BI Repository :: Browsing by Subject "Adaptive reuse"

Browsing by Subject "Adaptive reuse"

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A curative atmosphere? : the effect of interior design on in-patient recovery in psychiatric facilities
(2020) Westerlund, Judith Cornelia; Ebert, Carola; Martín, Javier; bachelor thesis in Interior Design
"By bringing knowledge of the human psyche into design practice, the spaces within which we spend time may help to both prevent poor mental health, and also contribute to treating mental illness in a more efficient way than they do today. Hence, understanding mental illness and mental health may prove an important development within design, and design may also prove an invaluable tool in furthering the understanding of mental disorders. Through this thesis, it is sought to describe the atmospheric qualities which evidently play a pivotal role in therapeutic spaces by identifying specific characteristics of a curative atmosphere. These characteristics can inform design strategies which may be employed to design psychiatric hospitals in order to better support the treatments taking place within them. Such characteristics have been identified via a literature review of predominantly psychiatric journals, hence allowing psychology to inform design strategies. These, in turn, can positively impact the practice of psychotherapy by producing engaging therapeutic environments. By categorising the recurring themes in the reviewed literature, a comprehensive list or guide of integral aspects and design features contributing to a curative atmosphere can be compiled, which designers and stakeholders of therapeutic environments should consider in the design process of such spaces."
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Adaptive reuse : Berlin nightclub design in existing buildings
(2020) Schröter, Antonia; Ebert, Carola; Pöğün-Zander, Yüksel; bachelor thesis in Interior Design
"Berlin has managed to build a diverse club landscape that attracts not just its own inhabitants into the underground spaces of the city but people from all over the world. In 2018, the Berlin club commission calculated a total of 3 million 'club tourists' that visited the city primarily to experience its popular club culture (Dr. Damm, Steffen, and Drevenstedt, Lukas 2019). Altogether, the city counts 280 present club venues that provide entertainment based on various music genres. With its rather raw interior spaces, the rough techno beats, and the never-ending party nights, the city seems to have shaped its own identity of club culture that is appealing to a broad audience. Famous night clubs such as the Berghain and Tresor have found their homes within former industrial buildings that contribute to the unique Berlin nightlife atmosphere. Observing this active clubbing culture and the exceptional building structures in which clubs appear to be incorporated raises the question of how these two components, the existing building and the new function of a night club, are put together in architectural practice. Repurposing a building structure not only works with clubs but also became common in architecture due to rising numbers of abandoned buildings. The term adaptive reuse, to describe the process of repurposing a building rather than demolishing it, became formative in the 1960s in the US. When it came to the incorporation of new functions within abandoned buildings, the aim was not only to re-inhabit the existing housing but also to remodel the present structure to the extent that it still respects the heritage of the building. Nowadays, the majority of diverse adaptive reuse projects have established, and a variety of researchers have been published to communicate how architects deal with specific spaces. Nevertheless, the aspect of night clubs repurposing existing structures has rarely been mentioned. This thesis aims to draw a line between night clubs and adaptive reuse, therefore analysing not only how club design comes into being but especially how it is embedding the context of the building. Accordingly, this thesis seeks to tackle the following research question: How are night clubs, from an interior architecture point of view, incorporated in existing buildings?"
