Impact of architectural intervention

IMPACT OF ARCHITECTURAL INTERVENTION

By Maryam Q. Heriot Wattt University, Dubai

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I Maryam Q., declare that the essay embodies the results of my own work and has been composed by myself, and that where appropriate I have made acknowledgement of the work of others.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 4 Understanding Architectural Intervention 5 Policies regarding architectural intervention 5 Preserving the cultural Heritage in Sharjah 5 Intervention architectural impact 6 Conclusion 8 Bibliography 10 Illustrations 11

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Introduction

It is said that in order to think about architecture, it is essential to know its history, as spoken by Manferdo Tafuri ‘as a tool used in the project design, history is sterile’ therefore it needs to be understood. Architectural heritage of a building is something which needs to be preserved.

This way, the building conveys a story, it holds a past and to the user it can be experienced. This in itself is called intervention architecture or preservation architecture, where the past heritage or culture of the building remains and is combined in order to create an architecture which portrays the old and the new.

The following paper seeks to understand this theory in a more detailed manner. The crucial reason behind this study is to understand how intervention architecture has an impact on the overall experience to the user of the space. It also seeks to understand the links which are formed.

This can be in the form of cultural links or social links which contribute to forming interaction in its own way by combining the old and the new.

Numerous areas have been looked upon in order to gather authentic research material and form a sound argument. Most of the areas were through the academic articles published corresponding to the subject at hand. They firstly comprise of Ahmed M. Salah El Dien ouf’s study of ‘rejuvenation vs conservation’ in the district of Sharjah within the United Arab Emirates. This articles seeks to understand modernism combined with history aiming to conserve the historic city of Sharjah along with seeking to create a ‘place’ for the old city within the new urban heritage.

Other academic studies include studying the city of Antwerp which became a fashion capital. It shows how fashion was combined with the existing architecture in order to create functionalism. Tourism boomed as the historic architecture itself was advertising the fashion aspect and vice versa.

The example of Groningen museum is one among many case studies which looks at the urban heritage in fragments showing the influence of the new museum on the old heritage of the city.

Rome today is considered as an intervention capital which is filled with heritage and culture conveying the past. Many policies have come up which try to enforce the conservation of the ruins within the city. Instances of the famous “Settacamini” shows how the need for intervention is important in order to maintain the sacredness of a historic place rather that allow it to diminish in its value.

Lincoln Center’s Julliard School which was built be Pietro Belluschi is a very modern context, showing the thought process of the modern architects who convey the story behind the actual meaning of the intervention which has been brought upon showing the conjunction between the old and the new.

All the above case studies have an implication of the overall experience of the space, be it an implication on the city as a whole, or the user experience when they visit the space. The principle idea is to convey the importance of conserving the heritage. Along with understanding what intervention architecture is, this paper also highlights the policies for intervention brought forth by the government in order to preserve these architectural ruins because ‘Preservation’ means acknowledging the different forms of transformations it has gone through over time. In order to make a successful intervention the past must overlap with what exists today.

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Understanding invervention and architecture

It has been mentioned earlier that there is a crucial need to understand the history of a building in order to understand its heritage. Intervention architecture is strongly related to architectural heritage. It is the process of restoration. Allowing the past to thrive by permitting its entry into the future. The architecture must intersect in order for a successful intervention, be it social or cultural or experiential.

Reigl’s theory explains cultural heritage as having an ‘age value’ to it. Reigl argues that old architecture brings about its own destruction.

This can be contradictory as everything is bound to have a history eventually but in order to retain this history, the damaged parts can be reconstructed and restored in order to function as a document which can be related to the past to which it represents.

Ludwig Wittgenstein had a house constructed in Vienna in 1928 for his sister Gretl. The design was inspired by Art Deco embellishments as well as Bauhaus decorations. He described the house as a “great understanding of culture.. but lacks primordial life.” His sister decided against living in the dwelling as she felt it looked more like a ‘dwelling for the gods’. The space has been described to fit the idea of a cultural center. There has been a strong spirit in the architecture. The fundamental notion which has been conveyed in this instance is that the spirit of architecture lies in the human details.

Architecture is measured as the most monumental of cultural constructions. The ongoing relationship between human and materiality.

