/ parallel /
Our site is a parallel situation based on my interpretations. Contrasting situation but happens simultaneously. The macro site has a different characteristic from social, economy and architecture aspects, creates a contrast with the surrounding.
Our site is a parallel situation based on my interpretations. Contrasting situation but happens simultaneously. The macro site has a different characteristic from social, economy and architecture aspects, creates a contrast with the surrounding.
contrasting urban block
First are the contrasting urban blocks – a proper Berlin urban block vs. a random urban block. Based on my observation from the two random urban blocks, building scale is different; public spaces are prioritizing to vehicle and pedestrian respectively; building users difference. One is more formal and the other is more intimate. One is contained public spaces and the other is opened public spaces. I found our site is more pleasing because the buildings are smaller and are together.
embedded immigrants
Besides tourists and office workers, low income immigrants become the highest population. They are embedded into this district and adopting new culture in the same time not forgetting their roots. I read an article from Tagesspiegel that due to the education level, the women in this area are normally housewife. Then in that article, one of the interviewees said that the local bakery was the space for these housewives to gather and talk.
freedom vs. borders
Borders is visible throughout this district – as an act of controlling. From small scale control such as the materials to differentiate the pedestrian and bicycle lane, medium scale control where the usage of balustrade and low wall in residential building to big scale control such as hotel building are being buffered by continuous landscape to control the privacy.
Fenestration is also part of the control. Different levels of fenestrations to separate the usage of space and using a high reflective glass in the building facades created a cold and isolate mood.
But there are also inviting form in this district such as setbacks and changing of opening heights. The expression of freedom and creativity can be seen in the graffiti. When there is a free wall, there will be graffiti. However, height is the control factor. This can be seen in the Anhalter Bahnhof façade and the wall behind the buildings.
urban furniture – formal vs. informal
The district has a lot of public spaces but not free public buildings. Cafes and restaurants are the only opened spaces at night but paid. Lack of free public buildings makes the community appreciate the intimate informal spaces more. Such as the dividers and big landscape rocks has become their seats, grass has become their picnic spot, balustrade has become their seatings for football matches where football field is the urban stage. Comparing to the other urban block which is not so inviting because the lack of open public spaces.
