Neighbourhoods
Through the analysis of remarkable examples of neighbourhoods, we will learn about density and intensity, look at various architectural types, programs and infrastructures that form a successful urban cluster and will finally design a set of proposals for densification and improvement of the existing urban fabric of the Brazilian city of Palmas.
- Seminar - Urban Ecology
- Institute of Architecture and Landscape - T.U. Graz
Holistic take on district design
During the seminar “Urban Ecology and Design”, we worked on the performance and design of neighbourhoods. Smaller than cities but more complex than artefacts, neighbourhoods are assemblages of elements including buildings, people, vegetation, infrastructure and wildlife. They constitute the in-between unit of measure in urban design. Assemblage is an ontological framework developed by Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, originally presented in their book A Thousand Plateaus (1980) where they state that „Assemblage Theory seeks to understand the world in terms of multiple linkages between sociality and spatiality, where unpredictable outcomes emerge from alliances, connections, and symbioses between parts.“ We worked on a specific urban condition, one that was originally driven by modernistic ambitions of conquest and individuality, but has instead resulted in the unfinished pattern of urban sprawl. We learnt about density and intensity, look at various architectural types, programs and infrastructures that form a successful urban cluster and will finally design a set of proposals for densification and improvement of the existing urban fabric of the Brazilian city of Palmas. The Institute of Architecture and Landscape considers flora, fauna, buildings and people entangled in one unique ecosystem. Our future depends on our ability to understand and design for this interrelatedness, to follow the continuous renewal and organic growth of this ecosystem suggesting strategies and transformations that reinvent the relation between landscape, climate and architecture. When looking at performative landscapes, one is looking at elements interdependent and (self- ) organized in emergent systems. A holistic understanding of our planet, our territories, our cities and our houses is necessary to plan a future in which resources are used sustainably, natural cycles are part of the infrastructural management and waste is reduced in favour of a process of regeneration. This investigation aims at the design of new complex architectural typologies and at unfolding a new potential within the performance between the city and its natural agents. The Institute for Architecture and Landscape pursues the question of how city and landscape can be thought together. Modern separations of city and landscape will fundamentally be questioned, thus unexpected combinations of materiality, form, processes, performance and actors will emerge. How can the urban condition of Palmas respond to those challenges? What will the future of urban habitation look like under the indication of climate change and rapid growth?
Palmas’ city structure is dominated by a low-density pattern of single standing houses. Each plot measures 12x30m and is surrounded by a wall.
These walls, together with the local climatic conditions and a general lack of vegetation within the urban fabric, result in roads that are generally used only for transportation by car.
Dense and Intense City
Densification and intensification of semi-urban conditions are necessary and urgent steps to take to ensure Palmas´ development towards a city of the future. Sustainable, livable, granting access to all class of citizens and nesting growth opportunities for individuals and communities alike.
Addressing Local Climate
The conditions in Palmas create a unique climatic situation we have to respond to. Temperatures are constantly high, while the humidity changes drastically with the seasons. The envisioned design should not only be able to cope with these conditions but moreover perform equally well throughout the year. According to the orientation of a building, different climatic situations even occur on the scale of the architecture itself.
Working with Principles of Thermodynamics
Caused by temperature or pressure differences, air movement can experienced as wind or breezes. This effect is relevant on the scale of a entire territory, right down to the scale of the individual architectural unit. Understanding and utilizing these principles can reduce the energy consumption drastically and create a pleasant climatic atmosphere for its inhabitants.
Integrating Landscape Performance
Vegetation can help to cool down spaces through evaporation and transpiration of rainwater and consequently the amount of build surface should be reduced to a minimum. The integration of local fruit trees and edible plants can additionally increase the productivity of these spaces, giving it even more reason to care for. Furthermore, the embedding of buildings in dense greenery (through trees, green facades, etc.) can reduce the surface of a building exposed to the sun and therefore stay much cooler throughout the day.
Various points of interest are to be connected, so that this very ‘Shadow River‘ can be generated for 1. comfortable walking, 2. for a logical connection of interesting/important spots i.e. church, bus stops, etc. 3. creating spaces, where people can actually meet outside without having to wait till nightfall, 4. an opportunity to use the road without having to use cars to move around.
There are more than 1500 roundabouts in Palmas. They are in every corner of each quadra. Nothing happens on these abandoned spaces. Their diameter is 60m, which makes a surface of 2 830m2 each. In total we found about 4 250 000 Sq.m. of unused surface. These place are repetitive and contribute to a monotonous landscape. We suggest to show them off and transform them in social and a dynamic places.
The main goal is to preserve as much as possible of the existing infrastructure and create places for new buildings which will be defining the new courtyards.
literature
The following texts are required to achieve a common ground of knowledge and experience of climate architecture, a correct vocabulary and ensure a successful engagement to the seminar. 1 Corner, J. “The Agency of Mapping: Speculation, Critique, and Invention,“ in: Mappings, ed. D. Cosgrove. London: Reaktion Books, 199. 214-252. 2 Koolhaas, R. “What Ever Happened to Urbanism“ in: S,M,L,XL, New York, The Monicelli Press, 1995 3 Bonta, M. Protevi, J. “Toward a geography of compley spaces“ in: Deleuze and Geophilosophy, Edimburgh, Edimburgh University Press, 2004. 4 Waldheim, C. “Lanscape as Urbanism“ in: The Landscape Urbanism Reader: New York, Princeton Architectural press 2006. 35-53 5 Sijmons, D. “Waking Up in the Anthropocene,“ in: IABR–2014–URBAN BY NATURE–, ed. G. Brugmans & J. Strien. Rotterdam: IABR, 2014. 3-5. 6 Krautheim, M., Pasel, R., Pfeiffer, S., Schultz-Granberg, J., „City and Wind; Climate as an Architectural Instrument“, Berlin, DOM Publishers, 2004 Text 1: Sensation, p. 26 - 31 Text 2: Urban Climate, p. 62 -63 Text 3: Wind Effects - A Handful of Principles, p. 70 - 79 7 Garcia-German, J., „Thermodynamic Interactions - Introduction“ in: Thermodynamic Interactions An Architectural Exploration into Physiological, Material, Territorial Atmospheres, New York, Barcelona, Actar Publishers, 2017 8 De Landa, M. “Assemblage theory“, Edimburgh, Edimburgh University Press, 2016. 9 Institute of Architecture and Landscape. “Water - Emerging Landscapes Palmas, Brazil”, Graz TUGraz, 2017
Editor: Graz University of Technology Institute for Architecture and Landscape LANDLAB i_a&l Project leader: Univ. Ass. Marcello Fantuz Assistants: Andreas Marlovits I Teresa Joham Team: Claes Jelle De Ruysscher Stefan Freri Michela Kroselij Neza Lara Sanchez de Puerta Teresa Mahmood Saleh Basharat Marlovits Andreas Marquez Troya Carmen Neupauer Jaroslav Pisarek Martyna Priem Tigone Proenca Tarran Gomes Renata Romero Soleine Sanchez Garcia Inmaculada Tati idri Tagliaferro Lea