2015 Ma Arch Thesis: [WOW] Workshop on Water

BRDGING THE GAPS: [WOW] WORKSHOP ON WATER

WOW (Workshop On Water) is an instrument to reactivate vacant and derelict land, the school which plants a seed for temporary architecture culture in Glasgow.

The starting point of the WOW is Forth & Clyde canal (Glasgow Branch) which previously was highly industrial and now there are vast areas of the land left vacant. Water allows the school move freely from one place to another in order to activate bigger area faster. WOW units sit on the canal based on intensive functional uses in the area and their influence zones defined according to Voronoi diagram. The usage influence zone, topographical conditions and accessibility defines units’ locations (stop points) on the canal. The active and pre-organised units ( Art Incubator, PlayPod unit, Control Station and Culture Kitchen) are on the water, however they are prototypes of rentable units which can go on any site . It can be rented or easily constructed by community or any individual.

The units structure is based on modular pieces which are easy to construct and can be prefabricated off site. This allows WoW to work in other cities and countries too. The facade can be picked from the facade library- Harvest Map. Facade materials are recyclables and upcycled waste or industrial products.

For WoW to work in full power and programme the digital management and control system is created which allows people to book units for certain events as well as feed in information about available physical and digital resources and existing collaborative networks.

WoW prescribed plan is 5 years after which temporary use should be integrated and be a part of permanent planning. Furthermore, the mobile units stays and promotes self-organised DIY spaces culture. The Floating school moves to other canal/ river in other city or country.

URBAN SIMULATION. 5 YEAR PLAN

The duration of prototype is proposed to be 5 years. During this period project will have 4 PHASES.

I PHASE  ‘RAISING AWARENESS’

Pilot projects are placed on the most suitable sites along the canal as indicated in previous research. These projects aims to cultivate interest and raise awareness through proposed events and activities gathering around as much as possible users.

II PHASE ‘ACTIVE PARTICIPATION’

Pilot projects starts to be used on daily basis by community members and other people around on daily basis.Empowered users starts to see the potential on D&V site in their neighborhoods .

III PHASE  ‘ SPILLOVER TO OTHER SITES’

Pilot projects ‘replicants’ are built on other sites to sustain the activities.

IV PHASE ‘ SELF- ORGANIZATION’

After period of 5 years there a two possibilities for  pilot project to operate:

a. it can move to heal other sites

b. it can be recycled creating a minimal impact to environment

Pilot project aims to leave behind self-managed system of D&V sites use benefiting environment and people not only living around but also attracting a wider audience as well.

Semester 1

PRETTY VACANT ?

This video tries to capture the vast landscapes of no man’s land which is just THERE in neighbourhoods. Which is just THERE creating nothing but only NEGATIVE NON-SPACES.

There is significant contrast of vibrant iconic Glasgow and these other spaces which once had their life and users. However, the second part of video captures moments of space reactivation projects which inhabit these spaces temporarily but reveals the potential by supporting growing, social, play, learning, working etc. activities. ‘

This video is the result of series of site visits of derelict & vacant land in Glasgow as well as participation and involvement in space reactivation projects around Glasgow.

Harvest Map ‘Glasgow Commons’  – https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zC2RsCQI43S0.kll-SVuNZfF0

©Paulina Naruseviciute & Laura Petruskeviciute

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