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Osumi River Park

VISION

Berat is a historical city located in the Southern part of Albania. The city is very important in terms of historical architecture of the country and is inscribed under the UNECSO World Heritage Convention.The Island of Berat, is morphologic geographical site formed by the river Osum. The island represents an interesting opportunity to test the creation of resilient places towards natural conditions.

The Island of Berat represents a perfect opportunity to be used as a connecting point for the historical site of the city. Hence, it is aimed to convert this space as part of the network of the city and its neighboring urban spaces.

Berat lays parallel to the river Osum, mimicking the geographical morphology of the hills, which define the boundaries of the city. Taking into consideration two neighborhoods, Mangalem- where the castle is found and Goricë- these are the narrowest parts of the city, where can be found the bridge that connects these two parts. Hence, all the activities of the city are concentrated parallel to the Osum River. The Berat Island represents a possibility to expand the city while preserving its shape. The island can perform as a central part of the city while serving as a site for tourist and at the same time as a site for urban ecology and even urban wildlife.

The perpendicular tracks will make possible to connect pedestrians with the hills of the city, as well as will serve as a shortcut to other nature sites surrounding the city. Thus, these trucks would run across the Berat Island, than in the city center, moving along the pedestrian areas, parks and then again to the hills near the city. It is proposed that these perpendicular tracks would be a good connection to the urban environment, natural environment, public spaces within Berat as well as form an easy escape to the new formed urban natural public space-

THE OSUMI RIVER PARK.

The Island of Berat should be a resilient space. The land site and the river has been long fighting for a territorial identity. Thus, first it need to be studied the natural interaction of the river and the land. It is being observed that Osum River continuously creates different morphologies to the island, or the Islands, as we would prefer to call them. These geographical morphologies are worth studying as are the key variables to understand the relationship of the island to the water. Studying the movement of this geographical morphologies in different given times, it is possible to learn about the history of these islands.

Hence, our vision is first to study the interaction of the water and the land, using archives, photo image and other data and evidence including the level of the river water in different times of the year. This methodology will make possible the creation of a tool kit that can be universal in it usage in other areas with similar variables as the Berat Island.

STRATEGIES

This strategy is mainly based on accepting the actual situation and the fact that flooding is an inevitable issue, in no massive intervention scenarios. On the other hand the impact of these sorts of interventions will not affect the biodiversity of the river. When talking about physical impact, this strategy consists on the creation of simple bridge-like passages and small afforestation interventions. The costs required are very low and they are related with a short-term scenario implementation. With this sort of intervention as long as it is accepted the fact that the island can be flooded during a certain period of time, the usability will be less than 100% of the whole surface of the island, but still the utilization of the paths and bridges will be consistent. On the other hand we have again a very strong impact in the city, as long as the shape of intervention leaves a mark on the city pattern. One extra advantage of this strategy is that it requires les maintenance and preserves nature into its wild state.

Afforestation: Trees are planted near to the river. This means greater interception of rainwater and lower river discharge. This is a relatively low cost option, which enhances the environmental quality of the drainage basin.

Ecological flooding: The River is allowed to flood naturally in places, to prevent flooding in other areas – for example, near settlements.

DESIGN ANALYSIS

Through a general overview of Berat’s typography and morphology the placement of the island is quite remarkable. Though its existence is not much livable due to its accessibility problems. If we observe further the changing topography of the river the composition of several small islands and the growth of green vegetation we mark that the creation of the island was as a cause of the funnel shape of the river bed when reaching the city center. In the diagram where we analyze the location of the functions around the city as well as the accessibility network we mark that the concentration of the tourists attractions, and the UNESCO World Heritage sites, are located to the northwest of our site. Some other attractions are located to the northern part of the site and are related with the area only visually and have as a divider the wall barrier that lays along the river. If we analyze the accessibility network we read different types of paths and pedestrian networks. Some of the most remarkable are the historical paths inside the old neighborhoods. Such a way we consider very important to emphasize the pedestrian pattern by giving a slight contribution to the city.

As an attractor the island holds interesting potentials. In a general analysis of the urban, touristic and green attractions the island will hereby be integrated as an important hub of recreation. In these terms the island will in such way dress different types of attractions and be a contributor to each of them. The urban attractions as the central ones and secondary ones, spread around the city and correlated to each other throughout the thin line of accessibility between Gorica and Mangalemi neighborhoods. UNESCO’s World Heritage sites are the main tourist attractors of Berat and do give a very strong identity to the whole city. But in a more detailed analysis the Castle stays more separated from the other two sites. The most accessed area is Mangalemi neighborhood; still Gorica is a bit bypassed. On the other hand the green gives a very potent impact in the city and dresses up a second identity to it.

The new urban park is located in the central heart of the city, along the river. On the other hand the river holds a very impressive potential but lacks accessibility. On the other hand the lower eastern part of the river is very much accessible but located further away from the other attractions. We do have the mountain toping with the castle, which represents a very strong visual impression. The island in itself is a very natural created composition and changes it’s shape and vegetation during different periods of the year. In relation to these three different attractors we start to dress to the island portions of them, such a way to make it a very strong mark for the city itself. Our touch is very slight and in terms as an urban attractor would be a new hub of events lived into the wild.

The island can host from concerts and huge events to simple daily life activities such as fishing or jogging. As a tourist attractor besides offering it’s own events such as a stop point for rafting, green activities or festivals, the island with our intervention offers an interesting observation pedestrian path from which one can enjoy the view of the all the three to historical together. Our proposal is in such terms a slight touch to the existing natural island, emphasizes the qualities of the land and contributes to it by offering a new experience of enjoying wild nature, landscape and new public events.

