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2. Microsoft Headquarters-Turkey

Fig-3- Microsoft HQ Istanbul View into the Atrium (Source: www.kgmimarlik.com.tr)

Fig-4- Microsoft HQ Istanbul View into the adapted workspace (Source: www.kgmimarlik.com.tr)

Located in Levent, one of the poplar districts in Istanbul, this building was originally erected as a shopping and became later an abandoned building.

Transformed into a contemporary headquarters for Microsoft, this building now houses a flexible workplace that comply with the needs of the workers and which offers Microsoft's International Workplace Advantage Programme.

Designed by Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, The hexagonal floor plan and central atrium provided new possibilities for the new activity. While the existing organisation of the interior space helped to establish visual connections between all departments and teams of the new projected program, the intention of the adaptation was not only to make use of the existing in terms of retaining the structure but it was more about bringing advanced technology into the reused building.

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The atrium forms the main circulation route, from which the glazed meeting rooms, open-plan workspaces can be seen. The reception and client areas, display the technologically advanced workplace and direct visitors to experience the distinctively exposed spaces on the atrium walkways. The design response here was more about setting an abandoned building into contemporary building standards so that it would allow greater connectivity, transparency and the latest high-tech work spaces.

The outcome of this adaptation is an open plan workplace that offers large variety of activities such as business, service, and social activities.

6 An interventional work to an old abandoned building “Algeria case study�

The subject of waste in architecture cannot be fully tackled at a theoretical level therefore a concrete example of what theory may imply would help a better understanding of the notion of waste in architecture. To exemplify this, it would be necessary to position waste within a certain given social and cultural context.

As an attempt to bring theory into a contextual process it has been decided that Algeria would be the best choice for this study, particularly because of being familiar with the Algerian history, culture and traditions; then, another argument is that Algeria is one of the developing countries with a fast growing population, which means more resources are needed to supply the 58

increasing needs of citizens, and if waste continues to be overlooked by Algerians they might have to face big problems in the future as resources are becoming limited and insufficient.

However, and on the other hand, the main reason behind the choice of Algeria as a context for the study of architectural waste is driven by the fact that there is very little research done to investigate the issue of architectural waste in Algeria.

6.1 Algeria: geography and climate Geographically located in the North of Africa, Algeria is a large country with huge diversity of landscapes ranging from fertile coastal lands along the Mediterranean Sea in the north to the vast Saharan dunes in the south.

However, almost 80 percent of the Algerian land is covered by desert where only few people live compared to the vast majority who lives in the north part of the country (DiPiaza, 2007).

Due to the fact that Algeria is one of the biggest countries in Africa in terms of surface, the climate in the north of the country differs from that in the south. While the North is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters the south is hot and dry with low humidity.

6.2 Algeria: people and culture The native people of Algeria are said to be the Berbers, called so by the Romans. The Berbers are believed to be the first people to inhabit the land for about five thousand years ago (DiPiazza, 2007). However, due to the 59

strategic location of the Algerian lands it made it a target for many different groups ranging from Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Vandals. During the seventh century AD the North African lands had been invaded by troops from the Arabian Peninsula in pursuit of spreading the Islamic religion which becomes latter an essential part of the Algerian culture.

The sixteen century witnessed the control of the Ottoman Empire over the Algerian coastal cities. During this period the Algerian coast was called the “the Barbary coast� as sailing nearby the Algerian waters was not safe for it has been under the command of the Barbary corsairs who took over ships passing by the coast.

The arrival of French troops in the 1830s marked a significant stage in the history of Algeria, and played an important role in the shaping of modern Algeria. Even though it is almost fifty two years since Algerians gained their independence, the French influence can still be noticed in the streets of modern Algeria starting from architecture to dialect. Correspondingly, the fact that Algeria went through many historical stages and was populated by too many cultures made it a land of multicultural representations and diverse social configurations; however, this does not negate the prose that the Algerian society is conservative and centred around the principles of Islamic way of life.