Architecture only becomes genuine when its presence is infused with a ‘thought’ that seeks to overpower the physical presence. It is difficult to evoke a feeling where the spirit of architecture lasts long enough to see it survive.

It is for this reason that intervention architecture is applied, so that it can be revived and preserved in order to retain the spirit and experience the space has created over the span of time it has existed.

Policies regarding architectural intervention

Change is considered to be an inevitability of life. Therefore preservation is the research guideline of change. Cultural intervention is construed as a less damaging and cheaper action. Thus there are many policies, laws and regulations brought out by the government in order to protect the historic heritage and cultural remains. The laws brought forth also encourage the use of sustainable materials in order to give the intervention a more genuine look.

Some of the famous acts are the Green Building Council which is subjected to protective limitations. It measures the energy competence in relation to restoration. This ensures the quality of the maintenance. Other acts include the Existing Buildings; Operations and Maintenance act

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which takes in to account the existing buildings recovery and reuse in order to cure the environment debts which is emitted through pollution.

These acts focus on the usage of natural materials for building revival, bearing in mind the sustainability factor. Ancient structures were mainly constructed using natural materials which were low toxicity products whose carbon emissions have already been exhausted. Keeping this in mind, it would only be appropriate to reciprocate the same materials, but in a more improved form in order to help maintain the old but at the same time evoke a sense of the past through the new.

Preserving the cultural heitage of Sharjah, UAE

Sharjah is a city which can be seen as thriving in cultural heritage. It is seen as a, multi layered city which comprises of buildings filled with heritage as well as city icons which shaped the community’s memory, i.e. the architecture of the space being a combination of old combined with the new, blending in together and giving a new meaning to the experience of the space as it induces a sense of old culture and reminiscent of the past, and at the same time, it the new addition would give the space depth and uniqueness along with functionality.

Figure 1: Old Sharjah fort

But this was not the case during the 1990’s. Le Corbusier’s theory of ‘Form following Function’ was applied into the major parts of the city.

Functionality of the space was priority over aesthetics. The space was designed bearing in mind the importance of easing function as opposed to incorporating intangible values which would add depth to the iconized the structure, many years down the lane. Such was the result of being over-powered by the onslaught of modernity just as many other iconic structures around the world.

The old city can be seen to have a very reserved layout which conjured a sense of place. The place itself was considered to have an identity where its people belonged in their natural locale. The basic layout contained the market quarter, ruling family’s home and then the residential quarter which was based as per the clans which occupied it.

Post 1960’s urban planning activities reflected the desertion of the urban heritage which the city had maintained. Designers and planners focused on the functionality and accessibility of the space as opposed to maintaining the city’s vast rich culture. The newly built road networks divided the market quarters in to two halves severing its direct link to the existing creek.

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In the 1980’s laws emerged which called for the conservation of the history which was left of the city and old buildings were protected. Sharjah fort was the first project which was taken by the government for its restoration alongside the addition of modernity.Old historic structures were converted into museums. The site around the monument spoke volumes about the heritage of the space in comparison to the high-rise structures with well paved roads. The experience of the space said deprived of its urban spirit.

The Non-paved streets held its own aura of culture filled with natural textures and honest materiality of the place gave the users a feeling of nostalgia. Whilst the view of the cityscape and high-rise structures covered in glass finishes along with the hustle bustle of the people in the streets screamed the onset of modernity. This was prominently segregated and the difference between the two was noticeable. Each space had its own intangible experience to the user. A reminiscent of culture, which was the main idea of the architectural intervention.

Figure 2: Intervention of Shajrah fort

Though the heritage was segregated from the main building structure, it was integrated on a whole where the heritage comprised of the nucleus and the surrounding modern buildings were the multi nuclei structure. The urban heritage district was described as a unified place where the users would enjoy and experience the space.

