SAM
S T A L K E R
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V E N I C E
AD2.1
Orientation, Prospect and Aspect Two areas have been identified for potential future development within the city of Venice; one on the island of Murano and one on the island of Giudecca. Both areas contain pockets of open land that require analysis and studies to judge and assess the feasibility of any future work, alongside formulating points of reference that could inform a design process. The principles aimed at being highlighted with the studies are to establish the overruling influences on the orientation and the field of view of the buildings in Venice. Correlation should be seen through the diagrams that present the themes and determining points of why the buildings are orientated as they are, what can be seen from the public areas and how strong the visibility is along the pedestrian routes.
Figure Ground A comparison of the solid to void across the area of study.
Built Areas
Typical Venice
Murano
Giudecca
From highlighting the built area of the typical Venice, straight away the dominance of the solid over void is noticed. The canal is the clear route around the buildings being the most significant open area. It becomes more apparent from this diagram as well that each of the buildings along the canal edge is perpendicular to the water, which appears to be the major design decision when plotting the building outlines.
Within the centre of Murano a similar typology can be noticed to that of typical Venice, these similarities being the shallow cluster of buildings which front onto the water’s edge. A difference starts to appear the further away from the centre the buildings lie, as in the areas where there is a lower density the plots seem to sit much more comfortable in land away from the water.
Again on Giudecca there is a clear format to the building footprints which stem from perpendicular lines to the surrounding water. On the west island of Giudecca the density is lower, and alike Murano the buildings aren’t as precious to be up against the edge of the land.
Grouping Diagrams The intention with the grouping diagram is to present the relationships between the public meeting spaces, the built up areas and the routes which are used to access the both of them.
Common Meeting Points (Parking and Town Squares)
Built Areas
Distinct Routes
Typical Venice
Murano
Giudecca
On the typical Venice it can start to be noticed that there aren’t clear distinct routes, but alternatively the access around each of the buildings is utilised. The public spaces are positioned within the built up areas and their location does not seem to abide by an order or grid.
The public spaces on Murano sit in line with the important factor which affects the buildings; to be close to the water front. It is also apparent that there are clear routes around the island which begin to link the various spaces.
Giudecca has a very strong link across each of the public spaces. On the east and west sides of the site area are the main parking places, which is the beginning of the routes into the island. The routes follow distinct lines that are met by open spaces along the way. The density becomes more regimented the further the distance is from these parking places.
Exploded Figure Ground Pulling the building footprints out of context the orientation can be analyzed as shapes alongside the form of the land.
Typical Venice
Murano
Giudecca
The point made about the buildings being orientation dependant on the canal is strengthened here as there is no distinct angle between the buildings and the land’s edge curves around significantly, meaning there is no shared grid for the grain to be aligned to.
As with typical Venice Murano’s land formation curves around distinctly and in turn the building’s orientation varies prominently.
On Giudecca the islands have a similar shape and orientation, and this formation is reflected through to the building’s position. A clear angle spanning from south-west to north-east can be seen in both the buildings and land, further justifying the reasoning that the influencing factor on the building’s orientation is the shape of the islands.
Density Maps In order to compare the densities of Giudecca and Murano an average centreline of the distances between buildings in typical Venice has been taken which came to 2.3m.
Offset 2.3m (average distance of Venetian alleyways)
Buildings as dense as Typical Venice
Typical Venice
Murano
Giudecca
When the offset is applied to typical Venice, the map shows a large amount of red with the vast majority of buildings 4.6m or closer, suggesting a large dense cluster of buildings rather than several smaller groups.
For Murano the area is less dense than central Venice, but still with approximately half the buildings 4.6m or closer, suggesting individual or small clusters of buildings spread out over the area. The greatest red areas are in the favourable waterside locations, suggesting a density equal to central Venice.