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Adaptive Reuse : Brutalist Church Becomes a Living Space ; A Redesign Based on the Analysis of Brutalist Religious Architecture
(2021) Drover, Eileen; Larsen, Sigurd; Starck, Adrian von; Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : Brutalism in architecture is a very controversial style. However, it has attracted considerable attention not only through criticism, but also for its innovation and functionality. Le Corbusier's residential unit in Marseille, finished in 1952, is generally considered to have been a primary source of inspiration for Brutalist architects. The beginning of Brutalism can be traced back to the period between World War I and World War II at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as in the theory of New Brutalism created by the Englishmen Alison and Peter Smithson, which was later supported by Reyner Banham1. Nonetheless, the peak of Brutalism began in the 1950s and it is in relation to Le Corbusier's unit that the term 'béton-brut' or raw concrete originated2. Brutalism as understood today, developed after World War II in the United States and then quickly spread throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Largely, Brutalist architecture drew attention mainly through its use of reinforced concrete, which was driven by the state of the economies in Europe after the Second World War. The countries in Europe faced significant economic and social struggles. The struggles that arose meant that it was difficult for countries to dedicate resources on expensive building materials, therefore, Brutalist buildings, which required mainly concrete, were a solution to this significant economic burden. Brutalist buildings were simple, raw, rough and solid3. Nonetheless, the style quickly spread and began to be appreciated by many and not simply used for its functionality. Reyner Banham distinguishes four characteristics that a building must have in order to be considered Brutalist - to have the materials in their raw form when constructing, to exhibit a clear and comprehensive visual experience, clear exhibition of structure and an architectural composition that can be recognized from the layout of the structure4. Therefore an array of buildings for different purposes may fall into the category of Brutalism which is not only applied to build a specific type of building (e.g. institutional). Some of the most interesting Brutalist-style constructions are religious buildings. Considering the specifications and origin of Brutalist buildings, it is interesting to trace the different purposes for which Brutalist-style buildings, particularly religious buildings can be used. Adaptive reuse is a term used for changing the purpose of a building to something different from what it was initially built for, in order to preserve buildings and save them from destruction. In historical terms, adaptive reuse was employed in an effort to save time and resources from destroying and building new, but also for its cultural, social and environmental impact5. The following thesis aims to expand on the idea of repurposing religious buildings for living purposes, focusing in particular on the Brutalist churches of Europe. Furthermore, it supports the idea that Brutalist religious buildings, particularly those that are unused and becoming desolate, are a good fit for adaptive reuse projects aimed at creating living spaces. The paper incorporates research concerned with the essence of religious buildings and Brutalist style architecture and combines it with research on the role of the church in Europe in order provide an analysis as to how religious buildings can be repurposed as living spaces
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Adaptive reuse for hospitality design : focus on Qajari architecture
(2020) Jahani, Yas; Ebert, Carola; Martín, Javier; bachelor thesis in Interior Design
"Most of the existing buildings constructed during the Qajar era in Iran have outlived their initial owners, surroundings, and functions. Their remainders strongly mimic the past, creating a divergence between what once was & what is today. The majority of these treasures are currently deteriorating, leaving nothing but piles of dust, being eventually replaced by fabricated structures. Throughout the recent years, there has been a heightened interest in the new generation of architects and designers in Iran to revive these structures, cautiously preserving & restoring them back to their glorious existence, whilst giving them a new function. By transforming them into boutique hotels, they not only attract foreign tourists, but also local architecture and design enthusiasts across the country. [...] The aim of this research paper is to tie a link between the strategic theories developed in the 21st century and their implementation on the existing historical buildings constructed during the Qajar era, seeking to determine which of the strategies are best suitable to employ on these particular structures. [...] The outcome of this research will be reflected in the fifth chapter, the bachelor thesis project, a design proposal for the Bafandeh Historical House and its reprogramming to a boutique hotel & the project conclusion, serving to represent a personal strategic approach. The intention of this research is to provide a basis for projects tackling the same building typology, its challenges and the methods architects can undertake guaranteeing a successful outcome with the help of the theory of adaptive reuse."
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Adaptive reuse for residential design : theory and practice
(2019) Forster, Lisa; Ebert, Carola; Pöğün-Zander, Yüksel; Faculty of Architecture and Design; Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
"Adaptive Reuse , the concept of reusing existing buildings, reworking their floorplans, changing their functionality and hence, their purpose in order to revive them, has become common practice for architects, interior architects and designers. While buildings have been reused in different ways throughout history, the conscious preservation of a building not only as a monument within itself, but as part of a cityscape and collective memory are more recent developments. These categorical considerations of Adaptive Reuse coincide with a heightened interest in living in authentic spaces that were not originally constructed to be lived in, and issues such as sustainability and lack of urban living space. [...] The establishment of a set of suitable and common strategies for residential Adaptive Reuse projects can be identified as the main focus of this thesis. Further, drawing connections to existing Adaptive Reuse theory and providing a fresh perspective on a topic that has been of great interest in recent years is equally relevant. [...] The methods employed in this Bachelor thesis serve to investigate the current strategies in theory and practice of Adaptive Reuse for residential purposes. Initially, a comprehensive and comparative analysis of a selection of leading literature on the topic of Adaptive Reuse will be conducted. Relevant reuse strategies and tactics will be extracted from said literature and their potential for informing a residential reuse project will be reviewed. The following chapter is dedicated to the thorough qualitative review of five case studies. Each of the Adaptive Reuse projects which serve as case studies, exemplify a different form of reprogrammed building and also form of living, with the goal of exploring the use of strategies in the widest array of possible scenarios. These case studies are examined carefully in terms of their heritage and original use, the new use, the building's structure, the extent of transformation, their materiality and of course, the strategic approach undertaken by the architects. They do not, however, represent a specific aesthetic of Adaptive Reuse. For the analysis of these projects, a matrix is created which aims to establish an understanding of which Adaptive Reuse strategies were employed, how they affect the overall outcome of the design and how the correlations can be interpreted. The findings of this matrix will be presented after the introduction of the case studies. Overall, the research strives to underline the importance of the residential sector, not only for the practice, but also for a comprehensive theory of Adaptive Reuse."
