Part of what my project is trying to challenge is our current practice of static, linear building. I am trying to suggest that there are other ways to explore the practice of building and living in a way that is conducive to change, and reflects the somewhat organic and unpredictable nature of human occupation. The Open City of Valparaiso, Chile is one example of an ad hoc community, however I am trying to establish a similar social phenomenon but in an urban setting, within the framework of an existing building. One of my challenges has been trying to find documented examples of this kind of development. If anyone has any suggestions for me I would love your input?
Saturday, September 26, 2009
ad hoc / informal comunities
Part of what my project is trying to challenge is our current practice of static, linear building. I am trying to suggest that there are other ways to explore the practice of building and living in a way that is conducive to change, and reflects the somewhat organic and unpredictable nature of human occupation. The Open City of Valparaiso, Chile is one example of an ad hoc community, however I am trying to establish a similar social phenomenon but in an urban setting, within the framework of an existing building. One of my challenges has been trying to find documented examples of this kind of development. If anyone has any suggestions for me I would love your input?
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There is a great project by Teddy Cruz in Tijuana. His plan was to build the skeleton of a housing project (plumbing, electricity and floor plates) then let the community build it out as they see fit.
ReplyDeletehttp://rs.resalliance.org/2006/03/15/teddy-cruz-what-adaptive-architecture-can-learn-from-shantytowns/
great! thanks, this looks like it will be useful for me.
ReplyDeleteSomething that happens in Australia, especially in summer is the '3-day Music Festival.' There are dozens of these festivals around the country every year. (I know they happen in Canada too, but here The Festival is a staple of the Ozzie culture, especially Melbourne culture). People travel in tribes, setting up their clusters of temporary accomodation with identifiable landmarks, for easy recognition at 5am when stumbling through the thousands upon thousands of tents. The landmarks generally represent something or someone in the group, making thier personalities recognizable and tangible.
ReplyDeleteI think this is related to your examination of ice shacks - both the environment and personal identity affect the organization and arrangement of the tents and other elements of The Festival.
Some festivals have shifting locations - the static elements are the date, the 'vibe', the genre of music, and to some degree, the types of personalities drawn to the festival (and therefore the aesthetic of the 'residential' zone).
Burning Man in Arizona is a well-known temporary city spanning approximately 2.4km in diameter where 'inhabitants' are responsible for many of the structures that are built.
I realize The Festival isn't a perpetually inhabited place, but it is constantly transitioning, in size, location, amenities, technology, spatial organization, etc.
I also realize The Festival is not an urban phenomenon, so I did a quick search to see if I could find any info on 'urban festivals' or 'urban camping'. I found this site, where a group of people set up campsites in abandoned parts of the city, hoping the tents would be used by the homeless, but the conclusion was that the 'homeless people probably [found] better places to sleep..."
http://treacleonline.wordpress.com/laboratory/urbancamping/
Maybe this is related to the couchsurfing project you joined? I need to think about that.. . something about a digital adhoc community? Or maybe that's more of a parasitic (or symbiotic) exploration... just a thought
- Bobbie