Democratic discussion market
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
A traditional civic forum reinterpreted into an urban democratic civic typology using the casual, diverse, and stimulating environment of a public market and the instant knowledge and opinion sharing abilities of the online civic space. A new civic typology that enables an engaging, permanent, and direct discussion between the public and the state, businesses and politicians in a wider range of formal civic discourses ranging from politics and economics to environment and culture creating.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
A traditional civic forum reinterpreted into an urban typology using the casual, diverse, and stimulating environment of a public market and the instant sharing abilities of the online civic space. It enables the public to be directly involved in the wider range of formal discourses ranging from politics and economics to environment and culture. The proposal is located in the declining flea market part of the Riga Central Market, however, the architectural concept is intended to be replicated around other e-commerce and shopping infrastructure affected and declining market spaces around the EU creating a network of knowledge and opinion-sharing institutions. Firstly, Inspired by the success of democracy festivals of Northern Europe a “Discussion market” with a series of expandable spaces provides a place for discussions that can be streamed online as well as for educational activities or booked for coworking purposes. Secondly, a performance hall mainly designed for conferences, talks and presentations, can also act as a multifunctional space for other activities acting as a new cultural node. Thirdly, these spaces require an administrative support entity, that curates the events and manages these spaces, supplemented by an Institute of Investigative Journalism and Discussion. The institute helps supporting the curation of the events in the “Discussion Market” and the factuality of the information, as well as helps expanding the institution’s agenda of critical thinking, objective opinions and research-based decisions to the wider public. Finally, a mediatheque that collects and archives the discussions and other materials in different media regarding civil liability, politics and other topics for any member of the public to use. By retaining the market’s spirit a civic urban building is introduced that supports research and educational possibilities and providing a permanent and direct discussion between the public and the state, businesses and politicians.
Key objectives for sustainability
Three main aspects make up the sustainability objectives: Modular and off-site manufacturing, using local and existing construction materials and using passive and active strategies to achieve the highest possible energy efficiency. Modular off-site produced construction products increase the quality of them, allow for quick erection of the building reducing on-site emissions as well as allow for a possible stagged approach to the project. The concrete cores are intended to use different materials found on-site such as pavers and bricks as aggregate creating a terrazzo finish displaying the layers of history of the place. Meanwhile, the rest of the building uses locally sourced timber products for mass timber superstructure and framing. The proposal tries to take advantage of simple passive strategies as thermal gain, heat labyrinth and pressure differences for natural ventilation, as well as using new technologies to create modular components off-site, to produce on-site energy with integrated PV’s and to automatically regulate the internal environment in each space separately.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The honest aesthetic of the proposal carries the industrial and utilitarian motifs of a marketplace, blending in while still expressing the authority of the programme held inside. Nevertheless, the visitor experience is designed to be welcoming and familiar so people from any background would feel comfortable taking part in the collective knowledge sharing. The proposal intends to express the variety of functions in the architecture and to add to the vibrant urban grain of the market. The ground floor’s permeability opens to the market expanding the casual environment into the interior. The building is organized around the main central core with the main circulation hallway running through the whole proposal connecting both sides. The structures of the discussion market hold up the larger performance hall metaphorically supporting the bigger discussion. The institute is closely connected to the discussion space overlooking the activities programmatically and physically. Overall, if such a proposal lands in different markets around Europe it should take inspiration from the local context and materiality and respond accordingly.
Key objectives for inclusion
The main objectives of the proposal are to be accessible to all people and all generations in terms of physical financial access. The strategic setting of the proposal in a public market allows taking advantage of the familiar and diverse environment of a market. It already brings together people from different background and knowledge, rumour and opinion sharing in markets have always been an integral part of the narrative of the place. As the main part of the building – the “Discussion Market” – is on the Ground floor it allows for a seamless transition between the market and the interior is accessible for people in wheelchairs. The discussion spaces are set lower in the ground allowing wheelchair users and kids to overlook the space better. Meanwhile, this institution is intended to play an important part in the local community therefore free entry is essential for the success of the scheme. Furthermore, it is intended that all of the discussions, talks and information shared is publicly accessible online free of charge. Lastly, the building programme includes an open-air contemporary art gallery on the rooftop allowing local artists to display artworks encouraging the visitors to think about challenging topics and initiating conversations.
Innovative character
The innovative character of this concept proposal lies in the research and consolidation of traditional and modern civic spaces as well as in the understanding of competencies and civil liabilities of a proactive and educated EU citizen. The concept represents a new type of institution required for bringing the European population in a new direction of citizen involvement, education, collaboration and modern competencies.