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Adaptive reuse of sacred buildings : Adaptive reuse of church buildings in Germany ; An analysis of challenges and opportunities
(2021) bachelor thesis in Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : There are about 45,000 churches in Germany, 404 of them in Berlin alone. Fewer and fewer of them are regularly used as a place of worship, as there is often a shortage of both priests and visitors. (Schäfer. 2018, 12-14) Experts predict that around 30 per cent of sacred buildings will remain empty in the long term. (Hein. 2019) From a financial point of view, maintenance is hardly affordable for the parishes, often it is simply impossible for them. For the congregations, however, it is a matter of the heart that the churches are preserved and not abandoned. (Alpha&Omega. 2020) Adaptive reuse of existing buildings has become an important part of various architects who specialize in this topic. Changing the functionality of sacred buildings is a challenge with structural and social hurdles to overcome. (Zukunft-kirchen- reaume. 2021) On the one hand, the question arises of how to succeed in giving these culturally and art-historically valuable spaces a different or new purpose. On the other hand, it must be considered to what extent the wishes and needs of the parishioners can be harmonized with the design ideas of the architects. Counteracting the threatening decay of buildings and giving them a new purpose is an important issue. (Alpha&Omega. 2020) In addition to the structural and monument preservation aspects, the social dimension of the topic of church conversion will also be analyzed. It will be examined which challenges and which opportunities the adaptive conversion of churches in Germany entails. Firstly, some already implemented projects and the realized conversion ideas will be examined. Secondly, the analysis will include the question to what extent the adaptive conversion of churches has achieved social acceptance and what problems had to be overcome in the process. Thirdly, the analysis of adaptive reuse will focus on the extent to which public and community acceptance of unconventional ideas has increased over the years. This analysis intends to give a new direction and to encourage others to find a new purpose for abandoned spaces and thus make them accessible again for parishioners and the public
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Adaptive Reuse of Unused Swimming Baths in Berlin : Research of acoustical features in swimming baths ; In what extent can reverberating spaces such as swimming baths benefit from their acoustical features to create concert halls
(2021) bachelor thesis in Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : Berlin and other big cities, such as London or Paris, suffer from space shortage. Not only relating to living spaces but also leisure and cultural spaces. On the downside, there are many abandoned buildings in Berlin that are not in use anymore. For example, sanatoriums or hotels but also leisure parks and swimming baths. Sadly, there is no number or data to be found of how many buildings are abandoned in Berlin. One can only guess. Assumingly there are at least 40. As already mentioned, almost all of those places are not in use anymore, be it because of financial or authorization problems of the state or the owner, that they are listed buildings, and dealing with listed buildings require much work, or that there is purely no common interest of renovating or reusing them by the owner or neighbourhood. Even if some of the historical backgrounds the object carries with itself are problematic, all buildings once had an essential purpose for the German economy, health system, education, or leisure. For example, the old tuberculosis clinic "Waldhaus" in Berlin Pankow, the anatomical institute in Berlin Zehlendorf or the Stadtbad Lichtenberg, also known as Hubertusbad. Latter will be the space referred to in this thesis and its belonging project. Considering that many of the unused swimming baths in Berlin were once crucial for the well-being of the citizens, speaking of fitness and basic human hygiene, and now are being left to decay, it offers the question of what can be done to call attention to those places and, simultaneously, bring back some of the former purpose and history of the building. Everyone that has been to an indoor swimming pool sooner or later notices the displeasing acoustics such a place holds. Sounds and noises are intensely loud and echo from each wall of the space. Even though architects are already trying to solve the problem since swimming baths serve as a place for training and retreat, what if one tries to work with it and uses those reverberating spaces to create concert halls that may benefit from echoing surroundings? In the following thesis the question "In what extent can reverberating spaces in particular swimming baths benefit from their acoustical features to create concert halls?" will be examined and its outcome implemented in the practical part of the thesis