In a more visionary proposal the continuity of our project would be the connection within the island, the green existing park and pedestrian area, the old neighborhoods and the castle. The network of pedestrian paths, connections and impressions is marked by three interesting moments. The first one is the mark we leave into the land, which is a circle path that surrounds the center of the island. Thereby going toward the city, we redefine the border within the city and the river. The new pedestrian area consists on the coexistence of green areas and tiny paths. The last stage of intervention is the addition of electric stairs that take locals and tourists from Mangalami neighborhood up to the castle. The creation of this connection will enrich the existing pattern.

WHY A CIRCLE?

The circle is a symbol of union, landmark and natural shape throughout the ancient history and civilizations. We find the circle in ancient human settlements that mark a very important spiritual and physical relation with the nature. Such example is the very impressive Stonehenge. The circle in itself has always fascinated humans with its perfect shape. Still the circle is a metaphor for the cycle of life, for all the new beginnings for its absolute perfection and for the elegance of the shape. Current flows show that there is no connection between the existing urban fabric and the riverfront at the present day. We redefine the edge by introducing the circle that sews up city of Berat with the island by a new riverfront. The circle generates a new flow system along the riverfront and inside the island, activating the whole area.

DESIGN PROPOSAL

The existing green of the island is very wild and has a casual growth. It includes different types of vegetation where on the highest points trees characterize the landscape. On its slope the lower vegetation, such as types of grasses and bushes rein the whole surface. On the other hand mud land and groups of rocks cover the land closer to the riverbed. In our approach we keep the nature as it is, in a wild state, and introduce only the path that slightly touches the ground. Our footbridge has three openings, one main connection with the riverfront and two other connections with the island on its highest points. By making this slight intervention and preserving the actual state we do as well accept the fact that future floods can happen. On those scenarios what will be left above the water is only the ring footbridge. In this case with the addition of the bridge the eluviation will deposit soils and rocks to the bridge pylons. The depositions after a certain period of time will become potential space for new green growth. In this way the landscape will be on a continuous state of change.

We can divide the deposition of sediments in three phases. Everything starts while in winter and the river has a stronger stream and higher quantity of water. The high intensity of water fills up the riverbed and floods the wetlands. The River brings with itself huge eluviation such as soil and pebbles. The second moment of the scenario is when sediments deposit on the bridge pylons. The depositions create such a way smaller compositions of land. While the time passes the sediments will augment and cause a natural growth of wild vegetation. Such a way there will be a natural addition of the landscape. This proposal protects and emphasized more the biodiversity of the land and contributes to the creation of a complex pattern.

The two scenarios depicted in the visualizations show the relation within the River, the footbridge and the Osumi River Park. In the first scenario, during summer time most of the Osumi Island is uncovered and such a way the utilization of the land is in it’s highest peak. On the other hand the winter scenario shows the river on medium flow intensity and the most accessed area is the footbridge. The flooding scenario that affects the city in itself, but still in history is shown as a very rare case, it is caused by the sewage system and the rain water system of the city of Berat.

Because of the rise of the river water the pipe system is flooded and such as way the city in itself is flooded. To prevent such dark scenario the intervention needed is the proposal of new sewage and rain water system. Throughout this strategy the water is channeled into a system that goes along the river and deposits the waters outside of the city.

With this strategie of intervention and protection of the existing flora and fauna we propose the creation of the new Osumi River Park. The River Park is now fully exposed and the ring footbridge is integrated with the landscape. The ring looks like it has always been part of the landscape and gives the opportunity to access the natural landscape. The fluid movement of a revealing promenade from which one can enjoy the view of the historical city of Berat and its natural beauties surrounds the wild park. The space located within has now the pottential to host from huge events to simple daily life experiences. We have such a way created a new landmark that empasizes the attractions of the city and becomes an attraction in itself.

Hybrid Student City

Our entry on International competition “Student City” organized by Atelier Albania/ AKPT

Our strategy

Our proposal for the Student’s City Campus consists on the hybridization strategy, which is a redefinition of all the functions of the campus. The hybridization strategy will contribute on the addition of new necessary programs and the creation of mix typologies that will enrich the quality of life and spatial conditions. Having a hybrid building means to offer a typology that can host students and the locals that occupy all the surroundings of the city of students. In such a way we create a city within a city, where locals and students create the community and where students characterize the new society. The principal challenge of the master plan is to redefine undeveloped areas, to structure the existing spatial conditions, to propose new dormitory areas and such a way augmenting the number of students during one academic year. Reactivating bypassed areas and contributing with a complex of functions, are two important challenges we tackle. We aimed on creating a campus where students will find every necessity they need and in relation to their financial conditions. We believe in the potential that mixed used buildings have on the better development of social life. In terms of restoration and re-qualification, the challenge was to deal with a very old degraded construction, and with the partial change of some typologies.

 

Our approach consists on some specific points:

Experimental approach that lies in the fact that this project will bring different and maybe new solutions to what is being proposed nowadays in our reality. Questions concerning about what is experimental, how can we transform it into a paradigm, and what will this approach bring to

The “bottom-up” approach, where modernist-planning mechanisms will not make changes and decision. Understanding cities complexity was suggested by authors such as Jane Jacobs (1961) and Christopher Alexander, through their arguments against the mechanistic of ‘top‐down’ scope of Modernist planning propositions, which suggest that the design is able to set, control and limit potential functions.

In contrast, Jacobs suggested[1] that the problem that cities constitute should be addressed through inductive thinking and ‘thinking of’ processes. This implies a consideration of city organization as a complex field where multiple variables are “interrelated into an organic whole”.

Secondly, the idea of space syntax treatment[2], where the space is not just a backdrop for human activities. Space also takes form social context, but also gives form to this context. In this way, space and context are reflected into each other.

