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20.5 - 9.6 2013
AT MEGARON ATHENS
THEIR FIRST
BUILDINGS
Anagnostopoulos Dimitrios, Hui - Ju Lee
Designing the Negative
2008
Postgraduate
ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Professor(s): Marc Angelil, Dirk Hebel
This proposal for a project in Ethiopia provides the opportunity to potentially reorient urban design so it benefits the often-neglected public realm.
The strong architectural tradition of Lalibela and the culture of exterior space in Ethiopia establish the framework for the development of this project. The site selected for the intervention is adjacent to the railway station in the heart of Addis Ababa. The objective of the proposal is to connect the two sides of the site by creating a highly dense, mixed-use area that will offer possibilities for diverse lifestyles and yet remain sensitive to local cultural qualities.
The carving of negative space is deployed as a basic tool for developing the site. First, the patterns of the negative space in the surrounding areas are analyzed, yielding two distinct spatial types. By overlapping these two spatial systems, a new urban pattern is created that combines the characteristics of both parts of the site. Different types of voids are devised and then distributed according to the dimensions of their program as well as the relationships between them. Following the formation of negative space, positive substance is defined by filling in the remaining space, thus serving to further articulate the new urban structure.
Through this process, urban spaces are organized, designed, and distributed according to their respective programs. The project not only responds to the Ethiopian way of life, it just as importantly suggests a new design methodology that can be utilized to raise the quality of urban life for all.
CV
Dimitris Anagnostopoulos received his diploma in Architecture from Patras University in Greece with distinction and obtained a Master in Advanced Studies in Urban Design degree from ETH Zurich. His academic work is awarded in national and international level. He participated in exhibitions in Ethiopia and Cyprus and in a wide range of publications. He is currently living in Greece practicing architecture and urban design.
Hui-Ju Lee received her bachelor from National Cheng Kung University and her Master of Architecture from Graduate Institute of Architecture, National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan. In 2009 she obtained a Master in Advanced Studies in Urban Design degree from ETH Zurich. During her studies she won numerous national and international competitions and participated in exhibitions. She is living in U.S.A. practicing architecture.