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Aging in place : adaptive reuse of existing apartments as barrier-free living spaces for elderly in residential buildings in Berlin : a guideline for a redesign and a practical application integrated into a showroom concept
(2020) Arlt-Herrmann, Kathleen; Ebert, Carola; Pöğün-Zander, Yüksel; bachelor thesis in Interior Design
"The central research question is: What are the design criteria for barrier-free access to existing apartments that undergo adaptive reuse with a contemporary and target-group oriented approach? During the last decades, the society's age structure turned in Germany because of fewer birth rates and the rising number of retirees. Hence elderly have to rely on financial, health-promoting, and political support. Governmental departments, health insurances, and housing companies have to find new opportunities for those parties concerned. Though finding the right consultation services and getting the right information is an exhausting process. Besides financial or bureaucratic challenges elderly are facing more and more physical, sensory, and cognitive restrictions in their daily lives. According to their hindrances, barrier-free access to their living environments is insufficient. As a result, they have to move to another residence or district with a lack of social contacts and a familiar living environment. A minority even move into care homes because of limited apartments with barrier-free access. The development of new living concepts is indispensable for people with low hindrances who can live independently with small adaptations. Furthermore, the costs could be lower than the care in care homes. One approach can be keeping the elderly in their accustomed environment with an adapted design of the apartments, so-called 'Aging in place'. This document assists as a guideline, which measures could be used for refurbishment to a barrier-free living space in existing living environments adapted for the people concerned and their relatives. Though, it cannot cover all aspects of a redesigned living environment, such as the financial spectrum, the overall building environment, for instance, entrance facilities, or interdisciplinary concepts for the elderly. Accessibility is a term that is known as prevalently. The most common barrier-free measures in the interior are floor transitions without thresholds and bathroom supportive elements. The thesis examines such measures and approaches for adaptive use in other living environments and people with other hindrances. Additionally, the guideline includes contemporary barrier-free design methods that focus on materials and colors and might significantly influence the well-being and mental health of the inhabitants."
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An exploration of how the concept of third culture can inform interior design
(2019) Shaban, Leila; Ebert, Carola; Pöğün-Zander, Yüksel; Faculty of Architecture and Design; Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
"In the modern era of world of globalization, where different cultures constantly intertwine, merge and overlap, it becomes more difficult to define interior design of any space and to relate it to a particular culture. By understanding and defining what is the right concept for cross-culture adaptation, and by getting rid of stereotypes and prejudices towards a particular culture, new horizons for the field of interior design constantly arise. Positive inter-cultural dialogue eases the way of cultural adaptation processes to new environments. It provides opportunities for self-well-being and for healthy societies. Current cultural centers and platforms have been experimenting in building bridges between the cultures through different approaches by using different methods. Inter-cultural interaction on a daily basis is one of the methods that is proposed by Fred L. Casmir for a more coherent inter-cultural dialogue. Casmir believes that with the help of the inter-cultural interactions, the relationship between two different cultures or more can be developed and optimized into a third culture. This research uses Casmir's third culture theory (1978, 1997) as a framework to examine the interior design of cultural platforms. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the relationship between interior design and the third culture in order to enhance inter-cultural dialogue through the interior design experience. Through the case study of Matadero Madrid, which is a relevant example of the third culture house, relevant information was collected in order to answer the research questions. The result not only supports the idea that third culture theory has a major influence on the interior space, however also illustrates how interior design can create the third culture context and propose some design solutions that are contemporary and relevant to the modern-day world."
