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
The Torre David In 1990 construction began on what is now the “Torre David”, the 45-story structure was designed to be the third tallest skyscraper in Venezuela until construction was halted in 1993 when the owner died and funding for the project had stopped. The government then took control over the building which they were unable to auction off because of the financial crisis, as a result the building was abandoned for 25 years. During the turn of the new century, the progressive housing crisis in Caracas fordcibly displaced squatters back into the city, the building was then overrun even though it was barely finished. Construction of the exterior walls to the building had barely started, the squatters were essentially occupying a 45-story Dom-ino house, completing their own spaces. A likeness in both projects is discernable through the pervasive challenge of the term “derelict”. Milan Figure Ground Drawing, Scale 1:50000
“ Did you just say... housing?”
A historical perspctive on the project may bring to light the pitfalls of the modern movement which Rossi had set out to defeat in his Architecture. Amongst the failures of Modernity lies the conception of mass housing developments, a desperate attempt to meet demand for housing which so poorly neglected the social and cultural needs. In turn, provoking such issues by deploying a universal living typology to a mass population. At face value, Rossi may take offence to the conception of a residential project at the site of the now derelict San Cristoforo Train Station. It is here notable to state the impermanent nature of the project to come, instead returning licence to the inhabitants over the layout and appearance of their own living spaces.
The rise of postmodernism
The Architecture of the City
The rise of modernism
1800
1900
COVID-19...
Pre-urban sprawl of Milan
Rossi commision for the vehicle extension to San Cristoforo station, Milan
...Iron & Concrete.
Post-WW2 Italy
Running 102 Users
British Migrant, 57 y.o. Main site
View points
Canal
Primary road
Barrier
Cycling 162 Users
Shops
Heavy traffic during peaked hours
BUCCINASCO
Pedestrian and cycling routes
Train lines
Industrial area
Greeneries
Residential area
Red line boundary
CORSICA
Informal vegetation
MILANO
Local Cafe Owner, 43 y.o.
“Its cheap here, but it’s in the middle of nowhere I’ll tell you that much.It’s the only road towards Corsico and Buccinasco, so during rush hour it’s bumper to bumper and all night it’s just noise, noise, noise.”
“People work in Milan centre and live here becuase rent is cheap, this is disconnected from the city. The council don’t invest here.”
SAN CRISTOFORO FM
Cyclist, 26 y.o.
Employee on Break, 32 y.o. “Milan is an expensive city, there is a big difference between the rich and the poor here. This is where things are not so good.”
“I don’t come during the night, but during the day I feel safe. I see a lot of people farming, but I don’t really know.”
Urban Sprawl
Walking 18 Users
Other 12 Users
Leisure
The site sits on the urban-rural fringe of Milan, to consider its place within the context of urban sprawl is vital and the future developments in the area will indefinitely influence the project.
The state of the canal now is vastly different to it’s historic context, with the canal now being heavily based on leisure, with the canal itself being used in a more generic sense to attract social gatherings and activities, to bring a strong presence of daytime activities and night life, becoming one of the most popular tourist attractions in Milan.
Existing Site Fabric
2. Urban Sprawl
3. Agriculture
INFORMALITY 1. Housing
4. History
HOMELESS
5. Inequality
AGRICULTURALISTS
LEISURE
6. Culture
USERS
ARTISTS
Red line boundary
Residential area RENT
Greeneries
Industrial area
Informal vegetation
Train lines
Strengths
The site is well connected to the city as there is evidence of good transport links, meticulously drawn graffitis through the urban realm. It is generally a safe and cheaper environment to live.
Pedestrian and cycling routes
Heavy traffic during peaked hours Shops
Barrier
Primary road
S.W.O.T
The site does not appear to be the safest night time route, although the Naviglio is active during the daytime - it does not appear to be a safe place during the dark hours.
ITALY AVERAGE €800 PCM
€825
However, there is lack of facilities for people to shop, for leisure and to pass time.
RESOURCES
SALARY
Threats
MILAN AVERAGE
Weaknesses
COMMUNITY
GENDER 48.1% 51.9 %
MALE FEMALE
Strong public transport links
€51,171
Inequality
AGE 15.4% 61.8% 22.8%
ITALY AVERAGE
0-17 18-64 65+
Strong historical architecture
MILAN AVERAGE €55,590
Opportunities
In addition, the area has no clear indication of where the main cornerstone is despite the site is in the middle of three districts.
CORSICO AVERAGE €662
OCCUPATION 59.2% Employed 9.8% Unemployed 31% Inactive
SUMMARY Community engagement (allotments)
The average salary is higher in Milan showing a strong economy
Inequality is an factor in the area’s dis-connectivity with Milan, evident through the informal settlements on site, and further supported through the interviews conducted in the field trip.
Canal
View points
Main site
SUMMARY The costs of rental in Corsico indicate a poorer community
SUMMARY Diverse community but faces issues with an ageing population
SUMMARY Diverse selection of resources that will positively influence the project.
The project will cater to those individuals currently active with the site and local area, without inviting a new demographic.
Private spaces
Allotments
D.I.Y Temporary Living Units
Sensory Gardens Storage
As a way of working within the existing conditions of the site, it would be impossible to ignore the destitute living conditions which are currently evident. The field research showed there was over 15 living spaces within the empty Rossi structure.