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6.3 Algeria: Architectural typology The Algerian architecture is that rich and diverse, it ranges from Islamic architecture into western European architecture or more precisely French colonial architecture. The Islamic typology can be found within Ottoman buildings, and old cities of the north and also within the southern Saharan architecture; however, colonial architecture can be mostly noticed in big urban areas of north Algeria. Algiers, which is the capital city of the country would be a good example of those two different typologies. The older morphology of the city is of Ottoman influence, manifested through the old Casbah (Fig.5), which means ‘fortress’.

The Casbah of Algiers is a “triangular shaped town carved into the hills facing the Mediterranean” (Çelik 1997: 11). Founded in the tenth century by Arab Zirid Dynasty, and developed later in the sixteen century by Ottomans who enclosed its borders from all sides and created towers and five gates all around the enclosure (Çelik 1997). The Casbah city consists of about fifty small neighbourhoods that was once populated by mixed families like Andalusian, Moorish, Kabyle, and Jews. It is considered as the traditional urban and architectural form of North Africa, formed of “major narrow streets connect to blind alleys leading to houses, public baths, mosques, and water wells or fountains” (Hadjri 1993: 67).

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Fig -5- Plan of the old city, c.1900, showing the Casbah (1) and the marine quarter (2) (Source: publishing.cdlib.org)

The housing typology (Fig.6) of the Casbah is basically established to respond to a certain key concepts that are climate, topography, privacy and aesthetics. Fig7 shows an example of a traditional house in the Casbah where it can be noticed how the space is organised and oriented into the inside of the building. Giving into a central courtyard, the Ottoman house would allow sun light and ventilation through indoor spaces.

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Fig -6- Housing typology of Casbah houses (Source: design.epfl.ch)

Fig -7- Examples of a typical house of the Casbah of Algiers (Source: publishing.cdlib.org)

The other typology, which is of colonial nature, is totally different than the Ottoman one. It represent a distinct stage in the history of Algerian built environment. This French designed environment has transformed the urban and architectural character of cities of Algeria. Big cities of the country like Algiers, Oran, Annaba, Constantine are the most remarkably affected by this transformation. Looking at the case of Algiers one can easily distinguish the two different architectural fabrics which are living side by side in the same urban envelope.

The arrival of the French to Algeria was followed by many urban developments. Many traditional houses were demolished to be replaced with blocks of European houses that can be better described as ‘balcony houses’ (Hadjri 1993: 66).

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Hadjri and Osmani (2004) have classified the urban colonial structure as nonadequate with the Algerian social needs as it was essentially designed to fulfil the needs of the French settlers. Standardized housing structures with wide opened facades (Fig.8) giving into main streets, public open spaces all contradict with the cultural and social living style of the Algerian community for whom privacy is that essential within lived spaces.

Fig -8- 1840s French colonial architecture (Source: Hocine Zaourar)

After independence most Algerians moved to live in cities and towns formerly occupied by the French. Nevertheless, the colonial built environment corresponded to spatial awkwardness for Algerian inhabitants as it does not respond to their sociocultural interests. Relatedly, Hadjri (1993) noted that the occupied French houses were subjected to many alterations and modification to fit the needs of Algerian occupants in terms of spatial privacy.

The architectural heritage of both the Ottomans and the French stands today at a very tragic situation as it has been aggressively used. Those building 64

might soon disappear in that less is being done to save them. Figures 9 and 10 show the dilapidation and deterioration of heritage structures that constitute important feature of the Algerian architectural memory.

Fig-9- The ruins of the Casbah houses

Fig-10-The ruinous condition of a

(Source: http: www.blogg.org)

French building (Source: www.lemag.ma)

The current condition of Algerian architecture is quite critical as modern life requirements are to be satisfied alongside the cultural and social needs of people. In fact, the new Algerian built environment is characterised by a distinct anarchy, caused by the adaptation of foreign architectural styles that are then adjusted to the patterns of Algerian culture. However, Algerians are still looking and searching for new typology that defines them, and that helps solve their growing environmental, social, economic and political problems.

6.4 Case intervention “The Rais Hamidou Castle, Algiers” The chosen site to test this thesis is located in ‘Rais Hamidou’, one of the popular neighbourhoods in ‘Algiers’ the capital city. This location proves to be 65

ideal for the exercise of reuse, and adaptation of an old abandoned structure as the site houses a derelict ruinous castle that dates back to the colonial presence in the country.

