Communicate analytical and design skills in the field of Architectural Heritage on the basis of upgrading existing historical structures in terms of preservation, consolidation and adaptive reuse using a contemporary architectural language.
>>> Participation in EX 251.098 Excursion to Selected Objects in Architecture and Urbanism obligatory!
Expected cost for the field trip:
- Istanbul field trip 450-500€: accomodation from about 150€ per person upwards (tripple bed room for 7 nights), flight Vienna - Istanbul 154€ (roundtrip, latest search on February 21st), board and miscellaneous
- Ulqin field trip: coming soon
Analysis of requirements of a given site (spatial, functional, structural, in terms of accessibility / future use) and implementation of the results in an architectural concept in several steps (interim jury: concept presentation, final jury: project ready for competition entry).
International design workshop "Sustainable Conservation Design for Historic Fortress Structures in Ulqin / Montenegro and Istanbul / Turkey"
>>> GENERAL INTRODUCTION: 07.03.2017, 12 p.m./noon, Seminar room 251-1
(Students have to decide and announce the group of participation: Group1 >> Istanbul, Group 2 >> Ulqin)
Group 1) Galata Tower in Istanbul / Turkey
The Galata Tower in Istanbul, located on the east bank of the Golden Horn, was built by the Genoese in 1348/49 as part of the fortification structures of the Genoese citadel. Visible from far away, it particularly characterized the area, beside its use for observation and depot purposes. Until today, the tower with a height of more than 60 metres and nine floors is a striking landmark in the area. Galata Tower was registered as cultural property in 1962. The surrounding historic city quarter is influenced by historic trade activities and related buildings (e.g. industrial stores, banks) beside dense residential structures. During the recent past the Galata quarter developed into a site of manifold cultural activities.
Together with further Genoese fortress structures and maritime buildings in today`s Turkey, the Galata Tower became part of the Unesco World Heritage application "Trading Posts and Fortifications on Genoese Trade Route from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea" in 2013. The status on the Unesco World Heritage Tentative List causes further conditions for necessary architectural interventions regarding the preservation and future use of the tower and its close urban surrounding which will influence the work in the design studio.
Preliminary Schedule:
07.03., 4-6 p.m. Introduction Galata District Istanbul - History and Current Situation (room 251-1)
14.03., 4-6 p.m. Galata Tower and its Heritage Status (room 251-1)
19.-26.03. Field trip to Istanbul: Design Workshop in Co-operation with Students and Staff of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University Istanbul
04.04., 4-6 p.m. Studio Critic (room 251-1)
25.04., 4-6 p.m. Studio Critic (room 251-1)
09.05., 4-6 p.m. Studio Critic (room 251-1)
16.05., 4-6 p.m. Studio Critic (room 251-1)
23.05., 4-6 p.m. Final Presentation and Critic (room 251-1)
30.05. Submission (Department 251-1)
Group 2) Fortress of Ulqin / Montenegro
Ulqin is the most southern town of Montenegro since the treaty of Berlin in 1887, but with an Albanian speaking population majority. The town with its fortress (Kalaja) originating in a probably Illyrian settlement originating in the Bronze Age, developed over the centuries to an important trading port for Greek, Roman and North African traders. Through its history, the Romans, Venetians and Ottomans ruled the town, each leaving their architectural and cultural traces. The fortification nowadays visible is from the 15th century. For the tower-like houses inside, Venetian and Ottoman influences merged with traditional Balkan styles and features to a very urban-oriental footprint but with single tower houses and palaces in stone material. The center is dominated by the Balsic tower, a structure from the 13th century, a church-mosque and the public space of the former slave market. Only two heavy fortified entrance gates lead to the enwalled town on a spectacular plateau stretching into the Mediterranean Sea.
During the currently ongoing preparation process to nominate the historic fortress of Ulqin together with other Venetian influenced fortresses along the Adriatic coast as UNESCO World Heritage, several weaknesses have been stated by international experts. For example, the inaccessibility of the fortress for handicapped visitors (public elevator), a lack of touristic infrastructure like an information building with cashier, toilets, gift shop and pathways to explore the archaeological excavations. Those weaknesses should be eliminated by means of little design interventions fitting into the context of this cultural heritage site.
Preliminary Schedule:
14.06., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Introduction (room 251-1)
28.06., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Preparation Design Workshop in Ulqin (room 251-1)
18.-30.09.2017 Design Workshop in Ulqin (Partner Universities: Polis, Polytech Tirana, Podgorica, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif Üniversitesi Istanbul)
