MSA Stage 5 School of Architecture
Courtney Hamilton
FDT: GREENING THE CITY
SYNOPSIS:
“Every time you think of a city, you have to think green, green, green. Every time you see a concrete jungle, you must find open spaces. And when you find open spaces, make it so people can get to them.” Eduardo Paes
Aim:
Supported by research This thesis explores the impact of having green space within urban environments, introducing green spaces back into urban areas where green space is little, while also developing the idea of how new buildings as well as existing buildings can work with and integrate greenery within the cityscape and how this can be beneficial while working alongside a health and well being/cooking programme to promote healthier cities in both the environment and the health and well-being regarding the cities people.
methodology:
Through the investigation of lightweight and heavy weight construction, buffer zones sustainable technologies, in steel and glass. How the building responds to Marseilles climate aided by case studies and How space is handled in Marseille currently in terms of open space and the lack of green space. Extensive research in the benefits of green space is to the mind and body, food and nutrition, mental health and physical exercise and relaxation therapy’s such as spas
why:
The City Of Marseilles lack of open green space, impact of urbanisation and dense historical city planning, cities response to demolishes buildings and open space as present and the city’s plans in place to integrate green back in to the city for a greener future. Marseille being a busy tourist destination with dense urban areas and in a country with a sustainability government drive it seems like the perfect place to implement and test the idea of a green building determined by environment, context and site conditions. with environmental and social qualities of a city, its people live busy stress driven lives which can have an unhealthy impact on the cities people such as mental health with there being no access to a place to relax and unwind after a stressful day,in their local proximity taking it toll on the body both physically and mentally
where:
The sites built environment sits on an empty building plot turned square featuring hard landscaping surrounded by dense residential buildings with some retail on the ground floor which utilises the space of the square. It sits in a historical area of the city, with strong routes to the port and sits adjacent to a museum allows the perfect environment for an indoor/outdoor pocket park providing a new route through a calming environment or a stop from the business of the city as well as a place to learn new skills surrounding plants and cooking being a prime central location to a series of schools and community groups
programme:
The proposed programme consists of a well being retreat and school of cooking, All aimed at health and wellbeing utilising nature and green space to promote healthier lives. the school of cookery utilising the plants found around and within the building, a place of learning of skills, to cook, to identify edible plants and medicinal plants to promote health and well-being. This will take place through a series of multifunctional workshop spaces, classrooms, teaching kitchens, meeting and dining rooms and a library and it suite. the retreat consisting of a spa and sauna with spaces to exercise, meditate and learn about mental health and relaxation. the key space is the garden expanding over 4 levels this and a market place connecting the local people and providing them with a central hub to retain a good community connection
ELECTIVE: SENSE SPACE
During the course we undertook a series of experiments and tasks to help us to re-learn how to appreciate our sensory experiences within space. These tasks were aimed at allowing us to develop this understanding through investigations within our own discipline whilst rooting discussions around 3 dimensional space and atmosphere.
each week wed be tasked at designing to a different sense while relating back to our thesis in my case exploring combining greenspace and architecture to promote healthy cities. these all were collated at the end of the course to make up a portfolio of senses for submission.