The reconstruction of the old city walls created a boundary around the conserved buildings. It gave the whole area sense of place after being defined as ‘scattered’ in the past. This was later on followed by the paving of walkways which gained attraction by the tourists and gave a whole new meaning to the visitors. The walls portrayed a sense of history to the people, it brought back to life the city’s urban structure. The area evoked a sense of identity, community and safety to those who lived within it. All these senses were experienced by the building of a boundary around the old and the new city. The introduction of Sharjah institute of theoretical studies gave rise to activities such as theoretical performances and festivities. The architecture of the building was similar to the existing fort, creating a physical link to its surroundings along with providing a visual connection to the old heritage area. This enhanced the visitor related functions giving them an opportunity to admire what’s left of the ruins of the historic architecture. The market quarters were also restored welcoming people back in order to reconnect with the shores of the creek. This thereby, brought forth the social interaction along with recreating the severed traditional and cultural links.

The rejuvenation and integration of Sharjah fort can be taken as an instance where the new architectural intervention has had an overall experience of the space. The addition of the wall alone created an experience which would help the users reminisce the old heritage of the city. Along with the addition of the Sharjah institute which was integrated into the historic fort smoothly shows the links which were created contributing to social interaction. And lastly the restoration of the market quarters helped restore the cultural and traditional experience of the space.

As seen in the case of Sharjah it can be observed that the impact of intervention architecture is not limited to the vicinity of the location itself.

It can impact the city as a whole giving uniqueness, dynamism and depth to it. Antwerp can be taken as an example where the function of fashion was combined with the existing architecture and led to its exposure as a fashion capital. The city created for itself the image of selfadvertisement. The functionality aspect and the old buildings of the 19th century were perfectly integrated in the old urban network of the city, giving the tourists a unique experience of modernity which would be in the form of fashion and the historic appeal in the form of the architecture itself.

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Intervention architectural impact

As seen in the case of Sharjah it can be observed that the impact of intervention architecture is not limited to the vicinity of the location itself. It can impact the city as a whole giving uniqueness, dynamism and depth to it. Antwerp can be taken as an example where the function of fashion was combined with the existing architecture and led to its exposure as a fashion capital. The city created for itself the image of selfadvertisement.

Figure 4: Antwerp city

Figure 5: Old city of Antwerp

The functionality aspect and the old buildings of the 19th century were perfectly integrated in the old urban network of the city, giving the tourists a unique experience of modernity which would be in the form of fashion and the historic appeal in the form of the architecture itself.

Looking at the Lincoln Center’s Julliard School which as built by Pietro Belluschi and then later on had undergone through intervention which was aimed at the preservation of the existing structure but at the same disclosing the internal aspects which was hidden behind the travertine has been exposed by the means of glass. Though this can be considered as the most basic restoration, the detailing was perfectly thought which evoked a sense of being outdoors yet indoors at the same time.

The joint which marked the end of the old façade and the beginning if the new façade was prominent in order to convey the contrast between the old and the new. Admiring this architectural wonder left the visitors in awe. It also brought about interaction and socializing due to the architecture and activities organized within the space. In comparison to the Antwerp fashion capital the changes here were prominent and the architects challenged the theory of old by revealing the new building joint which resulted in the visitors stopping and admiring the phenomenal intervention.

Figure 6: Lincoln center Intervention

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The Groningen museum is another instance which has undergone a 1000 years of urban development and culture. Structures were built and rebuilt in order to keep up with the post modernity. The museum is one such intervention which was to be reconstructed in order to represent the city’s arts design and culture. The cultural and social link which has been established is due to the contemporary art which is placed near to the old art works and is responsible for the major tourist attraction. The materiality used on the exterior of the new façade represent extensiveness of time and space. Entry point into the museum is a crucial one as it used to be an old existing gate to the city which was reconstructed as the entry into the museum.

Figure 7: Groningen museum today

Thus showing the traditional linkage between the ruins of the city and the modern intervention of the museum. The combing of the new fragments of the postmodern museum in an urban environment which is known for its history conveys the cultural identity of Groningen.

In contrast there are many historical ruins which have yet to be preserved. This doesn’t not necessarily related just to buildings alone. The ancient ruins of the pavement located in Settecamini in Rome can be taken as an example. Within the city, there is a pathway which was existent since the first four century AD. The pathway leads to an ancient tavern situated at its adjacent and is now being used as shelter for the homeless. Rome is known for its historic interventions which is all the more reason for preserving every history which has been left behind.

