Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication _ Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Paris Belleville_

Transcription

1 Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication _ Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Paris Belleville_ Séminaire de Master Architectures et Villes face à la Mondialisation Coordination _ Alessia de Biase _ Brigitte de Wit _ Étudiant Erasmus 2eme semestre Projet de mémoire de master (TU Delft_ Faculty_of_Architecture) _ directeur _ Alessia de Biase Home in Brussels Does the international community of Brussels needs architecture for a Genius Loci? Juin 2006

2 Home in Brussels Does the international community of Brussels needs architecture for a Genius Loci? Introduction The capital of Europe, Brussels, has a very large percentage of international habitants; On-fifth of the city s population is foreigner! In the last decades the European Union and the N.A.T.O. positioned their headquarters in the inner-city and Brussels is influenced adequately by this international community ever since. The interaction between the international habitants of Brussels and the city is a quite interesting subject for further research; you could observe in which manner the structure of the city is influenced by the arrival of the European Union and the N.A.T.O. or which large strategies Brussels commands to please these large organizations. Personally, I m interested in the identity of Brussels; Brussels has a lot of appearances. She is the largest city of Belgium and capital of the district of Brussels. The city is situated on the border inbetween the Walloon and Flanders regions, the boundary line between the French and Dutch language. There s even now a large break between these two regions also caused by these language differences. Brussels is a bi-lingual city which holds out between these two cultures. Brussels functions for that well as the capital of Belgium. Figure 1, Brussels in between the French and Dutch regions Figure 2, Brussels, de facto -capital of Europe Furthermore, Brussels is the de facto -capital of Europe since the seventies. These different roles which the city does adopt, makes defining an identity for the city very hard. Though, it is important to define this because people need identity to feel attached to their city and so to live there comfortable. In terms of architecture this feeling attached to a place is defined by the Norwegian architect Christian Norberg-Schulz: Because we can define a place, we can determine a spirit or a character of this place. This is what we call genius loci. Next Norberg-Schulz presumes: It s the task of architecture to articulate and express this character because only then it s possible to create an environment to make a habitable surrounding. I think this is a very interesting assertion and I d like to reflect this on Brussels. I assume that a genius loci is essential for a comfortable living but I wonder if the international community of Brussels does need architecture in specific to create this genius loci. Personally I suppose that

3 architecture is not an irreplaceable device to achieve this. My assumption is that it s possible that architecture has an important role in creating this genius loci but maybe social, demographic and urban conditions do play a part and are even a substitute. In this essay I ll pose this my main topic. I ll set forth some relevant theory, compose hypothesis and give intent for a further investigation. Genius Loci, a research towards identity Definition of place The question about genius loci demands definitions concerning relations, identification, orientation and places. For that I d like to introduce some theory discussing these subjects. During the past century architects, socialists and anthropologists have written about this subject, starting with Martin Heidegger who defined the meaning of a place. When we talk about places it s useful to understand why we determine a place. To explain why a place has a meaning, Heidegger introduces an example of a bridge crossing a river in a landscape; before the bridge was in the landscape, there was no specific spot or landmark; the place was undefined. Now there s a bridge so people have memories there, the place is characterized and a spot is created. Figure 3, landscape Figure 4, bridge in the landscape The place is not available before the bridge was there. But there where, even before the bridge was build, spaces available along the river bank that could get occupied by something. One appeared as a place by the bridge Norberg-Schulz did use the theory of Heidegger to formulate his definitions of genius loci and her relation with architecture. In his reasoning on the meaning of architecture he composes: The dwelling consists on an intimate relation between human being and place. And for this, the architecture must create a pressure point by which people can identify and orientate their selves. So when I want to do a research towards the necessity of a genius loci, I have to do a research towards the identity of the habitants and their orientation as well. Identity The identity concerns in this issue three identities; the identity of the home countries of the international population, the identity of the European Union and the identity of Brussels and Belgium related to their temporary habitants. A hybrid situation and consequently difficult to determine. A through identity of the European Union is even still to be founded. Although this new identity is probably more present by the employees of the European Union then anywhere else in Europe. A solid research could give insight if there s a dominant identity.

4 Orientation People need to be able to orientate their selves to feel comfortable. Therefore they need a recognizable place with an identity and a meaning. Architecture can be a source to this. But, as said before, maybe demographical, social or urban conditions could achieve this as well. We need to realize that the international community of Brussels is a temporary community; although the community stays, the people change and replace each other. This influences the level of orientation. Architecture is a long-dated process. For that demographical, social or urban conditions could be more suitable to achieve a genius loci ; these conditions are more able to adapt as it concerns a continuously changing community. Feeling attached can be achieved as well by getting together and keeping the original language alive. For example an international school can create an international spirit to attach to Brussels, the European Union and their home country as well. Further an urban condition like grouping international people together could create a genius loci. The problem appears again that it s hard to define the identity for the international community. The goal is to get attached to obtain a comfortable living. But maybe these different identities demand different ways to obtain this goal. This makes a research towards a genius loci a complicated situation. So, it remains necessary to determine what is wanted by the international community. Internet-ional Certainly relative relations are under influence of the spirit of time. In the sixties, the city structure could be divided into house, street, neighbourhood and city. These had mutual relations concerning physical, social and intellectual contacts. Nowadays, the structure is more hybrid; Mobility and freedom of choices make identity and space a more detached link. The major difference is the arrival of internet and other modern ways of communication like television and (mobile) phones. Now the genius loci is as well influenced by virtual networks and spaces. The international habitants of Brussels have more possibilities than ever before to connect to their home places. This does appear the question if Brussels needs a defined identity for her international habitants. May be their genius loci is transferable and taken abroad by a virtual environment. In this case, spaces with a lack of genius loci could appear! Brussels as a non-space What are places in the scenario of places without the necessary of a genius loci? We could think of hotels, airports and conference centers, so called permanent transit-spaces. Places like these are described and defined by the anthropologic Marc Augé as non-spaces. Towards defining these non-spaces, he first defines space ; A recognizable spot with identity and meaning. There s a relation visible between the habitants. History has been made here. Spaces have always been there but nowadays, non-spaces are taking over; here the temporary and passing elements are dominant. Note that this temporary element is one of the characteristics of the international community of Brussels! Augé defines as did before that places are defined by identity, social relations and history. Nonspaces do not own an identity and are hardly socially or historically to be explained. The space of non-place creates neither singular identify nor relations; only solitude, and similitude. In this new context people getting out their identity by abstract documents, not by relations with other people or spots.

