EG

E. Gerstenkorn

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2 records found

In this research, I strived to explore solutions to the question:
How to maintain or enhance a sense of community in post-war neighborhoods undergoing regeneration processes
The outcome of this research provides a guideline for architectural planning, in creating an environment that reflects the importance of a sense of community in the built environment. The outcome can be viewed as a manual for analyzing and retrofitting neighborhoods, focusing on the shared spaces and maintaining or enhancing a sense of community. By focusing on a specific site, and examining its characteristics, I formed a guideline on how to treat specific issues with architectural interventions. I examined theories by various researchers (such as Gehl, Whyte, David Sim, and Bernard Tschumi) as well as architectural drawings of master plans that focus on shared spaces as an integral part of the vision.
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An Archival Research of the BPH

Student report (2022) - Ella Gerstenkorn, J.A.M. Baeten
I named my work Beyond the Correspondence. In the archival research I conducted on the Post Box for the Development of the Habitat (the B.P.H. mailbox), I analyzed the content of the publications which are stored in the archives of the Het Nieuwe Institute Rotterdam. I realized that there is so much beyond the correspondence and understanding of the dynamic of Team 10, the post box, and its value. The postbox has developed and become a worldwide amazing network.
During B.P.H.'s twelve years of operation, 398 letters arrived at Bakema`s mailbox. The letters, sent from private architects, as well as from international organizations and universities, contained information on new publications, projects, and collaboration invitations. Bakema used a very efficient categorizing system, arranging the content in four columns (which after a few years became four lines) – Author, Date, Subject, and Main points. Overall Bakema published eighteen issues at irregular intervals over the years.
Within the development of Team 10 as a group, I analyzed through Tuckman`s model of four stages for group development. I noticed that the B.P.H. publications held a similar evolution process. That led me to my research questions – Has the B.P.H. turned into a professional international network? Does the postbox live a dynamic of its own?
I analyzed the publications thoroughly, following the number of letters Bakema received, the sources, issues that arose, and Bakema's general summaries regarding the B.P.H. conduction.
I summed up in a table the main topics in each of the publications and I highlighted the stages of development, the main themes, and the growing power of the B.P.H. as a virtual group.
My study shows the astonishing power that the postbox had as a network virtual group prior to the internet era, indicating its importance in the history of professional networking in the architectural field, which resembles today`s professional network LinkedIn.
Particularly interesting is the phenomenon that from being almost a naïve means of communication between Team 10 members, it has become a stage in a virtual conference room, when one is lecturing, the others are listening, and are welcome to start a discussion and give and receive feedback. ...