WATER SCAPES
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Hybrid. Being multiple things at once. A mixed character, composed of different elements. Infrastructure does not particularly consider the notion of human space. Architecture does not notably recognize the spatial opportunities that inherently live within the infrastructure. To this point, we have constructed a divided world. What if architecture could be infrastructure, infrastructure could be landscape and landscape could be architecture?
This course speculates on alternative futures. This course does not regard infrastructure, landscape, and architecture as separate. Rather, they are different sides of the same coin – inseparable and complementary to each other.
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Escapes a Lucrative word. A brief chance to breathe in an otherwise intense world. An escape can have a variety of different functions. You could go there to reconnect to people around you. You could go there to solemnly reconnect to yourself. You could go there to train, to walk, to skate, to go to a market. It all depends on the escape.
This studio contributes with a number of escapes. Functions and qualities of life that were previously missing in the respective context. And, most importantly, they all share a common purpose in providing a well-needed escape to water. Despite its proximity to the sea, this escape is something that the city of Gothenburg has lost over the years. The coastline has lost its sense of event and integration in the common city life. It has become, in essence, inaccessible.
Envisioned by the studio is an alternate future where people will once again be able to grasp a breath of fresh ocean air as part of their everyday life. Once again, it will be possible to escape to the water.
Escapes from the present. Escape from reality. Escape from the conventional and established. This studio is speculating on the future.
Methodology
This course employs an unconventional methodology of working, simultaneously developing an individual and a group project -both of which coexist and draw inspiration from the other. The amount of interdependency varies on a case-to-case basis, as well as the ratio between individual and group effort.
Phase II
Introducing the context of the Gothenburg estuary, the hybrid spaces and hybrid space networks were combined in groups of three to form networks of networks, whilst simultaneously pursuing the development of the individual projects. Problematizing the present waterfront reality, relevant architectural aspects were mapped to inform design decisions. On this basis, the groups of hybrid networks joined forced in an impactful intervention.
Skill Chart
Given that each project has formulated its own problematization, AUSD explores a variety of approaches for changing the urban realm. In order to better visualize this diversity, the focuses of the respective projects have been ranked in charts–meant to be indicative at a glance. Due to their complex nature, the projects cannot simply be reduced to be described as focusing on a single aspect or two. Rather, they are an intricate weave of speculations and considerations.
Phase I
As a general point of departure, each studio member paired an existing infrastructure with an intended human space-use–exploring the concept of hybrids of coexistence. This could be for example a road bridge (infrastructure) and the space under the bridge to be used for wedding ceremonies (human space type). Additionally, it was investigated how the hybrid spaces could grow into a network.
Phase III
From the macro-scale of Phase II, the individual and collaborative projects were further developed. Zooming in to the projects, the efforts were refined on a close-up scale. This exhibition presents the outcome of Phase III –a collection of collaborative hybrid networks.
From the macro-scale of Phase II, the individual and collaborative projects were further developed. Zooming in to the projects, the efforts were refined on a close-up scale. This exhibition presents the outcome of Phase III –a collection of collaborative hybrid networks.