The general idea is that spaces can be divided into components, introduced as networks of choices and then represented as maps as graphs that describe the relative connectivity of those spaces

Change as a matrix.

Sometimes change may seem unpredictable, sometimes even chaotic, but if you can try to predict some changes that people usually do inside their living environments, later on you can use these types of changes as matrices that will condition every design process.

Flexibility in housing.

“Nowadays, average nuclear family continues to decline, but spaces still designed according to its needs. So, we need flexible types that make it possible to react to changing life circumstances by simple means.”[3]

Flexibility seems as something positive, but without forgetting opposite thoughts about this issue, we have to balance both negative and positive characteristics. The most important thing is to study the needs for flexibility in the Albanian context and to adapt the apartment scheme according to this reality.

HIGH DENSITY HOUSING

Collective housing architecture is one of the biggest protagonists of everyday architecture in the last century, period in which all the normative, formal and esthetic collections were established. This new typology was developed as a result of an enormous lack for accommodation after the migrant population reached the cities after the Great Wars in Europe. The huge demand for dwelling units required an economic and fast solution. Solution was a uniform building made by standardized components and subsystems. Final result was the thousands of hundreds of dwelling units that couldn’t be transformed and adapted according to different requirements for changes during the time. The first impact was really hard, because for the first time they had to deal with standardization, uniform, stiffness and sometimes even hygienic and dimensional problems.

High-density housing often creates social problems due to the lack of social interaction, anonymity of their inhospitable access environments and failure to provide adequate connection to outdoor space.

“High-density housing remains an anonymous field because the future users are rarely known.  This is a contradiction to the thesis that the best results are achieved if the building is tailored to the individual needs of the inhabitants.” [4]

We need to know how housing needs and other issues of the housing system, such as household numbers and types, are likely to evolve in the medium term, and how they will be affected by changing in economic, market and other conditions. Extending housing options for families in our city, keeps the community vibrant.

Besides all these problems, we can still provide living space with single home qualities by:

-noise protection,

-flexible completion options,

-patios or yards,

-separated entrances,

-latest in technology

-privacy,

-elements that are thought to give “freedom and comfort”

HIGH DENSITY OPTIONS: HYBRID VS SOCIAL CONDENSER

Based on soviet constructivist theories (mainly Moisei Ginzburg and Ignaty Milinis), the social condenser is a type of high-density building that suggests social behavior to its habitants. Its goal was to create public spaces located within the building that would behave like social hierarchy breakers.

Overlapping and layering programs within space through the usage of circulation created all this. Shared circulation areas would serve also as zones with different usages. Being located within the circulation paths, the intention was to stimulate social interaction.

A social condenser is a:

“Programatic layering upon vacant terrain to encourage dynamic coexistence of activities and to generate through their interference, unprecedented events.”

Ginzburg stated in late 1927 that the greatest task of the architect was to create “the social condensers of his epoch. These would serve spatial repositories for the forms of the new life.”

The first experimental dwellings designed for mass production would in the end prove disappointing, but Ginzburg still upheld the importance of industrializing construction in order to solve society’s housing crisis.

One of the buildings associated with the idea is the Narkomfin Building in Moscow (1928-1932) Political events had a huge impact upon the Narkomfin .The ambitions to be the architectural engine of social reform in Russia were so radical that they were abandoned almost as soon as the building was complete.

But there are also other examples such as Unite d’Habitation, the Gallatarese Complex in Milan, Park Hill in London etc.

But what are hybrid buildings?

Hybrid buildings are complex buildings that are not based on remnants of previous mixed typologies, fixed hoping to correlate with each other. They are a new being with a unifying personality that does not reflect any previous model or typology. They are celebrations of diversity, choice, and complexity, variety of programs and to the individual creation of the architect.

It works as a building with multiple skills, combining different functions into one where it feeds on the cross of public and private sphere.

The hybrid building is permeable from the city 24 hours, allowing also its habitants to use every function every time during the day/night timetable. This means that activities are constants and are not restricted by public/private rhythms. It is the creation of a new use building, a full time one.

If we want to describe these types of building by their form or appearance, we can say that they try not to respect the generic building principles of being united into one solid mass.

They function as a habitat created to change, in order to adapt with every programmatic and functional change. There are different examples from nowadays, but also some older ones such as: Torre Velasca, Ihme Zentrum etc.

If we can briefly compare the two types:

Hybrid building

  1. Diversity of uses, including residential
  2. Different initiatives
  3. Insertion adapted to the urban fabric
  4. Public uses

Social Condenser

  1. Residential building with a service program associated to the dwellings
  2. Public initiative
  3. Isolated location in the urban fabric
  4. Exclusive use of the service program by residents

As we see, hybrids are buildings that suit better the nowadays-urban conditions, giving to residents a rich program, but also fitting perfectly into the urban pattern of the city.

Being complex, they allow creativity and original solutions in the composition of the whole as part of a greater complex system, where nothing is predetermined. Typology is not anymore part of a prearranged scheme, but diversity in volumes prevails over tradition and approved practices.

It condenses the functions, but gives freedom to form.

Our aim is to disassemble and reconfigure known configurations into a new proposal that will be inserted into the Student’s City with certain rules that correlate with the existing spaces and buildings.

FLEXIBILITY AS A TOOL FOR REVITALIZATION

The word flexible is derived from the Latin word “flectere” which means bend, curve or bow. The Webster Dictionary describes it as: “capability to adapt to new, different or changing requirements.”

Flexible housing is defined in two ways: as housing that is designed for choice at the design stage, both in terms of social use and construction, or designed for change over its lifetime.