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Arthalle X : maker's market in Berlin : contemporizing historic Arminius Markthalle through reprogramming
(2020) Angra, Spardha; Ebert, Carola; Pöğün-Zander, Yüksel; master's thesis in Interior Design
"The history of markets in Berlin dates back to the 15th century, when it had only three weekly markets held every Tuesday. In order to address the expansion of Berlin, Industrial Revolution and to cater to a rapidly growing population of the city, more markets were built and by 1860s it had over twenty weekly markets held every Tuesday and Thursday, on the streets. Several problems like questionable hygiene conditions, chaos on streets, high demand prices and dependency on weather led the government to search for better alternatives to tackle the situation. In 1875, the magistrate established a permanent commission to build affordable design plans for fourteen municipal market halls. City building councillor Herman Blankenstein and architect August Lindemann were appointed to design these plans as the project took off in the 1880s. Market halls soon became successful gathering points for each neighborhood. However, due to fierce competition from supermarket chains and destruction during the Second World War, only a few of them survive today. This thesis focuses on one such market hall, Arminius Markthalle (Market Hall X). The rich history of art and culture in the city, as well as the establishment of market halls into historically designated landmarks further forms the layers of the thesis. The research is guided through data from Berlin's monumental preservation authorities, exclusive interviews with the owner of Arminius Markthalle, as well as surveys conducted for artists residing in the city. The design project would be a direct reflection of learnings from the research and offer a plausible solution to the pertinent research question. The design project is an attempt to make this historic landmark culturally relevant today. It intends to adaptively reuse and rejuvenate an existing, preserved building through strategically reprogramming its functions into a Makers' Market. This conceptualized typology of a market creates an inclusive public place and integrates the design functions within, to support local art and artists. This structurally preserved market hall, that spans across an entire city block, turns into a flourishing indoor Makers' Market where artists from different fields of design come together to work, showcase and collaborate. It also provides an opportunity for the city, its tourists, and creative organizations to discover up-and-coming brands."
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Conversion of 1960s office buildings into residential spaces
(2021) Dirnbacher, Martina; Pöğün-Zander, Yüksel; Larsen, Sigurd; Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : The increasingly frequent vacancy of 60s office buildings, due to the change in the way of working, and the change in society was the reason for this master's thesis, which examines the conversion of an office building into a residential building. The co-living program was examined in more detail as the best solution for the 60s building and its structure. Based on literature review followed by the analysis of case studies and the application of the results on the design proposal the question: how can 60s office buildings in central locations within the city of Vienna be made suitable for co-living? is answered. The conversion ensures the continuity of 60s buildings, whose location is very suitable for a residential building. Moreover, is the conversion cheaper than demolition and new construction and also more sustainable. The co-living model perfectly fits in the small offices from the 60s to accommodate apartments for single and two-person households, which are increasing. The thesis shows that the structure of 60s office buildings is very suitable for a wide range of residential programs. The best option is a residential model with apartments for one or two people, as they fit best into the small spaces. Moreover, the conversion into a residential building is a very good option for 60s office buildings to preserve the building but not to let it decay
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Current practices in the adaptive reuse of urban parking garages
(2018) Servie, Alexandra; Ebert, Carola; Pöğün-Zander, Yüksel; Faculty of Architecture and Design; Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
"This research compiles the existing practices for converting above-ground parking garages into other uses, namely residential, by gathering data on completed projects. An analysis of case studies identifies the architectonic solutions implemented in response to the inherent challenges of parking structures, such as integrating building services, differing requirements in load-bearing capacity, acoustic insulation, ceiling height, and natural daylight throughout the interior, among others. By outlining the practical and aesthetical solutions, these projects can be made more attractive to developers by demonstrating methods for cost-efficient renovation and documenting successful outcomes that generate a substantial return on investment while increasing the value of the respective neighbourhood. The data compiled by this research may inspire future architects and developers to tackle such projects, revitalizing city centres by transforming outdated infrastructure and thus contributing to the decline of automobile travel. Compiling the various methods can also shed light on certain tactics that are more sustainable or cost-effective, enabling better informed decisions and increasing the potential for development beyond the narrow purview of luxury housing."
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Fragments of the past : contemporary interior design solutions for redesigning historical churches
(2019) Korsch, Julia; Ebert, Carola; Martín, Javier; Faculty of Architecture and Design; Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
"In Brandenburg, there exists a church in almost every village, with most of them having been originally built sometime between the 12th and the 14th centuries. Nowadays, some of these churches are no longer used as places of worship, while others have extended functions. Some have even been dismantled. [...] Since the late 1970s, the Church in Germany has experienced a dramatic loss of membership. [...] In addition to demographic change, the rural exodus of young people plays a major role, especially in Eastern Germany. In Brandenburg, there are countless villages where almost no young families live anymore; as a result, schools are closed and the populations have become outdated. [...] Here, the church has a very special role as a social pivot for the remaining population. It is a location for church services, a parish hall, a meeting place for festivities and gatherings of all kinds, frequently including cultural or political events. This requires premises that are often not available, due to very limited space. Yet, where there is no space for the peoples' requirements, their needs will either be repressed, or they will leave these locations. The Church is trying to resolve this problem. Where church space can be preserved as such, because there is still hope, attempts are made to expand the site's functionality. Community spaces are added, and church space is divided into several functional areas, so as to utilize it for more practical needs and additional purposes. If there is no hope, churches are also desecrated and sold, or they are demolished. [...] The central question that this essay will examine is this precise issue of additional use: Which design strategies that architectural interventions employ can transform centuries old churches into spaces that satisfy the requirements of their communities, yet incorporate and maintain their historical structures? The integration and reuse of historical structures should ultimately result in an advantage for the user."
