Story of the Edges

A kayak clubhouse and hostel complex on a former Maastricht industrial site

Master thesis (2022)

Authors

D. Fang Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

E.P.N. Schreurs Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
L.G.A.J. Reinders Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
J.W. Lafeber Teachers of Practice / AE+T - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2022 David Fang
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Published Date

24-06-2022

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

A building complex, including a kayak clubhouse and a hostel, is proposed on the former industrial terrain of the Sappi paper factory. This project is contextualized in an urban proposal that aims to regenerate the south part of the Sappi factory, by creating new connections and bringing the isolated site back to the city. The building, situated directly on an inner harbor, aims to activate the waterfront by the introduction of a kayak clubhouse. A hostel, on the other hand, will accommodate visitors and keep the site alive 24/7.

Gleaning, in the context of architecture, suggests a careful reading of the existing and learning to respect the existing. This approach has resulted in a highly site-specific design. Together with the existing Maasboulevard and the Affuitenloods building, this proposal provides a series of open spaces situated on different levels with varying publicness. They contribute to the recreational and informal life in the city.

The project is developed based on the theme of the ‘edges’ and a study of the ‘edge conditions’. In this study, two types of edges are mainly addressed: the facade or the building edge, and the waterfront, an edge that separates the land and the water. During fieldworks carried out in Maastricht, many appropriation and informal use have been observed in these spaces on the edges. The spatial characteristics of these spaces are being studied and the findings are then translated into the design proposal.