Architecture as a framework for the collective - Theories of Architecture

Architecture as a framework for the collective Urban commons and the food market

Theories of Architecture UBLMYV-15-3 2022/23

Figure 5 - section showing integration with urban fabric

Orran Slade 20019845 BSc Architecture

contents introduction 3 theoretical analysis city as a shell: a shell for all

4

participation and democracy for community

7

scaffold toolkit as a catalyst for expression

8

critical summary 9 appendices A

shared authorship precedent 10

B

typology precedent 11

C

urban mimicry precedent 12

D

market arrangment process

13

references 14 word count

1872

introduction My studio project is titled the Bristol Centre for Good Food, and it was

2: Create a flexible “street food market” that celebrates Bristol’s

created in response to the studio brief to reimagine an architectural

independent restaurants and food vendors.

typology in order to contribute to one or more of the United Nations’

3: Redistribute waste food at a discount to those in need.

Sustainable Development Goals. The aim of my project was to

4: Create opportunities for aspiring chefs from low-income families

reimagine the food market in order to redefine Bristol’s food system.

through a culinary apprenticeship programme that involves individuals learning on the job from experienced chefs and showcasing their food

To align my project objectives, I chose The Food Foundation

to the public in a restaurant setting.

as a hypothetical client. The Food Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that works with schools, food manufacturers, retailers,

To distinguish my project from variations of the food market typology

and the government to improve the United Kingdom’s food system.

already present in the country, such as Borough Market and Box Park,

Their primary goal is to encourage businesses and consumers to

I organised the market as a framework, user led structure in which

adopt more sustainable and healthier food habits. (Food Foundation,

vendors can flexibly manipulate their allotted space to suit their needs.

2023) My approaches to creating a built solution that encourages change in Bristol’s food system are as follows:

In this essay, I will outline the architectural theories and literature that guided my process in designing the market aspect of my building

1: to provide an affordable, accessible alternative to weekly or

and ultimately how my theoretical approach manifested in my final

biweekly supermarket shopping, in the form of a constantly changing,

proposal.

seasonal, European-style market selling fresh produce.

3

Figure 1 - West elevation

theoretical analysis city as a shell: a shell for all A key characteristic that I wanted the market to possess was the integral input and participation of the user, in this case the market vendors to create their own spaces within a designed framework.

I first started to pursue this avenue of thought when my tutor suggested I research the NDSM shipping wharf in Amsterdam, Netherlands as a precedent to inform the design of my market spaces (see appendix A). The story of NDSM began in 1999 when squatters took up residence in an abandoned shipyard in the then neglected industrial district Amsterdam-Noord. Beginning as an unlawful occupation of space, the collective of squatters, artists, skateboarders and activists outlined a framework and roadmap to transform and repurpose the disused architecture into a platform to celebrate individuality, creativity and community. Today, NDSM is a villagelike “self-organised sanctuary” where the inhabitants have breathed new life into derelict buildings that would have been undoubtedly demolished without the community effort and perseverance that made the endeavour a reality. (de Klerk, 2018, p. 13) Eva de Klerk, a key figure in the early development of NDSM, wrote ‘Make your city: De stad als casco’ (2018) recounting the journey of collaboration that actualised NDSM as it is today – this book greatly 4

inspired me and highlighted the potential for enterprise of this nature in the UK. ‘De stad als casco’, translates from Dutch to English as ‘City as a shell’, this idea was first explored in a manifesto by Carolien Feldbrugge and Frank Bijdendijk, suggesting that a city is a shell that encourages individual growth within a collective framework.

(Ibid. p. 13-15) NDSM manifested the theory of de stad als casco by observing the simple rule of ‘collective where necessary, individual where possible’ to divide space. “Cables, pipes, sewerage, public space, storage are all collectively organised.” (Ibid. p. 17) I have implemented a similar approach in dividing the market spaces within my scheme. Dividing the participation in creating the market between architect and vendors: the architect outlining a circulation strategy, services, spaces for seating; leaving the vendor free to customise their stall however they want within their allotted part of the designed framework.

This is a rather contrasting approach compared to street food markets like Box Park, often an indicator that an area is becoming gentrified, where shipping containers painted matte black, devoid of character, are inhabited by mostly chain owned restaurants. Modern, specifically western takes on a street food market are often disingenuous in how they are presented. The unique appeal of a varied food market is convenience, affordability and variety – the key factor that many food markets in the UK don’t possess is the affordable price aspect.

This is acceptable to an extent considering the rising cost of living and inflation affecting the economy at present; but a trip to somewhere like Camden Lock Market for a quick bite to eat has become very close price wise as a meal at a ‘sit-in’ restaurant.

