To appreciate Aldo Rossi position as a postmodernist, one must really appreciate his stance as anti-modernist. His vision was for an architecture which was untainted by a project of capital and an architecture definitive of its own intrinsic moment in history, unfettered by an external past. Alternatively -with the job unfinished – we are left with the task of defining the site in its existing, revised conditions to which we will brush them with the term ‘Informality’.
GLI INFORMALI
In visiting the site first-hand, the demographics became clear to us as the homeless, agriculturalists and small, but growing arts community. The site itself sits on the rural-urban fringe of Milan, local housing developments suggest the urban sprawl of the centre, yet our findings suggest there is so far no response to support the economically challenged in the area – one must question the availability of the existing housing methods and their appropriateness for San Cristoforo. In response, we tackle these issues with a framework rather than a concrete scheme, which is only suggestive and leaves much of the design responsibility to the client, employing a high level of self-citizen participation to be delivered over a 10 year plan. The initial interventions focus on establishing a workshop within the existing structure, these will be tailored to manufacture mainly temporary living units for those without a home, but simultaneously construction skills will be applied to boost employment opportunities for those same individuals. The adaptive re-use of the Rossi Building intends to trigger the peripheral interventions around the site which further support the existing demographic; Allotments will be given new commercial outlets through market interventions within the structure, enhancing the local economy through participatory engagement with existing communities. Sustainability is considered through the production of bio-fuel from agricultural waste, in turn establishing a small self-sustaining system at the heart of the 3 districts: Milan, Buccinasco & Corsica. Finally, artist’s are given the platform and facilities to continue practicing in a non-destructive way.
Group B Sami El-Kamha Ben Johnson Van Consul