ARCHITECTURE OF CRISIS:
We live in a rapidly changing world: economically, climatically, politically, and culturally. Sometimes urban challenges change faster than concrete gets hard. It causes constant reconstruction and demolishing of recently built structurally strong buildings. It makes the construction industry one of the most ecologically dangerous industries, accountable for almost a half pollution on the planet.
“HARDWARE/SOFTWARE IN ARCHITECTURE” IS AN ATTEMT TO IMAGINE ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSFORMATION OF BUILDINGS
Admitting inevitability of buildings to undergo unforeseeable changes the concept proposes to develop from the beginning architecture-to-change. The building consists of two main parts: 1) everlasting structure (Hardware) and 2) flexible functional infill (Software). The Software of the building could be easily adjusted to host a new function, while the Hardware would remain untouched, addressing urban, architectural and aesthetical challenges.
AT THE TIME OF DRAMATIC SCARCITY OF RESOURCES, EXISTING BUILDING STOCK SHOULD BE SEEN AS AN IMPORTANT RESOURSE FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Despite increasing growth of built area all around the world, the demand in infrastructure and new square meters does not run short. Working within perimeters of already existing cities and settlements is more efficient and responsible approach to satisfy new needs of society. Existing buildings stock preserves enormous potential for development. Adaptive reuse helps to minimize resources and energy consumption by using already existing urban resources and embedded in them energy. Working with existing built context roots new developments and connects history and future.