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Illuminating the Shadows : Light Consideration in the Design of Repurposed Spaces
(2021) Duwederi, Lana; Goodwin, Amara; Martín, Javier; Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : In the following, an outline of mankind's evolution in the form of lighting consideration is presented. Lighting consideration is recognised as an important element in the design of repurposed spaces today, whether it be historical or new. Thus, leading to the research question: "What aspects of light design need to be considered in repurposed spaces in order to meet the contemporary user needs?" The response to the research question threads, light, time, and man. The paper establishes the importance of light in a space and how humans interact with it to fulfill their needs. Of course, design challenges with adaptive reuse and other solutions are considered. Finally, the paper draws upon the existing and prior knowledge to discuss the future of light in repurposed spaces. Essentially, it is an exploration of the dynamic between nature and humans and their environments. A design proposal that offers a carefully considered lighting solution is proposed. Through an exploration of a wide range of studies and findings, it appears evident that repurposed spaces must consider the human needs for light
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Interiors in Public Spaces : The Inclusion of Domestic Activities Into Public Spaces
(2021) von Mioduski, Celine; bachelor thesis in Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : The past decades have shown how cities - especially capital cities - are getting more crowded and residential homes more expensive, reducing people's habitats in size (European Union 2016, 95-97). Even though people's inside spaces get smaller, they still endure most of their activities in their homes. Activities are generally divided into multiple spaces: while some activities such as sports and socializing are done outside, most activities such as sleeping, cooking, eating, studying, and working are still bound to the inside spaces and are thus known as domestic activities (Teston 2020, 77). Domestic activities are related to the inside spaces and the sense of intimacy, protection, and privacy (Ottolini 2008,173). Interiors are the inside of something (Cambridge Dictionary 2021), and inside is the space created by an enclosure (Attiwill 2011, 217). However, if one understands the interior more as the relation of people with the space they inhabit, then the built fabric outside can be an interior as well (ibid, 223). Therefore, people's relations and perceptions of the interior can be challenged outside of the inside and outside the residential areas. The interior itself does not have to take place on the inside. To realize domestic and private activities outside the residential areas, public spaces seem to be especially suitable, as the nature of them is to host the activities of their inhabitants' (Attiwill and others2015,7). Still, public spaces that integrate the interior are rather the exception. To understand this a look on recent developments in cities might be helpful. In the last decades the public realm was transformed due to the privatization of spaces, industrialization, globalization, immigration into the cities, and digital technologies (Attiwill and others 2015, 5). Especially the technologies have significantly impacted public spaces and partly replaced nonvirtual public spaces with digital public realms enabled by the internet. Even though cities themselves are constantly evolving and adapting, shaped by people, culture, time, and other factors, two things can be stated. Firstly, the understanding of public space is evolving very slowly. Most people would still define public space as public sphere which is the platform for social and political exchange (Oxford Bibliographies 2021). Secondly - and this might be related to the latter -, public space has not adapted to the new wishes and needs of the 21st-century (Koch and Latham 2013, 19). To include domestic activities - integrate the interior - in the urban landscape, one has to consider how one person interacts with space. As interior architecture is a discipline that focuses on the individuals, it does exactly this: it takes into account how a person inhabits places by considering their physical and psychological habitation (Attiwill 2011,218). Therefore, this thesis will explore how interior architecture itself can inform urban public spaces to include domestic activities. Interior, private, and domestic are three concepts that are mainly put in relation to one another. These are mainly perceived as inside residential characteristics. This thesis will evaluate how their boundaries can be challenged into the public realm by looking into each concept and its antonym. Therefore, interior and exterior, private and public, and domestic and urban will be analyzed. The theoretical framework is backed up by a research methodology based on literature review and case studies
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Mitrovica Fortress – Architectural Responses to Historical Events
(2025) Ramaxhiku, Dua; Anwandter, Juan Almarza; Wilson, Roger; Architecture (BA); Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
This thesis explores the layered relationship between architecture, history, and memory at Mitrovica Fortress, a site inscribed with conflict, identity, and division. Rather than treating the fortress as a static monument, the research reimagines it as a living archive of collective memory, where architecture becomes a mediator between past and future. Through historical analysis, theoretical inquiry, and a site-specific design proposal, the study examines how built form can engage with contested histories and foster cultural renewal. It challenges conventional preservation by advocating for approaches that honor intangible heritage, personal narratives, and community voices. At the core of this work is a deeply personal connection to the fortress, an emotional and intellectual journey that transforms it from a distant ruin into a symbol of resilience and hope. The proposed intervention, an underground cultural and recreational center carved into the hillside, activates the site for youth, culture, and collective healing. Respecting the landscape and historical fabric, the project offers an adaptive reuse strategy that bridges communities while preserving memory. This thesis presents- architecture not only as a tool for conservation but as a catalyst for reconciliation, a means to confront the past, reconnect the present, and reimagine the future.