The tendency to design buildings that only correspond to a specific type of household at a specific point in time reflects a way of thinking that is predicated on short-term economics.[5

Families have indeed changed behavior and size and the services that they require are in rapid evolution. Every day we face new family typologies that constantly have different needs. It is no longer necessary to build series of standard houses but flexible homes genetically engineered where everything is different as so are its inhabitants. This means thinking about a residential space easily adaptable to changes over time and to different lifestyles and that allows changeable uses thanks to a higher flexibility.

It is very interested to see that flexibility is not a nowadays concept, but architects thought about this issue a long time ago. It was one of the topics discussed during CIAM meting in 1929, where the CIAM Congress was given the theme “the Minimum Subsistence Dwelling” the focus being on design solutions to the problem of high rents for low wage earners.

Also Mies van der Rohe has his own statement: “The constantly growing diversity of our housing needs, on the other hand, demands great flexibility in the use of the accommodation.  (…) If the architect limits himself to treating the kitchen and the bathroom as constants, because of their plumbing, while partitioning the remaining living area with movable walls, I believe that by these means it is possible to satisfy every reasonable dwelling need.”

According to different authors and researchers, we have different classifications of flexibility:

  1. Schneider and Till in Flexible Housing divide flexibility in 2 main types:

-SOFT Flexibility: “Refers to tactics which allow certain in determinacy. It allows the user to adapt the plan according to their needs, the designer effectively working in the background.”

-HARD Flexibility: “Refers to elements that more specifically determine the way that the design may be used. The designer works in the foreground, determining how spaces can be used over time”

“The design of the dormitory must be “an open process. “Open in the sense of offering continuous interaction with the different spheres of reality, also open in the sense to offer themselves a dialogue and debate that continues between the different participants in the process.

Floor plans must respond to shift in household configurations, changes in family (changing social conditions) Flexible apartments required where most rooms are usage neutral in-neutral space at entrance (guest room, study, additional bedroom). This means thinking beyond the classical way, or in other terms as to imagine the buildings as Platonic solids, Newtonian physics and Aristotelian categories. Flexibility lies also in having a room that can be furnished into different types of spaces.

The end product should be a model, which is relatively easy to use to test a wide range of scenarios.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 

FINANCIAL ARGUMENTS

“Whether flexibility is more expensive is difficult to measure.” But it eliminates old house’s maintenance for selling and new house’s buying.

DEMOGRAPHICS

“Treating housing as a static commodity with fixed design parameters, face problems because it arrives into a world of changing demographics.”

INTERNAL DYNAMICS

“Housing has to be flexible enough to deal with two conditions: the changing needs of individuals as they grow old or less physically able; and the changing constitution of a family as it grows and then contracts.”

OBSOLESCENCE

If housing is not able to respond to change, it becomes at best unsatisfactory, at worst, obsolescent.

USER

“The user acquires the ability to customize, the designs become adaptable, the flexible design enables users to make adjustments on their own terms..”

SUSTAINABILITY

“By acknowledging change as an underlying parameter but accepting the level and extent of change as unknown, flexible housing is inherently sustainable.”

 

 

 

SENSE OF BELONGING

“The awareness that a house can be

Transformed overnight may be disorienting.

It requires that dwellers change the way they think about their homes and the way that architects and builders think about their jobs.”[6]

UNNECESARY FLEXIBILITY

Spend unnecessary money that will never be used.

IMPOSSIBILITY OF ANTICIPATION

Nearly impossible to anticipate the user’s changes.

 

COMMON SPACES – THE CONCEPT OF INTRICACY

Speaking of hybrid buildings and freedom to readapt the living space, we cannot forget to mention the importance of common spaces in these types of complex buildings.

The hybrid is a conglomeration of public and private, where public sometimes prevails and dominates over the private parts.

We explained that in these types of buildings change serves as a matrix and this includes also common spaces.

Settlements that are marketed under the heading as ‘communicative housing’ tend to attract people with a ‘sociable predisposition’. They may expect to find neighbors open to interact with.

Social interaction in a neighborhood is very important for the development of a sustainable society. It develops where spatial characteristics support social interaction between neighbors.

The residential area has certain spatial characteristics that influence or even determine the content and form of the interactions (Kruse, 1974).

One can distinguish spaces that enhance interaction and communal actions from those that inhibit these cohesions.

There are different ways to create spaces that offer the opportunity for chance meetings and for interaction within the neighborhood, but mostly within the buildings.

– Restricting the number of dwellings in a block. Population size and density influence social interaction (Fisher et al., 1977). The size of a neighborhood should be manageable since large groups foster anonymity (Gehl, 1987);

If a certain number of dwellings are exceeded, dwellers just loose oversight as to who is occupant and who is not. The number of dwellings sharing one entrance mediates this factor. The entrances divide the residential population into subgroups, thus increasing clarity.

– Restricting the number of floors. Living high up in a building can result in a loss of contact with the ground floor: the area around the building is reduced to a transit zone, used only for coming and going.

– The ‘orientation’ of dwellings through front, side, and back doors may be outward or inward (AbuGhazzeh, 1999), i.e. the dwelling may open to the garden or a street, or may give the passer-by a feeling of inaccessibility. Which degree of openness or closure is beneficial for social cohesion is hard to say, and has to be considered in combination with the aspect ‘constellation’. It is assumed that dwellings that are orientated toward each other, further social cohesion more strongly than terraced housing, for example.

– Allowing room for play (Gehl, 1987)[7].

– Privatization of the green spaces into allotment gardens.

– Letting paths that residents use for daily activities cross, for example to the bus stop or to service units such as garbage cans (Abu-Ghazzeh, 1999).

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A deep reflection of the long research on typologies is presented in every solution given to the architecture of the project. Flexibility, hybridity, multi-programs, communicative architecture, new physical typology, etc. are some of the words that could define what this project represents.

It tends to challenge conventional typologies, use innovative approaches in design and create new economic relations.

