Underground Uchronia

Reviving urban underground voids as temporal public space

Master thesis (2024)

Authors

X. Zhang Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

R. Cavallo Theory, Territories & Transitions - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
F.J. Speksnijder Teachers of Practice / AE+T - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
J.A. Kuijper Theory, Territories & Transitions - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
P.W.C. Chan (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
More Info
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Published Date

03-07-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

This thesis explores the interplay between urban underground spaces and the concept of time, aiming to transform our perception and use of these hidden areas. Beginning with an extensive mapping of Madrid's underground, the research reveals the often-inaccessible nature of these spaces. Through typological studies and philosophical exploration, the thesis reinterprets these spaces as temporal phenomena, emphasizing their dynamic potential.
The theoretical foundation is grounded in concepts such as Bergson's duration and Bakhtin's chronotope, which highlight the entanglement of time and space. The design project proposes a shift from place-based to operation-based design, focusing on the temporal dimensions of space. It envisions a flexible art hub in Madrid, adaptable to various activities and extending beyond its physical boundaries, reflecting the concept of Urban Uchronia—a utopia of time that challenges existing temporal norms.
The manifesto envisions a network of interconnected underground spaces across the city, forming a system of Urban Uchronia. This vision integrates subterranean environments into the urban fabric, transforming how we engage with these spaces. The thesis concludes by reflecting on the transferability of these concepts, offering innovative strategies for urban regeneration and architectural design in diverse contexts worldwide. By reimagining underground spaces through the perspective of time, this thesis proposes a new paradigm for urban development.