alternative housing in buzesti-berzei area
urban regeneration
Bucharest, Romania | 2012
The importance of the studied site from Bucharest is given by history - significant only when representing a new materialization of the existential dimension, socio-economic conditions - an overview of daily life, infrastructure density, which influences and is influenced by population density, social and cultural activities. The place is an essential part of existence, and the spirit of the place or "genius loci" includes buildings, streets, people, natural environment, cultural and social activities, feelings. The North Railway Station, located nearby, and Matache Market are historical landmarks of Bucharest and a symbol of urban life. History, economy, social life, give this area a specific dynamism. Any intervention must consider the specific urban rhythm and systematic character of the area.
The project's approach takes into consideration: the importance of social meetings - in relation to Heidegger's phenomenology, existential dimension of space, the psychological implications of architecture in the public perception, human scale. According to Heidegger, the place is something that gathers a community together, providing it at the same time a settlement. Places have a specific character, given by the things around which they appeared. Space, on the other hand, is characterized by the existence of limitations. Regarding the relationship between place and space, Heidegger says that the place mediates spaces, therefore spaces are contained by place. The relationship between man and public space involves intentional exposure while crossing the space, while living alongside one another. In order to create a relationship between the existing urban tissue and the new built space, there is a need for significance transparency, as well as for architecture to take account of what we call spirit of place or genius loci. Based on these theoretical considerations, we came with an alternative proposal of reconnecting the neighborhood around Matache Market, currently destructured after the construction of the new Buzeşti-Berzei-Uranus artery. Volumetric and spatial organization respects human scale and characteristics of the area and the introduction of public functions - traditional trade, art and craft shops, art galleries, library, food service - along with social housing in the area, aims to reintegrate the area in the contemporary reality and catalyze its further development.
