In search for balance in contrasts: graduation project for a designcentre in Rotterdam

In search for balance in contrasts: graduation project for a designcentre in Rotterdam

Chang, H.J.

Komossa, S. (mentor)
Marzott, N. (mentor)
Fokkinga, J.D. (mentor)

Architecture

2008-06-24

There is no Rotterdam identity. Rotterdam has characterizations that everybody can sense namely the big contrasts in Rotterdam. Contrasts originated from top-down-planning of urban renewal projects due to the bombardment in WOI. In my opinion people need these contrasts, to adapt themselves to the changes that are occurring at the moment, to reposition themselves in the society. The way to do this is to search for a balance in these contrasts. Problem statement: what kind of attitude must one adopt himself when people want to stimulate the public realm by means of a public building at the Delftsestraat in Rotterdam? According to me, public realm is where different social people intervene and where exchange takes place. This exchange could be a physical contact, but also just by observing the other. This statement results in the theme: Balance in Contrasts. With contrasts I mean the different contrasts between parochial domains and by balance I mean the opportunity to observe, adapt and resulting in participation. In our analysis we have seen that the municipality of Rotterdam wants to stimulate the livelihood at the location the Delftsestraat. According to different sources, the best way to do this is to develop creative industry on the location. We have implemented this creative industry in our masterplan: industrial zone, creative display zone and office zone. The composition of our masterplan is a plinth and an upper world. This design is a designcenter where different design disciplines, institutions and local citizens can meet each other. It is located in the centre of the masterplan, where the three zones will be integrated in the building. It is like the masterplan divided in a plinth and a building on top of it. The way to have this balance in contrasts is to have the opportunity to observe. This can be done by using louvres. These louvres have a large depth, causing different views when passing by. It causes different shadows during the day, causing a threshold between the different spaces. In daytime these louvres are introvert, changing in an extrovert building in the evening. The contrasts in the building will be done by making a contrast with the wooden louvres inside the building and with the massive precast concrete envelope fae. It results in the concept: Envelope VS Innerspaces The massive precasted concrete fae is in such a way designed that every time you look there will be different shadows and lighting. To enhance the envelope idea, the fae hangs over the plinth, it rises over the building, it is disconnected from the floor, and the thickness of the fae is enhanced by window openings. To give different characteristics between the two atria, one atria opens above the building and the other opens down in the building. The louvres that shape the atria can be seen as folded planes, which folds in to the building with splits in it where people can walk through. The louvres also make a connection with the louvres-ceiling which establishes the continuity in the building. Behind the louvres, cracked glass walls are placed, which give a diffuse see-through, just like the louvres. The three zones are connected with meeting platforms, where people can oversee the whole atria. This building should be a building where all users senses should be used, where users perception should be stimulated. Then maybe through observing, adapting or even participation the public realm can be stimulated.

public realm
public building
rotterdam
hui jun chang
design

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c02cfae3-5070-4fa5-99de-039a016ec637

TU Delft, Architecture

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2008 H.J. Chang