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New Work Within Old Walls : Adaptive Reuse of Farm Buildings for Rural Coworking Spaces
(2021) Hiller, Lara; Huneck, Karsten; Martín, Javier; Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : Urban exodus is a steadily growing phenomenon in Germany. According to a study by Kantar Institute, only 13% of respondents want to live in the city in the future, while 51% said they would prefer to live in the countryside, in small towns and villages (Erhard, 2020). Brandenburg, for example, gained more immigrants in 2019 from Berlin than vice versa (Office for Statistics Berlin and Brandenburg, 2020). This trend is also evident in Munich and other large German cities. If one neglects the immigration- related influx from abroad, more people have been migrating to the suburbs than to big cities since 2014. The remote rural areas, however, do not benefit (Bähr and others 2020). This growth of the suburbs leads to an increase in commuting. As an evaluation by the "Bundesagentur für Arbeit"1 shows, the number of people commuting from Brandenburg to Berlin increased by 13.9% between 2013 and 2019 (Bockenheimer, 2019). Unfortunately, people moving out of the city does not necessarily lead to a qualitative transformation of the rural area - that cannot happen as long as the place of work is still in the city. Instead, the result is an increase in commuter traffic and a further expansion of the suburbs into rural areas, with well-known consequences for the structure of the communities affected. Village cores increasingly lose shops, bars, and diversity, while the new development areas on the outskirts grow - a phenomenon called the donut effect (Bähr and others, 2020, 12)
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Reestablishing Relevance in Historic GDR Architecture
(2021) Forster, Lisa; Goodwin, Amara; Martín, Javier; Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : Berlin has a unique history of war and subsequent division into two political and ideological systems, made visible to this day in its extraordinary architecture. Over thirty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the value of the architecture of the socialist regime remains a contentious topic. While some structures are celebrated and listed as historic monuments, others have become vacant and unwanted. The cityscape of Eastern Berlin is still shaped by these historic buildings, despite the extensive destruction of GDR era architecture in the years after the reunification. The remaining GDR buildings are often associated with multifaceted issues extending beyond concerns of usability, the building's quality and architectural value or problems of memory and heritage of a totalitarian system. However, despite the wide variety of buildings of different eras and styles, there appears to be a lack of diversity in dealing with Berlin's GDR architecture, highlighted by the absence of meaningful adaptive reuse projects within this architectural typology. The relevance of the practice of adaptive reuse, the alteration and reprogramming of the existing built environment, on the other hand, has grown steadily in recent years. While buildings have been reused by humankind for thousands of years for mainly practical reasons, global issues of sustainability, a lack of resources and urban living space have seen a sharp increase in the adaptation and reuse of subsisting structures. A heightened interest in memory and heritage has added to the discussion of the adequate treatment of the built environment. While adaptive reuse certainly aids in the solving of rather functional issues which ever-growing cities like Berlin face, it can also play an essential role in revitalising historic buildings by equipping them with a new use and therefore preventing their abandonment and decay, all the while respecting their heritage. The exploration of adaptive reuse as a means for reestablishing GDR architecture shows particular relevance in the city of Berlin, where monument protection authorities in the past have made questionable decisions such as the rebuilding of the Stadtschloss1 (Figs. 2 and 4) in place of the demolished Palast der Republik2 (Fig. 3) on its Museum Island. At the same time, the rebuilding and restoration of historic structures to their original state bring with it issues of authenticity, oftentimes stripping the building not only of layers of its past but "freezing" it in time, further preventing it from having a meaningful future shaped by its occupants and its continued use (Plevoets and Van Cleempoel 2019, 1; Scott 2008, 1; Stone 2020, 3). A fate shared by an increasing number of monument protected buildings of GDR times in Berlin. This thesis will first investigate architectural theory surrounding adaptive reuse and memory to form a framework for the subsequent examination of existing approaches to GDR architecture in Berlin. The aim of the analysis of three buildings of different GDR times and architectural styles is to establish the value assigned to these structures and the memory associated with them today. The thesis will further explore the reasons for the apparent bias in their treatment and the absence of adaptive reuse projects in this building category. The related design project of the thesis intends to illustrate the suitability of adaptive reuse as a response to these GDR era structures by reprogramming and altering an unused and decaying pavilion of the era and re- establishing it as a vital part of its surroundings