5 This could contain a future for Brussels. Although we should investigate what is assumed to be temporary. Rem Koolhaas does not consider duration a condition for non-spaces. Non-spaces are taking over anyway; spaces are dated and lack of space is the inescapable destiny of the urban condition. According to him we re going towards a generic city; A city liberated from identity, space and history. She s everywhere but nowhere and can be described very precisely Very described space appeared to me as a contradiction in this framework but when you apply this on a Hilton hotel room it is explained. This hotel room concerns only an interior, not the context. But also the context can be transformed into a non-space; they re taking over! Future for Brussels In this scenario of non-spaces taking over, Brussels could be a pleasant residence for international habitants. The habitants are a self-operating community. Located in Brussels they re not attached to the city. The city s characteristics have no value to their stay. Figure 5, future living area of the international community in Brussels Duration is an important factor of dominance; in case of a short stay, non-spaces could be sufficient. Modern ways of communication and networks make people feel attached to their origins anywhere. There is no question at issue of feeling lost and there is no need to get emotionally involved to the place anymore. Long stays can be influenced by demographical, social or urban conditions as set out before. Architecture now loses her role as composer of place, orientation and identity. This is no disadvantage; air is created for other roles of architecture: New architecture for the international community of Brussels could transform into a uniform architecture with emphasis on environmental and global themes. There s no necessitate to zoom in on the local context. This profit can be used on developing new techniques and methods for creating intelligent architecture. Towards a research The theories outlined above are useful to point out and define the subject. With this theory I tried to create a hypothesis towards answering the main question: Does the international community of Brussels needs architecture for a Genius Loci? As said before, I consider this a no. I think it would be a pleasant prospect if international Brussels develops into a comfortable nonspace. A global architecture can be used for new surroundings and the architectural focus could concentrate on well-functioning, environment and smart design. In case that my hypothesis turns out to be incorrect and architecture seems to be an

6 indispensable device to create a genius loci, then it would be interesting to consider which architectural style would be preferred: A typical Belgium architecture, Modern Movementarchitecture or an attempt to create a European style in architecture? Unfortunately, my stay in Paris was too short to set up a good investigation to verify my hypothesis. But I d like to set out how I d made my article if I had completed the séminaire. It would be interesting to start with a little analysis of the city. A time line and conclusion on the city structure could be made. The introduction should contain the introduction of the theme, the main questions and hypothesis as well. In my main part, I d liked to set out the theory as above, more extensive. But it would be even more interesting to test out the theory; a decent inquiry could give insight in matters as identity, living circumstances and desires. I d liked to set up a respectable research to bring forth demographic statistics. This should show a basic profile of the international population (m/w, age, nationality). Further it should give insight into duration of the stay, experience of Brussels and the experienced identity and the orientation. This written inquiry should contain closed questions to make obvious conclusions on the theme. Best would be a visit to Brussels as well to have some interviews there. In conversations it would be possible to catch the real spirit and the themes that lay behind. Difficult questions important to this theme, like the research towards identity, could be discussed. With the outcomes of the inquiry I d have a solid ground to verify my hypothesis. Summary and conclusion Brussels is a city influenced by her large international population. I m interested in the interaction between the identity of this population and the city. I d like to find out if the international community needs architecture to create a genius loci to feel home in Brussels. My hypothesis is that architecture is not an irreplaceable device to achieve a genius loci ; I assume that social, demographic and urban conditions could substitute this as well. To found my hypothesis I d set out several theory about place, identity, orientation, spaces and non-spaces. But a decent inquiry is indispensable to verify my hypothesis. This inquiry should give insight into demographic statistics. Interviews on the premises could discuss hybrid themes as orientation towards answering my main question. So, my actual writing should contain three components; an (urban) analysis of Brussels to draw up a profile of the city and her international community. Next a theoretical basis to set out the theme. At the base of this theory, I bottom my hypotheses. Yet a solid inquiry could verify these hypotheses. One of the main matters is to determine the identity of the international habitants. Once this is ascertained, the hypothesis that Brussels doesn t need architecture to create a genius loci for the international community could be revalued. The theme is interesting but hybrid. Therefore it was not easy to handle but temporary conclusions were to be made. Unfortunately, it ends up only here

7 Used sources: Plissart, Marie-Fraçoise ; Fastenaekens, Gilbert and autres (2005), Change, Brussels Capital of Europe. Bruxelles : Dereure Printing Compagny SA Hajer, Maarten; Reijndorp, Arnold (2001), Op Zoek naar Nieuw Publiek Domein, Rotterdam : NAI uitgevers Heynen, Hilde; Loeckx, André and others (2001), This is Architecture, Gent: Snoek- Decaju & Zoon Koolhaas, Rem; McGetrick, Brendan and others (2004), Content, Köln: Taschen Norberg-Schulz, Christian (1971), Existence, Space & Architecture, London: Studio Vista till till till till till till