Center of Intergenerational Activity
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Project Description
The work focuses on explaining the concept of pro-sociality and its role in the adaptation of post-industrial facilities based on the analysis of selected projects from Europe. The conclusions from the analysis and public opinion polls of city residents, served as the basis for the development of a program to save the historic factory of Robert Biedermann’s in Łódź and help city residents by creating a place that does not exclude anyone.
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Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
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Description of the project
Summary
The city of Łódź, commonly known as The City of a Thousand Chimneys, has been struggling with the problem of the degradation of post-industrial areas since the 1990s. The progressive devastation of abandoned complexes means that many valuable monuments, which shape the character of the city, being closely related to its history and development, are in danger.
The work focuses on explaining the concept of pro-sociality and its role in the adaptation of post-industrial facilities based on the analysis of selected projects from Europe. The conclusions from the conducted research served as the basis for the development of a program to save the historic factory of Robert Biedermann’s in Łódź.
In order to adjust the new function of the textile factory to the needs of the inhabitants of the city of Łódź, the author conducted social research and analyzes that allowed to expand the knowledge of public opinion on, among others, the condition of the existing factory, the way of integrating private land with public space the adjacent park and the further use of the buildings.
The solutions presented in the program can become a model for the adaptation and restoration of factory facilities in the country, while supporting the local community by developing a functional statement for the complexes.
Key objectives for sustainability
The main goal was to remediate soil contaminated by industrial processes with the help of plants. In the area of the newly designed center, a large part of the area has been allocated for planting greenery. In addition to undoubtedly aesthetic values, plants can fulfill important functions. The author of the study decided to use greenery that: cleans the soil of heavy metals, which is especially important in industrial areas where their presence has been detected, such as the plants at ul. Smugowa, contribute to the production of honey by bees, produce oxygen, absorb dust and improve water retention.
Electrophotovoltaic panels were installed on the shed roof of the newly designed hall, thanks to which the huge space of the roof has not been wasted and provides the necessary power supply.
The newly designed surfaces were covered with natural and permeable materials, which ensures soil retention.
Honey plants
The selected plants that will ensure biodiversity and food for bees include:
• Small-leaved linden
• Raspberry proper
• Rose
• Medicinal sage
• Blue faceliana
• Dąbrówka rozłogowa
• Purple headboard
• Koniczna
• Barberry
• Yellow gamekeeper
Phytocides
In order to reduce the development of fungi and microorganisms, the author chose plants that she used in the design of the gardens and new plantings on the plot, which include:
• Bird cherry
• Thyme
• Jasmine
• Thyme
Air purifying plants
The process of air purification in cities with the use of plants, called phytoremediation, provides benefits for the natural environment with simultaneous aesthetic values. For this purpose, the author chose the following plants:
• Swedish rowan
• Catalpa
• Glandular holly
• Japanese Ginkgo
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The revalorization of the complex in accordance with the conservation guidelines has limited the possibilities of contemporary architectural adaptation. In order to recreate the characteristic structure of the shed roof columns, the author proposed modern materials that allowed the layout to be kept with modern solutions. To emphasize the post-industrial nature of the building, a corten was used, which is a direct reference to the history of industry, contrasts with brick, and additionally provides additional conservation values.
The layout, despite its huge scale, through three green gardens, emphasizes the role of greenery and encourages the integration of the gathered people.
In addition:
- 100-meter elevations have been divided by green walls with carotene, which ensures freedom of movement and no overwhelming effect
- communication paths full of natural sunlight through glazing were created
- various floral greenery was used as alleys arrangement
- many entrances have been designed, which provides freedom and comfort of movement
- the newly designed complex was directly connected with public recreation parks, emphasizing the role of communication through the layout of buildings, creating an architecture modeled on the markets of small towns
- new garden assumptions were developed based on centric circles that ensure the freedom of establishing contacts - architecture pro social
- in architectural interiors, natural wood finishing has been proposed, which ensures thermal and visual comfort
Key objectives for inclusion
The main leitmotif in designing CIM was to create a place where generations of different ages could live together, creating a community in which they would be able to support each other, develop and help each other. Each group brings a completely different experience to the complex, which influences the diversity of the assumption. The city of Łódź is endangered by the effect of "double aging", which is why it is so important to promote places that integrate the elderly with the young.
Public Participation
The functional program of the facility was based on an environmental survey conducted among the city's residents. They decided what would be in the design and the role of the architect was to translate all the information into the design.
Citizen Engagement
The author of this work links the future of the factory with the inhabitants of Łódź, whom she wants to invite to thematic workshops in order to then save together the industrial heritage of the city.
Co-Design
The author designed the facility in such a way that the residents would use it as well as find employment in it, which also applies to farmers who have their plots near the city. Thanks to the provision of market space, they will be able to supply residents with local products.
The author hopes that the next stage will be the creation of a group operating for the monument, consisting of residents, architects, technical university educators, who will support the city authorities and the author in the search and further development of the site development plan.
Accessibility
The facility is open to the public and directly connected to the public space. All communication barriers were removed, thanks to which the facility meets the needs of the elderly, the disabled and mothers with children. There is no shortage of necessary spaces such as: toilets for the disabled, places for nursing mothers, etc.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
The approach regarding: social participation, developing a program based on cooperation with local residents, preserving the architectural heritage, using greenery in the reclamation of polluted soils, combining private and public land, newly designed architecture based on a historical project - may contribute to the improvement of the quality of space and architecture but also help the city and its future by slowing down the aging problems.
The author proved that by adapting historical architecture for pro-social functions, will provide a greater amount of preserving the historic tissue and their conservation contributes to a greater degree of identification with the building and the city, being a direct part of the heritage and identification with the place. Additionally, it is worth paying attention to the fact that selecting the above functions supports not only the local community, but most of all local entrepreneurs, which affects the unemployment rate, reduces the degradation of space, and slows down the gentrification process.
Therefore, in the adaptation of post-industrial facilities for pro-social purposes, it is necessary to:
• Preserve the historic tissue and carry out the necessary restoration work
• Introduce non-invasive interpretations of historic tissue positively influencing the aesthetic value of the entire project
• It is recommended to outsource design work to local architectural offices due to the better knowledge of the area
• Allocate at least 50% of the newly designed function to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of a given area
• It is recommended that a group of local residents be included in the design process to establish direct cooperation on the work being carried out
• In order to reduce investment costs, it is suggested to establish cooperation with universities - popularization projects, youth education