The whole building works as a mini city, but not in a social condenser type of behavior, more like a hybrid, that does not reflect a previous model, especially for the Albanian society.

Located in a place that the typology and function is strictly defined, the project is aiming on introducing also new behaviors, new lifestyles and new mentalities.

As a hybrid, it tends to merge with its urban pattern and its surroundings, avoiding strong limits and creating every day an inviting space for everyone.

It looks like a participatory project, where the students can decide a lot of things, but every decision is somehow conditioned by the program’s choices. Modules are predefined, extensions are predicted and common spaces are located in strategic places.

Commonly, housing projects are categorized into different typologies according to the number of habitants, circulation, number of floors etc. such as individual house, linear blocks, vertical towers etc.

What happens if we can mix together the positive aspects and benefits of each typology?

Some of the typologies are analyzed for some basic criteria: Privacy, public space, cost and efficiency.

Combining a few of the positive elements of the different typologies, we create a new typology, a hybrid one that takes every benefit from its components.

The new building becomes a complex system that tends to make diversity a tool for choices, a new entity with a unifying personality that does not reflect any previous model or typology, a building with multiple skills, combining different functions into one where it feeds on the cross of public and private sphere.

After combining typologies in form, flows and circulation allow that the transition from one part to the other is not even noticed, creating a being that works as an entire, even if it is created from different pre-conceived pieces.

Multi-programs

The programmatic indeterminacy is the process by which you can define an “open” project in which there is a diversified definition of the inhabited space from the increased multi-functionality and versatility of the areas of use. In the design of the project, diversity should prevail as a matrix, able to favor the coexistence of different types and multiple programs within mechanisms and structures.

The building works as a hybrid:

Diversity should affect the spatial aggregation not only in the horizontal plane but also on the vertical axis, not just residential but also “multi-programmatic” introduced in the design by the study of complex sections.

What usually happens nowadays in our cities and buildings is the fact that all the functions are gathered in the first floors, serving not just the inhabitants but also the casual passengers in the street. This makes a clear separation between the diversity of services provided at the bottom and the mono-functionality of housing at the top levels.

What if every floor has mixed functions and every time you go outside your room you find yourself with the same life rhythm, green spaces and functions as the first floor?

In every level we have not just a mix of different functions, but also different types of privacy. Usually buildings, especially housing ones have e very defined level of privacy: we can find a privacy gradient starting from private spaces in the first levels going up to the ones that are totally private. In this building everything messes up by combining different levels in the same floor.

All the functions are divided into: profitable ones, non-profitable and indeterminate spaces.

Profitable functions include some services like coffee shop, restaurant, medical office, different shops etc.

Non-profitable functions are generally the ones that are used by the habitants and by other visitors without paying for their usage. This includes Wi-Fi spaces, table games, cinema, library, gym and sports etc.

Indeterminate spaces are the ones that are functionally neutral; this means that they are spaces that serve the needs of the habitants: if you have some party or a special occasion; if you want to use this space for studying or doing your architectural model, you can use this kind of spaces that change over time and needs.

After defining all the different types of functions and the multi-programmatic approach to the building, the next step is to locate every function according to the accessibility, frequency of usage, common users etc.

The table shows the distribution of users into the apartments, in different parts of the building and the frequency of usage for every family typology. Student frequently uses some functions, while more large family typologies with children need different types of functions.

Support & infill / Modularity

Structural modules can be connected to form one residential unit. These units can then be arranged along a linear corridor or multiple-loaded interior stairwells. Studying all the flexible examples of housing, modularity come as a natural way to deal with change and transformations.

Modules 2,25m x 2,25m, good dimensions for different functions, compose the entire building. We can use half module for corridors, services etc. and double it or multiply it for rooms, public functions, open spaces etc.

Modularity is also helping in the structural aspect of the building, in a way that any change in the interior parts does not affect or is not affected by the structural grid.

Apartments are also divided into different modules, according to the family type or lifestyle. The smallest apartment is 10 square meters, just for one person, and the largest arrives up to 160 m2 for large families or as a form of individual villas.

Circulation

Circulation is one of the fundamental parts of the project.

The equation given by M.M. and exemplified maximally in the studies of Alexander Klein, states that the best space possible is the one that has:

Minimization of movement

+ no overlap of paths

+ programming  in relation of the natural and productive  phases of  the day

+ dematerialization

+ flow

+ overlapping events

= Space that does not disrupt the body

In this project, circulation plays the role of a catalyst for social interactions. Everything is placed along the paths and, as described in the case of the social condenser, the overlap of the different functions with circulation creates areas of public usage. The building is equipped with large corridors that serve both as a passing space, but also as public space with sitting elements, different functions and green.

The building is complex and you can risk easily transforming it into a labyrinth where people cannot find their own home. This is why we have a hierarchy of circulation:

-Vertical circulation: elevators are distributed every 20-30 m and spread the fluxes throughout every angle of the building.

-Vertical stairs: they are called vertical stairs because they are used just for internal circulation within a particular part of the building and have no other function.

– Horizontal (Diffused) stairs: are connective elements between two different levels of the building, but that allow a smoother spread of the fluxes and a better connection and communication between different parts. These spaces are transformed into public plazas and are distributed along the building in a way to create a flowing space that connects every part.

One will have different options to reach the destination, avoiding this way confusion, perplexity and disorientation in movement.

On the other side if we refer to the existing buildings and the restoration process, we intervene partially to each of them, with different strategies. In the typology of the dormitories where the stairs are the central hub, we add emergency stairs on the lateral areas, such a way we offer higher quality in terms of regulations and access. One important example and interesting typology is the one where we change almost all the access diagram. The dormitories that have a linear corridor in the central part we change them into a circular type of access. This change first of all consists on the utilization of the previous corridor as a space where a small kitchen and toilet can be included, and both rooms from each side can have the extra function inside. Though to bring access to this new typology, we add a circular balcony-corridor, which in itself is as well a new façade for the dormitory.

