Café as a public urban space - A questioning into architectural adaptability and multiplicity of use
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
Location:
P1 Ark A
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Authors
Date
2016
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Arkkitehtuuri
Language
en
Pages
95+6
Series
Abstract
Every architectural project is introduced through its typology. The idea of a functional building typology, has become so embedded in everyday life, that it has become the commonest way to refer to a building as a bank, a school or a hospital. This practice aids easy communication. Professionally, the typological question is recursive in architectural discourse and has had great bearing on its ontological understanding. But function, is only an indicator of what happens in a building and not an adequate descriptor. Consequently, an inadequate descriptor becomes an inadequate design driver. However, the definition of a functional typology abstracted to form a room programme plays a huge role in contemporary design processes. This idea of solving the form of a building on the basis of a pre-existing programme derived from the functions of a building has prevailed because it affords architects a rationale that supports their proposition. This thesis, initially analyses the pros and cons of this prescriptive role of typology in the design process. The enquiry is aimed at drawing some conclusions to the questions - Of what relevance is a functionally driven architectural program in terms of adaptability? Does being adaptable mean being transparent to function? How can architects enable new architecture to anticipate newer layers of activity and to embrace change of use? At the crux of the whole diploma work, is the question, “If a plan did not evolve in response to ‘functional’ needs, neither would it have to change if there was change in use?” Inferences are drawn mainly from the analysis of public use buildings that are not monuments and are more prone to adaptive reuse and hence the conclusions are relevant to that category. The limitations of a functional program are investigated at the outset leading to a set of observations. Possibilities of addressing the observed set of limitations are discussed as inferential exercises with the intent of positioning the argument with regard to already existent architectural theories. The thus deduced conjecture is tested in the design of a proposed café in Kalasatama. The ‘café’ is a very mutable typology making it susceptible to quick and constant change of use. As a neutral urban place with huge potential for doubling up as a public space, it presents itself as a good case for testing the learning from the theoretical pondering. One of the bigger goals of this diploma work is the bridging of theoretical pondering to pragmatic solutions. The client’s brief for the proposed café shows a certain blurring in the typological definition and a need for versatile use, which triggered this line of questioning. The epilogue to the diploma work consists of a critical write-up of the building, written from the point of view of an architectural critic, reiterating the importance of questioning and criticism as the basis of every design process.Description
Supervisor
Reuter, JenniThesis advisor
Siitonen, TuomasKeywords
typology, design methodology, adaptability, public space