Re:/Dis:/Assembling Droixhe

Post-war Social Housing Urban Ground Transformation

Master thesis (2024)

Authors

K. Kirilov Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

E.I. Ronner Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
L.G.A.J. Reinders Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
J.W. Lafeber Teachers of Practice / AE+T - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
S. Stalker Teachers of Practice / A - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2024 Konstantin Kirilov
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Published Date

07-11-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

The post-war architectural and urban design paradigm’s characteristic trait of spatial and functional determination limits the possibility for spatial adaptation and flexibility in urban spaces, struggling to face ever-steadily occurring social, economic, and climate challenges. In Droixhe - the largest post-war social housing ensemble in Liège, Belgium, the ineffective reach of previously executed housing requalification and increasing mismanagement overlook the urban public space on the housing blocks’ ground level, leading to its progressive deterioration and alienating fixed spatial ambience.
Drawing from the assemblage thinking theory in urban design and the notion of non-static built environments, the thesis project ‘Re:/Dis:/Assembling Droixhe’ incorporates architectural and urban design interventions within the ensemble’s urban ground level, allowing for ever-evolving compositions of elements with changing interrelationships, while challenging the pre-existing Modernist static built entities. Underlining the notion of “the incomplete”, the established design framework suggests the (re-)evaluation and upgrade of existing compositions through flexible building elements, which create the possibility to be critically reviewed and eventually recalibrated over time in response to occurring challenges. Applying a holistic multi-method approach, this design research aims to unveil the potential and challenges of urban transformation in static post-war urban environments as a point of departure to a more community-engaging and environmentally conscious architectural practice.