Honorable Mention: Innovative Minds 2012
URBAN CARPET
Michelle Ma
Bayside, NY
Urban Carpet at Tegel Airport, Berlin.
At the University of Pennsylvania, School of Design, our architecture studio led by Martin Haas challenged us to a new approach to designing for the future of 2050. As participant of the Future City Lab workshop hosted by Martin Haas and David Cook at Aedes Gallery in Berlin, I was able to continue to study and answer the question “How can architects and engineers have real impact?” During the roundtable discussion at the Aedes Gallery, the idea of a master planning for the future does not exist. The new ways of designing should revolve around the ideas of a 1. “Framework” 2. “Architects is a mediator between politicians and the stakeholder” 3. The quality of life is the architect’s priorities.
Tegel Airport was schedule to closed in 2013. This was an opportunity to understand how a framework could apply to a large site. An intensive research on the history of Berlin and the Tegel Airport in Berlin was produced to understand the necessities of a new framework. A framework was developed to create a new identity for the site- weaving the existing urban fabric and the nature and preserving the historical runway and building of Tegel Airport. In this particular project, quality of life was implemented as new typology for mix used housing. The contrast between smaller living and larger complex of units are designed across the site. Public space are created that allows degrees of public, semi-public, and private places to exchange interactions. The new qualities of life 1. allowed people to create new spaces 2. varying surprised of courtyard experiences 3. engaged an outdoor experiences with mindful of the climate, sun, and wind conditions. 4. promote healthy life to encourage biking and walking communities 5. use of materials to blend indoor and outdoor experiences.