The reasons for this particular choice are dictated by the following facts: firstly, the site is strategically positioned in the bay of Algiers facing the Mediterranean Sea, however, this advantage is neither exploited nor recognised and the area till today remains in neglect and disuse. Moreover, as there is no defined activity taking place in this area of the neighbourhood, one can consider the site to be an urban wasted space that needs to be reclaimed and redefined for use of the nearby community, who, seemingly, tend to be lacking minimum congregational spaces where meeting and interacting can be made properly.

Secondly, the castle that exists in place represents a historic architectural asset of colonial Algeria, which yet has been left to decay and oblivion.

Although, besides the building being historically significant, people who grew up in this neighbourhood place too much value on it as it embodies sociocultural meanings, even in its current dilapidated condition.

Furthermore, due to the dominance of its geographical emplacement the existing castle is considered to be one of the very important physical landmarks in the area. Ultimately, one could add to this arguments another interesting point that may justify the choice of this particular site, and this is tightly related to the fact that the existing fabric contributes significantly to the neighbourhood scape. Consequently, maintaining and enhancing what is 66

already there would for sure help preserve the integrity of the neighbourhood scenery, and reinforce the character of this place.

Fig-11- View of the chosen site (Source: Author)

6.4.1 Analysis  Context and environment In a French architectural style neighbourhood, on the edge of a cliff, one catches sight of a ruinous derelict castle standing alone from its nearby surroundings. Very French in its image and very precise in its form, the socalled “haunted castle”, as the community refers to it, is a three story building located in the north quarter of Rais Hamidou neighbourhood. The building oversees the sea from the north, and the city of Algiers from the other sides. Seemingly, the site and the building have gone through many changes over time, and this can be read through the disposed debris all-over the place. If any intervention would take place in this area, it has to consider

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the context and environment of the existing fabric, and its relationship with the neighbourhood and surroundings.

The area where the building sets is quite empty of activity, except for the existing playground where children can be seen usually playing football, and the car park that is used most often by people who come to spend time in the nearby beach. Although the site can be easily accessible by car, pedestrians find it less easy to access it as there is a busy car way in the south boundary of the site, not to mention the difference of level between the site and the neighbourhood.

Fig-12- Conceptual diagram of existing context (Source: Author)

The architectural typology of the existing surroundings ranges from colonial architecture which can be found within the residential blocks of three to two story buildings, and post-colonial architecture which is mostly portrayed

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through newly built individual villa houses that can be described as unfinished constructions in most cases.

As for the natural landscape, the sea from on North and the hill on the South are the most significant features of the area. There is no doubt that the proximity of the sea caused the existing fabric overwhelming weathering and erosion damages over the years, however, it can be said that the major damages that the site endured are a consequence of human neglect and carelessness. When it comes to the green scenery, as the site had been left without care one can see weeds growing everywhere. However, there is quite important amount of vibrant greenery on the top of the hill which needs to be extended into the site quarters to ensure continuity between the built and the non-built environment.

Fig-13- Context and environment Sketch (Source: Author)

 History and function The abandoned castle was erected by a French baron in the nineteenth century to host a nursing home for people suffering from pulmonary 69

problems. For this reason, the openings on the façade of the building seem to be quite big, that is to make sure the sun heat and light penetrate inside the building. Later on the building was transformed into a primary school by the French authorities in the 1950s’. Many residents of this neighbourhood went to this school for their primary education as this institution was open for both Algerians and French pupils. It is said that the last floor of the building, at the time when the building was used as a school, served as a flat house for the school master and his family. While the rest of floors housed the classrooms.

