Socializing Sodap

The present project follows a previous research that I have done, dealing with the subject of architecture as a means of communication between the person and the space. The aim for my design proposal is to reuse and redesign an existing complex into an autonomous creative community, by using two basic elements, cooperation and adaptive reuse.

The project is developed around the topic of collective workspace and the integration of users into an autonomous community. The aim is to reuse and reorganize an existing complex into an autonomous creative community with two basic elements, collectiveness and adaptive reuse. The chosen site is an existing building called “SODAP” [old wine factory]. It is closely related to this community working nature and what the project seeks to do is to restore these elements by enhancing them with the qualities of the autonomous community. \nThrough my observations of the site I realized that a very important element of the layout of site is the “in-between” spaces that seem to determine the relationships between the buildings. These spaces, for me are all the spaces connecting public and private spaces, open and built environment and work as a connection points between the buildings. While studying the existing relationships of the build environment and open spaces, the idea of the “in-between” space worked as the main concept of redesigning the area. \nThe “in-between” spaces are the carriers of the proposed activities and the new program, rather that redesigning all the building stock of the area and the open spaces surrounding them. The “in-between” spaces are used in the project as the recipients of all the interaction between the users.\nDealing with analysis and design methodology, I used the city as my guide line to understand the relationships between public and private spaces, the way that the public space is used in the city and how some architectural elements can emerge programmatic uses and activities in the open public space. Also, the different kinds of open spaces existing in the city and the levels of privacy and publicness that they contain. From the study of the city I collected some tools that helped me categories my “in-between” spaces in the site and find ways to propose uses, program and architectural solutions. At the same time the study of the city combined with my research of the case studies of Atolye and ExRotaPrint, on work space communities, helped me to create my building program.