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Aspect oneThe relationship between the theme of the studio and the case study

Context of graduation studio

The assignment of the graduation studio took place at the Binnengasthuis, Amsterdam. A site which is located in the medieval part of the city and therefore has a long history of use. Through time the function of the site changed multiple times. After the Alteration in 1578 the former monasteries turned into a hospice and the hospice would eventually evolve into an academic hospital. In the more recent history the academic hospital moved towards the AMC hospital. Since then the site is used by the University of Amsterdam.

The studio Cultural Identity & Heritage focuses on the cultural value(s) and cultural identity. During the studio the importance of finding and preserving of the cultural values and cultural identity of the location are questioned. The cultural identity develops through the course of time and changes or additions to the site can change this cultural identity. Therefore it should be considered how the changes in the future should react on the changes in the past.

Chosen case study

My interests for the location started primarily with the long history of the Binnengasthuis. The story of the area has known many changes and always has been an important part of the development of the city. The history of the site has seen many changes in function, which also meant changes in the urban and architectural design of the area. However the changes

always developed gradually and subtly, creating an unique identity for the area which consisted of various visible and less visible historical layers.

At the first visit to the location my opinion was that the buildings on their own did not contain very special qualities, but the way the buildings were put together made the area unique and interesting. The oddly arranged buildings, with different building styles and orientations, are telling the story of the Binnengasthuis. It were the smaller intangible aspects which made the location special, such as walking though one of the portals towards the location with the idea this were the former entrances to the Gasthuis.

My research topic was therefore geared towards the history

Img. 1: Binnengasthuis, era of nunneries from 1400 until 1578

Img. 2: Binnengasthuis, era of gasthuis from 1578 until 1883

Img. 3: Binnengasthuis, era of Academic Hospital from 1883 until 1981

Img. 4: Binnengasthuis, era of University since 1981

of the Binnengasthuis. With the research I wanted to discover what were important characteristics of the area through time. Which ones are still present at the location and which have perished in time. With this research subject I tried to relate to the theme of the studio and by categorizing the identity of the Binnengasthuis create a foundation to subsequently design with the cultural identity in mind.

My considerations were that the urban history of the Binnengasthuis was more significant for the cultural identity than the history of one singular building at the site. Since the buildings were replaced through time, the current building stock would only tell a fragment behind the story of the Binnengasthuis. This led to the research being more urban orientated than architectural.

Aspect twoThe relationship between the methodical line of approach of the studio and the method chosen by the student in this framework

The methodical line of research at the studio of Cultural Identity & Heritage at the chair of Heritage & Architecture is mainly based on historical development. Research is therefore more often based on a historical research on a specific subject than on theoretical research. To substantiate my historical research of the location I first questioned the definition of identity and searched for reasons to embrace the cultural identity. For the theoretical part of the research I primarily reflected on several publications by the former professor at the chair of Heritage & Architecture, J. Coenen.

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Img. 5: Identity matrix

For the historical research I tried to define important characteristics which together defined the identity of the area at a certain era in history. The historical research was done by using various historical images, maps and engravings, but also literature describing the Binnengasthuis. The historical research let to four series of characteristics which summarized the key to cultural identity of the Binnengasthuis. To summarize my findings in an academic manner, I took an example from the tool used in the publications of H. Zijlstra (ABCD Research method) and J. Roos (Discovering the assignment), the matrix. By using this method the findings through historical images and literature could be organized in clearly defined subjects.

The choice of method for concluding the historical research in a matrix resulted in a clear diagram. Because of the successful result of the method, I decided to also try the same working method to summarize the architectural analysis of the buildings of which I would finally redesign. However using this method for the architectural analysis felt forced and eventually resulted in an analysis which missed important subject, which were left out because it would not fit in the matrix format. As a result, I had to do various architectural analysis subjects after the initial analyse period. As a result, I missed various important information through the process of the project .

Aspect threeThe relationship between research and design

Eventually the research phase would pass into the design phase. As stated before, the research was mainly geared to-wards the larger urban identity of the Binnengasthuis. Howev-er during the design phase the focus would be mainly geared towards an architectural assignment. This meant an initial gap between research and design.

To connect the eventual architectural design and the research, the role of creating a new master plan for the area was impor-tant. By creating a master plan which was designed in line with the findings from the research, the research and design would be more connected. So a new master plan is proposed for the University of Amsterdam, a campus for the Alpha studies where the identity of the Binnengasthuis is embraced. This led to several important preconditions for the architectural assign-ment. Such as the function of the new building, the selected buildings which should be transformed, the implementation of an urban routing, gallery and bicycle storage. Furthermore, the philosophy of continuing on existing identity and quali-ties is extended to the concept of the building. The layout of the building, as new faculty building for the studies, History, Archaeology and Area Studies derives from the layout of the Tweede Kliniek, which is a part of the new building. The new building will derive its new identity from the existing building from with it consists of.