This rise in prices swaps a sense of novelty in place of demand derived from necessity, the quality of the food or the consumer’s conscious benefit in supporting local business (as many markets of this kind are corporation owned). This is the trend I wish to contest in an attempt to set a new precedent for how food markets can function

Ground floor ingredients market

within a British city context. To achieve a lower, more favourable price point for consumers and producers a general price limit can be implemented, in an instance where operating costs rise for the vendors and a certain degree of profit is not achievable, the centre will subsidise the rise in costs to ensure that price does not rise significantly. (Mohan, 2010)

While taking inspiration from NDSM, my process was also informed by two other precedents (see page appendices B and C) Mercado Manduca and Mercato Centrale di Firenze. Both of which

First floor food market and bars raw market

5

bars

food stalls

Figure 2 - plan showing market arrangement

implemented a market typology into its contextual public realm – from

creates a windy very street-like route weaving through stalls of varying

exploring these precedents I strived to achieve a similar seamless

geometries, leading you up the stairs to the street food on the first floor

transition from external public space outside into my market, by

where the ‘street’ continues see Figure 3.

mimicking a true street market, where stalls would conform to an urban grid and unusual angles of streets.

This approach would culminate in mirabilia of individuality with each contributor expressing themselves in their own unique way, telling

I formulated my framework, setting out a grid within and striking

each visitor something about their wares visually.

through the building’s structural grid where a change of angle of the grid was necessary. See Figure 2 where one possible spatial arrangement within the framework highlights space for market stalls in colour. A spatial arrangement within the irregular grid framework

Figure 3 - section showing inhabitation and different composition of stalls (section line on Figure 2) 6

theoretical analysis participation and democracy for community My design process and direction were informed by various architects

I want to evoke the same connection with the vendors and the

and architectural theorists who are concerned with the function

architectural framework of the market, with the customisation of the

of user participation in the quest for significant and effective

stalls an ever-fluctuating process, the residents of Bristol will witness

architecture.

the flux of the market over time, acting as a barometer of community progress of the city.

After the developments of NDSM, outlined in the previous section, the concept of co-authorship in an architectural project became more

Some lesser known, less celebrated architects have held theories that

present in the meta of the industry – a champion of this philosophy,

are similar to and predate Chipperfield’s. In the 1960s and 1970s, in a

who is extremely well regarded, is Pritzker Prize 2023 winner David

push for greater social democracy, social movements caused for more

Chipperfield. At the Venice Biennale 2012, at which he was lead

collaboration from communities in the design of public buildings as well

curator, he argued that architecture should be concerned with the

as housing projects. A great example of this succeeding was Lucien

common good and not just benefit the privileged few: “asks us to

Kroll’s consultation of university students at Woluwé-St Lambert,

think about the physical expression of our collective aspirations

Brussels in the design process of their medical faculty building, where

and those of the society, and to remind us to consider our shared

he asked students what they wanted from the development.

history, to think about the collaborative nature of architecture and

(Lee, 2006)

the extraordinary potential of its collective process.” (Havik and Pllumbi, 2020, citing Chipperfield, 2012) This philosophy is present in

Post handover of the project, I envision monthly meetings between

Chipperfield’s work, with many of his projects specifically using local

users, vendors and the design team to be held to discuss changes,

labour and contractors, providing a visceral connection between the

opinions and evaluations of the project. This would ensure consistent

architecture and its eventual users. (Floornature, 2023) (Allies, 1995)

collaboration and democracy is upheld to get the most out of the building during its lifecycle and to maximise the social benefit for the city as a whole.

7

theoretical analysis scaffold toolkit as a catalyst for expression In the objective of handing over spatial expression to individuals, who most likely will not have design experience at the start of their occupation of the Bristol Centre for Good Food, lies one glaring

This may be seen as a diversion from the theories outlined in this essay, as it is not giving the vendors complete autonomous freedom.

However, I feel this was a necessary design consideration to allow my concepts to function.

problem: a lack of direction from the vendors in how to begin designing their stall.

To mitigate this, I devised a starter kit to work as an initial spark or catalyst to direct the food vendors to make their space their own. The toolkit uses an exceptionally simple structure consisting of standard scaffold poles and scaffold boards (see Figure 4). Although this has been formulated by the designer, it is malleable to the vendors’ requirements from the get-go. Scaffolding components are easily accessible and have the scope to be sourced through reclamation, the components can be cut to any length, can be positioned at any height and can be constructed very freely with little construction knowhow.

Workshops could be held with the users to provide them with the knowledge required to work with the toolkit and to teach them the fundamentals of how the structure can be assembled. Panels of scaffolding boards could be clipped on to the horizontal members to form walls, create openings, countertops and shelving to house their wares, or to organise spaces for prep and cooking.

Figure 4 - sketches showing tectonics and design of market framework 8

critical summary

By studying architectural theories concerning shared authorship and user-participation in design, I believe I have applied my learning to achieve a robustness and significance to my overall proposal.

Positioning my project as an endeavour that handles issues of social democracy, accentuation of individuality and as a journey that does not simply end at the point of handover from architect to user. This approach delivers rigour in its concept and expresses sensitivity to the city context of Bristol.

With this deeper meaning and depth, supported by architectural theory, I believe my project is successful and could achieve its objective of standing as a precedent that could invoke change in society when it comes to our relationship with the food industry.

