03- REMEMBER[ING] SPACE

An exploration of the memory of ritual through the renovation of a kiln factory

Project time: Sep. 2022

Site: Shanghai, China

The project is the fusion of 'new' and 'old', exploring and recreating the cultural memory of brick kilns.

- How do we extend the life trajectory of an existing space within a new construction?

- How can the existing interior narrative inform future development?

In this project, designed and reconstructed a kiln cultural center on the site of a historic brick kiln that reflects modernity and tradition, commemorates, transmits the history of brick firing, and invites people to bring the site back to life.

//SITE ANALYSIS

- Ritual & ritual space

Ritual is an repetitive and meaningful behaviours that are systematically used by a group of people with a purpose greater than the action it self. As a form of psychological characteristics, rituals can reflect the spiritual and emotional needs of people.

- Ritual spirit under the BURNING history

- Human needs-driven [spiritual/emotional]

- Collective, interactive behaviour

- Meaning beyond actions

- Kiln fring - An achive of burning history

Source: http://www.china.org.cn/learning_chinese/news/2009-02/05/content_17230207.htm

Fired bricks are originally discovered by the ancient Romans.

During the frst century of their civilisation and used the bricks for public and private buildings all over the empire.

The project is located in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai, where water networks and natural vegetation are abundant. The site is close to the canal, convenient transportation, the old rely on water transportation; The site is surrounded by a number of villages, which used to be the main source of livelihood and gathering point for the villagers.

In this site, the kiln factory occupies a large area, which is the only public place around. But as factories stop production, the trend of village hollowing out is increasingly severe, the once prosperous land has lost its former glory.

After all bricks have been allowed time to dry they are placed in a kiln for burning which fnishes off the brick to achieve the optimum strength and colour.

During the 12th century bricks were reintroduced to northern Germany from northern Italy. This created the brick gothic period which was reduced style of Gothic architecture previously very common in northern Europe.

Brick Gothic style buildings Kilns

- Site situation

//HISTORICAL ANALYSIS

Bricks can be clay calcium silicate and concrete. With clay bricks being the more popular, they are now manufactured using three processes soft mud, dry press and extruded.

Source: http://www.brickdirectory.co.uk/html/brick_history.htmlture-2017-best-of-year-winner-for-trade-show-booth/

The transformation of the old brick kiln over the past 50 years is emblematic of China's economic and productive reforms, and it was once the main source of income for the surrounding residents. It's gone through a lot of changes and it's lost its prosperity. Now it has become the memory of the older generation.

//PROJECT AIM & INTENTION

How do we extend the life trajectory of an existing space within a new construction? How can the existing inteior narrative inform future development?

-Design:

Build a brick kiln culture centre that echoes modernity and tradition, commemorates, and passes along the history of brick fring, and attracts people back together

-Main concept:

A fusion of the old & new

//DESIGN STRATEGY

//PROPOSED

1. outdoor installation based on the structure of the chimney pipe, providing a resting area for people.

The original building

Add arch elements

It reproduces the old kiln landscape of more than 200 years ago, refecting the continuation of the past.

The

The chimney is transformed into an ecological tower to improve the pollution problem.

All furniture units can be combined and moved with each other, providing more spatial possibilities.

2. extra green belt and plants to absorb CO2.

3. Sit bench

4. lowered the height of the wall on the water side and add an waterfront platform

//GROUND AND SECOND FLOOR PLANS

I investigate transformational possibilities from both historical and contemporary viewpoints. The ground level has been constructed as a museum devoted to the history of brick kilns and kiln techniques, with new arching features preserving the existing brick kiln. The combination of the new brick arches and the old brick kiln transforms the factory from a manufacturing identity into a site for cultural transmission, transporting us back in memory.

//HISTORICAL CONTINUITY THROUGH MOVEMENT&PROJECTION //PIPE INSERTION DETAILS

Architectural features of 'arch' and 'threshold'' in the kiln Different sizes of organic material pipes are placed in both ground & first foor. Inside the pipeline are holographic projections and interactive devices, which are mainly used for the interaction between people and space.

//RENDERING

The second level has been built as an emerging ceramics studio to establish a link between the past and the present through ceramics. Using principles of modular design, all furniture items may be merged, replaced, and rearranged, bringing different types of space to the small rural building and providing additional spatial options, thereby allowing the interior layout to adapt to the changing needs of the future.

main entrance link to the frst foor with spiral staircase

Placed

Location: 1L-The exhibition hall entrance

Function: Holographic projection simulates the interaction between workers and visitors in the past

Location：1L-Brick-burning craft exhibition hall

Function：Display the brick fring process and related historical fgures, so as to increase the understanding of brick kiln.

Location：2L-Shared workbench

Function ： Through the modular furniture layout workshop, the layout and moving lines can be changed according to different needs.

//SPACE FUNCTION

To solve the problem, the design concept proposed was to explore the integration of the old and new in the site, bringing people back to the site, reactivating its culture and interactivity. The purpose of the transformation is to adapt to people and space. We should adapt to the environment with a more open state.

We hope that the surrounding people can participate in it, so as to promote development. The frst point is to transform the original internal production mode of the site into an external exhibition, so that the site is changed from closed to open. The second point is to start from the fring process, from the original industrial land to public space. The third point responds to environmental sustainability issues by changing the site's original identity from a carbon emitter to a carbon absorber.

Location：Garden platform

Function ： A landscaped garden on the roof provides a space for visitors to rest and entertain.

Location：Ecological tower

Function：The tower flters out harmful gases from the combustion process and converts them into energy to help plants grow.

1L Brick Kiln Museum

2L Ceramic Workshop

A rooftop garden

Location：2L-Ceramic workshop

Function ： Call for more people to know and like the fring process, let the visitors participate in the production.