On Norms and Bodies

Abstract

This project aims to explore ways of being considerate—as architects—with regards to the sites (and the bodies related to these sites) in which we intervene through our practice. Architecture is often meant as a mediator between bodies and their surroundings, however, actually realising this aspiration is rather difficult. In the research it is argued that simply defining what bodies are and what their needs are—and then creating designs based on these definitions—can be a problematic approach with regards to topics of empowerment and inclusivity in architecture. Namely because this approach can create norms on which bodies matter (and which do not) and on how bodies should behave in certain spaces. The approach leaves no space for body-surrounding-relations to grow and change and—finally—it ignores the interdepency that exists between bodies and their surroundings. Bodies are never not somewhere, and this somewhere is never not shaped by our bodies being there. With this project, I set the ambition to reject all knowledge about what bodies are and instead focus on what it is that bodies can do somewhere, sometime. I chose to engage with my own neighbourhood: Bospolder-Tussendijken, in the city of Rotterdam. More specifically, with an organisation called the Zelfregiehuis, which focusses on empowering the residents of the neighbourhood through the organisation of various activities. What bodies can do somewhere is influenced by a great variety of factors. For this project, I identified three factors—or considerations: (urban) regulations, tools and techniques and the construction time and place. These can be seen as knowledge fields within our profession, meaning that we—as architects—can care for, think about and incorporate these considerations when designing and intervening somewhere. The interventions that are proposed give the sites new ‘base layers’, which allow for more spontaneous uses, without compromising on aspects like safety and technical performance. Additionally, the interventions are made so that afterwards, fewer specialised tools and techniques are needed for use/adaptation. Finally, the construction processes are divided up into events, to turn the affecting of surroundings into something that is done together, and that is open to continuous change (just like our bodies).