9

Figure 5 - section showing integration with urban fabric

appendix A shared authorship precedent NDSM: Amsterdam-Noord NDSM was a disused

Shell

shipping wharf which was transformed by collaborative

=

Casco

English

:

Dutch

work between the architects and the community. It

The city as a shell is an idea

achieved a unique rebirth

that is explored, reflecting

of the neglected district of

on the success of NDSM in

Amsterdam through the

the book by Eva de Klerk.

function of the architect as

Described as seeing city and

a participant in the project,

building as a whole, a shell

meaning there was a

that can be filled in flexibly,

contract of shared authorship

constantly changing without

with creatives, artists and

erasing the past.

community activists.

(Lola , 2020) (de Klerk, 2018)

Instead of the architects designing the whole project themselves, they designed a framework in which the community made their own.

10

appendix B typology precedent Mercato Centrale Firenze, Italia (2014) Archea Associati On my trip to Italy in

storey, into a atrium filled

September ‘22, part of

with various stalls serving

my journey was spent in

delicious meals and small

Florence, a city steeped in

plates of Italian food.

architectural heritage.

I stumbled across the

This transition from outside to

Mercato Centrale seamlessly.

a market of fresh produce up to a restaurant-esque setting,

From wandering through

was something that instantly

a string of informal market

inspired me. I intend to

stalls, selling replica football

implement this transition into

shirts and knock off designer

my project.

handbags, I was lead to the

(Archea Associati, 2014)

steps up into the enclosed food market.

Greeted by authentic cheese, oil, meat and fish stands I explored further, up a 11

appendix C urban mimicry precedent Mercado Manduca, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2021) Hitzig Militello Arquitectos Following on from the

I think if my building can

Mercato Centrale precedent

embue the essence of the

I was interested in this

harbour into its spaces they

concept of bleeding the

will possess a meaningful

urban landscape into a built

architectural quality.

architecture. I searched

Approaching the market

for a precedent that not

spaces in a similar manner to

only continued the sense of

Mercado Manduca could be a

urbanity but unapologetically

way of achieving this.

mimics it.

(ArchDaily, 2022)

This disused back alley in Buenos Aires, Argentina was transformed by Hitzig Militello Arquitectos into a windy, lane of shops, cafes and restaurants.

12

appendix D market arrangement process

13

references and figure list Allies, B. (1995) Theoretical practice by David Chipperfield With an introduction by Joseph Rykwert. Architectural Research Quarterly. [online]. 1 (1), pp.97–98. de Klerk, E. (2018) Make your city: The city as a shell. Amsterdam, Artbook D A P. Floornature (2023) Architecture serving the common good: David Chipperfield | Floornature Floornature.com. 2023 [online]. Available from: https://www.floornature. com/architecture-serving-common-good-david-chipperfield-17563/ [Accessed 13 May 2023].

Food Foundation (2023) What we do | Food Foundation foodfoundation.org.uk.

2023 [online]. Available from: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/what-we-do.

Graaf, R. de (2016) ‘Few architects have embraced the idea of user participation; a new movement is needed’ Architectural Review. 26 July 2016 [online]. Available from: https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/few-architects-have-embracedthe-idea-of-user-participation-a-new-movement-is-needed.

Habraken, N.J. (2019) SUPPORTS : an alternative to mass housing. S.L., Routledge.

Havik, K. and Pllumbi, D. (2020) Urban Commoning and Architectural Situated Knowledge: The Architects’ Role in the Transformation of the NDSM Ship Wharf, Amsterdam. Architecture and Culture. [online]. pp.1–20.

Lee, Y. (2006) Design participation tactics: redefining user participation in design.

2006 [online]. Available from: https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conferencepapers/drs2006/researchpapers/60/ [Accessed 14 May 2023].

Mohan, S. (2010) Fair Trade Without the Froth. SSRN Electronic Journal. [online].

Monjo, M A B. (2018) The ecological architecture of Lucien Kroll Architecture Walks and Tours in Barcelona. 27 March 2018 [online]. Available from: https:// barcelonarchitecturewalks.com/the-ecological-architecture-of-lucien-kroll/.

14

APPENDICES Appendix A: Lola (2020) NDSM Amsterdam LOLA. 2020 [online]. Available from: https://lola.land/project/ndsm-amsterdam/.

Appendix B: Archea Associati (2014) Mercato Centrale San Lorenzo | Archea Associati www.archea.it. 2014 [online]. Available from: https://www.archea.it/progetto/ mercato-centrale-san-lorenzo/ [Accessed 13 May 2023].

Appendix C: ArchDaily (2022) Mercado Manduca / Hitzig Militello Arquitectos ArchDaily en Español. 7 October 2022 [online]. Available from: https://www.archdaily. cl/cl/990113/mercado-manduca-hitzig-militello-arquitectos [Accessed 13 May 2023].

FIGURE LIST Figure 1: west elevation - by the author Figure 2: plan showing market arrangement - by the author Figure 3: section showing inhabitation and different composition of stalls by the author Figure 4: sketches showing tectonics and design of market frameworkby the author