Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Our climate is changing and we are facing stormier weathers and larger fluctuations in sea water levels, and in addition there is a need to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions. To be able to cope with these forces of nature in a sustainable way we need to rethink our use and distribution of resources.
This project sets out to find ways on how to deal with a multi layered landscape where the ground level is occasionally inaccessible. It’s investigating the dynamics of space between very flexible structures such as houseboats and floating docks, and very fixed structures such as former industrial buildings and quays. It‘s also about the tension in time between temporary installations and interventions on the one hand, and the persistence of larger firm structures on the other.
The site of the project’s design proposal is located in a former harbour area in the northern part of Malmö in the south of Sweden, and comprises several structures of high cultural values which I believe should be accounted for when redeveloping the area. An issue to deal with is how worn but valuable cultural heritage buildings can be repurposed when merging with the expanding city core. Another is how already existing, decaying buildings can function together with, and be revitalized by new systems and structures. The site I’ve been working with is called Hullkajen, which is a quay stretch along the water in Nyhamnen just north of Malmö Central Station.
My theoretical apparatus starts off with the concepts repurpose and radical increments [cuff & sherman 2011] [cuff & dahl 2015]. These two concepts set the framework for this project and deals mainly with additions to, and reprogramming of already existing structures. To further unravel these broader concepts, I’ve worked with the theory of difference transformation , continuity transformation and cultivation transformation [braae 2015]. These theories all focus on analysing and categorizing occurrences in post-industrial landscapes, but they all relates to time quite differently. To concretise these concepts and theories that relates to transformation in both time and space I elaborate further by means of the strategies add-ons , superuse and pop-ups.
Methodologically I’ve been working with design research [Fraser 2013]. This open ended approach to knowledge generation I’ve divided into two categories; on site methods and in studio methods. On site methods constitutes approaches such as observations, sketching, photographing, filming and discovering; while in studio methods constitutes reading, writing, watching, sketching and modelling. These two subdivisions have been alternated throughout this project, initially with an emphasis on the on site methods and later on more emphasised on the in studio methods.
In conclusion I believe radical increments and multi layeredness could be key instruments when redesigning post-industrial areas. Shifting the focus from the exposed ground level to interconnected higher ones both takes weight of the not always accessible ground, and makes use of the new surfaces on top of build structures. Through the concept of repurpose valuable cultural heritage can be cared for and transformed into something that meet the needs of today.