Something I considered as a problem of the existing faculty buildings of the university of Amsterdam is the uniformity of the buildings. Every study is combined in several generic uni-versity buildings, thus causing a lack of identity of the studies

in de buildings. In other words, one cannot see which studies are taught in the buildings. Therefore I decided to expand the topic of identity towards the representation of the identity of faculty in the architecture. One of the solutions was to create a lot of spaces to exhibit study related items. In the new cor-ridors several types of showcases are created to increase the identity of the faculty.

Beside a solution on the interior of the building, also a gesture should be made in the exterior of the building. This resulted in the design of a façade panel, which shows the history of the Binnengasthuis. The relief in concrete shows a collage of the matrix from the research. The used technique and mate-rial of the façade panel refers to reliefs created through his-tory in natural stone, such as fossils and hieroglyphs, which are frequently used by the studies of the faculty as a source of information.

The gap between research and design during the process of the assignment was sometimes problematic. For example the transition from the master plan towards the architectural as-signment caused problems, mainly because the knowledge about the individual building was limited at that stage. But eventually by expanding the topic of identity towards the ar-chitectural assignment, the relationship between research and design came together. The end result of the research is eventu-ally even used as the main design of the façade.

Aspect fourThe relationship between the project and the wider social context.

The university of Amsterdam has been trying for decades to create a campus at the Binnengasthuis area. However, because of the historical significance of the location a lot of protests has been held against previous plan of the University of Amsterdam by the municipality and local residents. Therefore I decided to propose a different approach of creating an Alpha campus at the Binnengasthuis. In the approach I took the historical significance as main aspiration to try to meet the wishes of both the university of Amsterdam, the municipality and the local residents.

One important change I decided to make is to suggest another working approach than the university of Amsterdam currently applies. Instead of working with several generic university buildings I suggested an approach where every study got its own faculty building. The reason behind this is described in aspect three. This decision makes my suggestion for the Alpha campus less realistic, since the architect would have no saying in this kind of matters in the professional field. Besides, this approach means a less economical method. this has become a sensitive subject after the demonstrations by students against the budget cuts by the university, which occurred during the process of my graduation project.

Another important change is the relocating of the social housing at the location. The social housing, created in 1987, which is positioned in the middle of the location has been relocated to the Zusterhuis, a complex from 1903 which used to accommodate the nurses of the hospital. This change restored the former function of the monumental building, which fits

the building very well. It also opened the Binnengasthuis for creating an Alpha campus. The relocation of the social housing in the project might be to idealistic, since destroying social housing in the city centre of Amsterdam can be seen as a sin by many Amsterdam residents, even when a new location is suggested.

Since the social housing complex, designed by Paul de Ley, contained various qualities, I decided not just to demolish the building. Instead I reused the structure and maintained the typical shape it has in the location. This meant that a structure of a former social housing complex would be transformed into a faculty building. At forehand I realised this would give various limitations to the design and I would be far more logical and economical to start from scratch in a realistic situation. However I decided that I wanted to see what the limits were with transforming a limited concrete structure. By respecting the limitations and smart choice of function I eventual transformed the structure radically, while the original function can still be felt in the core of the building.

Graduation Plan Master of Science Architecture, Urbanism & Building Sciences

Graduation Plan: All tracks

The graduation plan consists of at least the following data/segments:

Personal information

Name Rens Matthias van Dijk

Student number 4109376

Telephone number 06-27139865

E-mail address Rm.dijk@hotmail.com

Studio Name / Theme Heritage & Architecture: Cultural Identity & Heritage

Teachers Wouter Willers

Frank Koopman Marie-Therese van Thoor

Argumentation of choice of the studio

The most important difference between redesigning existing buildings and designing a new building is working with given historical precedents. Instead of working with a relatively clean slate, the design starts with several historical layers given through time. The historical layers, each with their own characteristics, together define the place. Rooting the location and creating its unique identity. When redesigning existing buildings, one adds a new layer to the existing historical layers. Therefore I believe the cultural identity of the location should be the main asset when redesigning. New qualities should be created in line with the existing identity and history of the place.

Graduation project Title of the graduation project

Searching for identity: Creating an Alpha campus at the Binnengasthuis

Goal Location: Binnengasthuis, Amsterdam

The posed problem, Creating an Alpha campus at a location with valuable cultural heritage can threaten the existing qualities. Therefore the redesign should be designed with the existing context as main guideline so

the valuable cultural heritage can be preserved and implemented into the redesign.

research questions and What is the historical and existing identity of the Binnengasthuis area and how can it be implemented in the future design?

design assignment in which these result. Part of the graduation will be to create an Alpha campus for the University of Amsterdam at the Binnengasthuis. Eventually, the design assignment will be to redesign one of existing buildings at the master plan into an university building. The historical and existing identity will be used as a guideline for the design, so old and new together becomes something greater.

