An MSA unit blog



An academic blog of the msa under unit guidance from Magda Sibley, Griff Evans and Isabelle Doucet.

Thursday, 2 February 2012

AXONOMETRIC SECTION ACROSS A TYPICAL WILHELMINE TENEMENT IN BERLIN


HEIKO RÖSSGER
SYSTEMATIC AXONOMETRIC SECTION ACROSS A TYPICAL WILHELMINE TENEMENT IN BERLIN/ AXONOMETRISCHER SCHNITT DURCH EINE TYPISCHE WILHELMINISCHE MIETSKASERNE IN BERLIN, 1984


Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Sido - MEIN BLOCK

A different Berlin housing typology translation below wenn mann kein Deutsch sprechen kann


"Mein schöner weißer Plattenbau wird langsam grau..."


"My lovely white prefab is turning slowly grey"

The Nordic Pavillion_Benjamin's Wednesday Treat

The Nordic pavillion at the Venice Biennale finished in 1962, designed by Sverre Fehn.

In 1958 a competition is held for the design of the Nordic Countries Pavilion for the Venice Biennale (to host Sweden, Norway and Finland). Three architects are invited: the swedish Klas Anshelm, the norwegian Sverre Fehn and the finnish Reima Pietila. In 1959 Sverre Fehn is declared winner and by 1962 the Pavilion is completed. The pavilion is a single rectangular hall of 400 sqm, open completely on two sides. The roof is made of two overlapping layers of concrete beams. The distance between the beams is 52,1 cm and this changes only when the roof meets the trees. The pavilion is an example of the disappearing transition between interior and exterior. 

Photos courtesy of Marios Moros_(FLICKR_Marios Moros)

source: Marios Moros


Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Fassi Arts & Crafts Apprenticeship_Robert Rostron

The medina is a relic to the past. A distant memory of how things once were. Camera happy tourists swarm the streets. Artisans with weathered leather hands show off their work. The craftsman is a dying profession: But they are still the heart + soul of life in the medina. No crafts = no medina. The crafts + arts trade needs resurrecting. Where are the young Fassi generation in the medina? They have no purpose to live there. It doesn’t suit the modern Fassi lifestyle. Those in the new town without university degrees struggle to find jobs. There’s the market. There’s the infrastructure. A new typology needs creating in the medina: a school for young apprentices to learn the crafts. This new typology needs to see the balance between heritage + modernity: to adopt an ancient profession whilst still living a 21st century lifestyle. This new typology will act as a catalyst for each district. The artisans and crafts trade will prosper. Young people shall return + breathe life back into the medina. Restore and regenerate: the evolving medina.




Monday, 30 January 2012

The Tourist Trap, Fez Medina 2011 _ Sam Westbrook

The Labyrinth   

The labyrinths a retail zone were tourist can come to buy locally produced goods, crafts and art work. They will be guided through the ground floor plan of the traditional courtyard houses that make up the existing cluster of buildings, re-configured the new transitional route will move the user from one Courtyard to the other passing by boutique shops and market stools, were they will be given the opportunity to purchase goods, whilst admiring the traditional courtyards and interiors. 
Movement through the Labyrinth follows a specific path, starting at one point and culminating at another. The internal layout of shops and stalls is organized around the nature of the products sold, clustering those similar together.




Sunday, 29 January 2012

Artisans' Quarter_Joanna Hiew

Place Lalla Yeddouna is a public square located in the centre of the Medina. Rather than a social meeting place, this square has lost its purpose and is currently a wide passageway leading to the Medina. This project aims to revitalize Place Lalla Yeddouna through reconfiguring the public square, rebuilding the artisans’ quarter and reconnecting the public users to the Fes River.

The Artisans’ Quarter is a new artisan hub consisting of 3 main components namely, the: working and living spaces for the artisans, an exhibition and learning centre for visitors as well as a café for both local residents and tourists. Inspired by courtyard forms and narrow alleyways within the Medina, this proposal is conceived as a single building comprising of these elements. The building is accessed via 2 small openings which lead to the respective courtyards of either the artisans’ workshops or the exhibition centre. These courtyards allow the flow of natural daylight and ventilation into the building and are linked by a walkway which is exposed to the sky.

By removing the derelict building on the North of the site, an open green space with a seating area can be created, giving focus to the mulberry tree and Lalla Yeddouna Fountain. Further landscaping is created through crawling plants on roof terraces which also provide ample shading.

It is hoped that the Artisans’ Quarter will act as an urban catalyst and contribute to the improvement of the relationship between the local community and foreign visitors who are keen to learn more about the local culture and unique brass craftsmanship that Fes has been so well known for.



Thursday, 26 January 2012

Medina Community Complex_Mariam Shaari

The new complex will support activities for youth and adults, expected to be an exemplary cultural site, economic stimulator and generator for the development of other projects in Fez, its region and Morocco. Aimed to refurbish and rebuild existing historic structures whilst providing a mixed use of urban spaces for the community as well as visitors to the Medina.

The concept of Restore and Rejuvenate is to restore the old existing building and rejuvenate the surrounding environment. The outline of the old building will be maintained but improved for the purpose of design to eliminate the need for a total demolition. The focus is also placed on the idea of encouraging local activities in the area and promoting the rejuvenation of social activities directly, and the nearby river indirectly. The outcome of the design is also aimed at the intention to preserve and promote comprehension of unique local cultures and activities.


Wednesday, 25 January 2012

Planwerk Innenstadt

Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment


Since 1996 an intensive and controverse debate had taken place concerning the question about the future goals of the urban development in Berlin. Finally in 1999, the so-called "Planwerk Innenstadt" was installed by the Senate of Berlin in order to define general principles for the urban planning of Berlin that are relevant for all boroughs. "Planwerk Innenstadt" forms a strategy for the urban development of the city of Berlin aiming at reurbanisation and revitalization of the historical center of Berlin as well as of the planning area "City-West".

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

The Changing Face of Park Hill


The Link: A Women's Refuge_Emily King

The Link: A Women's Refuge aims to aid victims of domestic violence and trafficking in Fez Medina. 14% of the female population of Morocco are believed to have experienced emotional or physical violence. It is now a problem which has been brought to the forefront of Moroccan society. The refuge provides accommodation for single, homeless women seeking safety and shelter as well as rooms for women with young children. Drop-in day facilities have been incorporated to create a community within the existing, disused courtyard houses. The proposal will help women to rebuild their lives and learn skills to help them find work to provide for their families in the future.