Access hubs do relate as well with the location of the new added functions. Mainly the staircases are located within the dormitory area and the facilities area. This composition offers direct access for both utilizers of the space. In a more complex and intervened dormitory typology we have the maximum of three access points from which one student can access to the rooms and to the studying and recreation area.

Facades

Façade vary from one building to the other, as long as the existing typologies are different. But still besides this variation we aim to generalize the architectural language throughout the approach of a more contemporary minimal approach. We propose as a first step the restoration of the existing facades and the utilization of monochromatic colors from white ones to soft light grays. On the other hand for the part where we intervene with the addition of new functions and the construction of a whole new structure, we develop the logic of having a lot of glass modules, and movable brie-solei that make the façade changeable and transparent. The variation of these modules and the intelligent utilization of this strategy will give a new identity to the whole site.

For our proposal of new development, having a building that works as a mini-city, the best choice was to use different patterns for the facades, in order to differentiate the complex parts of the building. This way, orientation throughout the building is made a lot easier. In the inner parts of the courtyards, colors are used to create different identities of the mini blocks, just how neighborhoods work in real scale cities. Transparency is used as a tool to create different configurations of the façade: somewhere we can find totally transparent openings, in other parts this openings become more opaque. The presence of the net (perforated material) can be found again in the new typology. The net has both functions as brie-solei in some parts, but it is also used to create a gradient of intimacy in the relation indoor-outdoor.

Challenges

How to increase the quality of life for the students?

How to increase the capacity for accommodation?

How to define a strategy for efficiency in communication, comfort and usability?

How to redevelop the existing dormitories?

How to create a city within a city?

How to enrich the potential of the whole campus?

CONCEPT

On achieving all the necessary requirements to reach our aim on realizing a hybridization of the Student’s City, we applied an acupunctural intervention. We collected all the necessary functions and programs that were missing inside the city and in the surroundings, and spread them as small interventions in the existing buildings. The strategy of having a city for the students, but not only, was a dare idea to introduce a new type of dormitory, where flexibility is the key concept. We implement various possibilities in terms of spatial utilization of the space and maximum usability. We experiment by creating a new hybrid neighborhood, where portions of the buildings create a whole, complement one another and function together. The inclusion of the outdoor in the indoor is as well an important element, from which we get more relaxing and recreating spaces.

The implementation

The first phase is the most urgent one, the reconstruction of the existing buildings. The reconstruction will include the addition of the Add-ons and the restoration of the existing dormitories. Even this phase in itself can be divided in sub-steps, which may include the intervention into different blocks of dormitories in different periods of time.

The second phase would be the intervention into the infrastructure of the Student’s City. The construction of the new plaza and the addition of the new artistic center and sport area would be the main elements of the phase.

The third phase would be the construction of the new development area. The whole block may be developed in the same time together, as long as the site location it is actually not used.

The forth phase would be the addition of the new dormitories in the areas in-between the old dormitories. This phase will include as well the urban definition of the surroundings.

This fifth phase will include the new development of the northern part of Student’s City. It will be dedicated to the construction of three new other hybrid dormitories and the development of a new artistic area, mediatheque, recreation centers, expo center that will elaborate in relation to the central library and art center.

[1] Jacobs Jane, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Modern Library (1961) pg.428-448

[2] Hillier Ben, Space is a machine

[3] Christian  Schittich, The Challenge of High-Density Housing, Bern, 2000

[4] Christian  Schittich   “The Challenge of High-Density Housing”

[5]Schneider Tatjana, Flexible housing: opportunities and limits

[7] Jan Gehl , Cities for People

Tirana West Park

The project takes place in a new polarity of the city of Tirana. A strategic area and with very good access but not exploiting its potential yet. This project idea
aims to create a neighborhood, with all the qualities that one should have. A neighborhood which is attractive to the city through the businesses in it, but also a neighborhood for its quality of life.

A new neighborhood finds it difficult to create the urban mix and ingredients. This project is about different uses rather than monostructure, it is about heterogeneous groups that will use it rather than
homogeneity, has to do with the diversity of functions, structures in it, spaces for the community etc, because in the end the residents and future users will be different. The size of the complex gives us the opportunity to create a neighborhood that is adapted,changed, conceived such that it is not necessary to choose social groups. economic or primary functions, but integrates them all together for what will be a polarity, a new identity, a new neighborhood of Tirana.

NORD KONSTRUKSION RESIDENCE

EN

This residential and commercial building has a volume characterized by successive terraces resulting from urban planning rules with the longer side of the volume parallel with the main street. Commercial spaces are on the ground floor and residential units are on the upper floors. The latter have varied typologies: 1+1 ; 2+1 and 3+1 duplex. Parking space for the residential and commercial units is on the two underground floors.
The materials used in the facade are plaster and ceramic tiles. The plaster technique used is known as graffiato. It provides a semi-rough surface that is durable and easy to maintain. The ground floor and the last two upper floors are covered with ceramic tiles, creating a ventilated facade. This facade is also durable, used here to provide visual contrast and play in the elevations. Despite the difference in materials, thermal insulation continues throughout the building, to provide maximum comfort. A distinctive feature of the building is the use of french balconies. Along with the terraces, the french balconies create a “step by step” effect which is accentuated by the facade materials.

