Event & Environment

Abstract

This research investigates events as an elementary tool to change the physicality of the environment, the perception of the environment and the behaviour of users within an environment. The main research question being, How can an event influence architecture? To find out what an event is, the literature study will focus on the writing of Bernard Tschumi Herman Hertzberger and J. J. Gibson, both in a different way involved in the philosophy of the event. Subsequently we will take a closer look at the documenta, the quinquennial contemporary art exhibition in Kassel, a provincial city in the middle of Germany. The meaning of an event is investigated by looking at several noteworthy events that happened during documentas throughout the years. Their impact on their surroundings is studied through archive photos, reports, video and news articles on the documenta. Findings are that an event is signified by a physical change of the environment, a perceptional change of the environment and/or a behavioural change towards the environment. Depending on the event, these changes are either temporary or permanent. The finding of the method derived from numerous attempts to capture the essence of such an event, that will also be discussed.

The design that follows from this research focusses on the city Kassel itself, especially on the Nordstadt, Kassels most neglected district. As a result from location analysis the designbrief for a youth-centre is created. The basis of this design relies on the reference to garages and the events that can take place in and around these spaces.