Public spaces
Private spaces
Allotments
Unsustainable living is a difficult thing to ignore on the site, nor would it be to suggest that those individuals are living with sustainable employment.
Sensory Gardens
Seating Areas
Maybe the scheme could tackle both problems at once?
Stimulation of senses
Seating Areas Stimulation of senses
Flower Beds
Allotments • Fresh fruit and vegetables. • Promoting healthy living. Flower Beds • Environmentally friendly. • Sense of community. • Routine, project work and daily maintenance. • Saves money.
Storage Public spaces
Private spaces
Allotments
Sensory Gardens • Sensory stimulation. • Promoting physical activity. • Participation and a sense of community. • Reducing behaviours of agitation and aggression. • Presenting cognitive and physical challenges. • Space for meditation, reflection and stress release.
Sensory Gardens
Seating Areas Stimulation of senses
less vehicular permeability
Flower Beds
more pedestrian permeability
Tackling Inequality
STRUCTURAL EXPRESSIONISM Structural Expressionism is here considered as a way of affirming the buildings use as comprehensive response to the existing conditions of the site. Also the architectural expression will not confuse the programme with a typical housing scheme, which will have contradicted the ideological claims made by Rossi.
The project so far underlines the existing conditions of the site to be centralised around informality and inequality. Hence, it is taken upon ourselves to define a response which works around the existing demographic, providing the framework which would enhance the quality of living and also the platform to continue the already defined activities in a nondestructive way.
In response to post war, mass residential schemes:
“..its not about what kind of bad house to build, but rather how much of a good home should be built.”
AN INFORMAL DOM-INO HOUSE?
Le Corbusier & Post-War Strategies The project strikes a resemblance to Le Corbusier’s own Dom-ino House concept in 1914 which had the goal of being a low cost replicable system, this project was intended as a post-war reconstruction strategy. The concept was painfully simple and fell in line with Aravena’s ideology (Half a House, Iqique, Chile) which was essentially offering those in need of shelter a part built structure which was sufficient enough for the occupants to build their own interior spaces. Both concepts answer the same question in parallel within the argument over mass budget schemes: not what kind of bad house to build, but rather how much of a good home should be built. Enforcing the idea of self-citizen participation.
1. LAYOUT Proposed Masterplan (Adjacent) Scale 1:2000
10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Existing Structure Allotments Market Area Community Space Naviglio Grande Biofuel Processing Artist Exhibition Space Lambro Merdionale Extended Leisure Route to New Metro Station New Metro Station Sensory Garden Mill Leat Hydro-Power System (Figure 4a) PHASE 1
ACCOMMODATE JOINERY EDUCATE
A
9.
PLUMBING DEVELOP DECORATING
7.
SITUATE
2.
6.
3.
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
8.
4.
EQUIP
11.
1.
P1 Diagram
A
Proposed Ground Floor Plan (Below) Scale 1:200 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
5.
PROPOSED MASTERPLAN Scale 1:2000
8.
10.
1.
Workshop Build Zones Building Prep Zones Material Store Community Square Operable Facades Biofuel Chimney Open Market Space Break-Out Spaces Cafe Seating Area
3.
2.
6.
7.
4.
9.
5.
PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR Scale 1:200
Living-Unit Typology 2, Axonometric
EXAMPLE LAYOUT 1.2 Ground Floor Axonometric
Living-Unit Typology 1 Scale 1:50
EXAMPLE LAYOUT 1.1
WORKSHOP LAYOUT
From the Homeless, to the Employed
This project provides the framework which would see the homeless taken off the streets and into a safer, personalised living space.
G EL EN EC G TR IN I EE CA R L IN G
BI N M PL U
Y ER IN JO
D EC
O
R
AT
IN G
Simultaneously, tenants are equipped with the essential skills needed in building homes, which would then boost their employment opportunities in the construction industry.
PROPOSED RETROFIT SECTION A-A
2. ASSEMBLY
3. FIT OUT
Not everyone can afford to build their own house, to their own specifcation. Hundertwasser thought that it was still important to show that unique people lived behind every window of a property, and demanded they should have the right to design the area around the window themselves. The project makes use of this concept and practices the window rights.
4.
2.
1.
Proposed First Floor Plan Scale 1:500 5.
3.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Living Unit Structural Expressionism Atrium Communal Zones Existing Elevator Shaft Service Ports (Electricity & Plumbing)
FIRST FLOOR PLAN Scale 1:500
ARTIST STUDIO SECTION C-C
MILL LEAT HYDRO-POWER SYSTEM
CELLULOSIC BIO FUEL DIAGRAM (Agricultural Waste)
MILL LEAT HYDRO-POWER SYSTEM
4. EXPAND 1 2 3
Phasing 1 (Yr 1): Introduction of shops and restaurant at ground floor (right wing), Introduction of workshop (left wing). Phase 2 (Yr 2-5): Introduction of residential units (Living units), Introduction of sustainability tower and community space. Phase 3 (Yr 6-10): Wider context leading to the metro stop, landscaping and introduction of artist’s community.
10 Year Plan
PROPOSED SECTION A-A, Scale 1:500