Re-Centre
A multi-sensory approach to architectural design
J. van Breemen (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
W.L.E.C. Meijers – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
T.P. Bennebroek – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
D. van den Heuvel – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
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Abstract
Our pace of life as well as architecture keeps accelerating, creating a sense of alienation in and indifference to our surroundings. The typology of a military complex had to keep up with changing socio-political contexts and influence of technical innovations, making it a tangible example of how life has accelerated. The military complexes are becoming vacant due to these changing contexts and need transformation. Not only the physical structures call for transforming. The heavy intangible elements of war present must be transformed too, though no clear method of defining the spirit of a place exists.
Pallasmaa, in ‘The Eyes of the Skin’, pleads for a phenomenological design that stimulates all the senses to return to our sense of self and slow down. De Wit uses a method of mapping ‘place’, in landscape design, with the senses as measuring tool. A branch of architecture in which phenomenology is present is healing environments. This research will focus on transforming a military environment to a healing environment through a phenomenological design approach to create a tranquil experience.
De Kolonel Palmkazerne is a military complex located in Bussum. It was design by A. G. Boost in 1938 and is one of many ‘Boost Kazernes’. After the occupation of the Nazi’s the complex was expanded because of the rising tensions of the cold war. In 2007 the complex found no new military purpose and became vacant. BPD is redeveloping the site. The specific healing environment chosen is a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts due to the qualities of the site. How to implement the multi-sensory experience of tranquillity, as part of a programme for a rehab centre for drug addicts, in the phenomenological experience of the Kolonel Palmkazerne by transforming architectural elements? The phenomenological experience of the Kolonel Palmkazerne was analysed on based on location visits. A programme of functions and sensory qualities was set up through the spatial analysis of several rehab centres. Design principles were created after an analysis of sensory experiences with architecture. These were implemented in the design. The method throughout this research is hand-drawing to gain an understanding of the location, case studies, and the design itself.
A multi-sensory design is created in which a soft transition between spaces contributes to the balance between the ‘buitenwereld’ and ‘binnenwereld’, while conserving the historical composition. A connection and relationship with nature, a self-regulated climate, a materialisation per function (that contributes to the atmosphere and orientation), and a clear orientation throughout the building transform the Keukengebouw to a rehabilitation centre in which to Re-Centre through a multi-sensory design approach.