Giudecca is an area much less dense than central Venice with again approximately half of the buildings 4.6m or closer, suggesting individual or small clusters of 1 or 2 buildings spread out over the area. This would indicate space between buildings and scope for development. North of the island shows larger areas of red and increased density, suggesting the existing buildings are orientated towards central Venice.
Density Visuals A comparison of the field of view on each of the areas by highlighting the foreground and background of common views. Foreground Background
Typical Venice
Murano
Giudecca
Dense, shallow field of view and flat facades line the canal.
Dense along the canal but more open areas in land.
Much more open, distant views. Scope for development.
Facade Study Analysis of the facades of each of the 3 areas.
Typical Venice
Murano
Giudecca
Facades dating from the 1300s, many untreated and unpainted. Symmetry broken up by one window, probably a later addition.
Set back fifth storey allows more light in. Larger windows on the higher floors allow more light into the principle living areas.
The wealthier Venetians live in the centre of Venice which is reflected in the architecture. Build quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail is higher than in the surrounding islands. Consistent window size and ordering on both levels.
Venetian Gothic Windows on 1st, 2nd & 3rd floors. Asymmetrical window layout.
Small windows on top floor (bedroom level). Large windows on the middle level living areas let in as much light as possible. Trading on the ground floor, easy access for customers and deliveries Symmetrical window layout. Paintwork deteriorating.
Trip to Venice and La Biennale di Venezia Following on from the investigation of typology was a trip to Venice over the last week in October 2010. The visit allowed for a firsthand experience of the forms studied and allowed for conclusions to be drawn as to the parameters effecting the city’s growth. The week also coincided with La Biennale di Venezia whereby Architects from around the world contribute exhibits representing their own approach and field of studies with regards to design.
Sacca Serenella Masterplan The island of Murano is situated just north of the City of Venice. The island has a prominent artistic history since it became the home of the glass blowing tradition in the 13th century after it was moved from the centre of Venice due to outbreaks of fire. This move created a vibrant work atmosphere and a new image for Murano with becoming the main producer of glass in Europe, and it was soon famous for its craft. The increase of jobs to the island was followed with a demand for housing and more and more families settled in Murano. Outside the run of shops along the main canal stretches, the areas are filled with residences and community buildings, being Churches, schools, park land and various centres for locals. Nowadays the glass blowing trade, despite still being the main line of work on the island, has become a lot less significant on the European glass making scene, but instead it has taken the role of another tourist attraction visitors of Venice venture to. The majority of the workers are males aged 40 upwards, with the younger generations choosing a more academic route in life and therefore leaving the island. With residences taking priority over the land of Murano, it was decided that a landfill island will be created a bridge length away at the aim of consolidating the glass making trades and various other industries. This landfill island was named Sacca Serenella and it is currently home to various glass blowing factories, boat repair workshops and a range of other work based buildings. Development is sparse on Sacca Serenella. The workshops float around in large open spaces with no relationship to their neighbours, which has been due to selective development over the last 15 years. To ensure that the island can be utilised to its full potential a set of rules needs to be outlined which can inform the master planning of the area. With a strong set of rules the built forms can grow naturally and specifically to the functions they’ll house. With rules and a functional growth very beautiful and sculptural shapes can arise, giving the island a character which it is currently void of.
A Worker’s Island Sacca Serenella acts as a plugged in island to Murano housing the industries and trades that have spread across from the main island. Historically the dominant craft of Murano is well known as being glass making, however with the glass products becoming increasingly more a luxury and tourist attraction as opposed to a necessity to construction, various other professions will need to be adopted to sustain working life within the community.
Design Principles To regulate the development of Sacca Serenella over a course of time, a set of guides or parameters needs to be set up to ensure a healthy growth over the life of the island. The principles I wanted to ensure are as follows; Minimum Footprint With the ground being subject to frequent flooding the footprint of the masterplan wants to be as minimal as possible, and wherever the building touches the ground the space wants to be sacrificial. Limit the Exposure to Sunlight With sunlight being so intense in the summer months a control through the form of the building is to be had to protect the open areas, providing shade in summer and shelter in winter. Humane Proportions Relationships to building can be strengthened if a person can relate themselves to the scale of a building, being a relationship which is not uncommon through Venetian buildings. This touch shouldn’t be lost on Sacca Serenella but instead embraced as an important role buildings take on affecting our day to day lives.
