Pavilion of possibilities: An architectural journey to create stages for social inclusion

Abstract

Public spaces tend to be ambitious by nature, however, engaging with the cultural, social, economic and environmental surroundings, represents a complex task. By a journey of theoretical and design work, this thesis explores the design process for public space to act as a mediator for social inclusion within the intention to contribute to the bigger picture to urban health. Using the perspective of space as a stage, the architectural proposition aims to empower users by providing a model of public space with multiple uses, in the form of a small scale community centre. Besides the materiality of the building, named Pavilion of Possibilities, the intervention aims to emphasize the regeneration of an existing urban setting.

The first part of this thesis is based on literature reviews on topics that resonate with the intention of bringing architecture closer to sustainability. Understanding the meaning and levels of engagement of wellbeing is an important phase in the review, opening the floor to the World Health Organization framework of Healthy Cities Network, to reflect on strategies for urban health.

The second part of the thesis comprises a building design proposition in a culturally diverse context: the District of Malmi, in Helsinki, Finland. For this means, urban planners in charge of the development of the area are approached as a methodology to understand the local context and the vision of the City Planning Department. Walking the site was a method to experience the neighbourhood on a human scale. For the analysis of the site documentation is made through photography, mapping and sketches. A working physical model of the site is used to explore the scale and qualities of the urban setting, as two possible locations for the building. The second part concludes with the building design proposal with various layouts.

The findings of this thesis are expressed in three ways: by reflecting on the design proposal´s contribution to urban health; by conceptually placing the Pavilion in a different context in México, and finally by presenting a manifesto. Being one of the objectives of this work is to inspire spatial projects for social inclusion, Shared Spaces Manifesto states the position of the author regarding human experience and urban health. Overall, this thesis contributes to the field of architecture and sustainability aiming to strengthen their interdependence.