PRECIS
“Collocated Architecture” is a strategy for approaching abandoned buildings that aims to balance factors of existing material degradation, historical characteristics, site ruins and scale with contemporary materials, tectonic connections and site awareness by means of juxtaposition. The author uses compare and contrast methods to distinguish between precedents that use the ideas of adaptive re-use and precedents that promote the ideas of “Collocated Architecture” to support the proposal of an alternative approach to old buildings. This approach to abandoned architecture is important as an alternative to adaptive re-use, which masks the new interventions behind ideas of historic shells and depletes the visual dynamics of time. The text is directed to an audience that has an interest in architecture specifically the revitalization of an older building, materiality and tectonic joinery.
ABSTRACT
Abandoned structures are scattered throughout the northeast. They are a part of the urban fabric, the landscape and hold importance to a community through memory and history. Fused Architecture is the engagement and cohesion of abandoned structures in contrast with modern architecture. It aims to respect the traditional techniques and material degradation that existing structures posses, but focuses on the integration of new material and the tectonic joinery that will juxtapose the ruins. The contrast in the process of Fused Architecture will produce a visual representation of the progression of time. History and memory become apparent when challenged by something new. Honoring the abandoned structure through Fused Architecture, will promote nostalgia within the community and a revitalization of accomplishment and pride.
Fused Architecture, unlike adaptive re-use exploits the honesties of history through juxtaposing ruins with modern architecture to achieve the revitalization of a building. The theories of adaptive re-use are to restore a space no longer functioning. The product of this theory is a sustainable approach to land conservation and to reduce urban sprawl. While, this is commendable and still vital in today’s world, the execution of this method is banal and belittling to history. It is in adaptive re-use projects the façades are restored to match their historical origins and the spaces behind them are filled with new program and new technology. The transformation and progress of time is masked behind façades representing a static moment. Architecture dealing with the re-use of an existing context/structure/building needs to not hide behind the history and preservation, but needs to embrace the dynamics of time and progress of technology. These are aims that Fused Architecture addresses.
The study of adaptive re-use projects will help to build an argument of an alternative process. Having examples of projects that preserve more then they integrate will support the adaptive re-uses flaws as a process. In studying these projects I will also look at what can be gained. Looking at the multiple ways materials and buildings can be re-used will be helpful as a foundation to stem new ideas of integration from. In addition, studying the tactile and the sensory responses of materials can prove to be beneficial to suggest the right use and typology. Precedents of projects that have a focus on landscape, a strong connection to the site and the natural environment will also be useful, as they tend to focus on interconnectedness and cohesion. I will look at the progression of time with weathering materials. By and gathering commonly found materials I will gain knowledge on the decay process and what textural capabilities can arise. These can be methods of connecting new materials back to and existing fabric. Looking at architects like Peter Zumthor and David Chipperfield will be vital, because they both have projects that deal with modern architecture engaging ruins. Studying the different connections and construction techniques used by the existing building that is the site will be a guide to the kind of contrast that is needed for complimenting the old.
HYPOTHESIS
The methods of dealing with abandoned buildings have been to mask the new interventions behind ideas of historic shells, which then depletes the visual dynamics of time, as done in current adaptive re-use projects; however this thesis wishes to develop the approaches to abandoned buildings by proposing the alternative strategy “Collocated Architecture” that aims to balance factors of existing material degradation, historical characteristics, site ruins and scale with contemporary materials, tectonic connections and site awareness by means of juxtaposition.
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