Stage One/// Contextualizing deconstruction
The site. Collage. The main characteristics
The project is based on the concept of Deconstruction in the sense of reusing derelict structures not only as building components but as shells and structures as well. The study involved the localization and evaluation of such structures around Edinburgh and the most interesting site, as far as the history, the derelict buildings and the quality of its surroundings are concerned, was chosen to be redeveloped as Deconstruction Park. The site is still reminiscent of its industrial past, as it is used to facilitate the Tram Depot a long time ago, many alterations took place and now two warehouses (shells) are left behind, a chimney and some gable walls. There are other derelict structures in the surrounding area as well and the topography is characterized by an extensive vacant land, which apart from the negative consequences to the urban fabric's coherence, it causes social dissolution. The locals were asked about their perception of the site in order to gain a better understanding of it.
The main objectives of the project are
_To rehabilitate the lost coherence of the urban fabric.
_To ensure that the new development is supported by existing residents and integrates well with the existing community in terms of providing safety through the rehabilitation of the urban fabric, through the creation of open green spaces and movement patterns with equivalent access for every user.
_To save land and infrastructure resources by reusing the site and to encourage the use of reclaimed materials
_To create business and educational opportunities not only to the local but even to the wider community of the city.
_To provide such design according to the perceptions of the people that we researched in a previous stage, in order to satisfy their needs.
_To upgrade the quality of living and the social level of the area by implementing educational, social and economic activity in the site. The rehabilitation of this vacant land will provide the ground for such activities and social coherence.
The main objectives of the project are
_To rehabilitate the lost coherence of the urban fabric.
_To ensure that the new development is supported by existing residents and integrates well with the existing community in terms of providing safety through the rehabilitation of the urban fabric, through the creation of open green spaces and movement patterns with equivalent access for every user.
_To save land and infrastructure resources by reusing the site and to encourage the use of reclaimed materials
_To create business and educational opportunities not only to the local but even to the wider community of the city.
_To provide such design according to the perceptions of the people that we researched in a previous stage, in order to satisfy their needs.
_To upgrade the quality of living and the social level of the area by implementing educational, social and economic activity in the site. The rehabilitation of this vacant land will provide the ground for such activities and social coherence.
The video tries to capture the climate, the characteristics, the spirit of the area around the site but also in it. The derelict buildings and infrastructure dominate the space.
Stage Two/// Creating a dynamic Masterplan
Developing the Masterplan.
The project is addressed to four different users (university students, residents, children and visitors) and that fact creates four or more different spatial relationships within the site, something that is a predominant factor of our project design. This results into constant change of the character of the site. In other words, the interventions will control the passing through the site flow, while at the same time will allow the flow to change and respond to the requirements of the users. This suggests that the interventions will be permanent, temporary and dynamic in nature.
After the specification of these spaces within the site (masterplan phase 1), on a second stage the masterplan follows the design lines from the previous phase and divides its functions into five vertical parallel layers, the social, the leisure, the circualtion, the cultural and the professional layer. These layers are addressing to the various users of the site and they intersect with each other creating a network of flows (masterplan phase 2). The project due to its design and its specific uses of the deconstruction park, will lead to economic, environmental, cultural and social benefits in the area of interest.
After the specification of these spaces within the site (masterplan phase 1), on a second stage the masterplan follows the design lines from the previous phase and divides its functions into five vertical parallel layers, the social, the leisure, the circualtion, the cultural and the professional layer. These layers are addressing to the various users of the site and they intersect with each other creating a network of flows (masterplan phase 2). The project due to its design and its specific uses of the deconstruction park, will lead to economic, environmental, cultural and social benefits in the area of interest.
Design for ReConstruction
The design of the building is engaged with a re Construction agenda about using reclaimed materials, it needs to respond to emerging ways in which carbon use will be regulated. Better regulation of operational energy is carefully considered as far as the environmental impact of building materials and assemblies are concerned. Finally, one of the main concerns of the design is to maintain comfort levels for the user and the design to elegantly integrate heating, cooling and ventilation into the building fabric.
The buildings that are chosen to be designed in detail lie within the site and house a workshop for producing objects by using small-scale reclaimed building materials, which are stored in the storage and exhibited in the exhibition center. The buildings are seperated into three layers, the social response (as public can visit-observe the function of the buildiings and be aware of the De/ReConstruction), the buffer zone (both for the actual function of the building and the social as it is the space that public can reach the interior of the building) and the utilitarian core(that is exclusively used by the professionals).
The buildings that are chosen to be designed in detail lie within the site and house a workshop for producing objects by using small-scale reclaimed building materials, which are stored in the storage and exhibited in the exhibition center. The buildings are seperated into three layers, the social response (as public can visit-observe the function of the buildiings and be aware of the De/ReConstruction), the buffer zone (both for the actual function of the building and the social as it is the space that public can reach the interior of the building) and the utilitarian core(that is exclusively used by the professionals).
Design Studio/// University of Edinburgh/// project team: Maria Avramidou, Chara Bimpa, Veronica Bonello, Eleni Papantoniou. May 2011.