Architectural Design V-IX: 33.3% - Re-Thinking-Re - Re-Zu-Rich - Ueberland (J. De Vylder)

Abstract

The 33.3%-STUDIO will explore the possibilities of a more restrained, humble but precise action. This is in many ways an attitude of economy of means. Less energy of action, of course, means less economy and ecology, but it could also require changing the attitude of use effectively today. This could also make it a question of ergonomics: how to USE the given context differently and yet act less.

Objective

As the studio explores the Economy of Less Action in the perspective of a better Ecology of Life; the Research attitude is to find Realistic Realities for Re-Use —the Alternative . Re-Thinking-Re gives Re-Use a chance to be more than a Tendency. Because the studio believes that it is not only a matter of project, but also a matter of Urge, the pedagogical ambition is not only to make Architecture —the Act—but also to raise The Architect —the Attitude. Universum as a Carrousel and as a Journey. As the studio second life is the drawing and the model, the writing and the debate, the Form will be given to all unseen outcome when the Method of Research has no limit on the Mix of Media from analogue to digital.

Content

The 33.3%-Studio will explore the possibilities of a more restrained, humble but precise action. This is in many ways an attitude of economy of means. Less energy of action, of course, means less economy and ecology, but it could also require changing the attitude of use effectively today. This could also make it a question of ergonomics: how to USE the given context differently and yet act less. In the north of Zürich, at the fringe of today’s city borders, lays Schwamendingen. It was once a small village, but after the 1940s, it was one of the areas which accommodated the population increase. This Garden City extension was built according to the masterplan of A.H. Steiner, and it became a part of the city since. And today, Schwamendingen is yet again a neighbourhood under heavy redevelopment. In most of these upcoming developments, the existing buildings will not be part of the future. This is prototypical for many redevelopments in Zürich, and it’s not different in Schwamendingen. With this studio, we want to have a second glance at what’s there today–now that we know what’s upcoming. We will start from different points on the map of Ueberland. How to find a new Rich--Ness in Zu-Rich. That is the question this 33.3%-Studio will ask. We will accept 66.6% of the master plan. The remaining 33.3% will be available for change. The existing tissues and open spaces will be respected and an Intervention Interference Introduction of only 33.3% will be enough for a change of +100%.

Resources