Fig-14- Image of the Castle 1950s’ (Source: www.flickr.com)

Fig-15- Image of the Castel when it used to be a school 1950s’ (de-l-amiraute-a- tipasa.skyrock.com)

In the 1962, just few months before the country got its independence, the building was bombed by the French secret organisation ‘OAS’, and this caused damages in some parts of the structure. As a result, the building was closed and the school became abandoned since then. In fact, the building 70

was not that deteriorated after the bombing incident, the proof is the attempts of many Algerian families to inhabit the building in the ten years that followed its bombing. However, this actions were deemed to be illegal by local authorities, who evacuated those families eventually. (La véritable histoire de la maison hantée, 2014) Seemingly, the buildings’ function had been changed over the decades. This means that this building cannot be thought of as a fixed and static entity because it survived many evolving events in this area. Today, this castle is an abandoned deteriorating building. A place where the rugged people gather. A house for ghosts as the community declares. Regrettably, there have been no significant actions done to preserve or save the structure from decay, except for the few newspaper articles, and the works done by some artists in order to sensitize people about the need to recover and save the building from disappearing.

 Form and structure The ‘Rais Hamidou’ castle is a regular shaped building that is composed of three adjacent rectangular blocks, and a cylindrical staircase. The structural condition of the building seems to be quite critical, and this can be clearly noticed through missing floor platforms and roof. In fact, the ruinous condition of the building makes it possible to see the material component that are incorporated within the fabric. While the walls are made of natural stones and bricks, the remaining floor platforms show a combination of steel

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beams and vaulted bricks in between the beams, however, the columns are totally made of stones.

After having done a small survey in the building it appeared that the materials have been weathered up, the walls have major cracks, and the structure is utterly undermined. In addition, the interior spaces seem to be concealed as most of the internal walls have fell down. However, the spatial distribution of the building can still be read within the remained walls and debris. Ultimately, the structural condition of the building can be judged unsound. The need to reinforce the remaining fabric in order to keep the building functioning is a necessity.

Fig-16- The ruinous interior of the building (Source: Author)

Fig-17- Interior of the building Missing floors and roof (Source: Author)

Yet, it seems that the interior elements of the building cannot be saved as most of them have already been deteriorated. However, the faรงade of the building seems to be is quite sound, hence, it can be recovered and maintained as it still encloses the indoor space that dates back to the nineteenth century. At the same time, the existing faรงade continues to 72

communicate cultural and historical meanings to people. For these reasons, the facade can be considered as a bridge between the past and the present, hence its retention would help boost the local character of the area.

6.4.2 Design approach and strategy The design strategy is built over idea of working with the existing fabric as an alternative to demolition and new build. While the aim of the intervention will be about the reuse and adaptation of a ruined and aging building, the design strategy is going to investigate the ways in which ruined and derelict buildings can be celebrated, and their value recognised.

To start with, the notion of waste is exposed again and recalled when it comes to the conceptualisation of ruins. In fact, it is true that people lack interest in ruinous objects just like they do with waste. However, when a ruinous, or a valueless object is taken from the context of waste it can be seen differently. After all, every existing object goes through the process of ruination, or in other words becomes obsolete. Consequently, it can be said that “ruin is something in process, belonging to the past, the present and future, and consequently, is an aspect of temporality� (Scott, 2007: 96).

Based on the perception that obsolescence is an inevitable process, the design strategy proposes a method for intervention that evolves from the belief that ruins still have life within them. Therefore, ruinous aging buildings have to be considered for inhabitation within the context of creative reuse. In fact, if the damaged neglected building is altered and transformed into 73

something more relevant, useful and durable, people will reconsider its value and then it will stop to fall under the category of waste.

Given that the building in which this thesis is addressing is in a condition of ruin, it can be suggested that the former gets rehabilitated and recast.

Because, there is more to the ruin than the physical defectiveness. Reusing the existing ruinous castle would bring a new dimension to the way in which aging buildings are perceived.

The works of rehabilitation and alteration will have to be operated with much of honesty. Which means that the layers of the old, or the layers of the ruin would not have to be camouflaged. Instead, the design solution should aim to highlight those different materials that translate the past, and bring them together with new layers in a dialogue of contrast so that each chronological stage is distinguished from the other.

However, the design approach is more about transparency and honesty more than it is about contrast. In other words, this approach to design is seeking to emphasise the obsolete condition of the building. This could be made possible by using transparent materials that allow the viewer to visually experience the building and its obsolete components. Indeed, it is worth saying that the ability to see the different layers of a building is a privilege which cannot be granted within the new build. For this reason, the concerned castle for intervention has to be reused and adapted to meet the needs and the standards of todays’ user without having to sacrifice its apparent layered diversity. Because at the end, this would help to understand that buildings 74

are evolving spaces embedded with meanings and values. They are not fixed, nor static, they are full of life, thus they should endure.