AL

Kjo ndërtesë banimi dhe tregtare ka një vëllim të karakterizuar nga tarraca të njëpasnjëshme të rrjedhura nga rregullat e urbanistikës me anën më të gjatë të vëllimit paralel me rrugën kryesore. Ambjentet komerciale janë në katin përdhes dhe njësitë e banimit janë në katet e sipërme. Këto të fundit kanë tipologji të ndryshme: 1+1 ; 2+1 dhe 3+1 dupleks. Vend parkimi për njësitë rezidenciale dhe tregtare është në dy katet nëntokë.
Materialet e përdorura në fasadë janë suvaja dhe pllaka qeramike. Teknika e suvasë e përdorur njihet si grafiato. Ofron një sipërfaqe gjysëm të ashpër që është e qëndrueshme dhe e lehtë për t’u mirëmbajtur. Kati përdhes dhe dy katet e fundit janë të veshura me pllaka qeramike duke krijuar një fasadë të ventiluar Kjo fasadë është gjithashtu e qëndrueshme, e përdorur këtu për të siguruar kontrast vizual në fasadë. Pavarësisht diferencës në materiale, termoizolimi vazhdon në të gjithë ndërtesën, për të ofruar rehati maksimale. Një tipar dallues i ndërtesës është përdorimi i ballkoneve franceze. Krahas tarracave, ballkonet franceze krijojnë një efekt “hap pas hapi” i cili theksohet nga materialet e fasadës.

A.B RESIDENCE

EN

AB Residence is an eight-storey building with two underground parking floors and is located near Pjeter Budi Street. Services are positioned on the ground floor while the other storeys are residential with two apartments on each floor.
The underground parking is accessed from the front of the building, through the elevator. Near the entrance for vehicles is the entrance for residents. A passage has been realized on the ground floor which enables communication on both sides of the building.
The façade is conceived with red ceramic tiles in one part and white in the other, thus emphasizing the volume of the building through color.

AL

Rezidenca AB është një godinë tetë katëshe me dy kate parkimi nëntokë dhe ndodhet pranë rrugës ‘Pjetër Budi’. Neë katin përdhe janë pozicionuar shëbimet ndersa katet e tjera kane funksion rezidencial me nga dy apartamente në kat.
Aksesi ne parkim bëhet nga pjesa ballore e objektit, nëpërmjet ashensorit. Pranë hyrjes për automjetet është dhe hyrja për banorët. Në katin përdhe është realizuar nje pasazh kalimi i cili mundëson komunikimin në dy anët e objektit.
Fasada është konceptuar me veshje me pllaka qeramike me ngjyrë të kuqe në njërën pjesë dhe të bardha në pjesën tjetër, duke bërë kështu dhe theksimin e volumetrisë së objektit nëpërmjet ngjyrës.

Collective Urban Villa

EN

The existing object on which the intervention was made was 3 stories high, and by means of the intervention, 3, 4 and 5 floor villas were designed with distinct changes in volume from floor to floor. The facility consists of service units with office function, positioned on the ground floor, and residential units from the first floor upwards. The intervention, regardless of the increase in volume, has been non-invasive for the area, in a way that the object does not oppose the situation in which it is located but interacts with it and has also achieved in preserving part of the identity, emphasizing it as a strong point for the intervention. The brick material, which covers the entire building in its main facades unifies the existing building with the new addition. We have used the brick element that is sometimes visible, sometimes painted, sometimes plastered in the area, as a strong identifying element of the object, turning it into a focus point in the neighborhood in which it is located. This element has been taken and personalized in composition, treatment, and use, both exterior and interior, giving the object an almost symbolic attraction. The simple composition between brick, glass and black metal frames used in the facade creates a clean visual that characterizes the object, regardless of the volumetric fragmentation.

AL

Objekti ekzsitues mbi të cilin është bërë nderhyrja ishte 3 kat i lartë, dhe me anë të ndërhyrjes është projektuar vila 3, 4 dhe 5 kat me tërheqje të dallueshme në volum nga kati në kat. Objekti përbëhet nga njësi shërbimi me funksion zyre, të poziconuara në katin përdhe, dhe njësi banimi nga kati i parë e sipër. Trajtimi i nderhyrjes, pavaresisht rritjes ne volum ka qene jo invaziv per zonen, ne nje menyre qe objekti nuk e kundershton situacionin ne te cilin ndodhet por ndervepron me te dhe eshte arritur te ruhet pjese e identitetit duke u theksuar si pika te forta per nderhyrjen. Marrim psh elementin e tulles, i cili vesh gjithe objektin ne fasadat kryesore te tij duke bere dhe unifikimin e objektit ekzistues me shtesen e re. Elementin e tulles qe e gjejme here ne dukje, here te lyer, e here te suvatuar ne zone, ne e kemi perdorur si element te forte identifikues te objektit, duke e kthyer ne nje pike fokusi ne lagjen ne te cilen ndodhet. Eshte marre ky element dhe eshte personalizuar ne kompozim, ne trajtim, dhe ne perdorim, ne eksterier dhe interier, duke i dhene objektit nje atraksion thuajse simbolik. Kompozimi i thjeshte midis tulles, xhamit dhe kornizave te zeza metalike qe perdoren ne fasade krijon pastertine vizuale qe e karakterizon objektin, pavarsisht coptëzimeve volumetrike.

LOFT K

EN

The K Loft is a reconstruction and interior design project that harmoniously combines two existing apartments into one single accommodation. The interior of this loft has three bedrooms, a living room and a flowing kitchen space. The main space has a double height with the fireplace and the staircase standing out as the most peculiar elements. The staircase connects the lower level to the upper bedroom. Its central position becomes the core composing element of the kitchen space.

The upper floor bedroom has an open layout concept where you can look into the living room though the atrium. This room has natural light piercing through the ceiling skylights. The materials and textures used have been carefully selected to fit the urban identity of this loft.

