Landscape of Experience

Barcelona Port 2115

In 100 years architecture will not be limited to inactive objects anymore. Kinetic architecture is established, constructions are not frozen in one moment, they change constantly to the current needs. Rooms can grow when the number of people increases, bridges can come up only when needed, leaving free space if not. But how can the structure know about those needs? The 21st century is the era of data collection. Everybody has several devices, which observe, record and publish data every second used. This data can be taken to measure pedestrian and traffic flows, current needs and shortages. The structure will respond to that input as well as it can already provide the surrounding for certain scenarios. Two surfaces respond either in different ways. One works in a performative way and one works observative. Together they shape a space with various functions, reacting to the behavior of the people.

Thesis

What will the city look like in 100 years? Nowadays we imagine architecture as something static. But Life is not static. Nor is a city or a building. Buildings already change their functions, when the use changes, as well as their appearance by preserving or developing renovations. Cities are systems in constant change, shaped by flows of people, devices and data. Bit by bit, buildings change, giving the city a new face every day. But why do buildings have to be static? Already in the 1960’s architects like Ron Herron of the journal Archigram proposed massive robotic structures, which could walk wherever it might be the best. The walking city nowadays is an icon in architectural theory. Examples of kinetic architecture can be found already today. Heatherwicks‘ Rolling Bridge is just one example. So what if not only the city changes by fluctuant constructions, but the buildings itself alter?

The site

The location between Montjuic and the harbor is full of contradictions. On one hand it is a place with lots of connections. The ships are landing, bringing thousands of people and tons of goods to Barcelona every day. A big street is connecting the airport to the city. And the view from the castle to the sea is stunning. On the other hand there are lots of frictions. The street, connecting in one direction, is a huge barrier in the perpendicular way. From the top of the mountain the sea seems far away, although well seen. The hill slope itself is a barrier, which makes the castle on top inaccessible from the seaside. And though every tourist visiting Barcelona is passing this place, nobody ever stops there. Whether the people come from the big cruise ships or if they come from the airport, they always pass the constriction between the harbor and the Montjuic. As well as the inhabitants of Barcelona, close enough to see it every day – nobody is aware of this place. In the site analysis we extracted the main nodes, which function as fixed activator points for the structure. In addition the site was sliced in seven sections, each one representing another zone and function.

form follows data

www.atnight.ws: data mapping

In 100 years urban structures as well as buildings will not be static anymore. They will change their shape according to the needs of the user and the given circumstances. But how does the building know what to do? Nowadays everybody carries various devices that measure nearly everything. By tracking the geolocation of images and posts uploaded on social networks, a rough outline of the users behavior can be done already. Analyzing the content of the images and posts gives even more information. Almost everything can be measured. The structure responds to the given input. If there is a large gathering of people it will shape bigger rooms to allow more space. If cars want to cross from one terminal to the other, it will shape a bridge. When a ship wants to pass, it moves to the ground of the harbor. If smaller ships need docks, the structure creates various islands, as well as connections to the land. If someone from the harbor wishes to reach the peak of the mountain, the surface will transport him there. When there is no input given, the two surfaces rest and merge with the existing landscape.

Structure

Therefore the structure is parted in two surfaces: one functions as an observative platform, the other one performative. Each one has different functions according to their aim. Together they shape an active urban space that connects the harbor site with the city.

Concept

After concentrating on the first section the structure has to expand over the whole territory. Seven groups worked on seven sections and each one had a different concept. The consecutive method was to appropriate the different concepts and merge them in the structure. Therefore the harbor was divided into seven sections and zones. Each zone varies in shape and function. The first sector is the dedicated to leisure time. Here big concerts are happening as well as exhibitions. The structure reaches from the sea up to the castle to connect the two counterpoints and offer views all over. The second one is a green zone. The active surface merges into green space where plants grow while the passive one forms paths that lead through the park. The third one is dedicated to the harbor work. Containers and goods are stored in between the surfaces and distributed to further destinations. The consecutive one has a triphibian concept. It functions as a terminal and gate for the cruise ship passengers. It connects the harbor directly with the city and the mountain. The fifth area is a housing zone. Here the surfaces multiply and create various spaces in between that will be used for accommodation. The locations are next to the waterfront and on top of the mountain so that each space has a unique view. The last two areas function mainly for the ships. Plug-in ramps connect the ships to the land and offer the passengers a welcome to Barcelona. The last zone appears mainly in the ocean, the surfaces dive into the water and only peak out in a few points. They create islands where they are needed, so ships can dock there and recharge their supply, if they don’t want to stay on the land.

Energy concept

The energy used for the movement of the structure is generated by the surface itself. With piezoelectric materials, the pressure energy of the surrounding is collected and directly distributed to the spots needed. The pressure causing elements are the containers of the harbor work, the waves and the users. Through piezoelectric materials, the weight pushed on the skin can be transformed into electric energy. The spots with the most activity usually produce and consume most electricity, therefore the energy is always directly produced where it is needed. Excess energy will be directed to the electricity system of Barcelona.

Conclusion

We do not know what the world or Barcelona will look like in 100 years. The Landscape of Experience is an attempt to draw the outline of the future shape of Barcelona. Following the population graphs today, the city will grow and expand rapidly. The site of el Morrot will not be the edge of Barcelona anymore but a whole new district embedded in the city pattern. The cities future image will be shaped by mega structures. The future buildings will have multiple functions. Spaces will be fluent. Inside and outside, public and private, industrial and commercial, the structure will blur. Through sensors and processors the structure will have intelligence, allowing it to respond to the conditions and react to the necessities. Kinetic structures allow the movement and changes.

We do not know the future. But we can imagine it and our imagination will shape the world of tomorrow. The future starts today.

Pia Grobner . Yanna Haddad . Joy Alexandre Harb Kadiri

Landscape of Experience

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