Provided that this thesis is addressing an existing fabric, the design strategy will come to establish guidelines on how to explore, and take advantage of the existing potentialities of the site. The main criteria that would inform the design are dictated by the standards of integrative design. These standards are basically concerned with balancing between the often competing factors such as, economy, community, and environment.

Fig-18- Design strategy diagram (Source: Author) In this particular intervention, the first factor to consider is economy. This would mean that the design solution will have to be viable, it should create incentives and enhance the local economy. At the same time, the recast space will need to be flexible in terms of use, and also it has to be designed for long term in order to generate maximum profit. The second factor to consider is community, i.e. the design should establish possibilities and 75

create chances for interaction between people. This can be achieved by creating spatial opportunities where the community could be engaged, and also by reinforcing sociocultural values, providing lifestyle choices, and enhancing accessibility for all users.

However, without considering the factor of environment, the design will miss the aim of this intervention, which is to sustainably reuse and adapt a derelict aging space. When it comes to the factor environment, the terms ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ are emphasised. In this context, the design guidelines for a better enhanced and regenerated environment are concerned with reducing energy consumption, reusing the existing context, integrating new technologies for a better performance, and making sure that the integrated materials cause no harm to the environment.

Fig-19- Site programming approach (Source: Author) To meet this requirements of integrative design, the site will be developed in a way that diverse spatial programing is put in place. Which means that new activities and services will have to be introduced into the site to make it more 76

vibrant. In addition, accessibility will have to be enhanced and facilitated by giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists.

Fig-20- Conceptual section for the proposed development (Source: Author) Flexibility as well is another requirement that needs to be fulfilled as spaces are said to be in constant change. For that reason a maximum of open spaces will have to be created in order to make place for any future change.

Enhancing the quality of the green scenery is another key strategy. This can be sustainably attained through the extension of the existing flora into site, and making sure it is irrigated during the dry periods. Respectively, rain water will have to be collected to sustain the greenery. Furthermore, a tree belt between site and city will be a good idea as it would imply in reduced air and noise pollution.

When it comes to the existing derelict building, rather than trying to recreate the original, the intervention seeks to preserve the aging castle as a ruin and builds within it. This means that a new structure will be installed within the old fabric to make use of it and extend its life. The Faรงade will be retained and patched up with the new fabric, while the floors will be adapted to host 77

the new use. In short, it can be said that the key concerns targeted by the design strategy aim to redevelop and regenerate the site as a whole, which means that the built and the non-built spaces are taken into account.

6.4.3 Design narrative and architectural response The design proposal will include community amenities, facilities for outdoor activities, and tourist attractions. The proposal sets out to re-use the existing fabric where possible by making new use of the derelict castle building, proposing a new approach of inhabiting the ruin, and more importantly involving community in the process of design.

The master plan is programmatically complex, dealing with community amenities for nearby residents, accessible congregational areas for families, bikers, walkers and disabled, tourist attraction facilities, and also large green spaces where people can go to chill out and relax. The master plan also seeks to make use of site topography in a way that different platform levels are established, and this is to allow the user to experience visually the surrounding landscape. In fact, the proposed master-plan aims to integrate the complexity of user needs, and to achieve harmony and sustainability by boosting the local culture profile as well as the economic development.

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Fig-21- Master plan proposal (Source: Author)

The first consideration of the Master plan was to incorporate new uses in this area of the neighbourhood, to attract people and make use of the derelict space. While the abandoned building is suggested to be reused and adapted as a community centre, new temporary structures are proposed to be inserted in the site to host cafes, restaurants, crafts shops. This contemporary masses will have to be designed in a way that they can be easily if any future change occurs in this area. The proposal also addresses the outdoor space as it is considered as an essential part of the design resolution. Open public spaces are intended to be integrated in the site such as terraces overseeing the sea, green spaces, seating areas. However, the car park is suggested to be in the extreme EST limit of the site as the priority is given to pedestrians.