Process

Method description The research of this Graduation Project will exist out of three parts. The first part will exist out of a theoretical research to serve as a framework for the main research and eventually the design. By means of literature the topic of identity in relation to architecture will be researched. Based on literature the theoretical research will result in a suggested approach for defining the identity. The second part will exist out of a historical research of the Binnengasthuis area. This will be done by using the approach suggested at theoretical research. At the historical research the search towards the historical and existing identity will be done. By formulating the characteristics, which together define the identity, it becomes possible to implement the historical and existing identity into a redesign. The third part will be the eventual design as a result of the research in the form of a master plan and eventually the design of one or more buildings at the location. The knowledge gained during the historical research will be implemented into the redesign. Therefore, all the observed characteristics should be valued by its importance for the identity and the quality that it brings. A master plan will be designed for the Alpha campus of the University of Amsterdam according to this characteristics. Finally one of the buildings of the master plan will be developed further. The chosen building will be the one which has the most influence to the master plan.

Literature and general practical preference Ando, T. (1992). Genius Loci. In C. C. Davidson (Ed.), Anywhere. New York: Rizzoli International Publications. Asada, A., & Isozaki, A. (1992). Anywhere - Problems of Space. In C. C. Davidson (Ed.), Anywhere. New York: Rizzoli International Publications. Bakker, T. (2014). Middeleeuwse kloosters, begijnenhof en gasthuizen in Amsterdam. Bosma, K. (2010a). Authenticiteit: van substantie naar beeld en decor. In K. Bosma & J. Kolen (Eds.), Geschiedenis en ontwerp, een handboek voor de omgang met cultureel erfgoed bij transformatieopgaven. Nijmegen: Van Tilt Uitgeverij. Bosma, K. (2010b). Historisch onderzoek: erfgoed en ruimte. In K. Bosma & J. Kolen (Eds.), Geschiedenis en ontwerp, een handboek voor de omgang met cultureel erfgoed bij transformatieopgaven. Nijmegen: Van Tilt Uitgeverij. Coenen, J. (2006). The art of blending. Paper presented at the Inaugural lecture, Delft. Coenen, J. (2010). Noties: Continuïteit en vernieuwing. Amsterdam: SUN. Daniëls, J., & de Vries, H. (2011). UvA: naar vier open stadcampussen. Amsterdam: UvA Huisvestingsontwikkeling. Demmers, D. (2014). Campusontwikkeling UvA. Amsterdam. Denslagen, W. (2004). Romantisch modernisme: Nostalgie in de monumentenzorg. Amsterdam: Sun. Frampton, K. (1980). Moderne architectuur: Een kritische geschiedenis. Nijmegen: SUN. de Haan, H., & Haagsma, I. (2000). Al de gebouwen van de Universiteit van Amsterdam. Haarlem: Architext. Krabbe, C. P. (2004). Monumentaal en schilderachtig. In V. v. Rossem (Ed.), Amsterdam maakt geschiedenis. Amsterdam: Uitgeverij Bas Lubberhuizen. Maas, T. (1981). Goed plan, maar garanties ontbreken: Herinrichting BG-terrein Amsterdam-Centrum. De Architect, 10(12). Meurs, P. (2004). Segregated but united : Memory in the city of tomorrow. In J.

Seijdel (Ed.), In (no) memory : Storing and recalling in contemporary art and culture. Rotterdam: 010 Uitgeverij. Moneo, R. (1992). The murmer of the site. In C. C. Davidson (Ed.), Anywhere. New York: Rizzoli International Publications. Moneo, R. (2001). The freedom of the architect. Paper presented at the Raoul Wallenberg Lecture, Michigan. Norberg-Schulz, C. (1980). Genius Loci: Towards a phenomenology of architecture. New York: Rizzoli International Publications. Provoost, M. (Ed.). (1995). Re-arch: Nieuwe ontwerpen voor oude gebouwen. Rotterdam: 010 Uitgeverij. Roos, J. (2007). De ontdekking van de opgave. Delft: DSSV. UvA. (2010). Meerjaren huisvestingsplan van Amsterdam. Amsterdam: Universiteit van Amsterdam. van der Zanden, J. (2012). Inzake de nieuwe Faculteitsbibliotheek op Binnengasthuisterrein: Bureau Monumenten & Archeologie. Amsterdam

Reflection

Relevance Redeveloping or transforming the existing fabric in the city will become increasingly important in the future. Coenen observed that two-thirds of all forthcoming building tasks will consist of transformation, at various scale levels. At these type of assignments many different parties are involved with various wishes, making these highly complex assignments. Furthermore, the possible historical importance of the existing fabric asks for a fitting transformation. Therefore researching how qualities of the historical and existing identity can be implemented for transformation may result in a fitting approach to transform existing fabrics with important historical and cultural characteristics.

Time planning