The pathway can be an experience which would bring the user back in time to relieve the space and what it signifies. And the Tavern can be restored to serve its function once again portraying the place for what it used to be.

Figure 8: Settecamini pavement

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Conclusion After intensely analyzing the above theories it can be concluded that architectural intervention is not just about the restoration which helps in architectural preservation. It is mostly about the experience it creates, the interaction it forms, and the user experience which would help in realizing the cultural heritage of the space.

Its history and the realization of modernity. This would in turn create an environment which would not only be rich in culture but at the same time thrive in its modernity. The examples of the Lincoln Center can be noticeable along with the Antwerp fashion capital which would help in using of functionality in accordance with the existing history of the space. Evoking a sense of experience along with the links towards culture and tradition is the essence of architectural intervention.

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Bibliography • Ennen, E. (1997). The Groningen museum: Urban heritage in fragments. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 3(3), pp.144-156.

• Martínez, J. (2007). Selling Avant-garde: How Antwerp Became a Fashion Capital (1990-2002). Urban Stud., 44(12), pp.2449-2464.

• Hökerberg, H. (2013). Contextualising the periphery. New conceptions of urban heritage in Rome. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 19(3), pp.243-258.

• Hökerberg, H. (2013). Contextualising the periphery. New conceptions of urban heritage in Rome. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 19(3), pp.243-258.

• J. Martfn-Hernandez, M. (2015). Architecture from Architecture Encounters between Conservation and Restoration. [online] Columbia GSAPP. Available at: http://www.arch.columbia.edu/files/gsapp/imceshared/gjb2011/v4n2_martin.pdf [Accessed 24 Apr. 2015].

• LO PRESTI, Salvatore; DI PAOLA, Francesco; MINEO, Serena. Artificial stone in architecture: new restoration techniques of intervention in the Utveggio castle in Palermo. Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage, [S.l.], v. 11, p. 195-217, dec. 2011. ISSN 1973-9494. Available at: http:// conservation-science.unibo.it/article/view/2698. Date accessed: 24 Apr. 2015. doi:10.6092/issn.1973-9494/2698.

• Intervention in architecture building for change. (2007). London: I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd., pp.6-7.

• Cinieri, V. and Zamperini, E. (2013). Lifecycle oriented approach for sustainable preservation of historical built heritage. Built Heritage 2013 Monitering Conservation, [online] pp.465 - 472. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/5121493/Lifecycle_oriented_approach_for_sustainable_ preservation_of_historical_built_heritage [Accessed 24 Apr. 2015].

• El-Dien Ouf, A. (2008). Lower and Higher Urban Quality Cycles in Urban Heritage Areas: Rejuvenation vs. Conservation. Journal of Urban Design, 13(3), pp.403-414.

• Evans, G. (2005). Measure for measure: Evaluating the evidence of culture’s contribution to regeneration. Urban Stud., 42(5), pp.959-983.

• Diller, E. and Scofidio, R. (2015). Morphing Lincoln Center.

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Illustrations • Img-ae.bmscdn.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://img-ae.bmscdn.com/Events/Mobile/ET00000316.jpg [Accessed 24 Apr. 2015].

• Gulfartguide.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://gulfartguide.com/g/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/img_9136_0_004b032028e1b5540x360.jpg [Accessed 24 Apr. 2015].

• Tabisite.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://tabisite.com/photo/93ae/2lv_9721.jpg [Accessed 24 Apr. 2015].

• I.telegraph.co.uk, (2015). [online] Available at: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02289/Cathedral-Antwerp_2289442b.jpg [Accessed 24 Apr. 2015].

• Beyondcriticism.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://www.beyondcriticism.com/gurewitsch/pics/large/12.jpg [Accessed 24 Apr. 2015].

• Upload.wikimedia.org, (2015). [online] Available at: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Groninger_Museum_2.jpg [Accessed 24 Apr. 2015].

• Hökerberg, H. (2013). Contextualising the periphery. New conceptions of urban heritage in Rome. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 19(3), pp.243-258.

Quotes • “Great understanding of culture.. but lacks primordial life.” - Ludwig Wittgenstein 1928

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Copyright © 2017, MARYAM Q. All rights reserved