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A similarly integrative response is suggested for the recast of the existing dilapidated building. This would be an adapted structure that merges between the old and the new. When it comes to the buildings’ interior space, a new metal structure will be installed within the ruin of the old castle to allow the new use of community activities to take place. The proposed indoor plan for the building to reuse is inspired from the traditional Algerian typology of housing which is known to be socially, climatically, environmentally responsive. This would mean that the adapted interior will be organised around a central courtyard where people can socialise, and also where a sufficient amount of light and air could penetrate in the inside space.

At the same time, this organisation will allow the user to experience the old fabric as he circulates from one part of the building to another.

Two vertical circulations are planned for to deserve the building. Whilst the existing staircase will have to be recovered, new stairs and lift will be integrated to the old plan in order to facilitate the vertical circulation and to ensure the different floors of the buildings are easily connected. Externally, the façade of the old castle will need to be preserved and repaired, however, this would not prevent the incorporation of new materials and elements where needed.

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Fig-22- Faรงade layering/old and new (Source: Author) After all, the proposal intends to emphasize the qualities of the old facade as well as to extend extension the indoor integrated space on the walls of the existing fabric. To one end of the existing faรงade a new horizontal volume with regular shaped plan is to be added, and at the same time the original balconies will be replaced by one simple volume on each side that is to highlight the difference of language between the old and the new. The materials that are suggested to be incorporated within the old fabric include metal structure, metal mesh screen walls, and glass. Consequently, the resulted faรงade will display two different fabric layers. The layout and the new additions will have to be closely linked to the old fabric to the point of being comprehended as one consistent whole.

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7 Conclusion The content of this document has to some extent reviewed and analysed the ways in which waste in architecture can be approached. But more importantly, the focus was set on the consideration that aging derelict buildings are a form of architectural waste. Therefore, strategic measures were investigated within this thesis in order to establish a descent architectural response in terms of reusing and recasting old derelict buildings.

As argued earlier in this paper, old abandoned buildings represent waste not only in its materiality, but also as a socially constructed discourse of order and disorder. This meant that the judgements that people place on aging decaying buildings contribute significantly to their discard and elimination.

Putting this argument into context was necessary for the understanding of how the processes of order and disorder operates in a certain given society.

In the case of Algeria, dealing with aging derelict buildings is quite the same as dealing with waste. The Algerian society tend to be less interested in the maintenance and the reuse of old structures, as this can be witnessed through the dilapidated condition of the old architectural stock of the country. Usually when maintenance is carried out, it is done in a disqualified, chaotic, utterly anarchic way. Such a situation should increase the urge of policy makers and researchers to focus on the maintenance, preservation and reuse of aging derelict buildings.

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As an attempt to establish a design framework to working with existing fabric the intervention project tried, primarily, to address Algeria’s ageing derelict buildings in a way that their potentials and values are recognised. The design strategy suggested some guidelines for an integrative solution that takes into account the economic, social, cultural, environmental, and aesthetic factors.

Although, the intervention prioritized the old over the new, the introduction of the new was a necessity, and in some places it was given the advantage in that it complements and enhances the quality and performance of the defective old. Consequently, the architectural reuse and adaptation will not be meaningful only in the sense that the old and the new together are understood as a whole.

After all, it is worth admitting that the Algerian built environment is in constant change, and the need to meet the requirements of a modern Algerian society have become the prime objective. However, the attempts of urban planners and decision makers in addressing the needs of todays’ community seem to be failing as there is no clear strategy in undertaking a responsive planning and design work that reconcile the existing traditional spatial forms with contemporary progress. Hence, it could be recommended that an overall strategy for dealing with the development, reuse, and renewal of historical sites has to be put in place, and at the same time, policies concerned with the promotion of social inclusion should be incorporated. In fact, besides the need for more extended research to be done in this regard, highly qualified architects, designers and contractors are required to work 83

together in order to resolve the problems that occurs daily within the built environment. Even more, social and environment activists need to swing into action as their contribution can play a significant role in sensitizing and empowering the Algerian community.

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