“Traces of transition” explores the architectural and social potential of an overlooked and banal industrial structure in Hoboken, Antwerp, once a rim-painting factory, now a decaying shell. Confronted with its imminent demolition, the research repositions the building not as obsolete, but as an organism, an active agent with a ongoing story. Through explorations into transformation, temporality, and user agency, the project challenges and critiques the dominant narrative of demolition and sterile replacement that characterises much of today’s urban development.
Drawing from the traces left behind, the story of the former rim painting factory was pieced together into a short 4 act film. The building is reimagined into a cultural and residential centre for the local youth, a demographic greatly marginalised in Hoboken. Inspired by the concept of “Low Road Buildings” as defined by Stewart Brand, as we all the local Blikfabriek cultural centre, the project celebrates adaptability, imperfection, and freedom of use. The building is viewed as evolving and unfinished, rather than a static monument waiting for its death.
Through narrative, scenography, videography, photography, mapping and physical modelling, the thesis constructs a living archive of the building’s past, present, and speculative futures, ultimately advocating for an architecture that learns, adapts, and resists erasure.
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Nicolae Ceausescu's regime in Romania, beginning in 1965, aimed at industrializing the country by increasing the labor force, leading to the development of large-scale housing blocks across Romania following the Soviet model. Urban planning and design were instrumental in serving political objectives such as industrial development, urban homogenization, and social control. However, amidst these grand architectural visions, the experiences of individuals with disabilities have been largely overlooked. The government's policies toward individuals with disabilities reflected a belief that they were incapable of contributing to a socialist society, resulting in their marginalization and neglect. This thesis explores the experiences of individuals with motor disabilities in Romania during the 20th century, shedding light on their marginalized narratives within the context of socialist-era architectural decisions. Through historical analysis, case studies of housing developments and interviews with residents, the research will be led by the question “How did the political policies and architectural design strategies employed during the construction of socialist era building blocks in Romania shape the living conditions, accessibility, and well-being of the disabled community?" The paper argues that architecture acted as a barrier to the integration of the disabled community, directly leading to increased institutionalization rates among individuals with physical and motor disabilities, as it substantially hindered their ability to lead typical lives within their homes. The thesis contributes to contemporary discussions on inclusive urban planning and societal perceptions, highlighting the importance of considering diverse perspectives and understanding the history of the context in architectural design and policymaking. ... Read more