AL

Lofti K është një projekt rikonstruksioni dhe riorganizimin i dy apartamenteve ekzistuese në një. Lofti në brendësi të tij ka tre dhoma gjumi, një hapësirë ndenje dhe një hapësirë gatimi. Hapësira kryesore ka lartësinë të dyfishtë dhe elementet më të veçantë në të janë oxhaku dhe shkalla. Shkalla, që lidh një nga dhomat e gjumit, shndërrohet në qendrën kompozicionale të zonës së gatimit.

Dhoma në katin e sipërm është trajtuar si një plan i hapur ku nëpërmjet atriumit mund të shikosh dy hapësirat e ditës. Kjo dhomë ka ndriçim natyral nga çatia e objektit. Materialet dhe teksturat janë përshtatur më së miri me tipologjinë e këtij lofti urban.

XS Apartment

EN

The XS apartment project consists of the transformation of a small single bedroom apartment into a larger 3 bedroom apartment with a terrace. The new and improved apartment has an entrance of 7.5 m2, a open concept cooking and resting space of 42 m2, 2 bedrooms of 13 m2, 1 master bedroom of 24 m2, a couple of toilets and a terrace of 73 m2. The total area of the apartment is 138.4 m2.
This apartment is located on the top floor of a residential building and makes use of the entire terrace because of its strategic positioning. The material used inside mostly consist of natural stone, marble, wood and exposed concrete. An interesting feature of the apartment is the artificial lightning which remains suspended on metal rods.

AL

Apartamenti XS konsiston ne nje transformim arkitektonik te nje apartamenti 1 dhome e kuzhine, ne nje me te madh me 3 dhoma gjumi dhe nje veranda. Ky apartament i ri ka nje hyrje prej 7.5 m2, nje kuzhine gatimi dhe ndenje prej 42 m2, 2 dhoma gjumi nga 13 m2 secila, 1 dhome matrimoniale 24 m2, dy tualete dhe nje verande prej 73 m2. Siperfaqja totale e apartamentit eshte 138.4 m2.
Ky apartament ndodhet ne katin e fundit te nje pallati ndaj dhe ka mundesi te shfytezoje pjesen e tarraces si veranda. Materialet e perdorura brenda jane me se shumti gur natyral, mermer, dru dhe beton i lare. Nje prej elementeve me interesante te ketij apartamenti eshte gjithashtu ndricimi i varur ne kanalina hekuri.

Harli Coffee

EN

Harli Coffee is a soon to be brand in Albania. The allocated space is divided into an indoor and outdoor area.
Both areas fl ow into each other physically and visually while displaying the same material palette. The outdoor
space is physically separated from the sidewalk through glass panels that also serve as wind shields.
The indoor space is a coffee shop by day and a bar by night. The furnishing has been allocated in a way to
accommodate both functions. The fl oor plan layout creates an interesting route within the indoor space which
reveals private spots and social tables for all groups of clients.

AL
Harli kafe eshte interier i cili eshte ideuar dhe i pershtatur per tu bere nje brand. Ambienti eshte i ndare ne dy
zona, ajo e jashtme dhe e brendshme. Te dyja zonat lidhen me njera tjetren jo vetem fi zikisht me rruge kalimi
por edhe ne saje te materialeve te perdorura. Zona e jashtme eshte e ndare me nje barriere xhami nga trotuari
per ti dhene me shume privatesi klienteve te barit. Zona e brendshme merr funksionin e nje kafeneje gjate dites
dhe nje bari gjate pasdites. Per kete arsye mobiljet jane konceptuar ne menyre te tille qe te krijojne nje ambient
relaksi per pjesen e sherbimit te kafes dhe te ekspozojne gjithashtu produktet baze te barit.
Brendesia e hapesires ofron xhepa intime dhe tavolina sociale per te gjitha grupet shoqerore.

Apartment H

EN

Apartment H is a comfortable and spacious living space for two people in the capital of Albania, Tirana. The apartment is conceived as an open space, with living, cooking, wardrobe and sleeping spaces half-open to each other, with the possibility of closure thanks to the movable panels.
Only the perimeter of the apartment stays fixed, while its interior is built as furniture with openings and closings, allowing clean, uniform and minimal wall pages. Almost all surfaces have light and calm colors, while the black ceiling contrasts the rest of the interior, increasing the framing of spacious spaces and making them warmer and more intimate.
The itineraries of movement inside the apartment are numerous. Viewing angles are rich. The presence of quality and time-resistant materials, together with the light aesthetics and the organized emptiness, make the environment not only cozy, but also luxurious in the sense of the enjoyment of the space.

 

AL

Apartamenti H është një hapësire komode dhe e bollshme për jetesën e dy personave në kryeqytet. Apartamenti është konceptuar si open space, me hapësirat e qëndrimit, gatimit, garderobës dhe gjumit gjysmë të hapura me njëra-tjetren, me mundësine e mbylljes falë paneleve të levizshme.
Vetëm perimetri i apartamentit qëndron fiks, ndërsa brendesia e tij është konceptuar dhe realizuar si mobilje me hapje dhe mbyllje, duke lejuar faqe muri të pastra, uniforme dhe minimale. Nëse thuajse të gjitha sipërfaqet janë me ngjyra të hapura dhe të qeta, tavani kontraston pjesën tjetër të interierit, duke kornizuar hapësirat e bollshme dhe duke i berë më të ngrohta dhe intime.
Itineraret e levizjes brenda apartamentit janë të shumta. Këndet e shikimit janë të pasura dhe të shumëllojshme. Prania e materialeve cilësore dhe rezistente në kohë, së bashku me estetikën e lehtë dhe boshin e organizuar, e bejnë ambjentin jo vetëm komod, por edhe luksoz në sensin e shijimit të hapësirës.