Topos 97

Transformation

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

97

2016

T H E

R E V I E W

O F

L A N D S C A P E

A R C H I T E C T U R E

A N D

U R B A N

D E S I G N

Transformation

ROTTERDAM LUC HTSINGEL PEDEST RI A N BRIDGE · BLACK ROCK DESERT BURNING M A N FESTIVA L · SHENZHEN T HE C H A NGING C HINESE CIT Y · LOS ANGELES L ATINO LIFEST Y LE IN A MERIC A N FRONT YA RDS A ND THE RIBBON OF LIGHT VI A DUC T · MUNICH WERK SVIER TEL, T R A NSFORM ATION OF A N URBA N DIST RIC T · LIVERPOOL GR A NBY ST REE T RENE WA L · CHICAGO ISOL ATED BUILDINGS · PALERMO UNFINISHED SICILY · CALDES DE MONTBUI T HE RECOVERY OF T HE T HERM A L ORC H A RDS · AMSTERDAM BUITENSC HOT PA RK · NEW YORK UPDATE ON FRESHK ILL S PA RK

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The yellow-coloured Luchtsingel pedestrian

Ivana Bilz

Michael Maltzan Architecture

ZUS

14

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The Ribbon of Light Viaduct by Michael

Werk 3 is one of the buildings that has already

been renovated as part of the transformation process

develops new open space and enhances the area

ten pairs of arches. It will replace the dilapidated

of a former industrial district in Munich into the

arround the Hofplein Station.

Sixth Street Viaduct.

“Werksviertel”.

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Adrià Goula

H+N+S landscape architects

Maltzan Architecture will span over the L.A. River with

Assemblestudio

bride in Rotterdam by ZUS, Zones Urbaines Sensibles,

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The Granby Street area of Liverpool is under-

The recovery of the irrigation system and the

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The Buitenschot Park at Amsterdam’s Schiphol

going a revitalisation process with the help of

thermal orchards in the Spanish town of Caldes

Airport, from H+N+S landscape architects, combines

architects from Assemble. Some of the properties will

de Montbui received the European Prize for Urban

noise reduction and recreation in the Dutch polder

find a new role as greenhouses.

Public Space 2016.

landscape.

4

TRANSFORMATION

Cover: Burning Man Festival, Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA Photo: John Curley

K L A U S EN GL ERT

TABLE

OF

CONTENTS

S IG R I D EH R M ANN

14 Conquering the Third Dimension

82 The Non-Gesture Project

New perspectives: Luchtsingel bridge in Rotterdam

Cultural landscape: Recovery of the thermal orchards in Caldes de Montbui

A L E X AND ER G U T Z M ER

22 Counter-Cultural Complexities

M AR I EK E B E R K E RS

90 Transforming the Green

Extraordinary circumstances: Burning Man Festival in Nevada

Technical and cultural fusion: The Buitenschot Park in Amsterdam

P HI L I PP H O SS, J U L IA N SC H ÄF ER

30 Between Renewal and Demolition Constant transformation: Urban change in Shenzhen

WO L FR A M H ÖF ER

98 Checking in with Fresh Kills Long-term process: Update on the Freshkills Park

J AM E S RO JA S

40 Latino Vernacular Cultural influences: Latino lifestyle in American front yards

Currents

V I C TO R J. J O NE S, K E LLY S H AN N ON

46 From Civil to Civic

06

Events and Awards, Reviews, Competitions, Projects

Replacement of an icon: The Ribbon of Light Viaduct in L.A.

Products 104

K AT R IN RI S MO N T

Playground equipment and green

52 From Industrial to Mixed Use Urban development: The new Werksviertel in Munich

110 Authors

A N NA S C H A B EL

111 Credits/Imprint

60 Defending the Neighborhood New identity: Renewal of Granby Street in Liverpool DAV I D S C H A L L I O L

66 Being Alone Disappeared neighbors:The Isolated Buiding Studies, Chicago S E R GI O S AN N A

76 Unfinished Sicily Architectural phenomenon: Italy’s incomplete buildings

5

A new level of open space for Rotterdam: the yellow-coloured wooden bridge construction “Luchtsingel� by ZUS Landscape Architects was inspired by the New York High Line. The circular viewing platform functions as distributor.

14

Klaus Englert

CONQUERING THE THIRD DIMENSION In the eyes of many, Rotterdam is the Netherlands’ true architectural capital. While the inner city of Amsterdam is firmly beholden to the protection of its historical buildings and monuments, Rotterdam has made a virtue out of the destruction it suffered during World War II by engaging in constant experiments. Results brought forth by this exploratory principle can be observed in the city centre as well as in the southern harbour zones.

15

Alexander Gutzmer

Counter-Cultural Complexities It is the most spectacular example of a temporary city: the arts and music festival “Burning Man� in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA. One should not condemn the party marathon as mere pseudo politics; rather, see it as a well-organized course of social creativity and drastic personal experiences.

Exceptional circumstances in the Black Rock Desert: For only one week once a year, the Burning Man Festival transforms the waste landscape into a temporary city.

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23

LATINO VERNACULAR 40

James Rojas

Latino spatial and cultural values are transforming the American single-family house and its sourrounding public space. James Rojas, an urban planner, community activist, and artist describes this process by showing the impact of the so-called “Latino Vernacular” on the neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Latinos moving to America add their cultural living patterns to their new homes.

The “Latino vernacular” is neither Spanish nor Anglo-American, but a new style.

The vast majority of America’s single-family housing was built in the 20th century with values and spatial requirements that met the social, cultural, design, and economic needs and dreams of America’s working and middle classes. As great numbers of Latino immigrants move into these homes, they bring attitudes towards housing, land, and public space that often conflict with how the neighborhoods and houses were originally planned, zoned, designed, and constructed. Latinos moving into single-family homes add cultural living patterns to American spatial forms, creating a “Latino vernacular.” This vernacular offers cultural, economic, and environmental solutions to residents’ needs as they customize and personalize their homes. Every change that Latinos make to their homes, no matter how small, has meaning and purpose, representing the struggles, triumphs, everyday habits, and beliefs of the new working-class residents. Latino vernacular synthesizes cultural styles that are neither “Spanish” (as the general public views it) nor Anglo-American. The beauty of the vernacular cannot be measured by any architectural standard, but rather by life’s experiences,

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Katrin Rismont

FROM INDUSTRIAL TO MIXED USE It was a new kind of urban development strategy for the “Werksviertel” that first impressed the many landowners from the former industrial quarter in the east of Munich. The special feature: The planning reflects both the history and the existing state of the 40-hectare site, which is currently being transformed into a new urban residential and business district.

The former industrial “Werksviertel” had become renowned as a party zone and cultural area in the last few decades. Now the district is set to combine life, work and culture.

The former Pfanni building, Werk 3, will offer space for art, entertainment and commerce.

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