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Reimagining the interior architecture of Albanian Hammam baths : identifying design strategies in the adaptive reuse of Bazaar's Hammam
(2020) Stafa, Bora; Larsen, Sigurd; Pöğün-Zander, Yüksel; master's thesis in Interior Design
"This research thesis explores the architecture of Hammam typology and proposes a strategy of adaptive reuse to save these buildings upon a specific region, in Albania. Hammam structures, which used to combine daily and sacred life by providing water to support body and soul, should be regarded as gems of cultural heritage that reconnect people to their past but also to their future. After the introduction aiming to present the reader with the research aim and methodology, a short historic architectural overview is done. Two of the most representative cases of Albanian Hammam typologies still exist, in the city of Elbasan, although abandoned and forgotten in time. The research addresses two consequences of the historical heritage Hammam's development. Firstly, the way in which Hammam's heritage has been leftover and is being demolished; secondly, the need to rebuild heritage and community without any loss of identity in the city. The research leads to a design project exemplifying the adaptive re-use approach, when dealing with a historical structure, witnessing cultural values. Remodeling and alterations are necessary to result in new possibilities of saving these structures from degradation and complete demolition. The attempt of the research, as well as the project, is to re-imagine the interior qualities of Hammam in the present time."
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Reinvigorating the Lost Relevance of Soviet Architecture in Ukraine Through Adaptive Reuse Strategy
(2021) Shaban, Leila; Goodwin, Amara; Martín, Javier; Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : In post-Soviet Ukraine the value of Soviet Modernism architecture is underestimated. Despite the victory of the Soviet Union in WWII and its competition with Western powers over decades, independent Ukrainains today associate the Soviet architecture with its dark times of the totalitarian regime. The unawareness of the importance is threatening these buildings with extinction. Political and economical situations in the country have shifted the issue of conservation to a secondary concern. Unfortunately even the most prominent individual buildings suffer from the indifference of the authorities and the public. However, the ruins, monuments and abandoned buildings of the Soviet epoch uncover a vast source of architectural expressions and metaphors of the political movements of that time. Architectural identity unwinds the ambitious avant garde constructivism, representational style of Stalinism and the rebelling calls of Brutalism. As a communicative tool, Soviet architecture metaphors have a vast impact on the social and cultural identity of the present Ukrainians and affect the formation of the future generations. Historically rich structures of Soviet times should be reinvigorated with a contemporary approach. The abandoned, neglected and ruined Soviet buildings, should be protected and reused, by bringing back awareness to the public. Several interrelated components of preserving the authenticity and integrity of the architectural and urban Soviet heritage of Ukraine must be taken into account: the physical recovery of objects, the increasing of the value of architectural heritage in the public consciousness and its introduction to modern culture, and the search for effective, legally sound levers to stimulate user interest towards its preservation and support. This research thesis explores the architecture of the Soviet era, the metaphors entwined into the construction and proposes a strategy of Adaptive Reuse with the purpose of revival of the existing Soviet buildings instead of their demolishment and decay. The Adaptive Reuse strategy is a necessary and effective solution to prolong life of Soviet architecture in Ukraine. The expired program of the initial host structure can be replaced with a new relevant program, which as a result will have a positive economical and social impact. Adaptive Reuse interventions, will save and reinforce the "DNA" of the heritage building of post-Soviet Ukraine. The implementation of the contemporary social needs will integrate new identity and metaphors into the historic Soviet buildings. Joining and entwining the metaphors of the past Soviet ideology and the present modern world, will not only preserve cultural heritage but also create unique projects that can benefit the local population, save financial and ecological resources by eliminating the need of demolition and new construction