A Venetian Ratio The solid to void ratio is very unique in Venice. To get a better understanding for what is happening I completed a study where I rationised the build forms, open courtyards and circulation. The result was a parti diagram which visually represented the build up of typical Venice could be used as a guide for the vernacular of Sacca Serenella.
Volumetrics From establishing my principles I went on to manipulate different volumes to get an idea for how I could achieved certain masses with the parameters I have set. The forms I carried forward are the volumes which best created spaces of shaded enclosure with a minimal touch on the ground floor.
Masterplan The shapes I had chosen upon from the volumetrics then had to be transposed onto the area that I have chosen to develop on Sacca Serenella. Additional considerations were were brought in with the mass of the masterplan. Larger forms are placed adjacent the larger courtyards acting as focal points, with the smaller masses aligned to the canal separted by narrow alleyways and courtyards, factors learnt from the early studies of Venice and the Venetian Ratio work.
Post Office With Sacca Serenella acting as a plugged in work and service island onto the side of Murano, it provides a great opportunity to re-house and re-order the existing services to the area by locating them on this new added on island. A significant system which has a role of importance to the day to day life to all of the people of Murano is the postal system. The current post office of Murano has become overrun as time has gone by, and the awkward nature of the town layout and accessibility leads to a slow, inefficient process. A reorganisation shall take place by locating a new post office on the island of Sacca Serenella. A new approach shall be applied for the sorting of all incoming and outgoing mail; from the sealing of the envelope to the posting of its delivery. The new system will have the potential to grow if necessary, but also retract where if it is no longer needed. The office will have the potential to service the rest of Venice and as far as required, being an adaptable process to accommodate it’s environment’s needs.
The Service To form an understanding as to how the the size and layout of the Post Office can be determined. Based on Murano’s population of 5000 people and taking into account a Postman’s daily run will consist of 650 homes, the island can be split into 5 equal routes for which 5 Postmen will manage.
The Sorting Office I was essential to ensure that the Sorting Office was of a large enough area as well as being open plan. With such a strict process for the organisation of the mail clarity and ease of routes is very important. Therefore each of the four elements of form pinch together at first floor level to provide this space and then splay out again to the roof to flood natural light in.
SITE
LAYOUT 0 2m
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3
6
16
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3 5 3
9 12
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GROUND FLOOR PLAN
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
1 Public Staircase 2 Lift 3 Tool Storage 4 Postbag Storage 5 Winch Area 6 Private Staircase
7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16
Counter Hall Outgoing Transfers Sorting Office Post Office Boxes
Customer Services Administration Office Lounge & Meeting Room Unisex Cubicles Kitchen & Dining Cleaner’s Store and Plant Room
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LON G
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SECTION 0
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5m
Murano Residents The idea with the masterplan is that the proposals for the island provide new services and areas of work for the residents of Murano. As the primary clients are the residents themselves all the areas on the ground floor and the staircases to the functional spaces above are open and free to walk around.
Postmen and Postwomen The postal rooms for the organising of the mail are private from the public but an interaction is maintained with the busiest room, the sorting office, with an open wall for the passage of mail to and from the Counter Hall.
Residents of Murano and workers of Serenella arrive from different points of the island
The open entrance staircase can be reached through various openings from the surrounding courtyards and alleyways
In the counter hall the staff desk is open with the waiting area to keep the sense of trust between the workers and the staff
Up from the counter hall is the customer services where the locals can organise their finances or sort out passport information.
FRONT ELEVATION West Facing
SIDE ELEVATION South Facing
REAR
East Facing
ELEVATION
SIDE
ELEVATION
North Facing